aysha26
11-16-2008, 10:57 AM
I've been reading stapedectomy reports and forums for 20 days. I had my stapedectomy operation for my right ear 20 days ago, but I am still worried.. If you can help me, I'll be glad.I have lots of questions although my doc says everything will be OK.
Still I feel pressure on my right ear , is that normal?
My doc says not to have a shower before a month, when did you have a shower? If some water goes in the operated ear, something happens??
In some of the forums I have read after the operation the prothesis slipped , is it possible the prothesis slipped? I am really worried about it. Because I blowed out several times, and a big yawns, sneezing uncarefully, are these important? What should we do?:confused:
As you can see, I am still worried after the operation, and still I hear like I am in a tunnel, or as some of you said "through a can". Last week after the packing out ,I hear with a big echo and now the echo comes and goes and sometimes I feel I don't hear anything, are all of these normal? I just want to "hear" all of these are normal or am I too worried?:dizzy:
Still I feel pressure on my right ear , is that normal?
My doc says not to have a shower before a month, when did you have a shower? If some water goes in the operated ear, something happens??
In some of the forums I have read after the operation the prothesis slipped , is it possible the prothesis slipped? I am really worried about it. Because I blowed out several times, and a big yawns, sneezing uncarefully, are these important? What should we do?:confused:
As you can see, I am still worried after the operation, and still I hear like I am in a tunnel, or as some of you said "through a can". Last week after the packing out ,I hear with a big echo and now the echo comes and goes and sometimes I feel I don't hear anything, are all of these normal? I just want to "hear" all of these are normal or am I too worried?:dizzy:
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kitchener12
11-17-2008, 02:16 PM
Hi aysha26
Firstly your dr is right you need to have a lot of patience for this recovery, everybody is different believe me, everybody with have a different recovery.
My hearing improved immediately BUT my tounge was numb for 2 weeks and still isn't totally back to normal....
THe reason for NO water in ear is incase it causes an infection by getting water behind the incision. So Dont wash your hair like he says I know it is gross but just don't even risking a drop is not worth it..same thing for blowing your nose just don;t or VERY gently. But if you have done either and your dr says don't worry he will be right, I called my surgeon about 4 times each time he said 'don;t worry it will be fine " these are all precautions for a best posible outcome.
it is only week 3 for you I am at week 8, it will improve.
BEst of luck :) and DONt' WORRY!
Firstly your dr is right you need to have a lot of patience for this recovery, everybody is different believe me, everybody with have a different recovery.
My hearing improved immediately BUT my tounge was numb for 2 weeks and still isn't totally back to normal....
THe reason for NO water in ear is incase it causes an infection by getting water behind the incision. So Dont wash your hair like he says I know it is gross but just don't even risking a drop is not worth it..same thing for blowing your nose just don;t or VERY gently. But if you have done either and your dr says don't worry he will be right, I called my surgeon about 4 times each time he said 'don;t worry it will be fine " these are all precautions for a best posible outcome.
it is only week 3 for you I am at week 8, it will improve.
BEst of luck :) and DONt' WORRY!
aysha26
11-18-2008, 10:01 AM
Thanks a lot for your reply..
To share ideas and problems with people who had this operation is really relaxing.
I think you're right. We have to wait and have a lot of patience. When did you have a shower, I mean a normal shower? Or still are you careful about water? Do we need to use something to keep our ear from water forever?:confused:
On week 8 how do you feel about your ear? Do you still feel pressure or something strange?
Sorry , but I have a lot of questions, because my doc is in another city, every week I go to see him, but I still have questions as you see. Thanks a lot...
To share ideas and problems with people who had this operation is really relaxing.
I think you're right. We have to wait and have a lot of patience. When did you have a shower, I mean a normal shower? Or still are you careful about water? Do we need to use something to keep our ear from water forever?:confused:
On week 8 how do you feel about your ear? Do you still feel pressure or something strange?
Sorry , but I have a lot of questions, because my doc is in another city, every week I go to see him, but I still have questions as you see. Thanks a lot...
kitchener12
11-19-2008, 10:41 PM
Hi aysha26
Today I had my last visit with my surgeon, he was very pleased with my hearing test and said my tounge may take another 4 (!) months to get back to normal. Again he said everybody heals differently we just have to have patience! I asked him about water in the ear for me now and he said its fine and back to normal, he said no scuba diving though!!! I still put a cotton ball in my ear while showering though!!!
My ear felt fine right from the beggining but I did have vertigo (dizzy) for a while. nasty...
I am sure everything will be fine for you in another month or so.
Best wishes
Today I had my last visit with my surgeon, he was very pleased with my hearing test and said my tounge may take another 4 (!) months to get back to normal. Again he said everybody heals differently we just have to have patience! I asked him about water in the ear for me now and he said its fine and back to normal, he said no scuba diving though!!! I still put a cotton ball in my ear while showering though!!!
My ear felt fine right from the beggining but I did have vertigo (dizzy) for a while. nasty...
I am sure everything will be fine for you in another month or so.
