by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.
A lady wrote:
Dr. Timothy Hain has written an article about low-dose Gentamicin treatment. What do you have to say about this treatment?
I respect Dr. Hain and his work, although, in my opinion, he is too conservative when it comes to the side effects of ototoxic drugs. By this I mean that he doesn’t think the ototoxic side effects are as common and severe as they really are.
Gentamicin, as a treatment for Meniere’s disease, has been around for quite a while. As the above article explains, in the past, high-dosage Gentamicin treatments have resulted in pretty significant ear problems including hearing loss.
This new low-dose protocol seems to cause far less damage to the inner ear than the high-dose one, and that is all to the good.
However, there are a few things this article doesn’t mention of which I think anyone contemplating this procedure should be aware.
First, a significant portion of the population have a genetic variant that leaves them very susceptible to aminoglycoside ototoxicity—much more so than the general population. Since Gentamicin is one of the aminoglycosides, it would seem wise to be tested to see if you have the 1555A-G variant of the 12S rRNA gene (see page 123 in the 3rd edition of my book Ototoxic Drugs Exposed for more information), and if you have it, really consider whether the supposed benefit will be worth the greatly increased risk.
Second, this treatment can work great and “kill” the balance system in one ear, hopefully eliminating the severe vertigo. But what happens if later your Meniere’s switches to your other ear, as it does in approximately 20% to 25% of the people with Meniere’s?
With your balance system dead in one ear, you probably don’t want to do the same procedure on your other ear, or you will be left without any inner ear balance function at all. Among other balance problems, this will almost certainly result in such conditions as oscillopsia (bouncing vision), ataxia (staggering gait like you were drunk), blurred vision and other problems with your eyes. If this happens to you, you will probably not be able to safely drive again. You will likely find movement such as riding in a car, or even just watching action movies on your TV can make you “sick”.
Third, there are no guarantees that even in low doses, the Gentamicin will not affect your hearing. Gentamicin typically damages the balance system (a good thing in this case) more than it damages the hearing system (a bad thing)—but this is not always the case. Are you prepared to lose some or all of your remaining hearing in that ear? It can and does happen.
If you have severe vertigo with your Meniere’s, (and I can’t even imagine what that must be like) and nothing else works, you may want to try this treatment. Remember, this is a treatment of “last resort”—one not to be taken lightly. If you have considered the above points, read the above referenced article carefully, done your own research and talked it over with your ear doctor, you are ready to make an informed choice. What you choose is up to you.
Update (June 2016): Now for some wonderful news. Since I wrote the above, I have come across the “cure” for Meniere’s disease so you don’t have to destroy your balance system to get rid of your vertigo and thus have to live with lack of balance for the rest of your life.
You can read the solution in my article “Atlas Adjustments Alleviate Meniere’s Disease“, or in the 4th edition of my book on Meniere’s disease, “Say Good Bye to Meniere’s Disease–Here’s How to Make Your World Stop Spinning“
Although results vary from one person to another, the gent injections worked for me with no hearing loss. But you do make a good point about the meniere’s going from one to ear to the other.
I started having drop attacks with my menieres in my right ear and just couldn’t go on, so finally my Dr would do the Gentamicin injections. Over 2 or more years I had 4 injections and did not lose hearing, but then after 10 years I got menieres in my other ear. I agree with the above article. I thought I could get the injections in my left but my Dr said NO WAY! I never regret getting the injections, infact the ear I hear best out of is the right (injection ear) and I wear hearing aides now. I sometimes have a hard time when some one else is driving and turns a corner too fast, never had that before and can not watch some movies. I never regret getting the injection but my prayer is that I don’t get any worse.
