1. < Brain Tumor

I have a benign cavernous sinus meningioma and have a ? about tinnitus

Posted by denwig @denwig, Mar 2 12:10am

In 2022 I started getting severe headaches right after recovering from COVID. After testing a 3 cm tumor was found on my right side. At that point headaches were the only symptoms and chronic sinusitis acerbated them, but I now have that under control. Since the tumor is pressing on my optic nerve I see a neuro opthalmologist every six months to check my eyesight and am MRI once a year. I haven't had any really severe symptoms until 2 weeks ago when agonizing tinnitus hit. I've had mild tinnitus in my right ear for years that never bothered me. But this is driving me crazy. I've been holding off on surgery because my symptoms to date have been manageable. Has anyone out there been able to deal with the tinnitus? I am dreading the thought of having the surgery until it's absolutely necessary. Thanks

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jimmye | @jimmye | Mar 2 10:40am

I just had surgery for a meningioma. It was near my left optic nerve and main artery.
The surgeon got the entire meningioma out. He said if I waited five years that I would have gone blind and would have had had a stroke. You may have considered surgery. I was told once I started having symptoms that they could not reverse them. Good luck.

REPLY
2 replies
denwig | @denwig | Mar 2 12:13pm
In reply to @jimmye "I just had surgery for a meningioma. It was near my left optic nerve and main..." + (show)
@jimmye

I just had surgery for a meningioma. It was near my left optic nerve and main artery.
The surgeon got the entire meningioma out. He said if I waited five years that I would have gone blind and would have had had a stroke. You may have considered surgery. I was told once I started having symptoms that they could not reverse them. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Hi Jimmye
How long ago did you have the surgery? I'm really scared about the procedure but at 64 yrs old I don't want to wait much longer. How is your recovery going? Thanks for your reply!

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mkoch | @mkoch | Mar 2 1:31pm

Hi "denwig." The neurosurgeon at UCSF told me the same thing that Jimmye stated his doctor told him, that once a particular symptom appeared the surgery wouldn't necessarily result in the disappearance of the symptom, in your case, tinnitus. 4 months ago I had a 2.7 benign meningioma removed that was 1.6 millimeters from my optic nerve. The neurosurgeon was able to extract the entire tumor without damaging my optic nerve. I was very stressed about the surgery as well. But, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I actually had very little pain. I was discharged 2 days after surgery and didn't take any pain meds at home. If you haven't already, your next step might be to consult a neurosurgeon. I have been told that your outcome is often better if you don't wait "until it's absolutely necessary." I had seen two neuro doctors (neurologist & neuro-oncologist) and once I saw the neurosurgeon at UCSF I put my trust in his decision of what was best for my situation and that made a difference in my stress level. I wish you all the best during this difficult time.

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1 reply
p0zitivthnkng | @p0zitivthnkng | Mar 8 8:03am

GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND YOU ALL! DIAGNOSIS,LOCATION SAME AS DENWIG, AND APPRECIATE JIMMYE'S RESPONSES. CRANIOTOMY SCHEDULED NEXT MONTH. HEALTHY 70 Y O OTHERWISE. CAN'T FIND ENOUGH WHAT TO EXPECT POST SURG. HOW SOON CAN I GET UP AND WALK? HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO STAY WITH SOMEONE? IS IT REALLY A JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE SITUATION?

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1 reply
fiddlinchuck | @fiddlinchuck | Mar 9 9:10am

At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm Grade 1 meningioma. It was closely associated with my optical nerve and cerebral artery. The surgery removed all but 10% of the tumor. While I was anxious about the surgery beforehand, it was not painful afterwards, I had Tylenol on only 1 occasion for pain management. I as in the hospital for 1 week, but I have had annual MRI’s to monitor the residual tumor left after surgery, as well as annual opthamologist exams. Fortunate for me, the residual has not grown since surgery. After the surgery, I entered physical, speech and occupational therapies, not because I felt I needed these treatments but more because that looks to be the prescribed post treatment for craniotomy patients. I proficiencied occupational therapy early on by demonstrating my continued ability to play mandolin and guitar. However, it took 3 more months to get discharged from physical and speech therapies. The most inconvenient part of the whole process for me was that, before the surgery, my doctors recommended that I not drive until after the surgery, and I complied. My license was not revoked or suspended, it was all on the honor system. I was fortunate to have my wife available to transport me to various appointments. My attending physical therapy physician recommended that I have an opthamologist exam and take my State’s written and practical driver’s license exams before to regain my driving privileges, just like a teenager getting their first license. I did take those exam 4 mos after surgery, passing with top scores, and resumed driving again. So, in summary, that was my experience. I’m sure it is different for others, and it may be different for you, too. However, I hope my information is helpful to you. Best wishes to you as you go forward.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 9 2:49pm

@denwig, how are you doing? Has it been suggested that it is time for surgery? Do you need a second opinion?

