Anyone else diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor?

Hi ljanes:
I had no idea what an acoustic neuroma was until I learned I had one. Mine was in my inner ear left side. It was 3.5 centimeters when they found it. My neurosurgeon said it probably had been growing for a number of years.I had inner ear aches for about 8 years and was given antibiotics for those. I had no imbalance issues, no headaches, no eye issues that are normally found with this type of tumor. And the chance of anyone getting one of these is like 1 in 100.000. So Yes I was shocked when I was told I had one growing in my brain. Yours is obviously getting bigger. Do you have balance issues, or headaches from this? Mine was getting so big, it was closing off the drainage to my spinal column and causing hydrocephalus, so that was another issue I needed to be careful of and watch for signs before my surgery date.I wish you well and I hope you find good surgeons as I did to remove yours.

I recently was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma. I am seeing Dr Thompson in Omaha NE. I am scared to death how this is going to turn out. I have lost a lot of my hearing in my right ear now.
Today I am also dizzy. I have an appointment with the Dr on the 17th for another MRI and a simulation. He is planning to do a one time radiation treatment the following week. What have you found out about this tumor?
This is really bothering me. Donna

Has anyone had radiation for their AN?
Thanks for any info
Donna

Donna,<br />
<br />
Thank you for your message. I am sorry to hear about your the problems you<br />
are experiencing.<br />
<br />
I can understand about being dizzy. I have bad vertigo laying down and my<br />
balance is majorly off a lot of the time.<br />
<br />
I am not a doctor, but compared to a malignant brain tumor, Acoustic<br />
Neuromas are a lot easier to handle. At least, you know that they cannot<br />
spread like with malignant brain tumors. I have heard a lot of people have<br />
good results.<br />
<br />
In my case, I had two one-time radiation treatments which were almost two<br />
months apart.<br />
<br />
What exactly is simulation? Is that an MRI with simulation or something<br />
else? I have never heard of this procedure.<br />
<br />
Acoustic Neuromas can occur on their own or due to genetic factors. Mine<br />
was a cause of genetic factors and rights now I am having a recurrence.<br />
They have not determined the best course of action yet.<br />
<br />
Who is Dr. Thompson? Is he with Nebraska Medicine; CHI Health; or<br />
Methodist Health System?<br />
<br />
I have done a lot of research about Acoustic Neuromas. If you were not<br />
aware of it, there is a national organization called Acoustic Neuroma<br />
Association that provides information specifically about Acoustic<br />
Neuromas. In fact, next week happens to be Acoustic Neuroma Awareness Week<br />
[May 8-14, 2016]. The Acoustic Neuroma Association can be found on the<br />
following webpage:<br />
<br />
https://www.anausa.org/<br />
<br />
I would be happy to provide you with additional information about Acoustic<br />
Neuromas. Maybe somehow we could email either other. If you do not wish<br />
to do so, I understand.<br />
<br />
*Tracy Lynne Daley*<br />

Donna,<br />
<br />
On a side note, there are two brain tumor support groups in Omaha; one is<br />
held monthly at Immanuel and the other one is held bi-monthly at Nebraska<br />
Medicine. I would be happy to provide you with additional information<br />
about thee groups. While these groups are not solely focused to just<br />
Acoustic Neuroma Brain Tumors, they do provide a lot of helpful information<br />
about how to deal with brain tumors in general.<br />
<br />
*Tracy Lynne Daley*<br />

You should go and check in with the ANA group either on their message board or on Facebook. There are people there who have had every kind of AN treatment. I know that Dr. Michael Link at Mayo Clinic is particularly experienced with AN if you want to visit Mayo for an opinion.

Good luck! My tumor was 14 years ago and it was a very scary time.

Hi Donna:<br />
I certainly understand how scared you are. i was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in 2014 after going in to my doctor with an ear ache. <br />
I also had hydrosphelis (water on my brain) that my doctor was concerned about. <br />
I underwent a 12 hour surgery on March 10, 2014. The tumor was benign, Thank the LORD..<br />
Since the tumor was growing in my inner ear, i lost hearing on my left side. i have imbalance issues now and each day is different and a challenge.<br />
My eyes get very tired and I can’t do the jobs i used too.<br />
the surgery was successful, as i am still here even tho I was left with disabilities I feel very blessed.<br />
Don’t stress out. The neurosurgeons are excellent…ASK Many questions…Don’t go into the surgery with questions remaining…<br />
I will say prayers for you, don’t stress out.Ask your neurosurgeons how many of these surgeries they’ve done. Specific questions will get you the best answers.<br />
If you need some moral support just send me a note here on the web site and I will do my best to tell you what you’dl ike to know. All i can do is tell you what i went thru and how my life is now.<br />
I do know without the surgery, the tumor will continue to grow and will kill you.<br />
Rose

I'm having radiation surgery to remove my tumor. I just started having dizziness and balance problems. Scared it will last forever. I work part time. I love to be outside. We live on an acreage not far from Spencer Iowa. I love to ride my motorcycle with my husband. I look forward to it every year and we are taking a vacation to Tennessee in July. Scared it's going to ruin my plans. Is there anything g you can tell me about this. I've been reading a lot.

Donna

Hi Tracy:<br />
I can’t say how radiation will effect you.Ive not needed that yet, hopefully the 2 percent they left on my brainstem won’t grow. <br />
All I know is what I’ve gone thru after surgery. I have imbalance due to my loosing hearing from the tumor. Its frustrating, because before surgery I didn’t have disabilities, now I do and its pretty much effected everything I do.<br />
I have no idea what addition will do or how it will effect you. Sorry<br />
Rose

@donna3, These are great questions to ask your care team. As well as the link that @tracylynnedaley72 provided to the ANA, I found this indepth article about radiotherapy as a treatment option for acoustic neuroma. http://www.acoustic-neuroma-brain-tumour.org/english/acoustic-neuroma-radiotherapy.php