There's an end in sight

I had the appointment with the ear specialist (can't remember the term for it) this afternoon. The doctor was wonderful and very thorough. He explained all the options I have and then told me it was my call on where to go from here. I chose to start with the gentamicin injections. Will have a series of three spaced a month apart. He explained the risk and I accept that. It's well worth the trade for me to get this awful stuff under control. I still can't drive, at least until I go back in a month and we'll reevaluate. I talked to the owner of the shop I work at and she said I could come back when I've been doing well for a while and can drive. It's going to be tight but we'll manage. I was a complete nervous wreck this morning but am soooooo glad we now have a plan of attack. I'm still going to stay on the JOH regimen and the doc said I still need to keep my sodium intake below 1200 a day. He said he is confident this will work because we caught it early and there was minimal damage done at this point.

Thank you everyone for the encouragement and help. This forum has been a lifesaver for me the past month to have somewhere to go to talk with people that really understand what I am going through. I feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my shoulders. I know this isn't a magic cure and won't be an instant fix but just to know that there is a great chance that this will help is comforting to me.

 

It feels great to feel more upbeat too. I know this isn't a magical permanent fix but it is better than not being able to do anything at all. The hope is that this will hopefully put me in remission. I'll deal with whatever comes down the road in the future then. I'm not particularly thrilled about not being able to drive still but at least I know it isn't permanent. I'll have time to get some stuff done around the house now.

 

I did discuss anti virals with him. He wasn't too keen on believing they would help and said we could try for a short time, which I am fine with, BUT I needed something that would give me faster results. Miserable can't even begin to describe how I had begun to feel. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. He wasn't willing to give it more than a short trial period, not the length of time you guys have suggested. I still like him though. He spent a great deal of time in the exam room with me today and did the first injection right away. He told me what he was doing every step of the way and was very comforting.

 

I did the first injection today. Go back on May 13th for the second.

 

Day one post gent shot is going well. A bit off balance and expect that to increase over the next few days but nothing I can't handle. I have a cane if needed just to get through this initial period. After the injection was over my ear throbbed a bit and then went to just feeling like a minor dull ear ache but it fine today. I'll let you know how things progress through this next month until my next injection. Thanks for all the support. You guys are great!