Watch and Wait > For those in the 'watch and wait' status
GK and balance nerve issues
amye:
Hi;
Has anyone out there with pre-treatment balance issues had a good experience with GK? There seems to be no published data suggesting that GK helps with vertigo, etc. but also no data suggesting that it makes balance issues worse. However, anecdotally it seems to have the reputation for creating more balance-nerve-related havoc.
Not sure if this is the right place for this post...
Amy
sgerrard:
--- Quote from: amye on April 11, 2009, 03:12:42 pm ---no published data suggesting that GK helps with vertigo, etc.
also no data suggesting that it makes balance issues worse.
--- End quote ---
I think that about sums it up. My impression is that radiation treatment is balance nerve neutral; it usually doesn't make it better or worse.
Steve
amye:
Thanks, Steve. That's what I keep hearing. I wonder why? It seems like stopping the growth would stop the irritation on the nerve and allow for compensation from the other side...
Should I ask this in the "Treatment" section?
Amy
sgerrard:
--- Quote from: amye on April 11, 2009, 04:32:37 pm ---It seems like stopping the growth would stop the irritation on the nerve and allow for compensation from the other side...
--- End quote ---
Stopping the growth will stop further damage to the nerve. However it doesn't repair the nerve, so you are left with a partially functioning nerve, and that is what causes the problems. Surgery usually takes out the balance nerve completely, so the other side is it on its own and can compensate with time. With a partially functioning nerve, though, you continue to get false information from the AN side, and that is tough to get used to. You want the nerve to be functioning at near normal, or not at all. You don't want it stuck half way in between.
Steve
amye:
That makes sense. Just seems like there would be some compensation along the way, too.
Really limits treatment options for those of us with dizziness issues. That's a bummer. I really want to avoid surgery if I can, but I'm beginning to feel less hopeful about that. Seems crazy to have surgery just to have the balance nerve taken out, when the tumor itself is so small and posing no immediate threat. And I will likely lose hearing (at least to some degree) in the process.
Wish I could stop thinking about this for awhile...
Amy
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version