Comments for Richard Mondello

Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Jill Scheib

Jill Scheib — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:34:45 +0000

PS: Keep Q-tips out of your ear! My arm accidentally got bumped and the Q-tip shot into my eardrum like a bullet. I have a friend whose mom was cleaning her ear and her husband opened the bathroom door and bumped her elbow and the same thing happened to her!

Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Jill Scheib

Jill Scheib — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:32:38 +0000

Hi. I had tympanoplasty on my left ear Feb 5. The worst part was when they sent me home the day of surgery. I was SOOOO nauseous, vomiting, couldn’t move to even go to the bathroom! I NEVER want to feel like that again! God bless my mom for taking care of me like a little baby! After a couple days that went away and I just vegged for about a week. It is important to eat properly as low blood sugar made me get the shakes and tingles, which made the dizziness even worse. The problem I’m having now is my neck, shoulder and arm on my right side – guess it’s from having to lay on that side for so long – having to get massage to try and relieve the pain. The doctor says it is healing well. My hearing is a little better, but the packing has not dissolved yet, so I am hoping for much better results than I have presently. It sure gets boring not being able to get out and exercise! My energy level is way down!!! I’ve started taking vitamins again and am tempted to get some of those 5-hour energy potions. Guess time and patience is what is needed now. Thanks for your blog! It’s always helpful to hear what others have experienced!

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Tasha

Tasha — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:30:55 +0000

I am meeting with my dr. on the 31st to schedule my surgery and ask her more questions. My dr. recommended patching up the hole in the left ear and putting a tube in the right ear to help equalize pressure. Reading everyone’s comments, I am having second thoughts about putting a tube in there. The tube in my left ear was supposed to be for 6 months only. However, the right one will be in for 2-4 years (which will be great for the pain). However, now I am concerned that once the tube is out, I hope I won’t have a hole in my right ear. I had asked the dr. if the hole in my left ear was caused from the first tube, but was told no.

Ryan, sorry I don’t know anything about amniotic graft. But I have listed that as one of my questions to my dr. I will certainly notify you of my findings.

Wish you all the best Lauren and Ryan. Please keep us posted as to your experience after the procedure.

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:43:18 +0000

I have mine scheduled for March 22, 2010. I have had a hole in my left eardrum since I was a baby. I am now 27. The hole in my eardrum is very large, almost the size of my eardrum! I am curious, what type of pain medication do they prescribe you? I already experience a lot of pain and I am praying the medication they give me will help.

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Ryan Nichole

Ryan Nichole — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:29:49 +0000

Hello everyone!

My story is pretty similar to many of yours. I’ve had problems with my ears forever, not infections, but a “full” feeling. At age 16 I recieved my first set of tubes, and since then (I am now 27) have had 3 other pairs put in. This past summer, I got a really bad ear infection last lasted about 3 weeks. After that I became very sensitive to sound, my ear almost feels as though it is swelling (which sucks at work, since I work at an elementary school!). I went to the doctor to find out that I have a perforated ear drum. He removed the tube from that ear, and after 2 months of trying to let the hole “heal on its own” I am scheduled to have a tympanoplasty on April 5. My doctor told me of two possible procedures that could be performed, one where I would recieve a fascia graft, and one that is a newer procedure where a like, amniotic graft is put in place? Can anyone tell me about the amniotic graft at all? I don’t know exactly which procedure they will be doing, is that something they decide at the time of surgery? I must admit, I am terrified after researching the tympanoplasty, and am rethinking the surgery (though I don’t want to live like I have been either! I have to wear an earplug every day, and get dizzy from the unequalized pressure). I am very thankful for this site and any information that anyone can give me!!

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Tasha

Tasha — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:29:14 +0000

Thanks. I will be having the surgery most likely in June. I will surely keep you all posted.

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Richard Mondello

Richard Mondello — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:35:01 +0000

I would easily say that Julia’s description of the procedure is one of the most informative pieces I’ve ever seen on the subject.

Tasha, good luck! Take it easy, and let us know how you’re doing.

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Tasha

Tasha — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:43:10 +0000

Thank you Julia and everyone. If I can gather enough courage to go ahead with the surgery, I will definitely follow everyone’s advice during recovery. I will keep you posted.
Thanks.
Tasha

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Julia

Julia — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:07:55 +0000

Hey Tasha-

Well, in my opinion, it depends on how much pain/trouble the perforated eardrum causes you.
The surgery itself is a cinch. (I’ve had both- the “through the ear” kind and the “behind the ear.”)
You go in, they check vitals, put in an IV, wheel you down to the OR, and you wake up a couple of hours later with a bad taste in your mouth but otherwise feeling fine. You’ll have a pretty decent bandage on- which you’re supposed to keep on for a few days.
You leave, a few hours later it will start to throb, take your pain meds!! It will hurt for the next few days and at times it will suck.
I would say though, that the worst part is the recovery- in that so much of the surgery’s success depends on how well you take care of yourself. You can’t sneeze or blow your nose, life heavy objects, etc. When I had this surgery, it didn’t work. I did too much. I had the other kind of surgery in December and it worked. I’ve taken 3 showers without earplugs and now I can definitely say it WAS WORTH IT! Just be careful afterwards- take it easy, and have someone take care of you.
Go for it.
-Julia

Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Tasha

Tasha — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:10:11 +0000

Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for this website, full of first hand experience.
I have a similar problem. Growing up with lots of ear infections made my ear drums not function too well, especially when flying. When the plane descended, I felt extreme, stabbing pain in both my ears.
About 12 years ago, I had a major ear infection and was had station tube put in my left ear. After several months the tube was taken out and I was informed that there was a hole in my ear drum. I was informed that as long as it did not get infected and wet, the hole would not cause any problems. Actually, it worked out to my advantage when flying. My left ear does not hurt because of the hole (the right one still hurts).
I had an infection 2 years later, and was informed by another doctor to have the hole repaired. Unfortunately, (10 years ago) they would have cut behind my ear to patch up the hole. I therefore chickened out.
Lately, I had some problems with my right ear and have been feeling some pain and minor loss of hearing so I had an ear exam. At this time, another doctor told me that they can repair the hole in the left ear by going in through the ear canal and grafting skin inside the inner lobe to patch up the hole.
I am so scared and nervous, but a little more positive to know that I won’t have to get the cut behind my ear.
I having been searching up different information on the website regarding this surgery.
Everyone who got this done, do you all feel positive about it now that you have done it and has it healed well? Was there a lot of pain after the surgery?

Thank you.