General Category > AN Issues

New to sight and have a few questions regarding AN

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john1455:
I had CK at Stanford in March 2014 and I feel basically the same postop as I did preop. The only new symptom I developed was slight vertigo. My AN was 19mm (1.9 cm) and was cystic and I drove to and from all my sessions (40 miles one way) without any problems. When I am stationary, I feel perfectly normal but when I walk, I have disequilibrium (balance issues). On a scale of 1 to 10, it is about a 3 (10 being the worse). After CK I would say my balance got a hair worse, maybe a 4, but it varies from day to day. My new found dizziness is also around a 2 or 3. I hope this information helps but be aware that we are all unique individuals and I feel fortunate that my CK experience impacted me minimally. My right hearing was about 75% gone prior to CK and has not worsen but then, it has only been 7 months postop. My tinnitus, however, did get worse (louder) but like my balance, it is not constant and varies from day to day. With regards to driving, if I turn my head quickly, I experience mild dizziness; when I have to turn my head to look backwards as when going in reverse, I experience slight dizziness. When I ride my bicycle, I feel perfectly normal since I am actually stationary on my bike seat.

At 7 months post CK, I am glad I NEVER even considered surgery as an option. I know I would not have had so few after effects compared to surgery. To me, the quality of life was at the top of my list and after reading about all the problems surgical patients had to suffer through, I knew that was not for me. My CK recovery period was zero. The best advice anyone can give you is, regardless of what treatment you choose, make sure your doctor has a lot of experience and does many cases per year. You find this out by asking your physician directly and he/she should have no hesitation in answering.

Kate62:
John, thank you for your very helpful answer. I am still trying to decide between Cyber Knife and Gamma Knife. I am also waiting to see what my insurance - CIGNA -can do for me. I do realize each one of us will have a different outcome no matter what we do. I am going to ask my doctors lots of questions. My list of questions is getting longer and longer LOL.  Thanks!  Kate

john1455:
Kate, here are some videos comparing CyberKnife and Gamma Knife that you may find helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STXDdH0KC7I&list=PLyJxAEO3EU-Sy-g7fb74A-U6ALK6cz7Wj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx4svXp8bYQ

There is a wealth of information on You Tube; just type in Cyberknife, Gamma Knife, and/or radiosurgery and you should be get a ton of information.

FYI, CyberKnife was born at Stanford and is the best CyberKnife facility, IMHO, and does more cases than anyone; Gamma Knife was introduced at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and is the premier facility for that modality. While you are waiting, do as much internet research as possible and this will undoubtedly shorten you questions list (but do ask them of your doctors and compare their answers to what you have learned online). The experiences of posters on this forum will also help guide you in the decision making process. Good luck!

terisandler:

--- Quote from: Kate62 on October 04, 2014, 08:40:42 pm ---Teri, I was just diagnosed and still researching all my treatment options. I am curious about your Cyber Knife experience. How large was your tumor?  Where did you go for your CK?  You mention balance problems.  Were you able to drive during that time? Were you dizzy only when you were trying to walk or did it stop when you were seated in your car and you were able to drive?  Hope that makes sense -LOL - I am just wondering if I am going to be able to drive back and forth to work.  Thanks for your help!  Kate

--- End quote ---


My AN measured about 18 mm x 11 mm x 14 mm.  I had CK at Parkview Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN.  I never stopped driving.  Mostly felt light headed changing positions.  My car felt like it was still moving when I parked it.  I have a very part time job but the pace is picking up this fall and I am more fatigued than before.  Fatigue seems to bring on some symptoms but they are very manageable.  So far.  :D

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