Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus

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Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/24/2008 1:33:04 AM

TwistedLeather

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Viral Labrynthitus - It's an infection in the deep inner ear, and there's really no treatment available for it. The doctors say it doesn't matter what they do for it, it just has to run it's course, for 4-6 weeks. Causes nausia, dizziness, light headedness, poor cordination... in short, motion sickness. The more you do, the worse it gets. Ears itch and hurt, and in general just get bothersome. Supposed to get lots of rest (yeah right! Like that's an option!) This is the second occurance in the past three months.

Optical Migraines - Similar to regular migraines, only these ones don't always come with pain. Light hurts, sound hurts. Moving head around much hurts or causes dizziness. Eyes blackout (sparkles on the outer edges of vision, then tunnel in to a small pinpoint), can cause total blackout or passing out. Unable to focus on objects, or focus thoughts in general. Sometimes my body trembles, and sometimes i just can't seem to think straight. Other times, i can't remember even the simplest of things. i'll be in the middle of doing something, then i'll just completely forget what i was doing. i've become a pin cushion for tests and treatments, but thus far they haven't found anything that actually controls the problem. They've done cat scans and an MRI. Tested for bloodpressure, diabetes, thyriod problems, etc. Been to an Optomitrist who says i have bad photo sensitivity due to over enlarged pupils, but nothing else is wrong with my eyes.

Question? Anyone have any suggestions outside of traditional medical treatments and solutions for these problems? i'm going out of my mind. i can't even do things my Owner wants, or things i really enjoy, because my head spins and i feel like i'm going to fall over. It's hard to do my work, and i'm starting to get incredibly frustrated and somewhat depressed over having to do what i just have to do.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/24/2008 1:53:36 AM

SeeksOnlyOne

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i had something similair to the viral thing a couple years ago. i would feel like i was standing on a boat dock while at work-actually ended up leaving work when i nearly hit the floor from dizziness.

i found an ENT specialist and he gave me a long name for it-then said it basically boiled down to an allergy that affected the small hairs in the inner ear.. he also said it had to run its course, but he treated it with some strong allergy meds. i had to spend a week at home because the first week i took them i literally couldnt stay awake while taking them.

then i cut the dose in half and went back to work. i think it took nearly 3 months before i went a full day without feeling dizzy or spaced out.

good luck....you might try googling spaced out feeling or dizzy. i did, and there are many folks that deal with this thing. it made me feel a lil less like a freak(at least about that part of my life-lol)

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/24/2008 8:58:45 PM

califsue

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I would be concened that they have labeled it Viral Labrynthitus ...i would want them to check for Mastoiditis which is an infection in the inner ear bone and Ménière's disease. They can do a CAT scan and look at the bones for Mastoiditis and Meniere's is harder to identify and treat due to the various things that can cause it. My dad is 82 and has both and the physical therapist gave him CAWTHORNE Vertigo/Balance Exercises to do and he says it is helping....and they might help with this though i don't know.
you might check out this website:
http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/specific-disorders/labyrinthitisvest-neuritis.php

Although I have pain with my migraines and not usually just the optical variety when I contacted my Ob-GYN she sent me to the neurologist so if you have not been referred by your doctor to a neurologist I would ask that they do so. The neurologist talked about several things we could try and what I went with and I have seen significant improvement in mine is taking Magnesium on a daily basis. He recommended starting with 400 mg and I have increased to 800 to 1,000 mg a day. Mine are worst the week prior to and the day of my menstrual cycle. The week prior I increase it to 1,200 mg a day. I also have prescription strength Ibuprofen to take and also prescription Midrin for my migraines.

I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that it will improve very soon.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/24/2008 9:25:15 PM

d1ll1gaf

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I have found two things that take the edge off my migraines:

1. Hot showers in total darkness. I crank up the temperature as high as I can stand it, turn the bathroom lights out and sit on the floor of the shower letting the water cascade down on my head. Usually reduces the pain in around 15-20 minutes.

2. Blended ice coffees. I make them by combining cappuccino, skim milk and ice in the blender. The ones from Tim Horton's or Starbucks work as well but are a little weaker than making them at home. Something about the ice and caffeine works for me. in fact the help so much I bought a cappuccino maker just for them (I actually hate coffee).

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/25/2008 4:55:07 AM

TwistedLeather

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Thanks for the advice, and i will be checking out the website link posted. i also go back, yet again, to the doctors on Monday so we'll see what they decide to try on me *this* time. As i've said, they have done a cat scan, and an MRI, along with other various tests for things i wouldn't even wanna try to pronounce or remember.

Hot showers and darkness won't do me much good when 1) i'm a mother, and 2) i do have to work, and 3) with my ear problems, showers tend to make my ears bother me more. i have tried coffee, and it sometimes takes the edge off, but it's far from a control or a cure.

*sigh* The joys of having issues...

