Vertigo - and the use of Gentamicin

[Chances3]

I wrote this down on a piece of paper a few months ago, I'm not sure where this information came from.
It might have come from this web site.  I wrote down that an injection into the middle ear of an antibiotic
called Gentamicin can cure vertigo.  Any replies please  ?

[Jim Scott]

I wrote this down on a piece of paper a few months ago, I'm not sure where this information came from.
It might have come from this web site.  I wrote down that an injection into the middle ear of an antibiotic
called Gentamicin can cure vertigo.  Any replies please?

Gentamicin injection into the middle ear is used to cure severe vertigo.  It was originally employed to treat severe Meniere's disease.  However, because we're not doctors, this is, by necessity, a very generalized response.  For a more specific and detailed explanation I suggest you consult a licensed physician.

Jim 

[ombrerose4]

This was actually a topic that was discussed at the symposium by Dr. Weit, during his balance discussion. Research is being done that shows if you give Gentamicin pre-op, it reduces the severe vertigo that some people experience immediately post-op and allows the body to make the adjustment to losing the vestibular function on the AN side without making the patient "spin".  Hope this helps:)

[mattsmum]

how curious - i wonder if they were trying to kill off the nerve quickly as this is supposed to allow quicker compensation for loss of vestibular function on one side.
curious - because gentamicin is also a leading CAUSE of vertigo when used as an antibiotic intravenously (damages the vestibular system on both sides).

[lillacoix]

Hello all, I am puzzled as to how gentamicin can help vertigo, when I thought it was a major cause of damage to the balance system, and can actually cause severe vertigo and loss of balance.  Maybe in smaller amounts, it does the opposite??  Similar to vaccines and homeopathy?  Does anyone know the answer to this?

[mk]

My impression (but I may be completely wrong) is that Gentamicin injections are sometimes used to "kill" the vestibular nerve in advance of surgery, so that the brain has more opportunity to compensate, therefore reducing the balance problems afterwards. I think there was one patient from Sweden who tried this. Overall though I don't think  this is a generally accepted approach.

Marianna

[ombrerose4]

Marianna, you are correct. As discussed at the symposium, some doctors are using Gentamicin pre-op to "kill" the vestibular nerve slowly so the body can adjust quicker than when the nerve is cut during surgery. I believe there are trials going on using this procedure and it is not used routinely as of right now.

[Patti UT]

I don't think the injections are to kill the nerve quickly since everything I have read and discussed with my doc were that it takes several injections over time. So I am under the impression it is a slow death to the nerve. When they cut or remove the nerve in surgery it is would seem it would be an instant death to the nerve.

[Ned]

9 years post FSR with continuing balance problems.  My doc suggested gentamycin injections MIGHT help but I would lose the little hearing I still have in the right ear..

[germangirl]

Hi everybody,


Mabye this link helps. It explains the method quite good:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/treatment/ttg.html

All the best

germangirl

[nftwoed]

Hi;

  Yes, a chemically induced VNS ( Vestibular Nerve Section ) but, it is well likely to take all or some hearing also due to damage of the cochlea. Of course it's a Dr's call, but my feeling is a surgical VNS addresses an offending nerve issue 100% thoroughly, w/o damaging hearing.