Labrynthitis does not care how big you are !

[motoguzziman]

Hi All.
This is the short version, as  Bossy Bessie   has already flown back to the UK.
It was lucky, that we had parked the bike,for a couple of days, in Cedar City, Utah.
At about  02 30, I got hit by an attack of Labrynthitis.
I went from standing up, to lying flat & clinging to the carpet, with my eyes  screwed shut, while the room  spun around so fast it made me retch.
To be honest, I was incapable of doing anything, so, Bossy called an ambulance.
I was in hospital, most of the day.
CAT scan showed the infection.
I have never experienced anything like it !
Any other time I have felt “ Unwell “   I have usually stated that I am not feeling  good, then progressively  felt worse, through the day, then, perhaps not feeling ….great, I could still carry on working.
This..... was like being  hit by an invisible hammer !
Instant Drop To The Floor !
Even after the drip & antibiotics, I still had several days worth of tablets to take.
Bossy had to make a decision , in the time we had available, while I was still  out of it.
She organized some guys to move the bike.....  Sorry, but  I cannot remember your names !
Thank you  all !
First  from one hotel to another, then to the storage unit .
So, The epic Trans USA Tour, came to an inglorious end, in  Cedar City Utah.
Bossy had to fly home via  St George, after putting me on a settee thing, on the Amtrac  from Salt Lake City via Chicago to Toledo.
By then, I could more or less walk, by holding the train corridor.
I will put more on the Blog, once I have matched notes with Bossy, because she was doing everything on her own at the time.
Take Care Out There.

[cruzziguzzi]

I had to look that one up:

Labyrinthitis, also known as otitis interna, vestibular neuronitis and vestibular neuritis,[1][2] is a problem of the inner ear. It results in vertigo and also possible hearing loss or ringing in the ears. It can occur as a single attack, a series of attacks, or a persistent condition that diminishes over three to six weeks. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting. Vestibular neuronitis may also be associated with eye nystagmus.

I had a run-in with a mildly debilitating vertigo a few years back.
Not any kinda fun.

Couldn't walk, drive or even stand safely in the shower for quite some time.

I feel for ya and hope yours wanes and disappears to be an odd set of stories for you to tell later on.

Todd.

[balvenie]

            Reminds me of Meniere's Disease, from which my GF used to suffer. The crash to the floor that you describe is called a "drop attack" and is frightening to witness never mind its effect on on the victim.
            My GF needed a gentomycin injection into the ear (through the canal I think), to kill the organ of balance. She is very good now and can drive and play tennis, much as before and it is all a thing of the past now.

             Heaven help you mate and all the best.   

[Kent in Upstate NY]

My dad had that as a result of a shingles flare up. Not fun.

[normzone]

Oh. Well, we miss you, but here's to your rapid recovery and return.

I had a coworker contract that problem. He abruptly dropped out of sight for about ten days, and came back with tales similar to yours. No clue why it occurred. Good thing you weren't on the bike.

I'll hoist a pint for you tonight.

 

[kingoffleece]

It caused my to miss the national in NH.  Came out of NOWHERE and I was toast for 10 days.

[cruzziguzzi]

Let me tell ya , when the first big episode of this hits , it feels like yo are gonna die , or worse 

  Dusty

Yup - That initial bout had me feeling quite literally like I could fall off the world. The disorientation attendant to this is not to be accurately described. Even the worst earthquake I experienced was more or less through a single plane. The worst drunk too, single plane spinning.
This affair - no plane to orient off of and simply no ability to right one's self internally until it passes. The most unsettling was trying to get to the shoulder of the road in my pickup. Seat of the pants - even in a car where you know better - is gone... completely and though you know the truck is not rolling, banking or diving  you try to compensate anyhow. Good luck with that and the logic conflict accompanying it.

Unnerving to say the least.

Here again - I hope the OP's passes before even this thread dies.

Todd.

[Triple Jim]

My GF needed a gentomycin injection into the ear (through the canal I think), to kill the organ of balance.

Could she still hear with that ear after the injection?

[cwiseman]

I've recently had a case of bell's palsey hit me from nowhere, the left side of my face is paralized. My father and his mother have had it and it will go away. The thing that's killing me is the pain in the neck, back of the head and the jaw. I missed three days of work and since the chiropractor wasn't helping with the pain got on some Vicodin. It's not the most pleasant pain killer but without it the pain would be unbearable.

Hope you have a speedy recovery

[balvenie]

Could she still hear with that ear after the injection?

Not nearly as well. The hearing never recovers but after 6 months the balance in the opposite ear had "learned" to compensate for the missing function in the treated ear and she now copes very well.

[Triple Jim]

Not nearly as well. The hearing never recovers but after 6 months the balance in the opposite ear had "learned" to compensate for the missing function in the treated ear and she now copes very well.

Thanks.  I have Meneire's disease in my left ear, but have found "John's Regimen" works very well to minimize symptoms in my case.  I was wondering if the injections might actually get rid of the symptoms without hearing damage.

http://www.menieresfoundation.org/johnsregimen.htm

[balvenie]

Thanks for that link Jim. Am thinking about lysine as a preventative of future infection in the good ear.

[Triple Jim]

You're certainly welcome.  Credit goes to my wife for finding that information. 

[BMWDavid]

When I was 12 years old I had a sudden rupture in my right ear. I had extreme vertigo and ringing in my ear. This was in 1967. I was put on some antibiotics and spent several days in bed. Balance came back in about two-three weeks and I was able to ride my bicycle again without any issues. The hearing never came back.

I've spoken with some ear/nose/throat Doctors about my childhood experience and all have said if that happened today most likely I would have had treatment to preserve my hearing and have a quicker recovery on the balance.

In any case I'm fortunate that my balance did recover and I've been able to ride motorcycles all my life.

[boatdetective]

It sure was a good thing that you had someone there to look after you and the bike. I might recommend not calling her Bossy Bessie.

[dan_s]

If it's vestibular neuritis, which it could very well be, it will go away without leaving a trace with no treatment. Meneire's disease is rarer but is an option. See a neurologist and an ear doctor. I'd ask for an MRI too. Best health.

[motoguzziman]

Thanks for all your responses, I had no idea it was  so prevalent.
Until it hit me, I had never heard of it.
As  said, its really scary !
Thank god it happened in the Motel, and not while riding down the interstate !

Anyway, its over  14 days, since the attack,  and even now, I cannot stand up  or bend down, without  going all dizzy.
So I am taking it easy, in a hotel, waiting for my return flight to Europe, on Monday.
Take Care Out There.

[Triple Jim]

Thank god it happened in the Motel, and not while riding down the interstate !

I don't really understand why, but during a Meniere's attack I could still ride a bicycle OK, if I wasn't too nauseous.  I think balancing on two wheels must have a lot of brain-eye stuff going on, and not entirely brain-inner ear.

[jbell]

Wow, never heard of it before.  Thank goodness you had good help available as well as a diagnosis.  Hope you're well, soon.