I underwent the gentamicin drops treatment for one week in my left ear for Meniere’s Disease and if my doctor had explained to me the possible effects of such a treament I NEVER WOULD HAVE DONE THIS!!!!! I pray everyday with every step I take that I will not fall down. The wick was inserted in my ear on March 28, 2011 and I realize that was only about three weeks ago but doctors need to communicate very clearly what may or may not be a result of this treatment. My husband and I assumed that it wasn’t a big deal because the only thing my ENT said to us was that I may not be able to drive for a little while and I might lose some hearing. Well, that was an understatement. He failed to mention (as a matter of fact he never mentioned, his nurse explained to me over the phone 10 days post-op) that imbalance, ataxia and exhaustion from the intense concentration it takes just to put one foot in front of the other could take weeks to months to get better and that I will never be able to walk in the dark again because I will fall down. This has put my life at an almost complete halt for how long…I don’t know!!!
IF ANYONE READS THIS AND IT HELPS JUST ONE PERSON TO RECONSIDER OR THINK TWICE BEFORE UNDERGOING THIS TREATMENT THEN AT LEAST I WON’T FEEL LIKE MY SUFFERING AND MISERY IS IN VAIN!!! PLEASE MAKE YOUR DOCTOR COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND DON’T JUST ASSUME ITS NO BIG DEAL BECAUSE HE/SHE SAYS SO!!! ITS NOT THEIR BALANCE SYSTEM THAT’S GOING TO BE DESTROYED…ITS YOURS!!!
I had a injection 10 days ago and no one told me I would lose my balance omg I have a 3 year old . This is day 5 and still waiting for my brain to compensate is what my doc said I think I would of rather just taken my chances with that awful vertigo. I can’t do anything
It gets better, I had gentamicin injection in my right ear 8 years ago.
I went to a therapist 3 times, they teach you how to regain your balance with exercises.
It takes a while for your eyes; which play a huge role with your balance; to get used to things, your brain will eventually compensate, you will never be 100 percent perfect, but you can get to at least 85 percent.
I am 64 now, I have developed BPPV in my left ear 3 years ago, not to bad since I have learned how to throw the crystals back in, crossing my fingers I never get Menieres in my left ear, it was hell on earth for me, every day attacks.
Please be patient, you haveto teach your brain with exercises.
Best of luck.
Tammy how long did this take to get over. I got shot two weeks ago. Can’t walk without falling on walls. Pressure in ears..eyes bouncing. I am miserable.
I am thing about getting this treatment, but after reading your story i am scared to… ts horrible enough to feel the way i feel.. i don’t want to make it worst.. plz. reply to me, if this really worked for you.. i am lost n just need help….thank you n may god bless you always…
Hi Cynthia:
Getting the Gentamicin treatment should be your absolutely last resort. If you want to get rid of your Meniere’s disease, I very strongly suggest your read my article at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/ or get my latest book on Meniere’s disease at http://hearinglosshelp.com/shop/say-good-bye-to-menieres-disease/.
If you follow those recommendations, you have an excellent chance of saying goodbye to your vertigo forever. This has been the experience of many hundreds of people. That’s what I would do in a heartbeat if I had Meniere’s disease.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi my fellow sufferers. I have been in hell many years since 1979. For years I never knew what was wrong. I was a professional and gossip of my being drunk,lazy and mentaly ill were my
colleagues foder to talk about. I lost 3 marriages because when it was in remission I was enjoyable, but when the attacts come, I don’t look sexy anymore and can’t get out of bed. I had 4 children and it hurt them also. Now that they are all grown,it is still hard for them. My one son, a priest, now has Members disease and understands and my daughter now is my lifeline. I’m so very exhausted and embarrassed. I went to an ENT and he realized I was already 98% deaf in my left ear. I was a musician and this is not something that you want to hear.
I was a perfect person for the gentamicin therapy. I had it done 8 months ago and I’m in a different hell. I am always dizzy and night blind. BUT
My Meniers was so horrible with drop attacts. I vomited so hard that I tore my retinas and had a vitrectomy. I now can at least get out of bed most mornings and don’t vomit. I can also finally see again. I have to learn how to live a whole new life. I get depressed and sad. I keep remembering my complete attacts and am so glad the gentamicin drops stopped that. I take Zofran, Xanax and elavil. That helps the gag reflex and depression. My other ear, now, is showing signs of going bilateral. I am one scared woman. I am not able to drive. I am reclusive, but still never regret the gentamicin therapy. My prayers are with u all and pray God will give the researchers a way for us to live life more happily.
