Holy Cow! 2 posts in a week!!!

Good news, bad news and strange news.

The above diagram is of the inner ear.

See those 3 semi-circular canals? One is for hearing, one is for balance, and one is a facial nerve. When you have a virus of your facial nerve its called Bell's Palsy. When you get the Herpes virus of all 3 its Shingles in your ear. 

Well, I have/had a virus of my balance nerve. And it happened in my right ear. There are no ways to tell how it happened, why I got it, how long it will last or is lasting, no idea how you get it, no idea how to treat it or make it go away. They say it isn't contagious. It's called Acute Labyrinthitis or Vestibular Neuronitis or Neuritis. (If you'd like to look it up)

They have no idea if this is a virus, a viral infection or a infection. They don't know if it's contagious or how to treat it. All they can do right now is treat the symptoms it leaves behind.

So the idea is that this virus attacked me on December 17th and we think it lasted no longer than 4 or 5 days and then while I was trying to recuperate, I had a recurrence. Most people never see a recurrence. Some if they do, it's after they have completely healed.

I had a special test done today to test my eye movements and dizziness. The test showed that I do have severe nerve damage, but that it was in my right ear and only partially took out my ear. So normally if one ear was completely damaged then my other ear would make up for the loss. However, since mine is only partially damaged, it means that while my right ear is trying to heal, it's constantly interfering with my left ear. My left ear is trying to compensate, but it keeps getting mixed signals from the right. Which very well be why I had the recurrence.

So I am out of work for yet another 6 weeks at least, and I am keeping my appointment with the neurologist just in case I get worse or need further testing on my brain.

My hearing loss is from a decompressed skull fracture I had as an infant, and it will continually get worse as I age.

We also found out today from my test, that I have severe rapid eye movement and that my eyes are never at rest. So even while I am sleeping, I'm not resting. Which explains my eye problems, my sleeping alot and being tired. He also said that keeping my head still is causing my severe neck pain and headaches. So now I have to wear a neck collar at night at least to support the weight of my head. I told Jason I have a dog collar now. LOL

Now we go back to using all the previous meds as needed, and wait. We are hoping that I don't have any more recurrences and that I heal, and heal quickly. Unfortunately, people who have history of ear infections, high stress, car sickness and much more take longer to heal and are more likely for this to occur and re-occur.

The more recurrences I have, the longer it takes for me to heal. So thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts and comments, your love and support! Love you all!

Jess