I haven't had steroid injections but had three gentamicin injections over a 3 week period. The ENT numbed y ear with some kind of liquid/gel like substance, inserted a tube to make the injections less painful...I never felt any pain, by the way. Now, gentamicin is different than the steroid injections...I'm just relating my experience. I had to quit teaching after 25 years because of the dizziness and finally vertigo and vomiting episodes. The gentamicin apparently kills the vestibular (balance) hairs on that nerve and the vertigo and vomiting haven't returned since the end of May last year. I still take a xanax and meclizine if I think I'll be gone all day and busy even tho I'm retired...I do get panicky wondering if I'd have an episode while out and about. Don't know if the gentamicin will hold indefinitely, but if it doesn't I'd take the next step. To me, if you're doing OK on meds, I see no reason for any steroid injections.

My hearing was almost gone in my left ear before we tried the gentamicin, by the way! I use hearing aides which help.

JammyJason,
I have had two rounds of steriod injections. Which means 6 injections. (One round is 3 injections total spaced one week apart). The injections are suppose to last for approx 12 to 14 months. Mine only lasted 3 months to reduce my symptoms the first round. The second round lasted 5 months. Some people they last longer. I did not suffer any hearing loss or side effects. They hurt a little, the room spins when the fluid goes in from the injection but other than that they are no big deal. I am a female and have had double hip replacement at a young age, so an injettison in my ear is a cake walk.
I started with steriod before gentamiacin because it has lessor side effects. I am almost 2 years with the disease and also BVVP and vestibular migraines. I no longer work or drive because I am focusing on my health. I am working on self healing, meditation and have taken almost all of the stress out of my life. ( but it still creeps in ) I take Topamax 200 mg, Verapamil 180 mg and Imitrex for migraines when needed.

I hope I have addressed your two concerns. My hearing was not affected. But I am one person. My medications help, but my lifestyle changes (no alcohol, caffeine, 1500 sodium intake, low sugar, working out), low stress have helped me more.
I'm still not where I want to be. I stopped the steriod injections because they didn't last long enough for me, but they did give me relief when they did. My insurance covered them after my deductible was met but they are expensive for something that does not give me at least an 80% result. I'm looking into gentamiacin or traveling up to Chicago Dizziness Clinic to see Dr. Thomas Hain for a second opinion. My otolarynglogists is very experienced but I'm still searching for a cure.
Good luck and God bless.

I also wanted to tell you that I was an adjunct professor at our state college for 12 years and teaching is my passion. But I could no longer teach after I got MD because of the frequent attacks. I cried for weeks when I was taken off the schedule. So I just want you to know that I completely understand when you say that you lost so much time from work and what you do for a living. I relate to your struggle.

I had the steroid injection for months and I found it worked pretty good. I could function day to day much better. I only stopped with the injection because I went on Serc and that has been helping me these past 6 or 7 months

My personal experience is doctors and medical consultants were a waste of time. Spent 4 years going down the traditional medicine route with no success. I found almost immediate symptom relief and quality of life improvement in alternative options. I posted this in another thread but may be helpful. "Meniere's and HSV (Herpes Simplex) have a well documented connection and strong if not circumstantial evidentiary foundation, even if not fully accepted by the medical community. Prescription antivirals like Acyclovir are difficult to secure unless your physician supports the HSV theory. They also have a checkered history of side effects and long term complications. Some useful resources regarding alternative treatment options are The BHT Book by Steven Fowkes: http://www.projectwellbeing.com/wp-... High Dose Vitamin C to bowel tolerance (Vitamincfoundation.org), Lysine as a herpes fighter, B12 shots or Sublingual B12 is a universally accepted treatment option for Shingles which is also in the HSV family. You may find a treatment plan that works for you in any one or combination of these resources. "