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Anyone else diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor?
My name is Tracy Daley. I live in Omaha, Nebraska. My diagnosis is a jumbled mess that I am sorting out right now. Can anyone tell me if anyone in this support group has been diagnosed and/or treated for acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor affecting the acoustic nerve, which is the eighth cranial nerve in your brain? This nerve is connected to your ear. These tumors initially affect a person's balance and hearing and then other symptoms may appear. This is a very rare tumor and one out of 100,000 people and 8-9% of the intracranial tumors. If no one has heard of this tumor, I understand.
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@lavmaul2018, I can imagine you're scared. Has the balance worsened recently? Have you told your neurologist about your concern?
I have had balance problems ( not huge ) since July ( maybe earlier ). Dismissed it but mentioned it to the nurse during an annual checkup. MRI about two weeks later. A tumor, but not identified specifically.
Waiting for Monday's mail to set up more testing with a referral in a larger hospital network than in my city.
My fingers have trouble typing. Nervousness? Bad keyboard? Winter is here? ( not toasty warm )
No headaches, troubles concentrating, hearing problems.
55 years old ( in that 40-60 window for the tumor type ).
@rw01, I'm so glad that your balance issues were investigated further. Have you had further testing? Any update? How are you doing?
Sorry, I edited this and could not delete my first comment
I had an acoustic neuroma surgically removed in 1999, 25 years ago. The surgery was 6-7 hours. I was 48 years old at the time. The tumor was removed and the facial nerve was involved so I have right sided facial paralysis. Also, as a result of the surgery, I am deaf in my right ear, still have dry eye problems, use drops every day. Balance is still a problem, exercise for that is very helpful. What has bothered me the most was losing my smile (I'm still not crazy about smiling for a picture) but it is a bit better and I had a face lift with a great plastic surgeon in Denver. It was in 2009 and it made a huge difference. Also, had botox shots for a while and it helped to even out face and neck which really helped, but I no longer go for those.
If you need surgery, be sure you go to the most experienced surgical team you can find. Today you have many more options than I had. Wishing you the best? Nancy