ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Cognitive/Emotional Issues => Topic started by: Gloria Nailor on July 08, 2013, 09:40:56 am

Title: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on July 08, 2013, 09:40:56 am
Hi there - I am set to have GK later this month.  Just wondering how I might feel over the week or so after my treatment.  Also, wondering what long term side effects people might have.  I've read tons and talked to all my docs, but am interested in what others have experienced. My tumor is quite small, it is regrowing 2 years after surgery.  I am deaf and have regained movement in the lower half of my face.  I am told I may lose this function and have permanent numbness due to the tumor being so close to the trigeminal nerve, praying this does not happen.  I'm going to Tufts, great crew down there. I live in Vermont, it's only three hours away for me. Thanks for your thoughts!
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: mesafinn on July 09, 2013, 09:51:56 am
Hello,

I had GK in mid-April and for the first few weeks (three or so), I experienced major fatigue.  I needed to sleep a lot.   But I think this was the culmination of decompressing as well as adjusting to the treatment.   I think most GK patients return to "regular life" fairly quickly, within five days or so.

Side effects--quite wide ranging--start about two to three months later.  This can include an intensification of some pre-treatment effects (tinnitus, balance, hearing); some new occurrences (hemifacial spasms, loss of hearing for some); or--what most patients experience--nothing!   There's no "expected scenario" as individuals respond so differently.

GK is a little deceiving because the first two months or so after treatment, it will seem like you haven't received treatment at all.   Perhaps it will stay this way....and I hope for you, this is the case!  And I'm not sure what the effects may be since you've had surgery already.

GOOD LUCK!  I hope your trigeminal nerve remains unaffected which should be the case because of the precision with GK.  Feel free to PM with any specific questions.

P.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: MDemisay on July 09, 2013, 11:40:33 am
Dear Gloria,

if you want to review what the effects of Gamma Knife treatment are you can easily do so by reading the GK journals of all of us. I can tell you one thing though every experience is unique, which is to say that everyone has a unique experience!  I would not trade it for another method. For me I can definitely say that the dull headache that I was experiencing just before my one shot GK experience, the dizziness, the nausea that I felt (sometimes) are all gone now. The discomfort that accompanies for a few days afterward can wear you down. But I returned to work the next day and even attended the retirement party of a colleague even though it lasted until 11:00 pm. The pin sites will be with you for 3 weeks but should begin to fade. Rest when you can and you should be fine! The most dramatic thing about this whole experience was the bandage that they put on you just afterwards! It makes you look like a WWI vet just returning from battle. I found that if you make special arrangements the doctors may even let you bring a meditation CD in with you. The machine was soundless.

I found that naming my tumor helped me to make it smaller (if only in my mind's eye) and I found this to be the very first step in it's eventual eradication! DEAD IRV is really dead.

I found that if you're prayerful that helps a lot too. Meditating is the next step. I found the whole experience relaxing!

Mike

Good luck! You are on your way to be a postie toastie! See you on the other side! Blog often, it helps! Believe it or not!

Blogging is extremely helpful as well.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on July 09, 2013, 06:36:46 pm
Thanks for your replies, it's helpful to hear what others have been through.  I have read many of your blogs and hearing others experiences is useful. My tumor is named Tommy and I thought he died over 2 years ago, but I guess I gave him too good of a home! I am so afraid that I may lose the facial function that I have regained or that new issues will surface after GK treatment. It took me two years to come to terms with my hearing loss and the paralysis of my face, I only have slight issues with balance - if I am walking and look to the side I stagger. I know everyone's experience and outcome is so different.  I am extremely lucky to have such a supportive family and friends.  God and the love of my family have gotten me this far!  And I know they will help carry me through the remainder of my journey. Thanks again for responding and sharing. Be well, Gloria
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: rjmchale on August 12, 2013, 03:43:54 pm
I hope your Gamma Knife treatment went well.  I had my Gamma Knife treatment in January of 2013 and I am doing very well now.  For the first couple of days I felt completely normal and did not have any symptoms.  I then got very sick for three days.  Felt like a bad college hangover that would not get better.  Once that was finished, I had dizziness and walked around like I had been drinking a lot.  The dizziness improved everyday to the point where I was able to ride a bicycle after three weeks.  Still had some fatigue issues, but nothing really that bad.  Looking back, it does not seem like that bad of an experience and I am doing everything I did prior to Gamma Knife.  One thing I did a lot of was walking.  I walked three to seven miles each day and I think this was good for retraining my brain.  It also helped my attitude.  Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Robert
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on August 13, 2013, 04:47:47 pm
My gamma knife treatment is now behind me, thankfully.  It was a very uncomfortable day!  It 's funny, I told my husband I felt like I had a hangover for a few days without the fun of drinking, just like you stated. I have been having daily headaches that are becoming progressively worse, the doc is going to try some low dose steroids for a few days. He says headaches like this are unheard of though after the treatment, so I am no sure what is going on. I am looking forward to feeling how I felt before the treatment. thanks for responding!
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: MDemisay on August 16, 2013, 08:52:10 am
Dear Gloria,

