Hi all,
I had posted information about the aspirin regimen three years ago, but I think it is worth repeating.
The Information is in the June, 2014 Edition of the Acoustic Neuroma Notes newsletter. Page 4. It was about a study conducted by Mass Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, MIT, and Mass General Hospital.
The study demonstrated that one 81 mg aspirin "correlates with halted growth of vestibular Schwannomas (AN's)".
"Our results suggest a potential therapeutic role of aspirin in inhibiting vestibular schwannoma growth" stated Dr. Stankovic, the study's author. It is true across all ages and genders as well.
The ANA consulted with their Medical Advisory Board about the potential use of a daily baby aspirin related to acoustic neuroma growth mentioned in the article. It was the Medical Advisory Board's opinion that this is an option to consider in inhibiting the growth of AN's. They do recommend consulting with a physician before starting the aspirin regimen, and to keep track of the growth of the tumor via regular MRI's.
I have been taking the 81 mg of aspirin on a daily basis for the last three years. Whether this is what caused my tumor reduction is anyone's guess. But I figured it couldn't hurt, plus aspirin has beneficial effects for heart and stroke issues, so I just thought it was worth the small cost of the aspirin.
The Universities associated with the study are top notch, the ANA medical advisory board approves of the aspirin regimen as an option so I felt really comfortable doing it.
For what it is worth, even though my AN has decreased in size, I haven't noticed much, if any change in my symptoms. In fact, my wife thought I was getting slightly worse. I am pinching myself and wondering if the measurements are really true, but I was assured that the best radiologist (or whatever they call themselves when they read MRI's) on staff had looked at the MRI's and made the measurements. So I am just going to be happy for a few days or weeks! Yea!
Rod
