ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: gunns on May 17, 2018, 11:25:36 pm

Title: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 17, 2018, 11:25:36 pm
I’m almost one year post op and I recently started having problems reading. I read a lot. It’s like I can’t recognize simple words. Sentences don’t make sense. It’s worse when I’m tired at the end of the day. And accompanied with a headache. If I look at the words long enough I finally recognize it. Again we’re talking about even simple every day words. My surgery was last July (2017) and I noticed this problem starting just two days ago. Something isn’t right and I’m beginning to worry. Has anyone else experienced this. I’m going to try and get in to see my doctor who did the surgery.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 18, 2018, 07:43:55 am
good idea to see the doctor! what type of surgery?
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 18, 2018, 01:11:09 pm
Retro sig. Lost all hearing AN side permanently, temporary slight facial palsy and dry eye better now. depth perception is off and balance seems to be getting worse.  I get so darn exhausted quickly. I may be 70 but I’m extremely active - backpacking the sierras, hiking, motorcycles dirt and street etc. But the reading thingie has me concerned.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: extropy on May 19, 2018, 06:23:58 am
After my retrosigmoid surgery (July 2014, the VS was > 3.5 cm.) very often I don't understand jokes! And when I'm reading *sometimes* (but not often) I cannot understand the meaning of that phrase. I'm inclined to think it is lack of attention or concentration or focus or intuition. -serafino (Rome, Italy)
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 19, 2018, 07:37:54 am
Well, Gunn, I hope you get to a doctor! As far as exhaustion, I still get it, especially when i exercise or do long hikes or bike rides.  I have to keep it up though so my balance doesn't get worse. At least I have motivation to exercise! 
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 19, 2018, 09:19:48 am
Well, I don’t know what I’m worried about. Sounds like you two have it worse than me. I can’t even imagine having my tumor grow back. My first annual MRI is in two months. Gotta wait and see. Getting in to see my doc soon I hope. Thanks for the input!

I’m not about to give up my workouts 4x a week. Been fighting a bad back for forty years and four operations. I’m a firm believer in use it or loose it. I use my guitar playing to keep my brain stimulated.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 19, 2018, 02:04:02 pm
thanks for your compassion. i feel like everyone expects me to be super-woman, including myself, but on a gloomy day like today, i wish my family and friends remembered that it probably takes a lot out of me just to function normally! pity-party at the moment!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 20, 2018, 03:32:36 pm
I understand Patti. People say they understand but they can’t understadstand unless they’ve been down our same road. They mean we’ll, bless them, but they can’t fathom what it takes out of us every day and we just keep chugging along. I went to an ANA meeting the other day and met a guy who had surgery a few years back. The tumor has returned an now he has a tumor on the other side as well. And I thought I was having it rough.

You take care Lady and try to focus on one day at a time and on the bad days try to focus on that which you can do. It’s what I try to do but fall short of on occasion.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 21, 2018, 06:40:32 am
Thank you Gunn! Pity party didn't last long. I know i have an up-coming MRI and I become more aware of issues as the date of the MRI gets closer, so my thoughts tend to get a little more negative.  But one day at a time is a good thought for anyone!!!!!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 21, 2018, 08:02:27 am
Wish you luck in your MRI. I’ll have to get one real soon. The doctors want one before I’m seen. Hope I can get in this week.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 22, 2018, 08:18:27 am
Keep us posted and I will too!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 22, 2018, 09:35:39 am
Will do Patti. They made my appointment two weeks out. I guess in order to get the MRI and neurosurgeon authorized. We’ll see. Again wishing you the best with your MRI.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on May 24, 2018, 02:33:07 pm
Appointment with Doc is on Jun 4th in the afternoon. My MRI is scheduled earlier the same day. This will be for my new symptoms and I guess will be considered my first one year follow up MRI. My operation was last July.
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on May 25, 2018, 05:45:43 pm
Mine is on June 13!  Let us know how it goes!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on June 03, 2018, 07:15:21 am
Gunn - what doctor are you seeing and where?  Patti
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on June 05, 2018, 04:24:12 pm
Hey Patti!
My MRI was clear of tumors or regrowth according to my doc, Friedman at UCSD. He said all the other issues except for the reading issue should be addressed through vestibular therapy. The reading issue should be addressed by a nuerologist. Also now for sometime, even pre-op, Ive been having phantom sightings in the periphery of my eyesight. It’s like I catch sight of movement that doesn’t really exist. Almost like I saw a mouse, bird or person moving out of the corner of my eyes. Really strange but what isn’t about these tumors?  Some of my falls have been nasty ones. Worse than any workout I’ve had in eight years in martial arts. Almost like being body slammed like a rag doll. At least there was no regrowth and I have a mission with a plan - vestibular therapy. I pity my poor therapist! LOL!

Good luck with your follow up Patti. My prayers and thoughts will be with you!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on June 06, 2018, 06:57:02 am
Gunn - I am so relieved that you had a clean MRI!!!! I've been told by my physical therapist that those nerves involved will always be a little "cranky".  In other words, things aren't as dire as i imagine.  Anyway, still looking forward to next week (but i won't see the doctor until June 20).  I am sure vestibular therapy will help you!  The falls and the eyesight thing are wild!  Let's keep each other posted!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on June 07, 2018, 07:13:21 pm
Will do Patti. So MRI next Wednesday and you see the doc the following Wednesday. These little bugger tumors sure have changed our lives. However we’re all on the green side of the grass. So far......!  LOL!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on June 08, 2018, 06:09:20 pm
Thank goodness!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on June 12, 2018, 02:29:36 pm
Good luck and prayers for you on tomorrow’s MRI!
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: gunns on July 03, 2019, 04:50:48 pm
Hi Patti!
So sorry for not getting back to you.  I've been really busy with a kitchen remodel in efforts to get the house ready for sale so we can move to Texas.  What I use to do in an hour now seems to take four to eight.  Balance and exhaustion seems worse but more importantly how did your MRI go?
Title: Re: Vision/Brain - ability to read
Post by: Patti on July 08, 2019, 12:58:01 pm
It's a year later and I just had another MRI. Mostly clear but shows a little growth into the IAC. The neurologist is not worried and neither am I! How are you? We are doing home remodeling too. Ours not by choice. Drain pipes corroded and washing machine backed up and soaked the whole lower level of our house (bi-level). Ugh!