ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: sher on October 25, 2008, 06:42:50 pm

Title: 23 days post CK
Post by: sher on October 25, 2008, 06:42:50 pm

I am 23 days post CK and all of a sudden today, I lost some hearing and have extreme tinnitus.. I have had tinnitus all along but this is crazy... Anyone experience this?
Sherry

Title: Re: 23 days post CK
Post by: sgerrard on October 25, 2008, 09:41:10 pm

Tinnitus is just plain annoying, I can't say much about that. But if you are experiencing hearing loss, I think you should contact your doctor. If it is a significant drop, a short course of steroids might fend off a permanent loss, which is worth it.

Steve

Title: Re: 23 days post CK
Post by: Jim Scott on October 25, 2008, 09:43:32 pm

Hi, Sherry:

I didn't have CK so can't give you a personal response to your specific situation but I know (from posts by CK patients) that post-radiation swelling can generate the kinds of problems you're experiencing.  If the hearing loss and tinnitus persist, I would contact your doctor and seek his advice.  I hope and will pray that this condition is temporary.  Please keep us updated, if you can.  Thanks.

Jim

Title: Re: 23 days post CK
Post by: mk on October 26, 2008, 06:35:36 pm

Sherry,

you should contact your ENT or your CK team as soon as possible. Sudden hearing loss happens because of swelling, which cuts off the blood supply to the nerve. In such cases, steroids can help if taken promptly. This has happened to me twice, once before treatment and once post-GK. I had severe hearing loss, with loss of word recognition and terrible tinnitus. In both cases I took prednisone within 24 hours and my hearing recovered in a few days.

Let us know how it goes.

Marianna

Title: Re: 23 days post CK
Post by: ppearl214 on October 28, 2008, 05:42:55 am

Sher,

As part of the radio process (regardless of type of radio treatment), we are always mentally prepared that edema/swelling may occur. While the swelling may occur, it may cause pressure on the hearing nerve. Some experience temp decrease in hearing, some don't. Some may lose hearing (perm) post radio, some don't.  I've heard from many in the same shoes.... myself included.

Approx 4 mos post CK, I had temp decrease in hearing. My hearing test at that time confirmed it... a 15db decrease.  After that, it stabilized, the pressure stopped and my hearing resumed back to what it was at the time of treatment. I have been lucky on that account. 

Hang in there... see if the doc recommends a short term course  of anti-inflammatories (ie: Ibuprofen, steroids, etc).  Please remember that you just had your CK less than a month ago and the post treat journey has started.   There may be bumps along the way and you know what to  look out for (not to actually look for them but you are aware of what may/could occur, although much does not occur for many).  You know the average timeframes for things to possibly crop up. Don't keep "looking" for them but try to keep them in the back of your mind, but also knowing that you have educated yourself for these things that could/could not happen.

Hang tough!
Phyl

Title: Re: 23 days post CK
Post by: sher on October 28, 2008, 11:53:31 am

Thanks for all your comments... you are great!!!!