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

About a year ago I was diagnosed with a small acoustic neuroma. (I am now 69. My doctor said the median age is 71, and they do not like to operate on older people.) My doctor suggested it best to wait and watch it since I do not notice symptoms yet, except for some gradual hearing loss in my right ear and ringing in my ears. Living one day at a time and trying to enjoy each day has been my goal. When necessary, the doctor suggested radiation therapy, which can cause it to become cancer in 2 % of cases. I am not at all enthused about any kind of surgery, especially on my head. I am really hoping for a new kind of treatment, such as immuno-type therapy where you take a pill, and it goes to the tumor and shrinks it or makes it disappear. Some doctors are now using it for cancer tumor treatment with some amazing results.

I just wanted people with acoustic neuroma to know you are not alone, and I know it is like sitting on a time bomb and is quite nerve racking. I try to keep busy and not dwell on it. We can try to find some talented doctors, pray for a cure, and hope for the best. Good luck to you all!

I also have two small thyroid nodules that the doctor is watching; the larger one checked was benign. Thank God! Last month I had an attack of acute pancreatitis and was in the hospital four days, three on an IV. They could not find out exactly what caused the problem but thought a gall stone traveled through my pancreas. Now I have tendonitis in my right foot from going up and down 14 steps too much. (My daughter recently had a breech C-Section and could not climb up and down her stairs for several weeks.) For over the past year, it seems I just get one problem paid for and get another. Hopefully, it will not get any worse this year. I am still feeling pretty good, though - even with all of my medical problems.

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<p>Is there anything to make my dizziness or unbalanced feeling go away while I'm waiting to be treated for my AN ?</p>

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I was diagnosed 2 months ago and im suppose to have surgery this week

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Thanks for all the information and support provided by this group. I just got my diagnosis of AN last week, about 2 hours before my mother's funeral. Trying times to say the least. I am meeting with my team of doctors at Mayo next month. I already have 95% hearing loss on the affected side and tinnitus, so that will not be an issue. The headaches and vertigo have become more pronounced since January. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, so I know a little more what to expect.

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I have an acoustic neuroma and was going to go through that big, bad surgery. I prayed about it and got an answer to prayers. Gamma Knife "surgery" was performed on Nov. 23, 2012 at Midland Medical Center, in Midland, Michigan. It is non-invasive, however, it shoots nuclear rays to the tumor. I also have a Meningioma above my left eye. I lost most of the hearing in my right ear, and have constant ringing and chirping in that ear as well. A hearing aid doesn't help much because of the damage done by gamma rays. I have had 2 MRI with contrast since 2012 and both tumors have not grown, but aren't gone. I still have balance issues, but I blame that on having both knees total replacement and ankle and arch reconstruction in the past 5 year. I also try to live life to the fullest, even with all of the major surgeries I've gone through. I actually don't think about the tumors very often because so far they are benign. Good luck and prayers to anyone going through this issue. But please check out the Gamma Knife procedure.

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I will see Dr Neff and Dr Von Gompel. I have had hearing loss on my right ( AN side) for many years, just thought it was age or too much loud music. 🙂 Now I know it may have been AN all along. Like so many, I had influenza this January. After recovery, I started having headaches and vertigo issues. Figuring after effects of influenza, like head cold or sinus infection, I didn't think much of it. Also had some dental work done. When those symptoms became more frequent and intense, I checked with my GP, and on my second visit she ordered an MRI, and there it was. Right now, the headaches and vertigo are annoying, but they are not going to stop me from doing anything. My AN is still relatively small, and I am 60 years old, so hoping surgery is down the road if needed at all. Time will tell. Like most, my biggest fear is the possibility of facial paralysis if surgery is needed. Has anyone in the group dealt with that?

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I will see Dr Neff and Dr Von Gompel. I have had hearing loss on my right ( AN side) for many years, just thought it was age or too much loud music. 🙂 Now I know it may have been AN all along. Like so many, I had influenza this January. After recovery, I started having headaches and vertigo issues. Figuring after effects of influenza, like head cold or sinus infection, I didn't think much of it. Also had some dental work done. When those symptoms became more frequent and intense, I checked with my GP, and on my second visit she ordered an MRI, and there it was. Right now, the headaches and vertigo are annoying, but they are not going to stop me from doing anything. My AN is still relatively small, and I am 60 years old, so hoping surgery is down the road if needed at all. Time will tell. Like most, my biggest fear is the possibility of facial paralysis if surgery is needed. Has anyone in the group dealt with that?

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