Welcome to the postie toastie days! Just after the procedure. Your energy level is up rest my advice is to meditate when you can.

Balance issues should improve, I have found that doing core strenghtening exercises helps everyday. Not to sure with your individual tumor but mine swelled before it shrunk and gave me some facial twitches which thankfully have just about abated now, although sometimes even after a year out they persist. The GOOD thing is that as the tumor goes through necrosis(dies) it shrinks and the facial twitches should subside for you as well. Good to hear how you are faring. PM me if you should desire.
All the best!

Mike
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on August 19, 2013, 07:00:47 am
Thanks for the reply Mike.  My headaches were better taking 2 mg prednisone twice a day, but are returning with just one dose a day.  I guess I need to wait a few more days and see the pattern of my headaches.  It was nice being headache free for a few days.  My balance is improving, just get a little off balance if I turn suddenly.  Glad to be a postie-toastie : )  Take care
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on September 24, 2013, 02:56:21 pm
Hello there - Just a quick update- my GK was about 2 months ago now.  I have been off the prednisone for two weeks now and the headaches are much better. I am experincing mild headaches for just a few hours, 1-2 times a week. Thanks for all your responses.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on April 28, 2014, 06:53:52 pm
well, here I am 10 months out from GK and I having been having headaches daily for about two months :( and migraines once or twice a week....anyone else have this happen so far out?????
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Petrone on April 28, 2014, 09:34:38 pm

Hi Gloria,

Sorry to hear you're still experiencing headaches. Have any over-the-counter pain medicines helped at all?  Alleve (sp?) gave me some relief when I was experiencing post-GK headaches last summer.  Ice packs also helped.  Hope you experience some relief soon. 

Best wishes,
Petrone
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on May 05, 2014, 11:44:04 am
Thanks Petrone, I have been taking Motrin, which does help, but I realized the other day that I used up a whole bottle in 4 months....500 tablets...I must have a stomach of steel.  The migraines are increasing too, had the worst one in my life last week, the pain was worse than anything I ever experienced post-op.  They are thinking of doing an MRI.  I talked to the GK doc and he insists that headaches and migraines are not related to my radiation.  I find that very hard to believe. I've tried some acupuncture too, massage and going to my chiropractor.  The headaches are daily now, just a mild constant ache, the pain is just where a crown would rest on your head. Not sure what is up....I will keep you all informed!
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Alphonse on July 24, 2014, 05:44:25 am
Gloria, how did you come out on the headaches?
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on January 13, 2015, 07:04:16 pm
Another update: I continued to have daily headaches for about 6 months.  Motrin was enough to help the pain but I was taking a lot of it. Oddly enough, I went on an airplane to visit my mom when she was very ill and the headaches resolved !!!!! Not sure why, I believe the pressure during flying did something to the pressure in my head. I have flown since and the daily headaches did not return.  I do have one or two a week though.  I just wanted to share this with you, Be well.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: MDemisay on January 14, 2015, 11:51:54 am
Dear Gloria,

Glad to hear from you after all this time, I trust your Holidays went well. I forgot about plane travel. As I have traveled back and forth to Florida to visit my folks. The first time, I did it was quite unnerving but as I got used to it, it became more relaxing for me.

Although, I am not sure of it for others, flying was a pain for me presurgery because I had to equalize the pressure in both ears after landing. Post surgery, post GK, my experience with headaches is similar to yours. In that, I only have to pay attention to the hearing ear now!