Best wishes
smittiesgirl
11-20-2008, 02:18 AM
Had stapedectomy a week ago today. I ended up staying in the hospital four days with severe vertigo. Feeling a little better, but still dizzy. Just a couple of questions:
1. Doctor says there is dissolvable packing in ear that will be gone in two weeks or so. Anyone ever hear of this? I got a little packing removed yesterday but he said there is more in there.
2. I have a continuous pulse in my ear to my heartbeat. Extremely annoying. How long does it take to go away?
This will get better, right? Everything is louder but soooo muffled. Very weird and frustrating.
1. Doctor says there is dissolvable packing in ear that will be gone in two weeks or so. Anyone ever hear of this? I got a little packing removed yesterday but he said there is more in there.
2. I have a continuous pulse in my ear to my heartbeat. Extremely annoying. How long does it take to go away?
This will get better, right? Everything is louder but soooo muffled. Very weird and frustrating.
e022313
11-20-2008, 04:48 PM
Smitty'sgirl.
1. Typically they put a dissolvable packing both inside the ear (behind the ear drum) and one on the outside of the ear drum. These are medicated packings, kind of a bandaid to keep infection out of the incision. The one on the outside was or will be removed by your Dr. The one on the inside will dissolve over time. Due to fact that it is inhibiting the ear drum from vibrating, you are experiancing limited hearing and the muffled sound. Mine took about 3 to 4 weeks to dissolve. A bit after 3 weeks, all of a sudden I could hear great, then over the next week I would have periods of great hearing and periods of muffled hearing. Probably due to the packing breaking down and moving around in there... sometimes falling away from the ear drum (good hearing) and sometimes falling against the ear drum (muffled hear).
2. Remember, you just had surgery and have some swelling in there. The swelling is pressing everything together more than it normally would and therefore you can hear the blood as it runs thru you veins. This is normal and will come and go, as the swelling decreases.
Don't be frustrated, it takes time. How many years have you lived with this hearing lost. A few weeks or a couple months is not much when you consider the years you've gone without and more importantly the number of years you will be enjoying the hearing you never thought you'd have.
I had my surgery back in April and felt some of the same frustrations you are feeling, so I'm now 7 months post op and my hearing is unbelievable. Before surgery my numbers for my right ear were 60-70's. I was told that >90 is basically considered deaf, anything <25 was considered normal. When I went in for my 6 week hearing test, my numbers were 10-20's. I can hear things I never knew existed.
So, hang in there, be patient, good things are coming just a bit further down the road for you :-)
PS Hi Kitchner, glad to hear you are doing well.
1. Typically they put a dissolvable packing both inside the ear (behind the ear drum) and one on the outside of the ear drum. These are medicated packings, kind of a bandaid to keep infection out of the incision. The one on the outside was or will be removed by your Dr. The one on the inside will dissolve over time. Due to fact that it is inhibiting the ear drum from vibrating, you are experiancing limited hearing and the muffled sound. Mine took about 3 to 4 weeks to dissolve. A bit after 3 weeks, all of a sudden I could hear great, then over the next week I would have periods of great hearing and periods of muffled hearing. Probably due to the packing breaking down and moving around in there... sometimes falling away from the ear drum (good hearing) and sometimes falling against the ear drum (muffled hear).
2. Remember, you just had surgery and have some swelling in there. The swelling is pressing everything together more than it normally would and therefore you can hear the blood as it runs thru you veins. This is normal and will come and go, as the swelling decreases.
Don't be frustrated, it takes time. How many years have you lived with this hearing lost. A few weeks or a couple months is not much when you consider the years you've gone without and more importantly the number of years you will be enjoying the hearing you never thought you'd have.
I had my surgery back in April and felt some of the same frustrations you are feeling, so I'm now 7 months post op and my hearing is unbelievable. Before surgery my numbers for my right ear were 60-70's. I was told that >90 is basically considered deaf, anything <25 was considered normal. When I went in for my 6 week hearing test, my numbers were 10-20's. I can hear things I never knew existed.
So, hang in there, be patient, good things are coming just a bit further down the road for you :-)
PS Hi Kitchner, glad to hear you are doing well.
aysha26
11-22-2008, 01:56 PM
Hi again
Kitchener , thanks for your replies for all of my endless questions. I think I must use a cotton ball also for the shower, because my doc said having a shower will be OK for my ear, it won't be a problem.
smitties girl, I am in week 3 post operation. Yesterday I went to see my doc, he said everything will be better in 3 months. I still hear the muffled sound and pulses as e0022313 said but I think it will be better. we have to be patient.
e022313, did your doctor say this packing dissolved or did you understand that it dissolved because of your hearing improved? Because in week 3 I still have these weird sound and pulses and I don't feel anything about the packing:confused:I am a bit worried. Before the operation my numbers for my right ear were 70's-80's. Now it is %50 better as the doc said. Now my numbers are 40's-30's. Is it normal? But I don't feel it is better.
I think patience is the magical word for this operation..
Thanks for your replies...
