ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: marvin65 on August 10, 2018, 02:02:30 pm
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I am wondering whether after surgery, you find that mentally, it makes you think slower
or come up with words ?
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Yes, 3 weeks out from my Translab my cognitive skills are still strong. Fatigue is a real issue though that does impact mental acuity when it sets in.
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JD808. Then I think my verbal skills( choice of words) are affected bec it affected my cerebellum. In my MRI scan after 2 months shows some white area in the cerebellum. It affects coordination. Sort of like a ministroke. Not everyone is affected the same way. Thanks for your feedback.
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yes! i have never been the same. maybe because of hydrocephallus or other complications. but i had to stop being a teacher.
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Two years post op. 4.2 cm.tumor- sub total. No surgery complications to note. 58 years old. Athletic.
No! My memory and abilities are definitely compromised. Searching for words and typing is a challenge. It was more significant during the first year, It's gotten better, but still a problem. Fatigue and wonky head is with me most of the time.
I think the damage was done by the tumor size impinging on my brainstem. That's just a hunch. No one has ever explained the physical reason why? What I keep hearing is that we are all different. With that being said, I am fortunate with the positive outcome. It's helpful for me to know I am not alone in this struggle. Thank you for posting.
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Finding words, especially when speaking, is at time challenging. I passed my 11 year anniversary July 2nd so don't expect any more improvement thanwhat I've had to this point.
I once asked my daughter to sharpen my toes instead of saying tie my shoes. Toes and tie start the same as does sharpen and shoes. Random words that start with same letter or blend will pop out in sentences. Used to be several times a day, every day. Now maybe 3 or 4 times a week. Sometimes it can be funny. Sometimes embarrassing. I just roll with it.
Still have headaches of varying degrees daily. When they're bad I confuse things. I'll be doing something and stop midway to figure out what it is I'm suppose to be doing. My short term memory is shot.
I get down sometimes but for most part just go on with life muddling through as best I can. My post AN surgery idiosyncrasies have become my norm to the point family and friends no longer even comment when I do things that are odd or say things not just right.
And my daughter's locally famous quote, out of the mouth of a then 8 year old when I'd complain about some post surgery problems, still holds..... "But you're still breathing" and I'm thankful for that.
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Where is the "like" button for that post? Thank you Soundy!!
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Thank you all for posting a reply. I also am thankful of result I have even though I have this weakness area . Just help me to be reminded always and not forget about what have happen in my life. Seeing people post even after many years just goes to show the impact it has in our life.
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Marvin65 - yep, same here. I had more severe cognitive/memory issues initially after surgery. It did get better, but not 100% I still deal/cover it up (at work) and it is hard. Yet, I am still thankful things are not worse.
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Yes, my brain is slower than before surgery on 9/18/18. Sometimes I can't follow what the people say, so frustrated.
I always told myself it took time to get better. I hope so...
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Marvin64 - I also have noticed it.
With family and friends, we treat it with humor. Sometimes i call it my Lewis Carollisms (speaking like i am experiencing Alice in Wonderland). At work, I have had to be much more selective in what i do and what i delegate (am lucky to be able to do this) and then put a lot more time in being ready for the work. As i can spend 6+ hours a day in various meetings, its been tough. .
I read a book "Your Brain at Work" a few years ago which i dusted off post-surgery. It has some good tips on how to think / work differently, which i think are even more important for us who have gone through an AN.
I tried Mindfulness, but keep falling asleep when I an app to do it.
But, as stated above, I am thankful to be here, and good health.
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I had AN surgery using RS approach on 10/26/18 aged 37 years. My memory, cognition and reflexes are same as before it's just element of fatigue. I get drained too quickly unlike before.
I used to do double jobs, full-time and part-time as a freelancer. I have started my freelance work and since 2 weekends I resumed playing an online FPS game and end up in top 3 scorers just like before.
Only concern is facial palsy and eye lid closure.
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I was very interested to find this thread as here in the UK I've not been given any acknowledgement of the mental side effects. I get tired quickly and never wake feeling refreshed, always feeling slightly fuzzy headed. If I sit down in the afternoon it's easy to nod off. My memory is shot to pieces and I find it very hard to concentrate. It's difficult to follow instructions or learn anything new. As someone else mentioned I try and cover up my lack of word finding and slow reactions. I had successful gamma knife radiosurgery eight years ago and am having three yearly MRI checks.
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I have been recently diagnosed with an AN. Frankly, I noticed less mental sharpness, more fatigue, headaches and constant ringing in the ears, but the biggest concern for me as a broadcaster was my inability to learn easily, recall words and speak fluidly. (The tumor is just shy of 2 cm and is pressing on the brain stem. I'm watching/waiting/researching because it seems there are no good outcomes and I do believe physicians should do no harm. So yes, I have noticed a decrease in cognitive ability, concentration, recall. Thankfully, I hear we use only 10 percent of our brains anyhow! Best to you.
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If the tumor is on the brainstem, then I would be seeking treatment. If your good outcome is to be like you were pre tumor, then won't happen. A good outcome can still be having hearing loss on that side. Many other issues are temporary in many cases, There are many who do well and most do not stay on the forum and Facebook and are back to their lives with some adjustments. Those here are more likely to have issues and are looking for others with the same issues. None of us wanted this to happen. Finding a dr who does these on a weekly basis is the most important. Each of us can vary how it goes as the tumor can cause damage to the cranial nerves. I was found to be NF2 over time and was back to work after tumor 1 and 2. I did retire as a RN after no 3. There is life after an AN. In my case 2 ANs and a facial neuroma. I wish you well.