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1 reply
p0zitivthnkng | @p0zitivthnkng | Mar 11 7:37am
In reply to @fiddlinchuck "At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm..." + (show)
@fiddlinchuck

At age 67, I had a 13.5 hr craniotomy in 2018 to remove a 2-3 cm Grade 1 meningioma. It was closely associated with my optical nerve and cerebral artery. The surgery removed all but 10% of the tumor. While I was anxious about the surgery beforehand, it was not painful afterwards, I had Tylenol on only 1 occasion for pain management. I as in the hospital for 1 week, but I have had annual MRI’s to monitor the residual tumor left after surgery, as well as annual opthamologist exams. Fortunate for me, the residual has not grown since surgery. After the surgery, I entered physical, speech and occupational therapies, not because I felt I needed these treatments but more because that looks to be the prescribed post treatment for craniotomy patients. I proficiencied occupational therapy early on by demonstrating my continued ability to play mandolin and guitar. However, it took 3 more months to get discharged from physical and speech therapies. The most inconvenient part of the whole process for me was that, before the surgery, my doctors recommended that I not drive until after the surgery, and I complied. My license was not revoked or suspended, it was all on the honor system. I was fortunate to have my wife available to transport me to various appointments. My attending physical therapy physician recommended that I have an opthamologist exam and take my State’s written and practical driver’s license exams before to regain my driving privileges, just like a teenager getting their first license. I did take those exam 4 mos after surgery, passing with top scores, and resumed driving again. So, in summary, that was my experience. I’m sure it is different for others, and it may be different for you, too. However, I hope my information is helpful to you. Best wishes to you as you go forward.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for this encouraging response.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 15 12:22pm
In reply to @p0zitivthnkng "GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND YOU ALL! DIAGNOSIS,LOCATION SAME AS DENWIG, AND APPRECIATE JIMMYE'S RESPONSES. CRANIOTOMY SCHEDULED..." + (show)
@p0zitivthnkng

GRATEFUL TO HAVE FOUND YOU ALL! DIAGNOSIS,LOCATION SAME AS DENWIG, AND APPRECIATE JIMMYE'S RESPONSES. CRANIOTOMY SCHEDULED NEXT MONTH. HEALTHY 70 Y O OTHERWISE. CAN'T FIND ENOUGH WHAT TO EXPECT POST SURG. HOW SOON CAN I GET UP AND WALK? HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO STAY WITH SOMEONE? IS IT REALLY A JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE SITUATION?

Jump to this post

Welcome, @p0zitivthnkng. You might find this older discussion helpful.
- Recovery after Meningioma Surgery
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recovery-after-meningioma-surgery/
Here's a list of discussions about recovery from surgery for meningioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/brain-tumor-support-group/?search=meningioma%20and%20surgery&index=discussions

This is another good one:
- How did you prepare mentally for Meningioma surgery?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/meningioma-surgery/
When will you have surgery?

REPLY
denwig | @denwig | Mar 15 6:57pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@denwig, how are you doing? Has it been suggested that it is time for surgery? Do..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@denwig, how are you doing? Has it been suggested that it is time for surgery? Do you need a second opinion?

Jump to this post

Hi I have my next MRI and appt with the neurosurgeon in April. I guess I have to wait and see how much it's grown and what he recommends. Thanks

REPLY
denwig | @denwig | Mar 15 7:02pm
In reply to @mkoch "Hi "denwig." The neurosurgeon at UCSF told me the same thing that Jimmye stated his doctor..." + (show)
@mkoch

Hi "denwig." The neurosurgeon at UCSF told me the same thing that Jimmye stated his doctor told him, that once a particular symptom appeared the surgery wouldn't necessarily result in the disappearance of the symptom, in your case, tinnitus. 4 months ago I had a 2.7 benign meningioma removed that was 1.6 millimeters from my optic nerve. The neurosurgeon was able to extract the entire tumor without damaging my optic nerve. I was very stressed about the surgery as well. But, it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I actually had very little pain. I was discharged 2 days after surgery and didn't take any pain meds at home. If you haven't already, your next step might be to consult a neurosurgeon. I have been told that your outcome is often better if you don't wait "until it's absolutely necessary." I had seen two neuro doctors (neurologist & neuro-oncologist) and once I saw the neurosurgeon at UCSF I put my trust in his decision of what was best for my situation and that made a difference in my stress level. I wish you all the best during this difficult time.

Jump to this post

Hi I see my neurosurgeon in April and another MRI. I already met with him twice. Will have see what he recommends thanks.

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