Thank you Mrs. Almeter for writing your comment and I am truly so sorry for your suffering with the results of this gentamicin treatment. My doctor has recommended this treatment for me, but did not explain fully it’s risks including the possibility of having the Menniers switch later on the my other ear. After reading other feedbacks and mostly your article, I have decided not to choose the Gentamicin treatment.
Mrs. Almeter, please don’t give up hope, God can heal you as I have the faith that He can heal me as well. I thank you for your openness in this article. I wish you with my most sincerities that you fully recover. May God Bless you,
Joe Gonzalez
I had end-lymphatic shunt surgery and never been the same after. I do 100 of these surgeries and people have gone back to work with in two weeks. NOT ME. I understand. Im thinking of getting the steroid shots.
I had the high-dose trans-tympanic gentamycin injection maybe four or five years ago, because I was getting spinning vertigo/vomiting hell on earth attacks 3 or 4 times a month, and tried the low-sodium diet, diuretics, oral prednisone and trans-tympanic decadron injection, all to no avail. I lost the hearing in my left ear, but the vertigo attacks STOPPED COMPLETELY! Yes, I now have hearing loss sufficient to be categorized as severe to profound, and the ear is un-aidable. For a while I did fine, but then vestibular dysfunction manifesting as gait disturbance that looked alarmingly like upper motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s at times. After visiting a top neurologist in Columbia University with a specialty in Parkinson’s, I was told that I did not have it, or any other similar disease. However, she did remark that I would probably benefit from vestibular rehabilitation, which I went to for a while. Then, a light bulb went on, and I realized that it was likely that some of the hair cells killed by the first gentamycin injection must have arisen from the grave, so I went to the same otoneurologist that did the first one, had a second one, and have been free of vestibular symptoms since.
Of course, there is always the downside of the hearing loss, but I felt it was a fair trade for my safety (God forbid you ever get an attack while driving!). The other, later downside is that the beginning symptoms of Meniere’s are now appearing in my right ear, with fluctuating hearing loss and sense of “aural fullness” or pressure, accompanied by occasional pulsatile tinnitus. I have yet to, and hope not to experience the ringing tinnitus and vertiginous symptoms in that ear, but if I do, I will be in pretty big trouble until something to correct it is discovered. I no longer have the option of the gentamycin, and even another decadron injection is not without risk to my remaining hearing. I am currently doing the tapered oral prednisone dose, hoping it works this time. If not, then I guess I will just have to wait and see if it progresses to full-blown Meniere’s, which will turn my life into a living hell if I can’t treat it successfully. Guess I will give the low-sodium diet another shot, but diuretics are out of the question for other medical reasons.
I’m not posting this as a cautionary tale, trying to warn others off the gentamycin, but merely as informational. I would still have done the gentamycin, even knowing what I know now, just for the peace of mind and freedom it returned to me. There’s no describing how horrifying a full-blown Meniere’s attack can be, but suffice to say, you won’t feel like doing anything at all for the next day or two after each attack. Couple that with the fact that I am on anti-coagulation therapy, and falling down can be very, very dangerous, possibly fatal for me. The potential for this to become yet another “Sword of Damocles” for me is serious, but I still hold out hope. That’s all I can do.
Oh sweetie! I feel your pain! We have to hold on. I know that but I live in constant fear of another attack. I will pray for u….
I have been battling with Meniere’s Disease for years and have constant tinnitis in the left ear. In December 2010, I had a stint put in and did very well for a year. In the past 2 months, I have had numerous attacks and this last week for 3 days I just went from one into another all day long. SO violent and right now they changed my water pill and uped my meds and want me to do the gentamycin shots and I must admit I am skeptical. Wondering if I had the surgery and they cut the nerve if it would end the violent attacks.. My balance is horrible and I can’ watch any spinning or moving and must be careful drving and I do not drive out of town…Confused in Montana
Hi Karen:
The Gentamicin shots would be less radical than having surgery to cut the nerve. Therefore, it would be a better choice to try first. If they can do it right–just enough to stop the vertigo–but not so much that it totally kills your balance or seriously affects your hearing, that would be a decided blessing. I assume you have tried everything else and nothing works for you anymore?
