Re: Anyone more than 10 years post op?

[Guest guest]

Since Cholesteatoma can reoccur - at least an annual visit is worthwhile. Many of us have to be "cleaned" periodically as the scar tissue left in the canal after surgery does not usually produce ear wax, natures way of cleaning the ear. My surgeries were in the 70's! I see my doc once every 6 months for "debris-ment" . My doctor does not use a suction, as it is to devastating to me. He does it manually with the aid of a microscope. He has me treat the ear with mineral oil for 2 weeks before my visit to soften the material. I won't say it's painless but it sure is 100 times better than with the suction. Perhaps your physician could do the same - it takes longer but my doc and I have "been together" for 30+ years and I travel over 900 miles to see him currently. He gladly takes the extra time to do it manually.

Good Luck

SandiStart the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

[Guest guest]

Hi

I had my first op in 1994 so that was 13 years ago and then my 2nd one

in 2006. I still need to go and see my dr every 6 weeks as my ears

don't clean themselves out so they have to do that for me. Luckily

though I live in England so don't have to pay (other than through my

National Insurance which isn't much!)

I wish I didn't have to go, I have to be suctioned nearly every time I

go, I have only not had it done twice which was a fantastic feeling.

Might be worth chatting to your dr.

Louise

>

> I've had two surgeries for c-toma - one in 1984 and one in 1995. I'd

> imagine things have progressed somewhat since then. Anyway, I'm just

> curious about anyone who had their surgery many years ago? Do you still

> have follow-up visits with your doctor? I go about once a year (my own

> idea; my doctor doesn't really tell me any kind of timeframe) and I am

> charged a huge amount of money for the doc to peak in my ear and

> say, " It looks good. " I wonder if I really need to keep going if I have

> no problems/symptoms.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My husband isn't quite 10 years post op but continues to see his ENT

3-4 times per year for cleanings. He had 1 surgery per year starting

in 1998 through 2002. The first 2 on his left ear (canal wall down

mastoidectomy during 2nd look and he is deaf in that ear) and the

other 2 on his right ear which he hears from normally.

I have insurance right now but even when we didn't (we had no

insurance for any of the surgeries and we still owe) we still went in

twice a year and if I ever lose my insurance we still will. We were

told that lifelong cleanings came with this and as long as nothing

unforeseen comes up we will continue to do so.

Even though it has been awhile since surgery, going in for those

cleanings is peace of mind for us.

Michele, Group Moderator

>

> I've had two surgeries for c-toma - one in 1984 and one in 1995.

I'd

> imagine things have progressed somewhat since then. Anyway, I'm

just

> curious about anyone who had their surgery many years ago? Do you

still

> have follow-up visits with your doctor? I go about once a year (my

own

> idea; my doctor doesn't really tell me any kind of timeframe) and I

am

> charged a huge amount of money for the doc to peak in my ear and

> say, " It looks good. " I wonder if I really need to keep going if I

have

> no problems/symptoms.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'd like to encourage you to go back for regular maintenance check-ups.

I have had my first surgery 15 years ago. About 10 years ago my husband

lost his job due to a buy out and we could not afford insurance. Just

like you, I have not been able to keep up with the expensive follow ups

and just like you I thought as long as I don't have any symptoms, it

would probably be ok to skip them. NOT !! I have been having a lot of

problems, much worse than the first time and I will have the second

surgery on Wednesday. I feel for you and totally understand your

situation.In my case I was able to get a 6 months emergency medicaid

card, which expires the end of the month .After that I will be on my

own again. I also have a pacemaker and I'm at this point not insurable

unless I pay a 1000 premium:-)

try to talk to a social worker to see if you can get some help!

Elke

wildbears07 wrote:

I've had two surgeries for c-toma - one in 1984 and one in 1995.

I'd

imagine things have progressed somewhat since then. Anyway, I'm just

curious about anyone who had their surgery many years ago? Do you still

have follow-up visits with your doctor? I go about once a year (my own

idea; my doctor doesn't really tell me any kind of timeframe) and I am

charged a huge amount of money for the doc to peak in my ear and

say, "It looks good." I wonder if I really need to keep going if I have

no problems/symptoms.

[Guest guest]

My 1st C-toma surgery was 1975 my last was in 1979, I had reconstruction in 1983. I go in once a year to have the Doc take a look on things.

tom hansen

Anyone more than 10 years post op?

I've had two surgeries for c-toma - one in 1984 and one in 1995. I'd imagine things have progressed somewhat since then. Anyway, I'm just curious about anyone who had their surgery many years ago? Do you still have follow-up visits with your doctor? I go about once a year (my own idea; my doctor doesn't really tell me any kind of timeframe) and I am charged a huge amount of money for the doc to peak in my ear and say, "It looks good." I wonder if I really need to keep going if I have no problems/symptoms.

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[Guest guest]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate all of your stories and advice. I don't

have a problem spending the money if it's important, and you've

confirmed what I already thought (that it is)! I have an appt. today in

fact.