Question, was the shot in your ears painful?

Rose,
My doc gave me a local in my ear before the shot so it wasn't overly painful. I would say uncomfortable and ackward feeling (since it's in your ear). I get spinal injections a few times a year and those are more painful than the ear injection. Hope that helps :)

Leslie, the vestibular nerve section is a very serious, irreversible surgery. Please consider all other options first. Most doctors consider it a last resort after professional rehab, etc. My doctor has never mentioned it for me because I already have damage to my balance system on one side and my "good: side has failed to compensate, leaving me constant imbalance and unsteadiness. That is a chance you take when they sever that nerve and there is no going back. I have decided to simply take a low dose of valium for the rest of my life rather than chance having no balance at all. I understand your frustration; I am on depression medication myself because Meniere's just stole my life away a little at a time. I can't even go to public places without having an episode. Please let us know if you do try a Meniett device and how it works for you. Never give up hope!

Many of us have gone through what you have. Feeling good, then BAM! MD strikes again. I've had vertigo spells for about 20 yrs. It wasn't until later in life, they increased without going away. I was finally diagnosed with MD in 2003. I'd been to the doctors office once a week for a long time. Finally, I got a MRI which ruled out a brain tumor. Sent to an ENT, I was tested and diagnosed. I was then referred to a hearing and balance doctor, who ran a gambit of test to finalize the diagnosis. I was put on steroids: that didn't work: the it was the 3 steroid shots through the ear drum and that didn't work. (no it doesn't hurt at all!) I tried the Meniett & that didn't work. Had the shunt put into sac & 6 mos later it was taken our due to extreme scar tissue build up. (not common, but not all that rare either. I drew the line when the doctor suggested I have the vestibular nerve surgery. It usually causes deafness & I only have hearing loss in my right ear, so that wasn't an option for me. It is NOT reversible! (I have no ringing in the ears, like most people do. That's why the doctor had a difficult time diagnosing me.) It got to the point that I could no longer work & am getting disability. (that took almost 2yrs to get) Now, this is my personal experience, and I have been diagnosed with A-typical Meniere's. I also have Mal de embarkment syndrome & I've never been on a big boat or on a ship. I have learned that people here are very supportive. We all share our ups and downs with each other. We all have common "triggers". Some are able to con't working, while others are not. In the end, for me, it's a blessing to me, in knowing that others care...& I want you to know, we truly do. Hang in there. Some things work very well for others, while they may not work for us. Hugs!

Your brave. I cannot take needles at all.

Hi, I have had the shunt, and 2 shots, still no help, although the shot did work on the vertigo, but I lost a lot of hearing.
I have 8 or so episodes a month, I have found for me that acceptance of the MD is the hardest part, and realizing I will never be who I used to be. But with that said, I can become whom I want to be with limitations. So I am in the process of developing a new me. Its kinda a death of the old me, and the rebirth of the new me. This has helped me alot. I don't get angry about the episodes any more, it does'nt do any good anyway, I try to focus on good days and do what I can. On episode days I just tell myself maybe tomorrow will be better. Take care of yourself, and give your self permission to cry and grieve over the loss of the old life, and look forward to the new life. Patti

I tried the meniett device. It didn't work for me. I felt like I was replacing one annoying noise with another. I also felt very vulnerable sleeping with it because I couldn't hear any exterior noises at all! I find a low playing t.v. or radio helps me much more. I also have added home security to my house because my hearing impairment makes me feel VERY insecure! I do have a big dog, but his random loud barking wrecks my nerves and puts me on high alert for no apparent reason. So now, me and pooch have to sleep rooms apart :(

Thanks guys! Sometimes it's just nice to know you aren't alone. I found this can be a lonely disease. People don't quite understand how your ear could cause that many problems! I had my most frightening drop attack a couple of days ago. I was taking my son to his band concert. It came out of nowhere! Fortunately we live close by but I missed his whole concert. He's older and understands.
Thank you for the support and I will hopefully find out soon about my insurance!
Leslie

Leslie,
I feel for you and the drop attacks. I had my first the other day at the barn and luckily the horse didn't trample me trying to get out of his stall when I was lying in the door.

Best of luck!
Sam

Leslie, I could have written your post, although the longest I have been without symptoms is about 4 months. I was diagnosed with Meniere's about 3 years ago. My first symptom was waking up almost deaf in my left ear and things just progressed from there. I have had 3 steroid shots and tried acupuncture, cold laser and a chiropractor. I take 75 mg of TRIAM/HCTZ daily and have been following the John of Ohio regimen. I got a Meniett device in early November. I was in a pretty dizzy period when it arrived, but after 5 days I was symptom free for 15 days. Thanksgiving weekend was the worst 4 days I have had since Meniere's started. I ended up in the ER. I was dehydrated from vomiting and my potassium, sodium, plus some other things were very low. After IVs with drugs, I was able to ride the 3.5 hours home in a car without more vomiting and felt much better the next day. I have been pretty much symptom free for 13 days now and even took a 5 day train trip with my husband to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. We did a lot of walking and visited 4 museums, including 3 IMax movies. I did shut my eyes several times, but don't know if I really had to. Thanks to the scenes from a helicopter, my husband now knows what the beginning of a spin is like for me. I told him to just imagine going about 100 times faster. So, I do think the Meniett is helping am I am afraid to stop JofO because it may be helping too. I am pretty sure the bad spell at Thanksgiving was triggered by too much salt. We took a friend to dinner at an Italian restaurant the night before Thanksgiving and I "threw caution to the wind." I will not do the again!