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08/21/2008 07:52
Lambeth
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 Well having been miserable since November last year, and going through the low salt diet, diuretics etc then a Gentamycin shot in the ear (ouchies) in June I had an endolymphatic shunt placed on July 3rd. For about 3 weeks after the surgery I had about 5 severe vertigo attacks and a lot of motion sickness and imbalance but I'm happy to say I've never felt better. No more vertigo (touch wood) just a little queasy from time to time but feel like a human being again. Don't know if this is a permanant fix but while it's working I'm a happy camper...I still take diuretics and a low dose valium and phenergan but what a difference. Oh and by the way I'm Linda thought I'd better introduce myself sorry about the ramble but I can actually sit at a computer and not get vertigo.....I'm so excited....
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08/21/2008 09:45
Janilee
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 wow all of that for Meniere's. I'm happy all I needed was the 75 mg of Antivert a day.

I'm happy for you that you are feeling better.

Jan

May your troubles be less, Your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door!

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08/22/2008 13:26
juliaann
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 Can you tell me more about the EMS surgery? My doctor has recommended it. He told me one night in the hospital after surgery and 2 weeks off work. Is that correct?

Julia
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08/22/2008 15:22
Lambeth
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 Hi Julia, I had an overnight stay at the hospital, sometimes they do it same day. The surgery took aprox. 2 1/2 hours and they gave me plenty of pain meds post-op. The incision was behind my right ear the whole length of my ear and I think they put super glue or something over it...and all over my hair....it took weeks to get the goop out. I felt better almost immediately, part in due to the meds, but although my balance was off and I was dizzy I was much improved. Things settled down for me over a period of 4 weeks. Now I have my balance back, I've not had any vertigo attacks at all this month and I was suffering from vertigo all day everyday before the surgery. He tweaked my meds for me and gave me diuretic specific for this, it's one they use for altitude sickness and I also take a low dose Valium in the morning and Phenergan in the evening. For me it was well worth it. Meniere's it seems is different for everybody, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I'm hoping this is a permanent fix but should the shunt fail they will go in and cut the nerve...I hope that helps a little, good luck, Linda
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08/23/2008 06:34
juliaann
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 Linda,

Thank you for that information. Do you have specific questions I should ask my surgeon? I am going to a large university based medical center but I still worry about things. Did your surgeon have a lot of history of doing this surgery? I have read that 80% of people that have the EMS surgery get relief from their vertigo and 20% don't. Is that about what you were told? I have also read that 20% may experience an increase in their vertigo which worries me the most since right now If I have to I can continue tolive with my problem although it is taking days out of life and now a few hosptializations. I am a college professor (teach nursing). I was a little concerned when you say you were having problems after surgery for 4 weeks since missing 4 weeks of school is out of the question for me. My surgeon told me 2 weeks do you think he's being unrealistic? If I have the surgery I was planning to have it during Christmas break which is 2 1/2 weeks for me. Thanks again for your help and reassurance. I truly appreciate it. Julia
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08/23/2008 08:43
Lambeth
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 My surgeon was one of the best in this particular field and had performed many similar operations. That's the first question to ask...how many EMS's have you done...I got the same information as you did it has about an 80% success rate as did the Gentamycin shot in the ear but that didn't work for me so I was dubious. Ask about pain relief and recovery time, it's different for everybody...I was really ill prior to the surgery and maybe that's why it took a little longer, and I'm 60 and maybe a bit of a weenie also....like I said it seems everybody reacts different ways. I've not worked at all this year because of the vertigo, couldn't drive or go out on my own....so for me this has been a real blessing. But it could be a permanent fix or not that's the nature of this problem. I'm just going day by day...and it's brilliant for me. I wish I could give you a guarantee but I can't and neither can your surgeon but it sure was worth the try for me, and I was very dubious that it would work especialy after the Gent. shot. I'm not going to borrow trouble by worrying that the shunt could fail. I wish you well, it is a difficult decision for you but this is a pretty miserable condition isn't it? Linda
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08/24/2008 06:21
juliaann
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 Thanks Linda and yes this is a miserable condition. I am going for more testing in a few weeks and will ask my surgeon some of these questions then. I am a little different case since I don't have hearing loss that can be measured at this point in either ear. I just have a full feeling in my right ear which my surgeon says is seen in some people with Meniere's so the testing is being done to see if he can pin down that the surgery would be done in my right ear. I pray that your good days continue and thanks again.

Julia
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08/25/2008 10:33
tbuchle
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 Linda, this is so cool for you! I hope it works out to be a permanent fix.

Theresa


Popular posts by tbuchle
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08/25/2008 10:37
Lambeth
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 Me too Theresa 'cos if I have to have the next surgery that's a bit more extensive...but today I'm great.....Linda
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09/02/2008 17:41
charmplace
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 Its so brave of you to go through those things.

I remember at somepoint in my life saying that i'd rather go thru the worst pain as long as I wasn't nauseated ever again.

Then I was DXed with Meniere's.

AS they say: Meniere's the world really DOES revolve around us.

Thank you for posting..what a blessing.

Don't go away.

Mellie your fellow Meniereian.
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