Regards
Neil
Dr.Neil is so right!
Had gent. Injection once. It worked for 7 years. Now recently attacks have returned and tinnitus is unreal. It won’t get quiet. Anyway told surgery team at University of Pennsylvania that The House Ear Clinic in LA wanted to do the surgery you have done. They laughed and said that never works.
Hi,
I am considering getting the low-dose gentamicin shot for Meniere’s in my ear. My understanding is that with the low dose, the vestibular nerve and the hearing are minimally or not at all damaged. It just damages the “dark cells” but not enough for the others. (I don’t know what “dark cells” are but that is what I have read in the literature.)
-John
I had a low dose one shot gentamicin injection 8 weeks ago in my affected ear (left). My ear was numb for a couple of days and didnt really notice anything different until almost a week after where i experienced very trippy wobbly vision, i learnt to cope with this but then a week later I had very severe dizziness especially whilst being out doors. Although the pressure in my ear has now begun to fluctuate slightly as oppose to being constant, the tinitus is still present and hearing is still very dull. I had one good day where the pressure dropped completely and hearing improved slightly. I began vestibular balance physio 3 weeks ago but i have to say my menieres symptoms are still very present and I am still very unsteady when moving. As i said its been 8 weeks now – am i being impatient?
I too am thinking about getting the low dose – drop attacks started up again 1 month ago—so far 2 with 30 days. Its not fun.
I had the injections in one ear over several weeks. Spinning stopped. A couple of yrs later it started in the other ear. Same doctor did injections in the other ear. Spinning stopped. Then ten years later, my balance slowly deteriorated, and I cannot walk without a cane. Some days, I really need a wheelchair but haven’t got one yet. Had I realised this effect, I would have reconsidered the injections. I cannot stand in an upright position without swaying. I feel unsteady and have experienced falls. I walk like a drunk person.
I would love to hear back from Vickie Bowers, her post was April 2011. I would like to know how she is doing now. I too had the treatment and I don’t feel I was fully informed of the after effects. Prior to the treatment I was told things could get worse before better but would only last 2 to 4 weeks. Now I am being told 3 months to a year and some of the comments I have read in different articles say they, years later, walk unsteadily and can’t walk in the dark! I would have never traded 1 or 2 dizzy days a month and a short dizzy spell daily for never being able to walk steadily again!
24 years ago I had severe vertigo. After 8 months ent doctor suggested I was a good candidate for endolymphatic shunt surgery. I had the surgery & was not dizzy though I had poor balance, some hearing loss & tinnitus. After 23 years the dizziness returned & after an MRI had surgery to remove bone which had grown over shunt & a tumor removed from my mastoid. Recovered fully except for continued poor balance, hearing loss & tinnitus. Several weeks ago I became dizzy again & have had a steroid injection in my left ear & 1 gentamycin injection in that ear. I’m no better & wonder if I should have the 2nd injection. I don’t want to lose more balance & more hearing but do need to get relief from dizziness. Thanks for any helpful information.
I had a gent injection for severe vertigo attacks. My doctor told me I might feel like I was on a cruise ship for a couple of weeks when the injection starts to work. Not true. I went into a severe vertigo situation that would not stop. I was disababled. I had to go to vestibular therapy. I slowly improved. My vertigo attacks came back after 3 months. So I was permantly dizzy from the injection and was still having attacks. I would highly suggest that you carefully consider this treatment. I wish I never had it done. Try to find out why you are having vertigo attacks. Get tested for the Epstein Barr virus.
