ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: prestocat on April 05, 2010, 11:52:11 pm
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Hello all. My name is Carrie and I'm a 32 year old mom, with a 6 1/2 year old son. I had gamma knife back in Aug 2005. I just got the results from my MRI and it says that the AN is regressing. Over the past couple of years I have been noticing problems. I have mood swings, I forget things, and sometimes have balance issues. The mood swings have been getting very bad lately. I've never experienced this before the AN or gamma knife . I get angry at the littlest things and feel agitated a lot. I forget things while I'm in the middle of talking, or I'm trying to say something, but I can't think of the word. The balance issues are mostly when I'm on steps. I don't know what to do! I talked to my specialist's assistant about these problems. He said there is no way the AN or gamma knife could be causing mood swings and forgetfulness. He said that maybe I'm depressed because of my hearing loss, and that could be the cause of the mood swings. What do you all think? That's why I'm asking on here if anyone else has these problems. I feel they're possibly caused from the AN or gamma knife. Do any of you take medications for mood swings or irritability? If so, what? I'm getting very tired of feeling this way!! I feel like I don't even know who I am anymore!! :'( Thank you all for taking the time to read my post!!
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I forgot to ask if anyone knows of any programs to help with getting a hearing aid. My insurance doesn't cover hearing aids or prescriptions either. Thanks!
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Acoustic neuromas cause a lot of stress and fatigue for the brain. Issues with hearing and balance, and sometimes facial nerves, require a lot of extra work by the brain to figure out what is going on and to adjust to the changes. The stress and fatigue can produce a variety of cognitive and emotional symptoms. We have had several discussions on the forum about missing words, for instance, whether it is saying the wrong word, not remembering it, or stumbling over the pronunciation.
The last section of the Post-Treatment area is one called Cognitive/Emotional Issues. If you look there, I think you will find a number of topics on mood, fatigue, and speaking issues, as well as possible medications. http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?board=22.0.
Welcome to the forum, Carrie. You'll fit right in. ;)
Steve
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Hi Carrie .... re your insurance question, I don't have an answer, but suggest that you call Cochlear Americas' office for insurance support ..... OMS .... to ask all your questions. Perhaps they can give you very good advice based on your situation .... or at least tell you where to start.
OMS's number is 1-800-633-4667
Best to you!
Greg
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I have mood swings, I forget things, and sometimes have balance issues
Me Too! I bet a lot of the ladies can relate to that, AN or no AN. :D
Seriously, As far as it being related to the AN, -I think through the years after surgery or GK, we do not realize how emotionally taxing living life can be,especially with the SSD or balance problems. A lot more energy goes in to listening, conversing, going to noisy places, which in my case causes more fatigue.
Irritablity too. And concentration.
It's like it keeps building on to itself. So it is important for me to get my rest, zone out, remove the external stimuli. Leads for a somewhat boring lifestyle, but that is what it is. Walking, exercising, balance "games" are a must.
I even started doing those brain games you can get for cheap in paperback.
So yes, I totally understand. Some people don't like to take antidepressants, but I think we should all be on "happy" pills! (Zoloft is my drug of choice). Those type of drugs (SSRI's-selective serotonic reuptake inhibitors) brought calmness to my life years and years ago with severe mood swings from PMS. I'm still on it at least until I hit menopause!
There is nothing wrong with going that route. See what your doc says.
Good luck, hang in there,
Maureen :)
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Thank you all for your replies! You've all been so sweet and helpful!
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Hi there,
I do take an SSRI that really helped with the agitation that was part of my depression. I do still have memory issues....like the word is floating out there and takes time to land. This is mostly with fatigue, so I don't schedule as much activity at night where I have to think.
I had translab surgery two years ago.
Blessings to you on your journey,
Marty