Cheryl R
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Yes, me too. Sometimes In conversation I have to concentrate very very hard to find the right words. Often I forget what I'm looking for and have to retrace my steps. Somehow during surgery with our brain exposed and with many tools something was rewired. But, I always say things could be worse but are they?
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Hello everyone,
I was forced to give up my job as a medical office assistant/medical transcriptionist 4 years after my Acoustic Neuroma surgery. I underwent through a psychiatric assessment, and I was diagnosed with a depressive disorder. I associate this diagnosis with the Acoustic Neuroma surgery. Thankfully to my God Yahweh, I have been in remission for many years. My God gave me my sanity back, and He has blessed me with 2 grandchildren that keep me very happy and busy. I'm a happy human being again.
Maria Odete
Surgical Team: Dr. Fraser Noel, ENT/Neuro-Otologist, Victoria, B.C. Canada and Dr. Michael Boyd, Neurosurgeon, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
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Hi,
I'm adding this to my previous post: It's a well-established fact that depressive disorders cause brain fog,thus impairing brain acuity.
Maria Odete
Dr. Fraser Noel, ENT/Neuro-Otologist, Victoria,B.C.,Canada and Dr. Michael Boyd, Neurosurgeon,Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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I translated my post into Portuguese, my mother tongue, to help those who don't understand the English language and who understand the Portuguese language. I hope you don't mind.
Traduzido para Portugues.
Ola a todos,
Desculpem-me por omitir os acentos na letras proprias. Este forum nao oferece esse recurso.
Aqui vai parte da minha historia pertinente do Neuroma do Acustico que fui diagnosticada em 1992:
Fui forcada a desistir do meu trabalho secular que exerci como assistente de consultorio medico/transcritora 4 anos apos a minha operacao do Neuroma do Acustico. Fui submitida a uma avaliacao psiquiatrica, e fui diagnosticada com uma disordem depressiva. Eu associo este diagnostico com a surgeria do neuroma do Acustico. Gracas ao meu Deus Yahweh ( o Deus da Biblia), tenho estado em remissao por muitos anos. O meu Deus deu-me a minha sanidade novamente, e Ele abencoou-me com 2 netinhos que me fazem muito feliz e ocupada. Sou um ser humano feliz novamente.
E um fato bem-establecido que as desordens depressivas causam nevoeiro cerebral, portanto afetando assim a acuidade cerebral.
Maria Odete
Equipe Cirurgica: Doutor Fraser Noel, Especialista de doencas do nariz,ouvidos e garganta/Neurotologista ,Victoria, Columbia Britanica, Canada e Doutor Michael Boyd, Neurocirugiao, Vancouver, Columbia Britanica, Canada
Versos Biblicos: Salmo 83:18-Isaias 46:4-Levitico 20:26- Jeremias 29:11
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Ola,
Errei ortograficamente: Em vez de digitar corretamente a palavra cirurgia no texto acima, digitei em erro : descrevi "surgeria".
As minhas desculpas.
Maria Odete
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Glad to hear you are in remission from your depressive disorder (and have the beautiful grand children), Maria Odete.
I really appreciate this thread becuase it can feel lonely when knowing that it is a bit more difficult to keep up, and can add to the feelings of loneliness. I just made my 1 year mark post surgery and 4-5 months post CK, realized the other day that my ability to be productive (e.g. both work full time AND do things around the house) is so much better than just 3 months ago. I still go to bed earlier than most, but there is hope out there!
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Dear Jami,
Thank you for your encouragement and compliments. Yes, I have 2 beautiful grandchildren,indeed.
I'm glad that you are more productive now than 3 months ago. That's a big improvement. Get plenty of rest.
All the best to you.
Maria Odete
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Glad to hear you are in remission from your depressive disorder (and have the beautiful grand children), Maria Odete.
I really appreciate this thread becuase it can feel lonely when knowing that it is a bit more difficult to keep up, and can add to the feelings of loneliness. I just made my 1 year mark post surgery and 4-5 months post CK, realized the other day that my ability to be productive (e.g. both work full time AND do things around the house) is so much better than just 3 months ago. I still go to bed earlier than most, but there is hope out there!
That's good to hear. I'm about 2 months out and get frustrated with the fatigue issues and generally feeling wiped way earlier than I used to.
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mistasteve,
One day you will realize it has been weeks since you thought about the surgery and that the surgery no longer defines you. Take advantage of the time where no one in their right mind would disagree that you deserve to rest!
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Thanks jami, that's good advice, I will take it to heart. I had somebody on Friday looking/acting concerned about my general state saying 'dude be sure to rest up this weekend'! Mostly I have done that.
Can't wait for 'weeks since I thought of surgery'. I think the main thing currently is the balance issues. It's weird, yes I can walk around (shakily) in the dark and when I do suggested vestibular exercises they seem 'easy' but something always feels 'off' and toward the end of the day I get wobbly to the point of even stumbling. My main thing currently is a whole lot of walking, including the head moving thing. I'm hoping gradually it kicks in or else I just get used to 'new normal'.