Hi Cathy:
I’m sorry you had such a bad time with the Gentamicin. I now know the real “cure” for Meniere’s disease. I’ve updated this article at the bottom to reflect this new information. You can read the answers in my article “Atlas Adjustments Alleviate Meniere’s Disease”, or in the 4th edition of my book on Meniere’s disease, “Say Good Bye to Meniere’s Disease–Here’s How to Make Your World Stop Spinning” The links are now given in the above article. This may still help you if your balance system isn’t completely destroyed by this time.
Cordially,
Neil
Do it right ? What would be right to avoid additional complications.
Had endolymphatic shunt surgery. CAN YOU HELP ME ?
MY LIFE HAS BEEN A LIVING HELL. REGRET
2 different chiropractors have tried this on me telling me they could stop the vertigo attacks from my menieres disease, and it was a no go. Sorry for the people that low dose gentamicin didn’t work on but it worked for me for 3years and just had to have another injection because my attacks came back. Don’t say you have a cure for something if it doesn’t work 100% on all people.
Hi Robert:
Did you go to upper cervical spine chiropractors or conventional chiropractors? Only the upper cervical spine chiropractors have the additional training to do this successfully.
Did you ask them what their success ratio was for people with Meniere’s? And what did they say?
What techniques did they use–Blair, Atlas orthogonal, Knee-chest, Grostic, etc.? Some techniques work better than others. The world expert on this uses the Blair method with almost 100% success.
Did you ask them how many people with Meniere’s they successfully treated? You need to do your due diligence as there are good and not so good chiropractors just like there are good and not so good doctors and other health care professionals.
Finally, are you sure your vertigo was caused by Meniere’s disease and not some other condition for which chiropractic is not the answer?
Cordially,
Neil
Blair method a no go for me. Didn’t work. It’s not 100% as nothing is
Hi Shawn:
If the Blair method didn’t help you, I can think of two possibilities. One, you don’t really have Meniere’s disease, but something else that has somewhat similar symptoms to Meniere’s disease.
Second, about 250 drugs are listed as causing Meniere’s disease, but this is patently ridiculous because Meniere’s is basically a subluxation of your C1/C2 vertebrae and drugs don’t get your neck out of whack. What happens is that these drugs can cause the same symptoms as Meniere’s so the doctor assumes that you have Meniere’s when all that is happening is that you are suffering from the side effects of these ototoxic drugs.
Third, your upper cervical chiropractor isn’t experienced in successfully treating people with Meniere’s disease.
Of course, it IS possible that in your case, Blair chiropractic didn’t help for some reason, but before I’d accept that, I’d consider whether one of the three above possibilities came into play.
Cordially,
Neil
I had three low does gent injections due to meniers and drop attacks over 5 months ago My balance is severely impaired and has never returned, my meniers attacks continue, but slightly less severe (less vomiting)
I can’t drive, walk in the dark, go anywhere by myself, have to use a walker. It’s freaking terrible. For years ago I was an ironman triathlete.
Now the doctor says I probably have migraines ( the kind that don’t hurt) but mess up your balance and make your head shake.
Interesting that I suddenly developed migrans exactly when I got my gent injections?
Now I take anti seizure medication, which also does not help.
I’m pretty much screwed.
I should have never done the gent injections and just lived with the twice per week meniers attacks.
I had the injection two weeks ago. I am now bed ridden. Can’t walk without feeling and looking drunk. I start vestibular therapy tomorrow. I was told this feeling is normal and will go away in a few weeks. Reading comments I am scared to death that I will have to live the rest of my life like this. I had to buy a walker and am only 51. My eyes flicker and can’t focus. Is this forever??.
Hi Sandra:
Did you only have the Gentamicin in one ear? If so, then you can expect things will improve over the next few months as your brain learns to ignore the balance signals from your injected ear and relies only on the other ear.
This does not mean you will get back to normal, but you will be able to function. Just remember, you have to do a lot of balance exercises and keep practicing regularly in order to keep your brain using the good side’s balance signals.
The fact that your eyes flicker is a symptom that the Gentamicin has damaged your vestibulo-ocular reflex. This reflex uses both visual and vestibular (balance) signals to give you a steady horizon. When it is damaged, your eyes tend to flicker and bounce which makes reading and walking difficult.
