Most Likely you have an ear virus. To be safe I would recommended you go see an ENT right away. They will give you a series of tests to make sure it is nothing more than an ear virus. You can go to your doctor and have them get you a cat scan or MRI to rule out a tumor. Meclizine will help with the dizziness. Be patient this is a LONG process. There is nothing you can do about an Ear Virus, you must let it run its coarse. Usually these take a couple months before you start to feel any better and then another couple months to get back to 100%. But not everybody heals the same so I cant guarantee that. I have had one for 3 months now, but I am much better than I was a month ago. The best thing to do is eat healthy, stay away from stimulates (caffeine, tobacco, Alcohol etc..) and keep moving. Don't lay around and get depressed and be inactive. Keep moving but don't overdue it either. You want to get as much quality sleep as possible. Hope this helped, and if you have any questions just ask, I am more than willing to share my information with anyone.

I have exactly this syndrome. About 10 days ago, I got off a ferry and I started to have this slight dizzy spell. It worsened a few days later as I began to have this bad flu, eg. bad cold, sore throat cough, but no headache.

After I got my flu sorted out by my family doc, the dizziness/imbalance feeling (basically feels like i am on a boat constantly). I went to see ENT specialist, she checked my ears, nose, eyes. She ruled out a possibility of a brain tumor. However she advise I could get an MRI checked if I am very concerned. She thinks there is a virus near my eardrum and it can only take time to get rid of it.

So any of you who experienced this can give me a reply or recommendation I would very appreicate it. I am 27 years old and I am freaked out about this!!!!!!

These are all common symptoms of an ear virus. The "feel like your on a boat" is very common. Be patient, it takes a while for a virus to run its coarse. Remaining active even though you are dizzy is important. I also noted some things in the post above that may help you. If you have any questions, just ask, hope i helped.

thank you. I have decided to do an MRI on the brain and cerebellum this afternoon. Hope it's nothing serious.

I have had some of these symptoms for the last 2 weeks. It started out with ear ringing I still have that though so kinda worried about that. That night I also got a headache. Next day I have kind of like stomach flu which I assume is from the stress of the ear ringing. Also can't eat alot right now, don't have the urge to. My neck is also cramped a little and I had some ear pains every once in a while. I'm on some pills for the stress of the ear ringing.

Does anyone know generally how long the ear ringing can last?

Suddenly on June 25 of this year I get up from sitting down and felt a complete dizziness sensation. I brushed it off as not eating enough and went to bed only to wake up the next morning unable to get up or move without a spinning sensation. Every attempt to move out of bed and stand or sit down would make the room spin and me nausea. I still thought nothing of it and keep lying in bed and sleeping but soon I knew something had to be wrong because I was not getting better. After vomiting about 3 times, I was taken to the ER. The doctor said I had vertigo or more precisely Benign Paroxysomal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and gave me the medication to ease the nausea and then dizziness. I was in the ER for 4 hours before going home to sleep. The nausea went away but the dizziness persisted. I took the medications for 3 days but they really made me sleepy and I was in bed for the most of my time. After 4 days, I was able to move about and sit and as long as I kept my head movement to a minimal I was fine.

During this period I began my research about BPPV and how the loose calcium particles could interfere with the balancing system of the inner ear. This concerned me so I went to see an ENT. BPPV was not my cause of vertigo. I am quite pissed at the ER doctor because he did not even look inside my ear and just made a quick judgement. I had an ENG ran, but so far all the signs are pointing to a viral inner ear infection. After 2 weeks, most of the dizziness is gone. I have some trouble walking and balancing myself if I move my head too much but other than that I can function close to normal. Funny how you are healthy one moment and the next can be totally paralyzed by something soo small as a virus. I do hope I recover fully because this episode has worn me quite a bit.

Ok, 4 weeks ago I started to feel lightheaded and a bit nauseus with no other symptoms. Since then, i've been constantly dizzy with a general sick feeling and sometimes involuntary shuddering.
I've had blood tests done and nobody is really sure what is wrong with me. Im getting an MRI brain scan tomorrow.
My symptoms sound exactly like a lot of these posts. The worst part of this for me is how frightening it is. I've never had anything effect my vision like this, with little in the way of normal viral symptoms.
Hopefully, it will sort itself out soon.
It is kinda comforting that so many of you have been through this and come out the other side.

wow, it has been awhile since my last post. well, i've recovered nearly 100%. I no longer have any dizzy sensation when walking or the feel off balance. sometime when i turn my head to fast while lying down i feel a little dizzy so i try not to do it. my ent and i are pretty sure it was vestibular neuritis. he recommended i get a mri but as of now i have not. i would like to but my insurance is giving me a headache now. they have yet to pay my er bill and all my testing bills. looks like i'll have to push them.

hope they figure out what's wrong and you feel better soon. the weeks following my initial symptoms were agonizing. but things got better.