That is a good thing!


Keep posting! WTG!

Mike

Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on April 10, 2015, 09:53:11 am
Well, here I am almost two years out from my GK, I had surgery prior to that. My headaches resolved for a few months and are now returning, almost daily with some migraines thrown in a couple days a months too. I tried a bunch of different prescription meds but hated the side effects, so I treat them with motrin mostly. They told me I could see side effects of the GK for up to 2 years, so I am thinking the headaches are here for good. Truthfully though, I take some motrin and go on about my day, still working too. They aren't debilitating, just a nuisance. On a good note, I noticed I have a small smile, the use of my mouth muscles returned almost a year post surgery, but this is different , it's a reflexive smile !!!!! I don't even have to make myself smile, it is automatic, so hang in there.  Smiles, Gloria
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: mcrue on January 26, 2016, 04:53:13 am
Hi Gloria,

Had you been experiencing headaches prior to your GK treatment?
Hopefully the headaches have subsided, as it's been nearly 3 years since your Gamma Knife.
Where did you have the procedure?

Best wishes.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Doc on January 29, 2016, 06:19:21 pm
1/2013 cranioplasty because a screw came out of my head!

I’m sorry, I think I missed something, Gloria. You had a screw come loose? I’ve had several loose screws in my day, but they were all fictional, a product of my occasionally hyperactive imagination. Please explain.

Take Care  ;)

Doc
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Doc on January 29, 2016, 06:21:32 pm
Disregard, I just Googled cranioplasty. I get it now. Gourd or precious metal?
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on February 04, 2016, 08:42:52 pm
Sorry Mcrue and Doc to respond so late, I think of everyone here often but only check in here and there. I have had migraines and headaches since childhood but nothing like I have had since 1.5 years after my GK.  But I had surgery, then an infection and then GK, my head has been through a lot :( when my incision became infected is when I actually had a titanium screw from my surgery come out through the incision. I keep looking for ways to help with my headaches. I don't let them keep me from doing things usually though.  I do acupuncture, go to my chiropractor, do some stretches, wear magnets, eat Motrin and Tylenol and Aleve like cand, which all help a little.  Prescription meds were giving me side effects. What I meant by my earlier comments about  flying was that flying relieved my headaches ! I just need to take more frequent vacations. Be well everyone, Gloria
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: mcrue on March 22, 2016, 09:36:26 am
I've had a dull headache (2 out of 10 strength) ever since I left GK treatment 3 weeks ago.
I attributed it to a cold/flu.
I hope it not from the radiation, as it's not going away.
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Doug Butler on April 21, 2016, 04:05:42 am
Hello all,

I had GK in October and a shunt put in about six weeks ago.  I started experiencing confusion and there was definitely something going on with my brain pressure.  My tumor was much larger than most peoples and this was an extremely complicated surgery.  At this time, I started having headaches, which were very severe.  I am taking narcotics to control this at this time and hope that this gets better with time...  Through my research, I 'think' that this is related to "Microglia Activation".  It seems that everybody has a different experience but the headaches can be quite severe.  If I don't continue taking the narcotics, it would be unbearable!!!  Lets hope that this goes away in time.  I feel 'very lucky' that this procedure is being done and I know that there is no magic pill for this stuff... Doug
Title: Re: Side Effects after Gamma Knife treatment
Post by: Gloria Nailor on April 25, 2016, 06:47:29 pm
Dear Doug and Mcrue, I hope both of your headaches are subsiding. Mcrue, I had a dull headache a few weeks after my GK treatment and they placed me on a few day course of prednisone and it resolved at that time. These nuisance headaches started about 1.5 years after GK. The surgeons and GK docs don't believe it is related to GK though, but I beg to differ. I had brain surgery, an infection in my skull, skull surgery and GK, I believe this lovely combination has caused my headaches. They are usually quite tolerable. I've recently noticed that tightness in my back can make them more uncomfortable, so I started physical therapy.  They think I might have scar tissue on the side of my surgery around my skull incision, this scarring may be tugging on my back muscles and adding to my headaches. Doug, I hope the shunt has helped to relieve pressure in your head and your feeling better. If there is anything to say about acoustic neuromas, it would be that no two journeys are the same. Rest up and feel better !