VNS vs Laby?

I'm happy to respond. I did the VNS because I had a lot of usable hearing left in my bad ear at the time of surgery. 5 years out, I still have decent hearing in my VNS'd ear, though a little less than before surgery.

If I didn't have any usable hearing, I would absolutely go the Laby route, as I think it has a higher success rate. Both surgeries are invasive, destructive, and require some lengthy healing, but I do not regret my choice to have the VNS done in 2010. I was in and out of the ER on a regular basis before surgery. 6 months after surgery, I was traveling around Europe, vertigo free.

 

I spent about 6 months debating with myself whether to look at a "final" surgical solution to my Meniere's. When I decided to go ahead, I was squarely on the VNS path, not really realizing my hearing had deteriorated in my diseased ear to a point where it was teetering off the edge of being "serviceable". My doc suggested another hearing test and I soon realized I just didn't have much auditory function left. He felt I was right on the edge of going VNS or Laby and said he was comfortable with doing either. Given that the recovery is a little easier from the Laby (for most), I chose to go that route. I've never regretted it. I had the surgery Dec. of 2012. My last vertigo attack was....Dec. of 2012!

 

I had a left sided VNS in 1994, so it's been awhile ago. At the time, I had very little hearing left in that ear, but my doctor favored the VNS, saying any hearing you have left is worth saving. He also said he usually reserves the labyrinthectomy for older patients because the recovery is easier.

My surgery was done with the middle cranial fossa approach, which required a square shaped piece of skull right above the ear to be removed. There are other approaches, but the one I had affords the surgeon the best opportunity to cut the entire nerve. Also, the brain is actually touched during VNS surgery. It has to be lifted and pulled forward slightly to allow the nerve to be cut where it enters the brain. The VNS also requires an overnight stay in ICU, which is standard procedure. I think I was in the hospital a total of four days.

 

For me, this begs an interesting question: VNS-ers, do you still have fullness in your affected ear? It would seem like you should since the surgery, to my knowledge, leaves the inner (diseased) ear intact. I had the laby because I had no serviceable hearing remaining in my affected ear, but I'm very curious to know this from those that have undergone VNS.

Thanks!

Kevin

 

Many good posts here, I picked the VNS for two reasons, one to preserve my hearing, I'm a big music fan and love to go to concerts.

Two, I had the chance to have Dr. Hitselberger (sp?) perform the surgery, he helped develop the procedure with Dr. House. At the time he had the most experience as well so I felt I was in good hands.

The VNS is more intrusive and requires a longer recovery time.

Regarding post surgery effectiveness, I still have fullness and tinnitus, I can still feel when the ear "attacks", just no dizziness, I also no longer suffer from "brain fog" which was a very welcomed side effect of the VNS.

 

For a couple of years after my VNS I did still have aural fullness and tinnitus. I could also tell when I would have been having vertigo if not for the VNS. The pressure would still increase, tinnitus would become louder, I would become very fatigued and I could feel in my head that something was going on.

The aural fullness and tinnitus became less and less, until one day I noticed I had neither. I haven't had aural fullness in the VNS ear for many years and if I have any tinnitus at all, its a very soft jingling sound which I don't even notice unless I listen for it.

I still have a small amount of hearing left in the VNS ear, the same as I had pre VNS.

 

I'm having VNS on the 22nd. I still have fairly good hearing. I'm thankful for this post as I am desperately trying to find people who have had this done. Thank you Cheryl for your email. I have been very ill and the worries about the recovery and what to expect is getting to me.

 

Shelly,

I'm wishing you all the best. If you have vertigo after the surgery, they should be able to control it with valium. You may have a rough few days, but the reward will be great. You may even be sorry, the first few days, that you had the surgery. You will get better day by day.

In my experience I didn't have much pain. In fact, so many nerves run through the scalp and were cut to get to the skull, the whole area behind my ear was numb for quite some time. I did have a headache for a couple of days, but didn't take anything stronger than Tylenol for it.

Just deal with your recovery one day at a time. Do what you can do. Rest when you need to. I know it is frightening, but it is exciting, too, to think of the life you will live once you have recovered.

If you can think of anything you want to ask, please do.

Cheryl

 

How long did it take to get balance back

 

I had good balance from the time I awoke from the surgery. The day following the surgery they moved me from ICU to a regular room. Shortly after that I was able to get up and walk, unassisted, to the bathroom.

At the time of my surgery, I'd had MM for about 20 years, so my vestibular nerve was already badly damaged. In fact, after the VNS when the surgeon came to talk to me, he told me the nerve was so badly damaged, it had nearly severed itself. My right side had been slowly compensating for my left side for a long time, so when the nerve was clipped, I didn't have balance problems or suffer from vertigo as some do following VNS.

Even though I didn't need it, the doctor had told me to have a walker at home because I was going to need it for a couple of weeks post surgery.

I think how much trouble you will have with balance depends on how much function you have left in the VNS ear. The longer you've had MM and the more damaged your balance nerve is, the easier your recovery will be.

 

I have had 2 gentamiacin. I was at 75% on the VNG air part in ear 2 months ago now it shows 100%. hopefully that will be my case. My balance is quite off now when I turn too quickly.

 

Serbian, are you Serbian?
As to your question, i had a VNS about 3.5 years ago. Although it wasn't supposed to, it knocked out my hearing. I never felt good again after that surgery and regret it (or at least my choice in surgeons). Eventually, the vertigo came back. I had a VNS 8 months ago.

 

Just curious, as my husband is from Serbia, too. Hope you are not having such horrible Meniere's that you are considering either of the surgeries. Although, it is a way to get some semblance of your life back.

 

I was wondering if anyone tried the endolymphatic
Decompression surgery? I've been speaking
To my doctor and he said this preserves hearing
And prevents vertigo just not a permanent solution
Curious to know how long it would last
Good luck to all of you also what type of doctor
Do you seek to perform vns?

 

In recovery from VNS. Hearing is good. balance not so off butt overall weakeness from the disease itself and the afterafects.I have moved to a REHAB which I feel is the best thing to do to get me up and going with my family once again, especially my my 20 month old. lay's and VNs's your Awesome. Thank you and I will keep you posted as I work my bootay off to the new life for me,m y baby and family. love to all. Message me anytime!!! BTW, anyone from TX? That is where I am. :-*

 

Lisa,

The shunt can last months, years or a lifetime. There is no way of knowing. But, it should be your first surgical route before the more drastic surgeries. The shunt surgery is a walk in the park compared to a VNS or LABY.

 

Hey Shelley,
I'm from Texas.. good luck with your rehab1