First off I would like to apologies for the lengthy post, my problems began over 4 weeks ago when I experienced a sudden onset of dizziness which I could best describe as a swaying motion and unsteadiness/loss of balance - this lasted a few minutes and then settled down.
I experienced this sudden onset again the following afternoon which again lasted a few minutes and then dissipated, feeling shaken up afterwards, I dedicated to head home and sleep it off.
I awoke the following morning with a churning stomach, diarrhea, fatigue and a diluted version of the "swaying" dizziness - best described as the feeling you would receive if you were on a boat, or there was some sort of internal movement. My balance was also affected by this and the next few days it persisted.
After several days passed, I began to start worrying something was not right, so I booked a doctors appointment and was told this sounded like a case of labrynthitis and should disappears within a week or so.
For the next few days the swaying sensation began to increase in severity to the point I was unable to get out of bed for much longer than a few minutes without having to go back and lye down. My balance was seriously affected at this point and although I didn't feel like I was going to fall over, It felt as if I was being pushed from different angles when I was walking which forced me to hold onto doors, radiators to keep my balance.
I also began developing what I would describe as very intense panic attacks, in where I was physically unable to relax myself. For the next week or so my heart my consistently racing heavily. I was diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder many years ago - but I have never experienced fear and panic this intense before. My left and then a few days later my right ear felt blocked, with a constant urge to "pop".
The most intense feelings seemed to disappear after the next three to four days, and I have had several days feeling somewhat like "my old self", only to awake the following morning feeling off balance again. From that point onwards it has seemed to follow a one "good" day then "bad" day.
During this time I also developed a serious tension headache which has now developed into sore points on my head, particularly the top of my head and the left and right points off the back of my skull.
I went back to the doctor who performed several neurological tests, a hearing test and ordered some blood tests and a urine sample. Both the urine sample and blood tests (including thyroid) came back clear. Upon checking my ears the doctor mentioned there was a large amount of wax build up and he was unable to see inside my ears, so prescribed me some ear drops - which I have been applying daily. I have now being referred to an ENT specialist, although my appointment is not until October (I live in the UK - and must rely on the NHS).
I am still in a one day on and off sort of scenario, unable to get much sleep - regardless of how tired I am. The headaches are still persistent, and seem to last the entire day - moving around different areas. I also experience some shooting/stabbing pains periodically throughout the day which are not particularly painful but uncomfortable.
I still have a constant feeling of motion - although not as intense, it is extremely difficult to relax with the constant sensation of movement. Straggly when I sit on the floor it feels asif my feet are "spinning" although there is no visual spinning. I have also received this sensation on several occasions when I close my eyes, asif my head is spinning around in circles.
My moral is slowly being deliberated by these problems, particularly due to the changeability of the symptoms on a dilly basis. And how I can feel like I am improving one day, only to awake and find the symptoms have return the next. I am unable to go to work still, and start university in less than 4 weeks time.
Can anybody here related to this experience? I am unsure what to feel at the moment as after researching inner ear conditions this does not feel like the typical case, although I did have a cold a few weeks prior to the onset, and a lot of thick congestion in my sinuses. The doctor mentioned the wax build up - I am unsure whether this could be a direct cause for all these problems - it certainly seems unlikely to me? Particularly the way the symptoms wax and wane so randomly.
I am unsure whether this could be in any way related to dental problems, I had a root canal with a post core and cap a few days prior to the onset of everything. But I do have several upper teeth that I need removed, as I have had intermittent problems with abscesses. The only reason I mention dental work is because I felt a rocking sensation after a tooth abscess a few years ago which lasted several days then disappeared.
I never found out the cause of the rocking sensation but presumed it was related to the inflammation in some way, leading me to believe whether all these symptoms could be related to TMJ?
I appreciated anyone who has taken the time to read my experience, I know its a long post - and some may not be relevant but I am really at wits end what to do right now and just need some answers, which seems like a losing battle at the moment.