Rock bottom

This is exactly what happened to me. I dealt with mm for about 10 years having flare ups maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Then wham I got into a horrible pattern. Vertigo attacks and drop attacks along with constantly feeling dizzy. This went on for about two years and I felt just like you. I hit rock bottom. I made an appointment with one of the top OTOs in NE at Mass Eye and Ear. We talked about my options and given the fact that I had very little hearing left and that I was having drop attacks I decided on surgery. I know this is not the option for all but it was for me. I live a normal life am extremely active. I am very thankful for the options I had. If you are able find the best OTO in your area schedule an appointment and go over your options. Living the way you are is not living life to the fullest. I am so sorry you are going through this but know there is a way out. Best of luck.

 

TLB
i don't have as many physical symptoms as you do and feel for you. I do understand severe depression with difficulty functioning and fear about missing work. I am on an anti depressant and (Acyclovir and as needed medication for MM). (I'm on a 800 mg sodium, 4 oz. protein diet for MM). I also see a life coach for talk therapy.
I find it helpful to express my feelings here as people here are willing to share their experience and have been very supportive!

 

I share the view that if you're having drop attacks, then a laby will give you your life back. Just make sure you know which side it is and it's not MAV.

 

I also had a pretty decent period of remission for years - then it flared back up when i was 44 - i am 48 now and I go thru months where I am feelimg great- then weeks or months of attacks a couple times a week and if not an actual horrid attack then constant dizziness, nausea, brain fog and fatigue.... its all I can do to keep myself upright at my desk. My boss is very understanding - thank goodness- but I DO have a job to do and the work has to get done - whether he is on my case or not. I'm sorry you are having a bad period right now..... I haven't considered surgery yet but since I am at about a 70% hearing loss in my right ear if I got to the point where I couldn't drive then I would go for it in a heartbeat.

Feel better very soon. Sending you lots of healing vibes.

 

I had a laby it is the least invasive you will be deaf in that ear but make sure you have your cochlear intact in case you need an implant later on. I do feel so bad for you but a laby is a great option. Good luck.

 

Could MAV be a factor? I started getting aging eyes, and was experiencing eye strain at the computer. That was setting off vertigo. I got computer glasses and progressives, and that made things are lot better.

The biggest help for me with the vertigo has been the anti-virals supported by the JOH routine.

So sorry you are going through this.

 

Actually, the 'shunt' is the least invasive! I had an endolymphatic shunt done in 2012--no vertigo since then! However, I'm not symptom free in other things--dizziness (feeling very lt headed this morning) and almost daily head pressure (not ear pressure).
Have had two 4 week sessions in the last 5 years of balance therapy--that has helped 'alot'. I still have to 'walk carefully' but don't use a can or walker--that's impressive I think. This morning is a 'not so good morning'. I feel 'very light headed' and had a good 'cry' thinking--oh boy--is this coming back? But took a Valium--I keep them on hand and though I don't feel alot better--I'm 'coping'--and hoping this isn't something of a 'warning'. I do hope I don't have to have a labrynthectomy--but if I did, (only if vertigo comes back)==I'd do it, since so many here say it's a 'blessing'! I only know of one person--not personally--but the brother of a friend--who recently had that procedure. He had a very 'rough' week afterward--it's not a 'walk in the park'! But now, I understand he's finally turning the corner and doing better. Many here can testify to it's effectiveness. So--at least discuss the 'shunt' before the Laby--alot less traumatic and so far has helped me and others. Keep us posted.

 

My Oto was the first to talk to me about MAV.

You could also look through the list of migraine triggers and see if anything jumps out at you--then see what happens when you eliminate or address it. The list can be overwhelming, but take heart--not everything effects everyone with migraines the same way.

I can sure understand with the bi-lateral that you would want some other way to address this than the laby.

Sounds like you are trying many promising things and soon.

 

I am sorry you are correct yanksgirl shunt surgery is less invasive. I was thinking of vestibular section compared to laby not shunt. Sorry for the confusion.

 

That's 'ok' redwing--there are so many options--but few surgical (invasive) ones that I just wanted to make sure TLB was aware of the shunt procedure too. We need to know 'all our options' for sure.

As to the post op recovery--I spent the night--was scheduled to be outpatient, but since I'm a senior and my daughters were concerned, the doctor opted for me to spend the night. My husband agreed. Some 'perks' for being a 'senior' citizen!

So, about midnight I had a 'vertigo episode'! Scared me really 'badly'--got the nurse and was given Valium and a meclizine. You wear a compression 'cupped type' bandage/guard over the ear the first 24 hours. And when it's removed, you feel pretty normal. I was of course nauseated and a bit tender--but no bad pain to speak of. I did have 2 or 3 mild vertigo episodes during the following week and since then--'none'!
That was 2012! However, as I said--the upper head pressure is there most of the time when I'm in an upward position.
No solution has been found--though I've tried anti-depressants, taken prednisone--once again due to some more hearing loss in my better ear--and nausea due to the pressure/dizziness. At times, lately--after 5 years, I get the feeling (see my recent post), that a 'vertigo ' incident is about to happen!

So far--thankfully, none has. I asked my doctor if the shunt could 'clog'--he said 'no' and said I won't get vertigo again. I'm counting on that. But--some here have reported theirs did clog and they had to have it removed, but not sure if they opted for the Laby or not.
The dizziness/ head pressure (not to be confused with what folks here call ear pressure), is the most difficult part of this journey.

I have 'visual dizziness' if I turn my head too quickly. Walking is something I concentrate on--have had 2 trips to do vestibular therapy--4 weeks each time I went for it. That helps alot. The tinnitus I deal with is 'mild' compared to what I used to have! I even have some musical tinnitus--very annoying (same melody playing over and over)! But I've learned to deal with it since before surgery it was 'awful'!

So, do hope you get good advise and get some help--please keep us posted as to your progress, whichever direction you decide to go. We are all traveling this 'road' to recovery--or at least to 'coping' in the same/or different ways.

 

Hi TLB-

Even with drop attacks please consider going on anti vitals. I had drops attacks a year and a half ago... began acyclovir and have had no further drops or even vertigo....tinnitus is also barely noticeable. It is such a "no harm, no foul" drug seems at least worth trying before doing something permanent.

 

+1

I would do antivirals even if i got a laby, to prevent it from spreading to the other ear. There's really no reason not to given that the drug has almost no side effects.

 

Rock bottom for me occurred when my marriage was in deep trouble. I learned a lesson about loss of control of my free will. Any suicidal thoughts should prompt one to seek immediate help. I've been there and understand that as flawed humans, we can sometimes give-up. I also learned that the condition passes if assistance is sought. I hope rock bottom for you is not what I am describing happened to me. If it is, stop everything and seek immediate help. I started seeking help with my GP.