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/25/2008 7:00:08 AM

Maya2001

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Migraines are often triggered by something ... if you can determine a cause ...then there may be a way to control ..mine were related to hormones levels, when I was taking birth control pills I started having them daily, whe I went off they started to subside though it took a while ...later occured occassionally but charting I realized they were related to my menstrual cycles as soon as the first symptoms appeared I could stop the migraines if I took a pain reliever early enough as for the ear thingy ..I have ahad a few bouts recommendation was to take sudafed to shorten the length but still runs about a month but less severe while taking the sudafed

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/25/2008 3:04:05 PM

ThinkingKitten

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I agree with trying the magnesium. I started taking it for another issue, and noticed that the number of migraines I got dropped off sharply. Don't have any great ideas for the issues with the vestibular apparatus though. Not nice. I hope it gets better soon.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/26/2008 6:28:31 PM

sophia37

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If it keeps occurring, your probably in need of a good chiropractor. I have inner ear problems myself and at the moment have been going to see my own chiropractor about just that. Usually one visit is all I need. This time its been a bit more difficult to straighten me out. I get inner ear problems when my neck goes way out of alignment. Certainly it couldnt hurt for you to be evaluated.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/26/2008 6:37:37 PM

ginGerF21

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I've had the ocular migrains....the kind with no pain. Starts out with you feeling a bit off....then you notice the sparkles beginning at the edge of your sight. They increase until they become an "oval" of sparkles that you can't seem to see through. Then they slowly fade away....after a couple of hours. During this time, my thought process seems a bit fuzzy, and definately out of whack, but i don't feel dizzy or anything. I think your symptom of dizzyness stems from your other problem. Mine seem so mild that I just go lie down in a dark room for a while and that takes care of them. I haven't had any since my divorce a year ago....go figure...lol! (maybe stress sets them off...)

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/27/2008 8:22:30 AM

DesFIP

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I suffer from vertigo when my sinuses block up. I live off of decongestants as a result. Slightest sign of a cold and I'm on them. I have a personal steam inhaler to help keep them open. I know people who prefer a neti pot to wash them clean.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/27/2008 10:38:11 AM

LadyRainfire

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Topomax is a prescription medication than can be taken for prevention of migraines. It does nothing for a migraine once it hits though. I've had migraines for 22 years now. A food journal can help discover if you have any food sensitivities that might be triggering yours or if you track your cycle, they could be hormonally related. I know mine can be. I've learned what my triggers are and am extremely careful now. Scents, sounds, stress/muscle tension, bright lights at the wrong time, some times it's the silliest thing that can trigger one. It takes that one little bright sparkly light on a bright day when I'm tense, tired and off it goes.....

Due to inner ear damage, I suffer from vertigo on a regular basis. Candied ginger is my best friend. It will help with the nausea and not make you sleepy. If you can get into a physical therapist, there are exercises to help but other than that, the best thing is allergy meds to drain and dry out the ear canals. What causes the symptoms is fluid build-up. Time and taking it slow and easy are the only other things that I can suggest. Just make sure that your care giver has covered all the bases and that you are satisfied.

Good luck - it's not easy. I've been there.....

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/27/2008 12:21:35 PM

clearshooter

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TwistedLeather

Viral Labrynthitus - It's an infection in the deep inner ear, and there's really no treatment available for it. The doctors say it doesn't matter what they do for it, it just has to run it's course, for 4-6 weeks. Causes nausia, dizziness, light headedness, poor cordination... in short, motion sickness. The more you do, the worse it gets. Ears itch and hurt, and in general just get bothersome. Supposed to get lots of rest (yeah right! Like that's an option!) This is the second occurance in the past three months.

Optical Migraines - Similar to regular migraines, only these ones don't always come with pain. Light hurts, sound hurts. Moving head around much hurts or causes dizziness. Eyes blackout (sparkles on the outer edges of vision, then tunnel in to a small pinpoint), can cause total blackout or passing out. Unable to focus on objects, or focus thoughts in general. Sometimes my body trembles, and sometimes i just can't seem to think straight. Other times, i can't remember even the simplest of things. i'll be in the middle of doing something, then i'll just completely forget what i was doing. i've become a pin cushion for tests and treatments, but thus far they haven't found anything that actually controls the problem. They've done cat scans and an MRI. Tested for bloodpressure, diabetes, thyriod problems, etc. Been to an Optomitrist who says i have bad photo sensitivity due to over enlarged pupils, but nothing else is wrong with my eyes.

Question? Anyone have any suggestions outside of traditional medical treatments and solutions for these problems? i'm going out of my mind. i can't even do things my Owner wants, or things i really enjoy, because my head spins and i feel like i'm going to fall over. It's hard to do my work, and i'm starting to get incredibly frustrated and somewhat depressed over having to do what i just have to do.

Had a somewhat similar condition; labyrinthine hydrops and found some relief with an otc I purchased at the Wal-Mart pharmacy counter called T-Bio~~took a couple of courses but no return.

Rather than migraines I get cluster headaches and have found that 1000 mgs. of Magnesium daily has greatly reduced their occurence.

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/27/2008 6:41:37 PM

Sinimint

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Sounds like menieres disease to me. I have had it for over 20 years, and it started with a few attacks of Labrynthitus. It's not fatal, can be controlled and gets easier to live with. Please message me for more details if the info below does not help. I get optical migraines too - which is all linked....

www.menieres.org.au

A low salt diet really really helps!!!!!!!!!!!! No kidding. I hardly have any attacks when I'm on a low salt diet. I dont add salt to ANY of my cooking. And when I have take away food, eg pizza (which is loaded with salt), or chinese etc, I ask for lower salt and drink heaps of water after eating. Always check salt contents in all food you buy and try and limit your intake....

Peppermint tea, opens up the nasal, eye, ear passages etc, and really helps too.

Ginger tablets help as well with feeling sick.

No rope suspension, especially upside down!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this helps......

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RE: Help! Optical Migraines and Viral Labrynthitus - 5/29/2008 5:08:09 PM

ffv66

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I also have Ocular Migrains. The Dr told me they are triggered by diet. The can come on up to 36hrs after I eat one of the trigger foods. A good trigger for me is processed meates like cold cuts, peperoni, ham etc..... and nuts..

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