Interesting Redwing that you mention a few minor bouts of ear pressure, post-laby. I actually get this often in my laby ear (my surgery was 2 and a half years ago). I've discussed it with both the surgeon who did my laby, as well as a couple of local ent's. They all tell me it's impossible, yet.....I continue to experience it often. One even ordered a CT-scan, thinking it might be evidence my laby was incomplete. The scan showed otherwise - my laby was most thorough. No one's ever been able to explain it. My surgeon said there's literally nothing left in there to cause pressure, and blamed it on some kind of referred sensation from some other issue like TMJ or Gerds. Yet I seem to have none of those issues so it remains a mystery.
Michel, There is a train of thought that is slowly being proven via clinical studies that mm is a an infection in the malt that effects the ear. It could be that is exactly what is still causing the pressure except the organ that it effects is no longer their to give you mm as we know it. Maybe just maybe you still have te ES sac in there and that is simply the infection acting up on you. Every once in a while I get that as well and I assume that is the infection rearing it's ugly head but the thing it effects is gone. In my Laby ear the Surgeon left the snail portion if my inner ear intact and just took out the balance end organ an semicircular canals in case he needed the snail portion or a cochlear implant one day. There are several ways a laby is done nowadays just like there are different ways to do a vns.
Yes, rr, middle ear is intact, but my ent's indicate there is little to suggest a middle ear issue. Everything looks normal. Thx Bulldogs for the input. My surgeon indicated my cochlea has been modified from the laby, enough to rule out some kind of cochlear hydrops. But he said there's enough there that an implant was still technically feasible. (Though he warned that a few laby recipients have a bit of an ossification around the cochlea post-laby that can make an implant more difficult). Fortunately, the hearing in my other ear remains outstanding, so don't currently have the need. Don't get me wrong - the ear pressure thing is not a big issue. I'd have the laby again in a heartbeat. My last vertigo episode was December of 2012. Here it is, April of 2015. I'm sitting here on my hotel balcony on the Greek island of Milos (extended business trip). The thought of being able to do this sort of thing again, back in December of 2012, seemed impossible. Yet, here I am
My OTO told me the laby would end the vertigo and drops. He said having mm symptoms were still possible and if I did not continue with symptoms after the laby it was "icing on the cake". He also told me the purpose of the laby is to end vertigo. He would not do a laby on people looking for relief from tinnitus aural fullness etc.
Thank you redwing1951, hurricanone and bulldogs for your replies! I am finding working full time a struggle and get really tired very easily. I took this to be because I had to work harder at my balance because the gent has destroyed most of the balance mechanism in my left ear. I thought it would be the same for those that had had a laby so that you do not have this is very encouraging. I still have mild problems with my vision not being in focus at times but for now I will try the vestibular rehabilitaton exercises to see if they improve things. Baloo
Thank you all again. Getting nervous again going to Dallas in a few days with all of this on my mind. can you please describe how the balance problem is like after surgery? Should I be able to put one foot in from of other without falling? Ughh I've had 8 surgeries before wish I could calm down. Thanks
Calm down!!!!! In 2 months mm will be a thing of the past you will leave this forum forever because you will be too busy riding your bike, swimming, and basically getting on with life. I have no idea why I stick around as summer is coming and my passions of fly fishing and surfing are getting hard to ignore any longer. You will do great.
Shelly92 - I haven't had the surgery but can't believe that it can be worse than trying to find your way to the toilet when the room is spinning violently for hours! I believe if you have made it through that (clearly you have because you are here, typing and prepping for regaining your life soon) you CAN get through this "little" surgery. Coping with Meniere's has made you stronger than most people; your body/mind is already working daily on compensating. You got this. Take a deep breath. I will be awaiting your post in a couple of weeks telling everybody how you walked out of the hospital. Easy Peasy!
Shelly where you already have had gent injection chances are you will be fine after the laby. Gent has already killed off some of the vestibular nerve. The more you walk after the surgery the faster your brain will adjust. Like the posts above don't worry you have lived with the monster only better days ahead for you. It will all be over soon.
well I'm back from Dallas and the neuroOto has recommended the VNS for me since hearing not that bad. Needless to say I'm overwhelmed with anxiety especially now its this surgery. Thank you all
Shelly, Trisha had the surgery yesterday. I'm sure she will give us an update as soon as she's able. There's a get well thread for her in The Front Porch section. I wish you all the best and it's easier said than done but try not to be too stressed! ((( hugs )))