Gent Injections

Hi Jen, I never had that done but you can search the forums archives while waiting for responses there are many posts about gent injections before the forums was moved here.

 

yes the old forums is under look on this page http://menieres.org/talk/index.php link says Old Forum Archives
these forums are fairly new we moved not too long ago.

 

Department of Otolaryngology
Head and Neck Surgery
University of California, Irvine • School of Medicine

The newest treatment for Meniere's disease is the placement of medications behind the ear drum. In a recent study, over 90% of patients with Meniere's disease were found to have significant control of their symptoms with intratympanic steroid (anti-inflammatory medications placed behind the ear drum). The injections (using dexamethasone or methylprednisolone [Solu Medrol]) are generally given after a local anesthetic in the office and are repeated every 2 to 4 weeks until the attacks stop. In our experience at UC Irvine, most patients with Meniere's undergoing intratympanic steroid treatment have only required 2-3 injections for full control of their symptoms. We recommend it for patients prior to doing any surgery or in those with a history suggestive of autoimmune Meniere's disease or those who are unable to take steroids by mouth.

These injections are different from gentamicin injections that cause destruction of the inner ear balance cells. We rarely use gentamicin injections in the ear for Meniere's disease due to the destruction of the inner ear it causes. Gentamicin injection is reserved for patients with end stage Meniere's disease with very little hearing or balance function.

Since starting intratympanic steroid therapy for Meniere's disease a few years ago, we have not needed to use any surgical treatment for patients suffering from Meniere's disease.
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my comments: That last paragraph could be up for discussion. My otologist/neurotologist claims a success rate of less than 50% with steroid injections, however, that would be my next treatment if the SERC regimen failed me.

Good luck, brendansmom

 

Intratympanic Steroid Injection Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyZ0OLFEAm8

 

Hi Jen,

I had the Gentamicin injections last year. Luckily, it didn't damage my hearing any worse than what it already is(25% loss). After the 3rd injection, my balance was completely thrown off. I couldn't even sit up. I called the ENT and he told me that means the injections worked. I had a few more vertigo attacks after that over the next few weeks. The vertigo stopped, but balance was awful. I had to go to vestibular therapy so my brain could learn how to handle my balance with just one balance nerve instead of 2. It was a nightmare for a few months, but when the therapy began working, I eventually started getting my life back. I have been doing okay since August of 2013, but still have balance issues from time to time. A few weeks ago, dizzinness has started to return. I checked with my ENT and he said sometimes the balance nerve heals itself and he is wanting to do the gent injections again. Definitely check into other alternatives before doing the gent injections. The ENT never told me how bad the balance and nausea problems would be. I am not sure if I am going to go through those injections again. I am asking for another alternative. I've had Meniere's since 2009 and seems what treatments do work, don't work long. People have no idea of what we go through. I apologize and am not trying to scare you, just definitely look into other treatments before doing the gent injections.

 

I would insist on the steroid injections before you go to so,etching with the potential for permanent damage and a chance of making balance worse and requiring more after a period of time. Just my opinion. I know all the information is overwhelming but only YOU can decide which treatment is right for you. Not even the Drs can decide what is best if you feel you have options for less invasive procedures.

 

Jen:

The thing to remember is that Gentamicin, if it works with complete effect, is essentially a chemical labryinthectomy. Those of us who have been through destruction of one of our vestibular systems will tell you, the effect is initially pretty profound! It definitely takes some adjustment and getting use to.

But gentamicin is probably rarely 100% effective and always leaves at least some remnant of your vestibular system intact and (sort of) functional. In my case, I had 4 injections over about a three month period. While it's hard to be precise, in my case, the docs estimated it dialed my vestibular function down about 20%. This helped. It relieved most of the daily dizziness, and I'm sure reduced the intensity of vertigo, when it occurred. In the end, I wanted more (in other words, no vertigo ever), and finally resorted to an actual labryinthectomy. Had my life been different (my job demands a lot of travel and activity), I might have chosen to live with the results of the gentamicin for a while and to see how well I could manage things. It was definitely better, post-gentamicin.

And the actual treatments? Not a big deal. They numb your eardrum. It felt a little weird when the mixture gets into your ear, but the sensation passed within 10-15 seconds.

 

Jen, I totally agree with Micheal's comments. The difference, I had only one gent shot and after 8 months I was back having vertigo. The gent calmed the vertigo, no more throwing up, more like mini spins. It took about 5 days for the shot to kick in. I felt like crap every day after that. My hearing was gone and I decided after living with the beast for 12 years that I was ready to be done with it. I had a laby almost 2 years ago and have never regretted it. My life has returned to normal (whatever normal is) and I live a spin free life. Good luck.