ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: sunfish on December 01, 2010, 11:47:45 am
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Oh Yeah!!! 9 month MRI shows "significant devascularization." Tumor is about the same size. So that means my "side effects" aren't due to swelling or growth, just the death of the alien brain booger, who's probably trying to take some healthy tissue with it.
Doctor still wants yet another MRI in 3 months, due to my various struggles. The doctors changed/increased some of my meds. See my other post about trental . . .
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Sunfish ~
Congratulations!
Jim
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Sunfish, good news! I'm glad for you. Mona
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Excellent news. I know what it's like having had my MRI myself two weeks ago. What kind of medications do you take for your symptoms? I was given Tylenol #3 for the pain, but there is so much you can take of that.
Vivian
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Well, thank goodness I don't have any pain. So I don't need meds for that. And there really aren't any good meds for disequilibrium/balance, in the long run. They tried a round of steroids for my declining hearing last week, hard to say how helpful that was yet. Neurosurgeon started me on "trental/pentoxyfilline" a couple days ago (antioxidant/blood thinner that shows promise in recuperation from radiation therapy for cancer). Too bad there's not a magic pill for us . . .
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Sunfish,
Great news! Hoping the alien continues to de vascularize and you get some relief from your disequilibrium.
Maureen :)
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Awesome news Sunfish! :)
Keep on keeping on! Thank God the booger is dying!
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Great news, Sunfish; glad to hear it. I'm curious about the mechanism and anticipated outcome of the new drug, "trental/pentoxyfilline." Keep us updated on that, will you?
Take care,
Connie
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Well, if you look up "trental" online, you'll find several research reports with promising results using this med to decrease side effects of radiation treatment. Specifically, "fibrosis." I suppose the theory is that the radiation from CK does cause some injury to the affected nerves, etc. Trental is believed to increase oxygenation of tissues at the microvascular level. It's also more commonly used in cases requiring a "blood thinner." It apparently changes the viscosity or slipperiness or something of your blood. Not a very scientifc explanation, I know!
Unfortunately, the stuff really caused me major stomach problems for the first three weeks, and I still have to be careful to eat and drink plenty when I take it. Also unfortunately, I've been on it for about 6 weeks, and I can't honestly say it's made any difference in energy level, balance problems, blood pressure problems. I'm still scheduled to take it for another month or so, then another followup MRI. Will keep you all posted.