Right... short history.. I've had perforated eardrums since I was about 3, had grommits more times thsn I care to remember and loads of ear infections, the latest starting last September and is STILL going. Now, I've tried millions of anti-biotics, with no luck, and have just been assessed by my surgeon again.He's prescried me ear drops (not usually given out to patients with perforated ear drums) and has asked me to decide by January if I was a skin graft in my right ear (I only have 40% of the eardrum left).This might stop me from getting infections, but will not improve my hearing, will possibly not take and burst, and cause loads of pain and hearing loss.. (and even more infection)But if I don't have it done my hearing will deteriorate anyway and I will likely keep having bad infections.What should I do?!?!
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Got to make a decision...
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wow.. i dont mean this to sound rude or anything, but either way you're fucked. with the graft, you would atleast have a chance.. i wish i could be of more help to you
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I am so sorry Amy. What a huge descision!I have a similar issue (surgery or no surgery) with my wrists, but it sure isn't gonna hurt my hearing! I can only speak for myself, but I would take the chance. If there was a chance of fixing a problem like that I would take it. I just wouldn't be able to not try to hear better, and even possibly get rid of some pain.Good luck honey, and keep us posted.
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DAMN< you sure have a way of "not sounding rude!!"if this is your way....I'd rather read your rude side, without the hypocrasy....For the OP, go for the surgery. The only corrective surgery I would not recommend is back surgery.
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Awww Amz, this is a difficult decision. I guess I am with Pepsi on this one. If it were me, I would want to try the surgery. Good luck hun. big hugs
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Hi Amz!! I am truly sorry that you have had to deal with this problem. And for so long - too. It's a very difficult question to answer. On one hand - you [basically] know what the future holds regarding your ears - IF you do nothing. On the other hand - there is a CHANCE that 'things' MIGHT get better. That would be a no-brainer if it weren't also for the fact that 'things' MIGHT get worse. YIKES!! What to do. Hmmm....Is your surgeon suggesting that you have a tympanoplasty or is it something more complicated than that? For those who don't know [And I didn't until I did some research after having read Amz's question] a tympanoplasty [As I understand it] is where a surgeon places tissue across the perforation on the ear drum. The tissue protects the drum - giving it a chance to heal] I'm curious as to why surgery hasn't been suggested before. [Or has it been?]My 'gut' is telling me that perhaps you need to talk to another doctor - perhaps several other doctors. [If you haven't already] This is a BIG decision and the more informed you are and the more professional [And non-professional - for that matter] opinions you get - the better off you'll be. I'll keep thinking about this and if I think I've suddenly become very clever - I'll let you know. GREAT BIG HUGCraig!!
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Oh, my Amydoodle, I am so sorry to hear that sweetie. I’ve always had problems with my ears (but no where to the degree that you’ve had) and I know how horrible infections can be - - mine are usually caused from severe sinus drainage. I also go through this weird thing where every fall/winter my inner ears swell... and I can’t hear a bloody thing! Have you ever had a second opinion with another doctor?If you have, and it were the only option (and it were me), then I’d take the chance. I’d rather know that I tried to do something about the infections and the pain. But I really think you might want to look into some other doctor’s opinions and exhaust all your options before you decide on something as big as that.
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too bad I can't give you my ears >.< I'm just gunna ruin em with music before its over with anyway.I personally would go for the surgery. If you have the surgery you at least have a chance. However, without it you have nothing.Forgive me for being morbid or extremely negative at this point BUUUT.I would probably recommend start learning sign language now while you can still actually hear.. Might make it easier just in case. If you don't need it then you have the bonus of knowing how to do sign language anyway.Decadence isn't easy =/
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Hey honey, i would go with the surgery, especially if you know for certain without it things are going to get worse, have they given you a percentage of how often this kinda thing goes wrong?
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Sorry about the length of time it has taken me to reply! Been really busy. Well on the whole the skin graft in the ear has about 90% chance of taking well, but because I've had so many infections it is a lot lower. Think it was craig who mentioned this.. yes it is a skin graft across the eardrum..and I've had these mentioned before but changed surgeons because I seriously didn't trust the guy I was with, but I like this one.I was thinking of taking the chance and going for it..Fortunately my left ear only has a 1mm perforation in it now, so I can hear pretty well out of it. Lucky! just don't want to make the choice and have it be the wrong one
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my older brother had almost exactly the same thing wrong with his ear, he got the surgery, and it went perfect. now his hearing is as perfect as pssible with the circumstances.so, i say, have the surgery!
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That's ace! Did it hurt a lot?