Guest guest Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I had my CI-left on March 25 and received my processor April 29. I am due to get my CI-right on September 23; however, I have had a vestibular balance evaluation and the doctor says that my left side balance is seriously compromised. He is concerned that if the same thing happens to my right side balance, I would be left with little ability to balance myself. Has anyone experienced this? How bad can it be? Please advise. Harold Flint MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2011 Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 I have no idea about this but my first thought would be ..... is it possible that they woud balance out one another? Anyone have any experience with this? Happy Hearing! Carol Boca Raton, FL Cochlear America Nucleus 24C - left ear - Sprint 12/11/01 then 3G then upgraded to Freedom on 2/19/08 Cochlear America Freedom right ear -implanted 3/01/06 - activated 4/06/06 From: Harold Libka Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 3:11 PM Subject: Loss of Balance I had my CI-left on March 25 and received my processor April 29. I am due to get my CI-right on September 23; however, I have had a vestibular balance evaluation and the doctor says that my left side balance is seriously compromised. He is concerned that if the same thing happens to my right side balance, I would be left with little ability to balance myself. Has anyone experienced this? How bad can it be? Please advise. Harold Flint MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Hi Harold - I don't know if my case is any indication of what to predict for you on your right side CI. I had my first CI on the right side in July 2007 and did not have a vestibular balance evaluation done prior to surgery. I did great during surgery and the day after but oddly enough when I got home (2 days after surgery), I had the worst balance issues. I was vomitting non-stop for 5 days and just could not close my eyes without getting sick. It felt like those 5 days lasted a lifetime but then my balance seemed to restore itself. When I was scheduled to have my left CI put in, which was June 2008, the surgeon did order a vestibular balance evaluation but I believe everything looked ok because I don't remember any concerns after the test was done. I had the surgery and while I was expecting the same awful balance problems immediately after surgery, I never experienced them with my left side. So - again if your vestibular balance evaluation is predicting problems, I would want to know if this is a temporary symptom or does the surgeon believe this would be long term? - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 He is predicting long term issues. See his comments following:  Dr. Arts " The problem is that it is hard to predict. The worst case scenario is that you would have a constant feeling of imbalance that would be worse whenever you move. You would have difficulty walking in the dark or on soft surfaces like grass or sand. You would have difficulty reading road signs while driving, and might not be able to drive as a result. You wouldn't need a wheelchair, but might not be able to work. It could be pretty bad. The chances of this happening are low, but the consequences if it does happen could be dramatic. Given that you are doing really well with your current implant, and that a second implant would only provide marginally improved performance, I would hesitate to implant the other ear. "  This sounds very discouraging with about a month away for my 2nd implant. I did have the same dizziness issues as you for about 2 days.  Harold Flint MI From: lisa shroff <lisashroff67@...> " " < > Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 12:25 PM Subject: Re: Loss of Balance  Hi Harold -  I don't know if my case is any indication of what to predict for you on your right side CI. I had my first CI on the right side in July 2007 and did not have a vestibular balance evaluation done prior to surgery. I did great during surgery and the day after but oddly enough when I got home (2 days after surgery), I had the worst balance issues. I was vomitting non-stop for 5 days and just could not close my eyes without getting sick. It felt like those 5 days lasted a lifetime but then my balance seemed to restore itself.  When I was scheduled to have my left CI put in, which was June 2008, the surgeon did order a vestibular balance evaluation but I believe everything looked ok because I don't remember any concerns after the test was done. I had the surgery and while I was expecting the same awful balance problems immediately after surgery, I never experienced them with my left side. So - again if your vestibular balance evaluation is predicting problems, I would want to know if this is a temporary symptom or does the surgeon believe this would be long term?  - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 Hi Harold! I wish you all the best with your second implant surgery! You are braver than I am! I was implanted in 2002 with the N24C. What a time that was! It was supposed to be a same day procedure but turned into a 2 night, 3 whole day hospital stay. That's how long it took for me to gain some sort of control over my stomach. My balance went out the window after my CI surgery. It took me 14 months to really feel good again with the first 12 weeks being the worst of it. I did balance exercises at home for 8 months to help train my eyes and ears to work together on my balance. I often wondered what it would be like to be implanted on both sides; but my ENT and my family always discourage this. My balance will never be where it was before my CI surgery but I am doing well with my CI and I'm feeling good these days so unless my vision worsens I am not thinking of being implanted on the other side. I wish you all the best and look forward to reading how it goes for you! Best wishes! Patti N24C 11/22/02 (What A Day!) BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!) 3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!) 7/19/11 N5 Upgrade (Wow!) > > I had my CI-left on March 25 and received my processor April 29. I am due to get my CI-right on September 23; however, I have had a vestibular balance evaluation and the doctor says that my left side balance is seriously compromised. He is concerned that if the same thing happens to my right side balance, I would be left with little ability to balance myself. Has anyone experienced this? How bad can it be? Please advise. > > Harold > Flint MI > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2011 Report Share Posted August 24, 2011 > > I had my CI-left on March 25 and received my processor April 29. I am due to get my CI-right on September 23; however, I have had a vestibular balance evaluation and the doctor says that my left side balance is seriously compromised. He is concerned that if the same thing happens to my right side balance, I would be left with little ability to balance myself. Has anyone experienced this? How bad can it be? Please advise. > > Harold > Flint MI > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.