Fly Girl
Contributor
Two doctors have now confirmed that I most likely have a perilymph fistula in my left ear from pressure trauma from my 31 May dive. The vertigo is MUCH better, from the audiology tests my hearing has even improved from where it was right after the accident despite that I do have some hearing loss, but the tinnitus is driving me crazy, and the ear feels like I have a cone over it. I can't exert myself much without making the ringing and pressure worse, but I've had very few episodes of the vertigo again, and when I have they are mild. One ENT says surgery might be good, and another ENT says that because the hearing has gotten better, leave the ear alone. I go for a third opinion on Wednesday. The doctor I will be seeing is VERY pro-surgery, and his assistant was even going to pencil me in for surgery based on that he will probably want me to have it once he sees me.
I don't want to feel like this the rest of my life. I want to be able to lift weights, do something strenuous, and fly again without fear I'm going to get vertigo, or worse, lose my hearing. I doubt that there is an easy answer for me, but I just don't see how the surgery can hurt. On the other hand, if I just leave my ear alone, with the pressure and ringing ever go away? Will I ever be able to do something strenuous? Dr. Mike, Dr. Lynne, or anyone that has had the surgery, what would you do? I know, this is a big decision, and there are probably no clear yes or nos here, but it isn't like I have friends around that have any experience with this except for the friends on Scubaboard. Thanks in advance!
I don't want to feel like this the rest of my life. I want to be able to lift weights, do something strenuous, and fly again without fear I'm going to get vertigo, or worse, lose my hearing. I doubt that there is an easy answer for me, but I just don't see how the surgery can hurt. On the other hand, if I just leave my ear alone, with the pressure and ringing ever go away? Will I ever be able to do something strenuous? Dr. Mike, Dr. Lynne, or anyone that has had the surgery, what would you do? I know, this is a big decision, and there are probably no clear yes or nos here, but it isn't like I have friends around that have any experience with this except for the friends on Scubaboard. Thanks in advance!