My husband acquired an outer ear infection two years ago. At the hospital, he was treated for a bacterial infection. Three days later, he suffered facial paralysis and severe pain in his ear and right side of his head. After being admitted to the hospital, it was discovered he had shingles and the virus had spread to his brain. He underwent six months of therapy for his accompanying dizziness and vestibular problems. Now two years later, he is still dizzy and has numerous balance problems. He cannot drive or perform normal activities. He only gets relief when he lies down; so much of his life is spent in bed. If he had been given Valtrex the first day he went to the hospital, he may not be as bad as he is. The doctor says that the nerve from the inner ear to the brain is damaged, as well as two facial nerves. He looks like he had a stroke. He must walk with a cane to support himself so he does not fall down. He is taking gabapentin for the pain and meclizine for the dizziness along with an antidepressant. He is soon to start another round of therapy for the dizziness.

For the past 2 months I have experienced a wavy, unsteady, floating disorientation. I was diagnosed with strep throat and prescribed meds for strep and that is when I recall it 1st started happening. I thought the feeling was a result of the meds. I am afraid to drive and cry continuously because I feel unsteady and blurry. I am afraid to move my head. The feeling comes in waves continuously when I am up and moving, it even occurs when I am laying down if I move my eyes or head. It is quite frightening to me. The meclizine prescribed does not seem to work for me. I have had no relief, but have only been taking it 3 days so far. I do have a history of bi polar disorder (manic depression) diagnosed 10 years ago and take Seroquel, Xanax, Cymbalta and Ambien. I feel increased anxiety daily as the meds continue to disappoint me.

I have no definite diagnosis at this time. For over 5 years I have battled vertigo, dizziness, migraines, and actually falling down. First diagnosis was MS. Then that changed to a stroke. Now, an inner ear disorder. My hearing is intact so the ENT doctor could not help me. My neuorologist now believes it is something with the labyrinth. I have tried numerous medications. Now surgery may be in the future with the risk losing my hearing attached to it. Is there anyone with the same frustration over being unable to accurately diagnose the problems?

I always had vertigo on and off as a kid, with no answers. At some point in my 20s, a doctor guessed that it might have something to do with childhood meningitis. Then when I was about 46, I started to not feel right. I woke up one morning and the room was spinning. Every time I moved my head or my eyes, the world moved. It took two months with help to be able to walk to the store again and slowly with physical therapy to go back to work. His "guess” this time was the inner ear. But the ear, nose, and throat specialist did not find anything conclusive. They could not help. I ended up taking nightly meds of Imipramine and Ativan to help sleep and keep it at bay. It has been over four years now and I've been dealing with it daily. Some days are good, some days are bad. Two months ago I started having aching in my joints, pain, numbness, headaches, “glands on fire,” weakness, and horrible pain. Of course, I had increased dizziness. So far, I've gotten no help from my doctors. This time around I'm going to see every doctor there is to give me a definite answer or diagnosis. One thing I've been trying is self-help – cutting out salt, caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and sugars. I eat three balanced, nutritious meals, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. These things have helped.