Acoustic Neuroma: Auditory symptoms are overwhelming

@kprice45, hard to say which is the best treatment for you. But this is a good starting point to make a list of questions for your upcoming appointment with the oncologist. I would ask questions like:

- What is the best treatment option for me?
- What are the risks, potential side effects, and expected outcomes for each type of treatment?
- What are the next steps?

Kprice45, what questions do you have on your list?

Which clinic are you talking to and what kind of surgery are they proposing?

I am going through Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Honestly I am not sure on what type of surgery was discussed just a microsurgical resection. With the smaller size, I didn’t want to make any decisions right away so wanted to wait and have repeat MRI in 6 months. At that time had grown but still fairly small. I am kinda the one step at a time so I don’t feel too overwhelmed. Basically 1st appt was results, 2nd has it grown or not and if it has how quickly, next MRI will be when I ask more questions about surgery and what I can expect moving forward.

Okay. You are in good hands. I would just make sure to ask about the option to do this type of surgery. This is from the UC San Diego clinic website.

The middle cranial fossa approach involves an incision above the ear. The internal auditory canal is approached from above and an experienced surgeon can expose the tumor without compromising the structures of the inner ear. This procedure is reserved for patients with useful hearing and tumors smaller than 1.7 centimeters. This technique offers the highest likelihood of long-term hearing preservation.

This sounds like the approach I would to take..they ruled out radiation..my AN is 1 centimeter as of December. I’m in Vermont and researching Brigham woman’s hospital in Boston for this surgery

Thank you

I don't know anything about Brigham but I think you can get a remote second opinion from Mayo. You just need to send them all of your information, test results, etc. Its an added hassle but might be worth doing for peace of mind. Not sure but other places like UC San Diego might also provide a remote second opinion.

I TOO GOT DIAGNOSED RECENTLY, CONFIRMED BY MRI

HAVING TINNITUS FOR 1 AND 1/ 2 YEARS,
ONE EPISODE OF VERTIGO 2 YEARS AGO,
DIZZINESS OFTEN,
MILD BLANCE DISORDER,
INSOMNIA
INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE ON FINE JOBS

@jvasud, finally an aswer for why you were having all these symptoms for the past 18 months or so. What treatment options were suggested for you? Will you have surgery?

I have an acoustic neuroma. I am about to have a gamma knife stereotactic procedure. This involves being screwed into a head frame, wearing a mask, and maybe a helmet. The problem is I have severe claustrophobia of the head. Because of this, I do not tolerate having my head restrained (CPAP machine, MRI’s of the head). I have developed s strategy for getting through the MRI, though these are still difficult, but that only lasts about 30 minutes The gamma knife procedure lasts an hour or more.. I am very familiar with a number of relaxation and grounding techniques. They are minimally effective.
Unfortunately, my neurologist does not seem to be taking this very seriously. He thinks 2-4 mg. of Ativan should do the trick. It will not. Anyone have suggestions?

I had the same treatment. The Ativan worked for me the first time but I had family with me for support. I’m having trouble getting follow up MRI though. Ativan may help in the tube but it sure doesn’t help in the days before getting there. I think if you insist you can be sedated but it requires an anesthesiologist and they won’t want to do that. I hope you find help and will be interested in what it is.