The injections didn't knock out my balance!!

[catlover]

Hi,
I've been to my ENT today and gues what - in spite of three injections in my AN ear the balance nerve isn't knocked out anyway!! I still have 40% left, but he decided that we have to go through surgery anyway. That means that I'll get dizzy after surgery.    I was so disappointed when I went home, I couldn't believe this could happen. I thought that the injections always knocked out the balance nerve, but I was told that they only do that in 2/3 of the cases. Anyway, I really hope I'll cope. Many of you folks have, without any injections. I guess I have to start doing my balance exercisesd AGAIN! 

Now I have to wait for a date for surgery, I hope it won't be long, but sometimes I don't want to know the date. I will be a basked case every second until surgery! 

Best wishes and hugs,

from Helene in Sweden

[wendysig]

Helene,

Sorry to hear the injections didn't take care of your balance nerve.  It does mean more imbalance after surgery but you have a positive outlook and I'm sure you'll work hard at getting better.  I hope you get your date soon -- I know the waiting can be nerve wracking.  In the meantime, try to keep yourself distracted and busy so you don't agonize over this too much. 

Hang tough,
Wendy

[Pooter]

Bummer that the injections didn't work as planned, but I think you can take heart knowing that your body will compensate just fine after surgery.  I have very few balance problems and never really did after surgery.  Was it a case that my body had already compensated prior to surgery?  I don't know, but rest easy knowing that your balance will work itself out after surgery just fine.  The brain is an amazingly resilient organ..

FYI, I never did any balance exercises before surgery and even went camping the weekend before my Thursday morning surgery.

Regards,

Brian

[Jim Scott]

Hej, Helene ~

I'm sorry but sort of impressed to learn that after 3 injections, your hardy balance nerve survives.  Even so, most AN surgery patients regain their equilibrium post-surgery with some effort, but usually nothing too demanding.  It does take a bit of time for some, but balance is usually recovered.  I consider my balance to be about 85% of what it once was.  I'm fine in almost any situation but if I trip or stumble, I cannot regain my equilibrium as quickly as I once did.  I also have a little trouble walking backwards, down a flight of stairs.  Fortunately, I have few, if any, occasions to walk backwards down a flight of stairs - so this is hardly a problem. 

Seriously, despite your concerns, I 'm confident that, like most AN patients, you'll be able to regain your sense of balance fairly quickly, post-op. 

Jim

[catlover]

Hi,
Thanks for your supporting words! I also think that my balance nerve isn't the end of the world. My brain just have to adjust and I believe it will. 

Hugs from Helene