post Laby 8 years

First let me say that since my surgery I have not had a single attack. At that time, surgery was the only option with drop attacks occurring more frequently and disabling attacks occurring many times a week causing me to be nonfunctional and loosing several days every week. It took to 'dodging a bullet' before I agreed to the surgery and in the end, I should have done it much sooner.

Noteworthy though, is the fact that on several occasions since surgery, I have had the sensation that an attack was about to occur but never materializes......very strange sensation. But that makes me believe that the 'trigger' for my attacks was not limited to only the inner ear.

Over the years I have noted the following observations:

The sense of being or well being, as it is often referred to, is a cumulative sensory input of physical, mental and emotional factors. However, for the purpose of this narrative, the sense of being is more narrow in scope to the senses of balance and orientation which are also dependent on vision, hearing, motion and touch.

As can be expected, the results of a labrynthectomy on the sense of being can be significant in subtle ways. The bilateral data normally supplied by the inner ears is reduced by 50%, which to some degree is compensated for by the remaining inner ear. However, without normal sensory input from the contralateral inner ear, orientation and balance are significantly affected.

This results in an altered sense of motion that at times can feel non-fluid or slightly 'choppy' or segmented.

For example: certain positions or circumstances where motion of the head and/or torso can result in a disorienting sensation that instantly effects balance and orientation. Eventhough it normally lasts for just a fleeting moment, it will cause me to grab hold of something to steady my balance or I'd fall.

Also noted is that orientation and balance in darkness are dramatically compromised to the point where movement without additional sensory input can be dangerous. By the addition of another sensation such as touching a surface or seeing a ray of light, creates a reference that correlates everything and dramtically reduces the unsteady sensation.

Overall in day to day life, the net effect is negligible although I do catch myself steadying my balance every now and then. However that does not prevented nor impede my ability to participate in sports, specifically racquetball. Surely balance and orientation issues do effect movement and judgement esp in a fast paced sport but….you deal with it.

So why am I putting this out there? For those who are faced with difficult choices in dealing with this disease...there are choices you are faced with and not easy ones. This will not make your choices any easier but hopefully it will give you some insight. Good luck and stay safe…..neil