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bobby:
I have been recently diagnosed with a 2.5 cm acoustic Neuroma.  I have lots of questions about what to expect.  I am scheduled for surgery at OHSU in Portland Or. on the 12th of march. I have lost 65% of my hearing on tumor side.  I am experiencing head aches, light headedness, can't concentrate, etc.  Are these symptoms common for pre-treatment?  Or are they more related to the stress.  Or are my symptoms a sign that I need to get this tumor removed.  Has anyone opted for the watch and wait?  Post opp people- Was it worth it? 
I am having second thoughts about the surgery.  If I watch and wait or have the radiation treatment, will I still have these symptoms?  I don't know what to do, still in shock. ???
Thanks, Bob

ppearl214:
Hi Bob and welcome :)  Glad to see you here (although not glad for the reason) but know that we are certainly here to help you out.

No, you are not alone in the symptoms, the anxiety, etc that you are feeling. There's a great thread here that was recently started, that has wonderful inputs from others here that have gone (or are going) through all forms of AN treatments... from microsurgery to radiosurgery to watch/wait.  Here is the link to the thread:

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=2811.0

There some great thoughts/inputs there and may be worth taking a peek.

Although most of the post is regarding a particular treatment center in CA, if you dig through the thread, there are some wonderful referencing regarding researching, different approaches, etc.  To me, worth a good read.

the only real suggestion I can give you is this.  Take a VERY deep breath.  Now, try it again! :)  Know that by reaching out here, we can share thoughts/experiences with you to help you make the best/well-informed decision you can make for you and your sitaution.  If you decide to keep the surgical date that you  currently have scheduled, we are going to cheer you on during the surgery and recuperation.  If you opt for different, well heck.. you're still stuck with us :)

We're here for you Bob. Hang in there!

Again, welcome!
Phyl

Lorenzo:
HI Bob,

Did you have those symptoms before you were diagnosed? If not, then one could assume they are more stress related since the news. Stress can increase symptoms' intensity in my experience.

My AN was 26mm at treatment time (CK) and I had a 70% hearing loss. At the time of diagnosis the size was around 22mm. I opted for W&W for a year but then I felt things started moving in there... W&W gave me time to look into alternatives to surgery. I found CK!

As for post-treatment, we're all different. It all depends so much on location as well as size. I didn't have headaches before treatment except occasional ones, but now I get them more often particularly when the waeather impacts / changes. Concentration difficulties will still be there after treatment, possibly worse intitially but improving over time. Hearing loss is now -5% from before treatment, so down a little. I don't mind really, it's useless anyway to me.

I must point out again though that this is MY experience, not everybody has the same story.

I would suggest that you take a bit of time and do some research and talk to radiosurgery specialists. That way you know for sure what the options are for you and you get answers from the people that know. Most of all, try to keep calm and stay focused, this usually gives us time to look around for options.

The limit for radiosurgery in terms of size is around 26-30mm depending on the system used. But you really need to talk to specialists in the field to have a definitive opinion on that.

So, good luck, and feel free to ask questions.

Ciao, Lorenzo

nancyann:
Hi Bob:
I had 80% hearing loss pre-op; didn't think a thing about the surgery, thought it would be a piece of cake:WHAT A MISTAKE !!!

Just make sure you're in capable hands. 
I ended up with right facial paralysis,   if I sound harsh, forgive me - after 7+ months of dealing with the paralysis I'm about fed up, it's very tiring, having to work, etc.  & deal with eye issues, balance issues, etc. 

The size of your AN is just on the border of having radiation instead - it's a toss up. It'll depend on where your tumor is located, etc.
I had very experienced surgeons, & still ended up with the facial paralysis - for some reason my facial nerve stopped signaling as soon as they hooked it up to the machine, before even beginning the tumor removal.

Don't blame you at all for having second thoughts.   If I had to do it again I'd have radiation.  My tumor was a full 2cm.

Wish you all the best Bob,    Nancy

Obita:
Hi Bob and welcome to the forum:

Your AN is exactly the same size mine was.  I had a radiation consult also and I might have gone that route IF the AN would not have swelled after treatment and if it was not starting to compress the brainstem.  The pressure in my head was awful, but no headaches.

If you are second guessing yourself, at least postpone the surgery for now.  Microsurgery is a huge deal.  The surgeons don't know what they are up against until they get in there.  Some come out easy, some are stuck to the facial nerve and sometimes they will need to leave a little to save the facial nerve.  The residual tumor is then radiated after recovery from surgery. 

An AN is a scary diagnosis and I think even more frightning is that treatment is up to the patient.  BUT, after many hours of reasearch and talking to people, you will be glad that the decision is yours.

I had microsurgery 3 years ago this May and I am fine other than being deaf in my left ear as I knew I would be and multi-tasking does not come easy.  My hearing loss was 70% and words were garbled on the phone.  I did not notice the facial twitching until the day I was diagnosed.  I had the normal facial numbness post-op but no balance problems.  My good side had already compensated for the loss of vestibular function on my AN side so that part of recovery was easy for me.

Whatever you decide, you must totally trust your doctors and be convinced that they have treated enough ANs to know you will have the best possible outcome.

Good luck Bob and send me a note if you have any questions. 

Kathy

ps:  For me, yes it was worth it.  BUT, I was very lucky.

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