I am aware that there are many MM sufferers on this forum who underwent treatments or even surgeries in the past. I just thought it would be very useful and informative to read about your experience on one thread ,pros and cons, especially for those who are considering a surgery in the future. What were they? Did they bring any relief? If so, when did you experience the results? What about side effects? Walking/ balance problems? Please share!
Marta - you can search the threads and old board database. Many people have posted about having a Laby or VNS procedure. For them, not one of those posts indicated that they regretted their choice. Quite the opposite, for every poster once they decided that they couldn't deal with this crappy thing anymore their only regret was waiting so long to do it. Many post about doing everything before even considering surgery. My perspective is that each person has to choose what is right for them and their life. Only each person can determine when they can't take anymore - some do it quickly, some wait and some choose to deal with the attacks. Each option is correct for them...you have to determine what is best for you. I have posted before, and remain unchanged, if/when my attacks become extremely frequent and/or start to have an ongoing negative impact to my life I will fight to get the surgery. Fortunately for me, anti-virals have been working. At my worse, my attacks came in clusters and then the vertigo would go away for 2-3 months (other symptoms constant).
Marta I dont post very often anymore mainly because Nov 2011 I had a Laby on my left ear and now I am 99 % normal . I compete in competitive golf tourneys , ride any ride at carnivals , do most anything I want to do . I have very little ear noise and zero menieres symptons plus the fact I hear with one ear has no ill effects on me at all . I tell you this because I was told the same thing as I was suffering but I did not listen which caused me to suffer years longer than I should have . Here is my advice for anyone with single sided menieres . Take a couple years to try gent injections , nucca , vitamins , menniet device , acyclovir and whatever else you want . At this point fix your problem with either the laby or the VNS . You will be glad you did . I dont mean to sound like I am selling the destructive options but they do work . Just Saying . Thanks to all my menieres family that are still here for helping me find my answer . Larry
Sounds like you had a great result Larry....good to hear it. Had a Laby on my right ear in Jan. of '09, and unfortunately my long-term results aren't quite as stellar, but it did stop the vertigo and drop attacks. For that, I am pleased. Downside is I still have screaming tinnitus in that ear, and oddly it is even louder than my left ear, which still has active Meniere's. Yes, I am bi-lateral now, but wasn't at the time of the Laby. I'm talking the kind of tinnitus that makes you wanna yank out your hair, cut off your ears or jump off a bridge...just to get it to stop. There is no escape, but it does vary in tone and volume on occasion which gives me a little break. I was able to get back on my feet walking a 1/2 mile a day within 2 weeks of the surgery. Marta, a Laby or VNS is a "last chance" kind of surgery...when all else has failed. It's destructive, and while it can let you live better, it's at a price.
nicmger, I didn't find the topic on the old forum. Perhaps I was not looking carefully enough to find it. I will give it another go. Thank you. Larry I am so happy Laby worked for you so well! Vertigo free life must be so beautiful !! MikeB I am so sorry you have bad tinnitus. And your good ear was attacked by the beast! I hope you do not get much vertigo from it! Have you tried antivarals for this ear? They make miracles for some of us! I hope you will find relief. Thanks everybody for your response !!!
Marta, do a search for VNS or Laby. Not sure if there was "one" topic - but I know that on numerous posts many different comments about people who had one of the surgeries to get rid of this thing once and for all. Good luck.
Marta, Instead of using the search up in the right corner, click on search under calendar-members near the top of the page and do your search that way. That will give you what you're looking for. Cheryl