I know there are several who frequent this forum that have been through a labyrinthectomy. I'm curious what your experience has been with compensation post-surgery. I had a laby in Dec. of 2012. Prior, I went through gent treatments, so was on a fairly fast-track to compensation, post-surgery. I was back at work by day 10, and was doing most everything after one month. I continued to adjust and improve, and I would say after about 6 months, I could do anything I could do before my MM adventure began. The last year has been great. Then, about a month ago, things deteriorated. Nothing severe, just a persistent low-grade dizziness that won't go away. It's that background, motion sickness feeling that I remember having pre-surgery. I went to see a local ENT who I occasionally saw for peripheral MM issues - he was little help. So I went to see the doc at UC Davis who did my laby surgery. After the usual tests, etc., he concluded nothing was wrong, I'm just experiencing a decompensation "event". He maintains these things sometime just happen - there's no explanation or particular reason, and he's seen it happen to others. He tells me that with time, my brain will re-adapt, and things will get better. I've had a month of this now and am still waiting..... So far, no improvement. I've continued to try and stay active. Anyone else been through this?
Michel I had a laby 2 months before you. I had the same results as you, pretty fast track recovery due to having gent shot before the laby. Today I am pretty much free of all symptoms. On occasion I have felt a little "off" more balance issues than the symptom you describe. It catches me off guard because I have done so well. When it has hit me I have thought, uh oh is something changing. I go about my daily routine and pretty much forget about the episode. This has only occurred a couple of times and does not last long. I can't say it is a dizzy feeling, just off balance. I am really sorry to hear that you are having issues. I hope your doctor is right and that things will return to normal for you soon.
Hi folks, I am going to have the Laby in 2 weeks. have had 2 gent shots and vertigo just got out of control last 2 weeks.. So how is it right after surgery and the first week/
Stacbird, for me, the first week was far easier than I was expecting. I suppose what you experience will depend, at least in part, on how your two gent treatments affected your vestibular system. If they dialed it back some, it should definitely help. No dizziness or vertigo for me - I just noticed an extreme disconnect between my eyes and motion. You don't realize how much your eyes utilize your vestibular system to know where to look until you have one side disconnected. But this improved rapidly. Just make yourself get up and move about as much as you safely can and it will pass. I was back at work day 10 and driving by week two.
....and thanks redwing. It's not getting in the way of things. Just an irritation. I'm an inpatient patient
Thank you. So did you have the throwing up stuff after surgery? When I got my first gent injection it knocked me down bad. I was hoping that after the laby it might not be quite as bad. I have been having trouble with they eyes and movement now. But, I don't figure it can be as bad as it has been for me. I have had 10 vertigo attacks in the past 3 weeks. It sucks but am being very hopeful this operation will at least give me a life.
No, I didn't feel nauseous at all. None of that really. When I left, they loaded me up with anti-nausea meds and meclizine, and I never had to take any of it. I would say if the gent knocked you around, that's probably a good sign, meaning that it probably was working, at least to some degree. It might shorten your recovery but....then we're all different. Good luck. If you've had 10 vertigo attacks in the last 3 weeks, you'll definitely like the end result. I haven't had a vertigo attack since the week before my surgery.
My experience was very positive. I was admitted to the hospital for a 3:00 pm surgery. I left the next day at 10:00 am, less than 24 hours after my surgery. My OTO said I could go home as long as I could walk on my own and I did. I was never sick, did not need to take any pain medication. I was driving after 2 weeks. I am sure the reason I did so well was due to the gent shot I had before my surgery. The gent knocked me for a loop!! So if you had the experience with gent as I did I think you are going to be way ahead of the game. My best advice to you post surgery is to walk as much as you can. Get up and walk everyday, every afternoon and evening. The more you walk the quicker your brain with adjust to the new you. I think you are going to be doing the happy dance within 2 weeks of your surgery. Best of luck and let me know how you do.