Meniere's Disease Support Group
Meniere's disease is a balance disorder of the inner ear. The symptoms of Meniere's are variable; not all sufferers experience the same symptoms. However, "classic Meniere's" is considered to comprise the following four symptoms: Periodic episodes of rotary vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.
I am just over the 2 month mark post-laby surgery and doing well. My VRT therapist remains pleased with my progress regarding balance and vision improvements.
I am also pleased with my progress, especially around the house. I am able to add increasingly more housekeeping chores to my day-to-day routine. I do sit down and rest often throughout the day, but am able to get moving again without difficulty.
I am still decreasing the Valium (Diazepam) and should be completely off the medication in another 4-5 weeks. I am also incorporating more walking into my regime (outside as weather permits) and also some time in the gym (as energy permits).
Some of the exercises I do in therapy seem to throw me off balance temporarily, but yesterday I saw some improvement in my recovery time after therapy.
All of this takes work and dedication, but the pay-off in the end will be (and already is) worth it.
I remain happy with the decision to have the laby surgery done. Deafness in one ear is not much of a problem since I had already lost nearly all hearing in that ear before the surgery. Tinnitus has improved much more than I expected, but when I get overly tired, it comes in louder. That is my cue to rest! LOL
I am thrilled to remain vertigo-free!
I am also pleased with my progress, especially around the house. I am able to add increasingly more housekeeping chores to my day-to-day routine. I do sit down and rest often throughout the day, but am able to get moving again without difficulty.
I am still decreasing the Valium (Diazepam) and should be completely off the medication in another 4-5 weeks. I am also incorporating more walking into my regime (outside as weather permits) and also some time in the gym (as energy permits).
Some of the exercises I do in therapy seem to throw me off balance temporarily, but yesterday I saw some improvement in my recovery time after therapy.
All of this takes work and dedication, but the pay-off in the end will be (and already is) worth it.
I remain happy with the decision to have the laby surgery done. Deafness in one ear is not much of a problem since I had already lost nearly all hearing in that ear before the surgery. Tinnitus has improved much more than I expected, but when I get overly tired, it comes in louder. That is my cue to rest! LOL
I am thrilled to remain vertigo-free!
God Bless
Leslie
Thank you
Veronica
This surgery may not be for everyone. It's a very personal decision to make. The initial recovery period was not bad at all following the surgery. I was medicated during my stay in the hospital and could get up and walk with a walker before I left the hospital. I used the walker for several weeks at home and when we out anywhere, then I graduated to a cane because I didn't feel steady enough in public, especially if someone were to accidentally run into me, such as a child. It would not have taken much effort to topple me over for several months. I still do vestibular therapy exercises on my own at home as needed. They do help, except when the barometer falls, then nothing helps. I am good for about half a day on those occasions because it becomes exhausting to maintain good balance when the air pressure is low. I do anything I want without problems these days. For me, the surgery was well worth it. I hope that will help others to make a decision about the labyrinthectomy. This surgery will not be done unless you have lost almost all hearing in the affected ear, which I had . I am totally deaf in that ear now which I was told beforehand that I would be. My other ear remains unaffected by Meniere's Disease and I am now 70 y/o.
Now I am nearly 4 years post-op and still having problems with the "wonky" head when barometric pressure drops. No more vertigo at all though. I would love to hear from others who have had this surgery to know how well they did/did not compensate in balance.