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Labrynthitis Question
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pleasehelpme87 posted:
Hi Dr. Moser, I have a question concerning Labrynthitis. I had labrynthitis occur about five months ago (I posted about the experience on here when it happened as well). For that time, I went to the hospital, CT scan, and given serc, took about a few weeks or so for body to compensate for imbalance.

Last night, when I was trying to fall asleep, I was having an odd thing happen to me. As I laying down, with my eyes closed, I began having this weird feeling as if I was losing my balance, or even falling back. (The feeling is similar to when people lose their balance and get that weird feeling when they close their eyes and can no longer balance themselves) Each time this was happening, I would have to open my eyes immediately and shift position. It was pretty scary to be honest. In addition, my feet (and maybe hand) then started feeling tingling (could have been from the nervousness of what was happening).

I remember this same thing had happened before about twice, both times were in the first few weeks after labrynthitis had first happened, I knew it was weird, but at the same time, I thought it was probably a part of the healing process after labrynthitis as I was told it could take weeks for the body to compensate and learn how to balance again. I thought this would be true particularly when you are deprived of other senses such as sight due to closing your eyes and laying down (I remember laying down made my labrynthitis much worse at the hospital, so I sat upright the whole night until morning)

I woke up this morning, after that happening last night, and had to blow my nose. A large part of the mucous was dark brown, dark red, and black, which made me think this must be blood. Blood indicating inflammation?

I am just worried as what had happened last night. Does this sound like labrynthitis to you? A possible reoccurrence soon? Does the morning dark black mucous indicate inflammation, which would suggest inflammation in the ears and nose? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
Labyrinthitis, or at least the damage that occured from the labyrinthitis, can result in recurrent symptoms (usually milder than the first bout) for a year or more. There can be many causes of vertigo, however, so it would not be prudent just to assume it was the labyrinthitis rearing its ugly head again. You should see the ENT again and be re-evaluated.

As far as your nose is concerned, as an isolated incident, the blood or dark mucous could be inflammation, but this is just a guess. The ENT will need to peer into your nose to see if he can find a source (sometimes, this can not be found after the fact), and check your sinuses. This may not be related to your labyrinthitis, but vertigo can also be caused by sinus issues.
 
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pleasehelpme87 replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Hi Dr. Moser, I had the opportunity to see a neurologist yesterday. I have some questions that I was hoping you could help me with.

I told him my symptom history dating from 2009. How things started with c diff, and after that I developed Pulsatile Tinnitus (subjective - they cannot hear with stethoscope), blurred/double vision, lightheadedness, then vertigo this year and balance problems.

I had an MRI pre and post contrast in 2010, and CT without contrast in 2011. Both were fairly ok (some T2/flair hyperintensities on MRI).

The neurologist said he thinks I could have Dural AV Fistula. He said based on my description of the noise, it being one sided, and how pressure under the jaw stops the noise, all sound like this could be it. He said he wants to proceed with standard angiography as I have already done a ct and mri pre and post contrast.

1. What is the difference between standard angiography and MRI pre and post contrast (I know standard angio uses a catheter inserted in the groin)? Why would one be used over another? Is one better since they seem to do the same thing?

2. The neurologist said MRI and CT would not show a Dural AV Fistula anyways, your thoughts?

3. Do I have to be overly worried about the procedure of standard angiography, like the risks and complications of stroke? Should this prevent me from doing it in other words?

Thank you.
 
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to pleasehelpme87's response:
You are out of my primary care area of expertise and clinical practice, and now in the hands of a neurologist.As much as I sould like to offer you some insight, I cannot. Sorry, you will need to direct these questions to the neurologist.


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