Kitchener , thanks for your replies for all of my endless questions. I think I must use a cotton ball also for the shower, because my doc said having a shower will be OK for my ear, it won't be a problem.
smitties girl, I am in week 3 post operation. Yesterday I went to see my doc, he said everything will be better in 3 months. I still hear the muffled sound and pulses as e0022313 said but I think it will be better. we have to be patient.
e022313, did your doctor say this packing dissolved or did you understand that it dissolved because of your hearing improved? Because in week 3 I still have these weird sound and pulses and I don't feel anything about the packing:confused:I am a bit worried. Before the operation my numbers for my right ear were 70's-80's. Now it is %50 better as the doc said. Now my numbers are 40's-30's. Is it normal? But I don't feel it is better.
I think patience is the magical word for this operation..
Thanks for your replies...
marie1215
12-06-2008, 11:10 AM
Aysha,
when I had my first one, I was pretty mortified by every sneeze and cough, but I healed fine, even with accidental closed mouth sneezes. I had the tunnel and tin can sound hearing for a few months with the first ear, but a year later, the hearing tests show complete success. I think each person is a little different, so try to relax so you can heal, and write down your questions for your doctor so you don't forget anything. I know the feeling of being concerned - this second stapes surgery ear recovery is very different from the first for me.
when I had my first one, I was pretty mortified by every sneeze and cough, but I healed fine, even with accidental closed mouth sneezes. I had the tunnel and tin can sound hearing for a few months with the first ear, but a year later, the hearing tests show complete success. I think each person is a little different, so try to relax so you can heal, and write down your questions for your doctor so you don't forget anything. I know the feeling of being concerned - this second stapes surgery ear recovery is very different from the first for me.
aysha26
12-08-2008, 04:57 PM
Marie
thanks for your reply.. I am really better now in the week 5. I think I'll be better and better as the time goes on. What do you mean by saying the second one's recovery was different? Was it harder or easier?
I hope you are better now. When did you have the second one? I mean you had the first stapedectomy, then did you have the operation for the other ear or the same ear and how long did you wait for the second one? I just wondered..
thanks for your reply.. I am really better now in the week 5. I think I'll be better and better as the time goes on. What do you mean by saying the second one's recovery was different? Was it harder or easier?
I hope you are better now. When did you have the second one? I mean you had the first stapedectomy, then did you have the operation for the other ear or the same ear and how long did you wait for the second one? I just wondered..
marie1215
12-08-2008, 07:53 PM
Sorry about that. I just had the second one on 11/24. Lots of vertigo this time with nausea, but only if I lay on my back towards the operated ear and when I look too far upward. I see my doctor next week just to make sure everything is okay. It wouldn't really be so bad to avoid those positions for a while, but I can't go to the hairdresser (laying with my head back into the bowl would not work) to get my hair washed without getting it wet and I can't do my yearly facial for my birthday (next week). I haven't had any strange discharges or pain, so I'm guessing all is well.
Also, I can't hear much out of the operated ear this time, but I think that's because there is still packing in there. The last ear, I was given the antibiotic drops and it dissolved the packing, so I was able to begin hearing within a few days.
I'll keep you posted and I hope all is better with you.
(I posted another posting a few days ago, that gives a little more detail to the vertigo.)
Also, I can't hear much out of the operated ear this time, but I think that's because there is still packing in there. The last ear, I was given the antibiotic drops and it dissolved the packing, so I was able to begin hearing within a few days.
I'll keep you posted and I hope all is better with you.
(I posted another posting a few days ago, that gives a little more detail to the vertigo.)
Di1251
02-22-2009, 10:03 AM
I had my stapendectomy 4 days ago and everything is great. My hearing is almost bionic. I hear dogs barking in the night that I have never heard before.
My procedure entailed a one night stay in the hospital for observation only and pain monitoring. I was released the first thing the following morning.
I was a bit dizzy the day of surgery but that went away and I was careful getting up and moving. Day 4 and I am not really dizzy at all.
As far as pain goes, post surgery I had what felt like a toothache and took pain meds in the hospital...once at home I took a few aleve in place of vicodine which I did not need.
I have a cotton balll in my ear and today it is coming out clean no blood on it at all.
I fully believe the reason why I feel so good today is because of the compitence in the medical staff and facilities here in North Carolina. I was told with my condition that the only alternative was hearing aids in other locations but moving to North Carolina I found my alternative to be hearing once again without the use of a hearing aid.
My procedure entailed a one night stay in the hospital for observation only and pain monitoring. I was released the first thing the following morning.
I was a bit dizzy the day of surgery but that went away and I was careful getting up and moving. Day 4 and I am not really dizzy at all.
As far as pain goes, post surgery I had what felt like a toothache and took pain meds in the hospital...once at home I took a few aleve in place of vicodine which I did not need.
I have a cotton balll in my ear and today it is coming out clean no blood on it at all.
I fully believe the reason why I feel so good today is because of the compitence in the medical staff and facilities here in North Carolina. I was told with my condition that the only alternative was hearing aids in other locations but moving to North Carolina I found my alternative to be hearing once again without the use of a hearing aid.