It’s too bad you didn’t read my article on “curing” Meniere’s through natural means at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/ before you chose this route. It is really the treatment of last resort.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi I have been experiencing dizziness for about well light dizziness started about 10 years ago and over the last 6 or 7 I have been having drop attacks and passing completely out. I finally got my disability last year for other reasons and I had been scared I was having seizures but have been told by 2 neurologist that no its not seizures. I finally got in to see a ent a couple of days ago and had test and was told I had meniere’s disease in my right ear but I have no hearing loss at all except maybe just a tad in my left ear is what I was told. How is it I’ve had this for so long without hearing loss. The doctor said I should have the gentimicin injections in my ear 1 every week for 4 weeks he never even said anything about trying a low sodium diet or anything. After reading all of this I don’t know about having it done. But sometimes its so bad its like someone just slaps me up side the left of my head and my head eyes and world shift to the right and I hit the ground and stay sick for days with the bad ones. I also have bulging disc in my neck with degenerative disc disease and I’ve read where that could make you have all of these problems is that possible. And to the nurse thought I had 1 of the injections before I left and gave me paper work to feel out that I was going to be in a study from Stanford California that made me wonder if this doctor was rushing me into this treatment just for their study instead of trying me on the diet and other options because he never explained any of these side effects or nothing and acted like it was nothing. Like I said I think now he just wanted to rush me into their study without care to what might happen to me. I have so many other issues I don’t need kidney damage or going deaf to go with them. What is your opinion on what I’ve told you so far please get back to me.
Hi Donna:
I doubt you have full-blown Meniere’s disease since you do not have the fluctuating hearing loss. More likely, you have a version of Meniere’s called vestibular hydrops that basically affects the balance system and not the cochlea where your hearing organs lie.
In any case, my personal recommendation would be to go to a Blair upper cervical spine chiropractor and have him properly align your C1 and C2 vertebrae. That “should” take care of your drop attacks. It’s done it for others.
Of course, degenerative discs in your neck can compound your problem, but I’d let a Blair chiropractor see what he can do before you go for Gentamicin treatments.
If you haven’t already done so, read my comprehensive article on Meniere’s disease. It will tell you were to find Blair chiropractors too. You can read it at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/ .
Cordially,
Neil
I’m an 84 year old man and started having vertigo eight years ago. After having a tube put into my ear and steroid drops here was no change. Still vertigo attacks. Continued for several years and then developed into a severe form, drop attacks. After falling on the back of my head four times, the last one requiring 14 staples, I decided to go with gentamicin injections. I had done some research and found that patients over 70 responded well with a half dose injection. There also are less side effects, such as dizziness
with a half dose. After the first one, I had no attacks for four months and then they returend and more frequently. After four injections, I still had occasional drop attacks. I had suragery schedule in two months and requested a fifth injection. After two months I’ve had no attacks. I’ve had no side effects after the injections other than a minor balance prolem which has improved over time. I’ve had some difficulty walking straight but don’t need a cane. A small prce to pay in order to have no more drop attacks. I’ve had no dizziness other than for about ten days after the injection. Happily, I’me able to drive with no problem. Had to give up I would definitly recommend half dose gentamicin injections.
Hi Kenneth:
Gentamicin is one way to help control vertigo and drop attacks for those that have Meniere’s disease. However, since I wrote that, I found the cure for Meniere’s and would recommend people try this before something drastic like using Gentamicin.
You can read my comprehensive article on the subject at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi My name is Dr Steven Todd. I have a cousin who has had intratympanic steroid injections that do not seem to work. I am director of Research and product development for Synergy Biologics . We produce amnion regenerative products. I was wondering if someone would speak to me reguarding amnion for this injection in place of or inconjunction with these type treatment?
Thank you Dr Todd
Hi Dr. Todd:
I’d be glad to talk to you and see what you are proposing, but I know nothing about amnion regenerative products and how they might work in human inner ears. My contact information is at the bottom of any web page.
