Hello, All, This is my very first post, and I have been diagnosed for just a few weeks, so please forgive if I misspell all medical terms. My greatest problem is complete deafness in one ear. I have had two Intratympanic steroid shots, and it seems my deafness went from terrible to worse. I read that the shots are not supposed to be used or unproven to help. What experience do you have? I don't want to do even more damage to my hearing, and two more shots are already scheduled. Please let me know. Many thanks, JM
If you had sudden hearing loss in that ear prompt steroids in that ear is the only way to save the hearing. If you have menieres and are having uncontrolled vertigo with all the symptoms of mrnieres plus complete hearing loss it makes sense to consider either the laby [gold standard] or the vns which helps save hearing if you have any left. I had the Laby on dec 3 2011 and have had complete success I have had no more menieres period. Good Luck
There are also many of us here who have had success with medications and supplements. If your hearing is fluctuating there is probably good hope for improvement. Keep reading. You have found a very helpful place. I can't write for long now, but be sure to read about the viral theory.
I would agree that a question is whether the complete deafness is sudden or was coming on slowly in conjunction with the rest of the Meniere's symptoms (ear fullness, hearing loss, vertigo attacks lasting significant time, etc.) If the hearing loss was sudden, my experience was with oral steroids and I was on them for about 4 weeks (from full dose to taper) and a good portion of the hearing did return. But believe that the longer the hearing is gone the less likely the steriods will help. The gent shots I have read are to basically destroy the nerve so that your body can't "trigger" the vertigo. And on those I have read people that it worked, and others that it did not help them and vertigo returned. Definitely read all of the different posts which have different treatment options and experiences from each person. With that use the information to determine a next step approach that works for you. While I have not personally had a laby or vns, for sure that surgery is the one thing that is going to fix the vertigo..in that ear. It could progress to your other ear and it may not. I personally choose to work on what works for me today/tomorrow without worrying about "what ifs" years from now. Every person's severity of symptoms and impact on their life differs so only you can decide what route you want to take. No doubt for those that tried everything else for years before finally deciding on surgery they absolutely can look back with hindsight being 20/20 and what they would have gained had they not waited. Flip side, there are those that do find relief thru other methods and/or have a different tolerance level on what they will accept for impacting their life - they are right as well. Again, only you can decide which route works for you. Welcome and happy reading!
Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find support here. This is a good place to be when you are starting out with this horrible disease. I had one gent shot. I was vertigo free for about 8 months than what I call "mini spins" kicked in. My OTO offered another gent shot but I refused. The shot made me feel like crap, yes I was vertigo free but I felt dizzy and off balance everyday. My OTO offers only 2, he believes if 2 shots don't help you than most likely additional ones won't either. You might want to check this out: http://www.masseyeandear.org/about-us/videos-and-podcasts/rauch/gentamicin/ I hope this information is helpful to you. Good luck.