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meningioma

Posted by bob5555 @bob5555, May 25 6:40pm

Well, this did upset me to know this is why I feel the way I do .....scared

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vernicek | @vernicek | Aug 8 2:00pm
In reply to @mkoch "@vernicek: pain above my left eyebrow-5 years prior to the meningioma being found, incidentally, I had..." + (show)
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@vernicek: pain above my left eyebrow-5 years prior to the meningioma being found, incidentally, I had a CT scan of my "face," I guess you'd call it, to try and figure out why that pain was there. The reporting radiologist called out "chronic sinusitis." My P.C.P. remarked, "Oh, this is going to be really hard to get rid of." Then, the neurosurgeon that I saw 5 years later after that CT scan, upon his review, also called out a chronic sinus infection and the reason was because of the presence of the 2.7 cm meningioma abutting the sinus space above my left eyebrow. I also had a frequent (maybe 2 or 3 times a week) burning sensation in my left nostril that was so annoying it would make me irritable. I had seen an ENT 4 times in 5 years but he could not explain it nor offer a way to resolve it. Happily, after my craniotomy to remove the meningioma, both the aforementioned symptoms went away and haven't come back. So, obviously, a direct link. Also, only in my left eye, not actual double vision but what the optometrist called "ghosting" which was each letter in a word presented itself one and a half times, vertically. I can draw what it was better than explain it.

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@mkoch Like me, you had a long path leading to the discovery of your meningioma, but with a different outcome.

I had a variety of overlapping symptoms that my PCP, ENT, TMJ specialist, neuro-ophthalmologist, and neurosurgeon helped me untangle, none of which were related to the meningioma. They were: dizziness, headaches, jaw pain, sinus pressure, facial numbness, and insomnia.

The headaches, jaw pain, facial numbness, and dizziness caused by TMJ have been relieved by stress avoidance, dental work, and a new bite guard that I wear at night.

In addition, many of the same symptoms were triggered by eye strain, changes in atmospheric pressure, and anything that’s artificially scented, as well as caffeine and alcohol.

Now that the guesswork is over, I am mindful about avoiding known triggers and feeling much better. I’m interested in what my neurosurgeon will say on Wednesday regarding last week’s stable MRI result. I appreciate and trust his calm, conservative nature.

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Maryann | @mkoch | Aug 8 3:04pm
In reply to @ruthannray "My husband and two girlfriends have had meningiomas removed surgically, all at different hospitals. In each..." + (show)
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My husband and two girlfriends have had meningiomas removed surgically, all at different hospitals. In each case surgery was performed without complications and recovery was excellent. One friend lost her sense of smell due to the location of the meningioma.

No seizures occurred for any. Seizure medication was used for a period of time post surgery to prevent occurrence, and it worked.

Meningiomas are scary- my brain! But with proper observation and surgical care as needed, they are not life threatening at all.

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@ruthannray: Concise and encouraging post for anyone anxious about a craniotomy to remove a meningioma.

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