Cordially,
Neil
I had gentamicin injection to my left ear 1 month ago after12 months of violent vertigo and dizziness up to 3 times a day. They found that the nerve in my right ear is not performing very well.vertigo has stopped but I am very unsteady on my feet and difficult to walk without sticks.obviously I cannot drive and being a passenger brings on travel sickness even on short distance. I cannot work.i cannot drive.i cannot go out on my own in case I fall.i cannot walk very far even with sticks.feeling very low.Help!
Hi Sam:
I wish you hadn’t done the Gentamicin treatment, but had read my article or book on Alleviating Meniere’s disease because there is a very simple and effective way to almost instantly stop your vertigo attacks. You can read this comprehensive article at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/ .
Unfortunately, what’s done is done and now your balance system is severely compromised. The best thing I know to do now is to teach your brain/balance system to function the best it can on what balance you have left. You can do it but it will take a lot of work on your part.
Even so, your balance will never be perfect, but you will be able to do a lot of things you can’t do now and that makes it all worthwhile.
You would do well to read one man’s story. It will give you hope and show you how he regained is balance/energy to successfully live after his balance system was destroyed. You can read it at http://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/regaining-balance-one-mans-story/ .
Cordially,
Neil
I’ve had vertigo for 14years. My left ear has moderate to severe hearing loss. I am dizzy everyday 24/7. In a scale of 1-10, my dizziness is 7-8 every day. No balance at all. I literally bounce off walls. Anyone have any ideas. I have no life. God bless all of you.
Hi Bruno:
What caused your vertigo 14 years ago? You say you are dizzy all the time–are you meaning just dizzy or vertigo where the room (or you) seem to spin? Do you have Meniere’s disease?
The answers to these questions will help me point you in the right direction.
Cordially,
Neil
Hi Bruno,
You’re the first person that I came across that has vertigo 24/7. Me too! I believe I had an adverse reaction to a flu shot recd in Oct 2018 that destroyed the vestibular nerve in my right ear. I had my first of two gentamicin injections 10 days ago. Today is the first day that I feel different. Not better, not worse just a different kind of dizzy. Have you tried gentamicin? If so, how long ago and how did you respond.
Thanks,
Jerry
To anyone having gent injections, you need to do vestibular rehab exercises afterwards. Some people arent told this. These exercises teach your good ear to compensate for the loss of function in your bad ear.
There is also a chance that your good ear will not be able to fully compensate, and you’ll be left with balance/vision problems. Ask your doctor about this stuff before going through with it.
I had a round of shots in the past. I was vertigo free for 3 years before it came back. The hair follicles that the gent destroys can regrow, causing the vertigo to return. I’m in the process of having more shots to burn it down again. The wait time to see a specialist sucks!
Anyway, I wanted to say that I would do it again in a heartbeat. My recovery was easy. I felt off only for a couple weeks and then was pretty much back to normal. Everyone is different though, and you never know how it may affect you.
I
Hi John:
Your good ear may not fully compensate, but it could also be affected by the Gentamycin.
You are in error in saying the “hair follicles…can regrow”. This is totally false. First, there are no “hair follicles”. These hairs aren’t really hairs, but are stereocilia than grow on the top of hair cells. They are really stereocilia bundles consisting of 3 v-shaped rows with around 40 stereocilia per row–so each hair cell has more or less 120 individual stereocilia on top of it. When the hair cell dies, the whole stereocilia bundle also dies.
I think what happened in your case is that the Gentamicin did not kill all the hair cells, but your Meniere’s went away for 3 years. Now they are going to try and kill the remainder of your hair cells.
Personally, I’d only take these shots as a last resort as they now know that you can get rid of Meniere’s with simple, specialized chiropractic treatments. For more on this subject, read my comprehensive article at https://hearinglosshelp.com/blog/atlas-adjustments-alleviate-menieres-disease/ .
This method doesn’t affect either your hearing or your balance.
Cordially,
Neil