Yeah, it's good to know that things get better.
Hopefully I can give some advice when im on the flipside of this thing.

I always thought an ear virus would be characterised by ear pain. I've only had a little watery feeling in them from time to time.

i guess it depends on the infection of outer, middle or inner ear. i cannot remember the function of all but i believe your hearing is affected by the middle ear and the inner ear is your balancing system which is why you get dizzy. i hate not being able to control your movements...infections suck!

wrote a lengthy reply but did not work so testing this

Thanks for your post.
Mine came on suddenly when I was in the shower. I felt like I was gonna pass out. That was 4 weeks ago, and i'm still really dizzy. It hasn't affected my balance, just my vision. Everything looks like i've had a few beers, and I find it hard to concentrate on paperwork.
The nausea is horrible and I haven't been eating much at all. The worst part for me though has been the anxiety. The Dr's still haven't given an accurate diagnosis on this, and i'm not sure when it'll go away.
Hopefully, ill have some good news soon.

I had my MRI done and an X-Ray of my heart done to rule out any other factors. Both of them are fine, and the doc says whatever is causing my dizziness isn't life threatening.
Im now booking in to see a neurologist, and maybe get a proper diagnosis.
On a good note, yesterday and today my body has been feeling OK. Im still mega dizzy, but the nausea fatigue and anxiety have eased off a little.
The doc has also given me some pills to try out, they are called Stemetil.

Its good to rule out the major things- peace of mind if anything, let me know if the meds your doctor gave you help at all. good luck

Just got back froma meeting with a neurologist, today. He reckons my dizziness isnt ear related because my sense of balance is good. He did a quick examination and reckons it is more migrane related, even through I haven't been having headaches.
He has put me on some different pills. Hopefully this sorts me out.

thats interesting? my balance is still quite good and now 7 weeks into it i am having slight headaches, if the meds work for you id be interested to try anything cause this way of life sucks! cheers for the update

I was really depressed when the neurologist told me it wasn't an ear infection - now i'm hoping it's nothing more serious.
I've been like this for about 6 weeks now. It's so annoying not being able to describe the symptoms properly, either. I usually settle for 'Dizzy', but its more like feeling 'lightheaded', or 'on drugs'.
The meds i'm on are for treating migraine and are also used as an anti-depressent. If they do any good, i'll let you know.

I've got a neck MRI, next. Hopefully that sheds some light on things.

i have been to 3 doctors now and you have the same symptoms as me and they all tell me i have an ear infection (even though they cant see it!) seems to be the more people i tell about it the more i learn someone knows someone who had it and usually it took a few months to get over it. 7 weeks into it and i feel sick with nausea most of the time no energy and the dizzyness you describe is accurate as to what i am feeling some days are better than others but that feeling in the stomach is always there. So i would not rule out a virus in the inner ear just yet- my balance is good as well always has been with surfing skating snowboarding background but if i climb the higher i get my balance is gone and i used to put roofs on houses for a living....go climb something reasonably high see if you lose your balance then. still interested to see if the drugs your taking help, friend of mine had migraines caused by her neck being out of line went to a chiropractor is all good now...just a thought. Good luck i feel your pain

Hi Graeme,
I had a neck MRI and ultrasound today. I think they are worried about the blood flow to my head. Im pretty sure nothing came up, but.
I'd be happy if this light headedness and skewed vision was an ear virus thing. It'd make me sleep a little easier at night that's for sure. Sometimes I still think it is, as it feels like there is water in them from time to time.
Im pretty sure my balance is OK, it's just vision. I also have the nausea from every now and then, too.
I've only noticed minor improvement from day one... so im hoping somebody will find something soon.
Hope your feeling better mate. This dizziness can't last forever.

Im sure you have the ear virus (have not been to med school but have watched alot of scrubs !) my symptoms change from day day as to varying levels of crappyness. I actually got better after week 3 then bad again week 5 so this thing has no rhyme or reason. I also get the feeling of "water" in the ears sometimes and am still dizzy ect. all the tests are great to rule out other stuff but i would not worry about brain tumors or being pregnant or the "good old days" of too much drug use your symptoms are the same as mine and alot of other peoples...... still sucks to have this but i would not be writing a will just yet! If i have any breakthroughs you will be the first to know- good luck