[OneProudMum]

Has anyone ever suffered an inner ear infection but not had significant ear pain?

My symptoms are:
- dull ache on one side possibly from ear/neck
- dizziness
- vertigo
- ringing in my ear
- nausea

I don't have any significant pain but I need this sorted ASAP.

I have been up to the hospital and seen 3 different GPs and none of them can give me a significant diagnosis.

This post has been edited by OneProudMum: 16/01/2013, 09:52 PM

[**Xena**]

Sounds like labyrinthitis to me. I suffer from it and it sucks. Unfortunately it's also not treatable except they can give you something for the nausea and you never know how long it will last.

[OneProudMum]

Sounds like labyrinthitis to me. I suffer from it and it sucks. Unfortunately it's also not treatable except they can give you something for the nausea and you never know how long it will last.

How did you find this out?

[TillyTake2]

Do you mean a middle ear infection or an inner ear infection? Inner ear infections can be very very serious. If you feel your hearing has been affected I would go to the hospital or if you have an ENT ring them. If you hum does the sound seem to go to the bad ear? If yes then that is good & a sign it is a middle ear problem. If no, then that is a sign there is a problem in the inner ear (cochlea) & it needs URGENT treatment to prevent permenant hearing loss.

Another option would be to make an urgent appointment with an audiologist tomorrow who will be able to tell you if it is middle or inner ear.

[TillyTake2]

If you have already been to hospital did they have an ENT registrar see you? Have they prescribed steroids or anything?

[**Xena**]

I got an attack when I went away on holiday once. At the time I had no idea what was going on but my ear felt funny (not sore though exactly) the floor was rising up to meet me and I felt nauseous and had a panic attack (panic attacks can also be a symptom). I went to the GP when I went home and he told me that's what it sounded like to him. He gave me medication for nausea but said that's all they can really do. I read up on it afterwards to learn more.

[OneProudMum]

If you have already been to hospital did they have an ENT registrar see you? Have they prescribed steroids or anything?

No they checked me for signs of stroke and heart problem as my heart was beating fast.

This is a rundown

THURS NIGHT
Feel like I'm going to faint, feeling all symptoms above. Get DH to run me to the ED. Start panicking so they look for signs of heart attack or stroke. They ran ECGs and bloods. No mention of ear. Nothing significant found.

SATURDAY
Spent in bed feeling absolutely terrible.

SUNDAY MORNING
Feeling the same so take myself to oncall GP. He prescribes stemetil and ear drops and says its possibly viral. He orders a holter monitor because I told him hospital was more concerned about my heart.

MONDAY MORNING
In such a state I take myself to GP early morning feeling panicky about symptoms. She does ECG. Nothing found.
GP says there is a dizzy virus going around and I need to rest.

MONDAY - TUESDAY
Fitted with holter monitor. Still feel unreasonable but symptoms slightly improve.

WEDNESDAY
Back to same GP I saw Sunday and orders a b12 shot and sends me on my way.

TONIGHT
Hit rock bottom again, feel all the above symptoms. Got my DH to drive me 1 hr away to see massage therapist who says my neck, shoulders and back are completely knotted. Gives me a massage and sends me home. Some improvement but still feeling that something is not quite right. Hard to pinpoint with such a low B12 store.

[Wahwah]

Yes, I currently have an ear infection without pain and am using antibiotic drops. I also have permanent unilateral tinnitus, and sometimes have achey neck / head that impacts on my ear and sinus problems.

Are you panicky because you are worried about the symptoms, or is the feeling of panic one of your symptoms. Because in your initial list you don't mention any chest/breathing issues, only that your heart was beating fast in a later post.

I live with ear problems which 2 ENT's haven't been able to diagnose and I'm off (on my GPs recommendation) for another opinion. I'm not going to worry until someone tells me something I don't want to hear.

[OneProudMum]

Yes, I currently have an ear infection without pain and am using antibiotic drops. I also have permanent unilateral tinnitus, and sometimes have achey neck / head that impacts on my ear and sinus problems.

Are you panicky because you are worried about the symptoms, or is the feeling of panic one of your symptoms. Because in your initial list you don't mention any chest/breathing issues, only that your heart was beating fast in a later post.

I live with ear problems which 2 ENT's haven't been able to diagnose and I'm off (on my GPs recommendation) for another opinion. I'm not going to worry until someone tells me something I don't want to hear.

I am panicky because of the symptoms. I am scared there is something more sinister. I forgot to add the GP looked in my ear and just said it had a bit of wax but I didn't think inner ear infections were visible unless a scan is done?
I can't sleep as I'm so worried.

[OneProudMum]

I actually work with a GP (in my 8th year with him) and after the run around I've had I am seriously contemplating asking to see him tomorrow.