1. < Brain Tumor

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

Posted by Tracy Lynne Daley @tracylynnedaley72, Jul 23, 2015

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain Tumor Support Group.

rose4622 | @rose4622 | Nov 7, 2018
In reply to @rose4622 "Yes. I have a adult daughter and a son here. My hubby works days." + (show)
@rose4622

Yes. I have a adult daughter and a son here. My hubby works days.

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My endocrinologist just filled my prescription. I'll know in a few days if low thyroid was the problem. ☺

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rose4622 | @rose4622 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @jmlane "I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma on my left side in February 2006. It's size..." + (show)
@jmlane

I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma on my left side in February 2006. It's size was 8 x 14.5 x 8.5 mm. I had hearing loss, ear ringing, and balance issues. I received Gamma Knife treatment at the University of Minnesota Fairview hospital in Minneapolis later that same year. After 10 years of monitoring the tumor with MRI's there has been no additional growth and my neurologist said that future MRI monitoring is not needed unless the symptoms change. So far so good (2018) !. My primary care physician suggested I try treatment at the National Balance and Dizzy center in St. Paul for my balance issues. They give you exercises to improve you balance. This really improved my balance and eliminated the severe dizziness. I still do the exercises from time to time if I my balance feels a little off. It usually helps. I also got a hearing aid to help with the hearing loss and I also think it helps a little with the ringing in my left ear. Nothing eliminates it and that is probably the worst symptom to me. It is also a constant reminder that the tumor is still there ! I get a hearing test every year just to keep track and my hearing loss has remained about the same after the initial loss. I am posting here because I wanted to share my story and that the balance exercises have really improved the dizziness, balance issues and just that crappy feeling you get in your head! It sounds like other people are also doing various exercises to improve their balance. The Gamma Knife treatment was a 1 day outpatient treatment with no side effects and a little bit of pain from screwing the halo into your head. I'm 60 years old and retired and do not think much about the acoustic neuroma anymore but have other aches and pains and medical issues to worry about as I get older !

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Thanks for sharing Gary
I may have to go through Gamma knife the first of next year to zap the pieces of tumor left after resecton of a 3,3 cm tumor Sept 10. I dont want to do it. Im still recovering and cant see myself going through that. Im 68 and still have balance issues. My hearing aids dont work well now that my hearing is completely gone now. Can afford another one. Life is so hard right now.

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2 replies
rose4622 | @rose4622 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @rose4622 "Thanks for sharing Gary I may have to go through Gamma knife the first of next..." + (show)
@rose4622

Thanks for sharing Gary
I may have to go through Gamma knife the first of next year to zap the pieces of tumor left after resecton of a 3,3 cm tumor Sept 10. I dont want to do it. Im still recovering and cant see myself going through that. Im 68 and still have balance issues. My hearing aids dont work well now that my hearing is completely gone now. Can afford another one. Life is so hard right now.

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Hearing in right ear is gone. Left ear some loss.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @rose4622 "Thanks for sharing Gary I may have to go through Gamma knife the first of next..." + (show)
@rose4622

Thanks for sharing Gary
I may have to go through Gamma knife the first of next year to zap the pieces of tumor left after resecton of a 3,3 cm tumor Sept 10. I dont want to do it. Im still recovering and cant see myself going through that. Im 68 and still have balance issues. My hearing aids dont work well now that my hearing is completely gone now. Can afford another one. Life is so hard right now.

Jump to this post

Hi @rose4622, have you started with PT yet? If so, how is it going for you?

I hope that it helps you with your balance problems.

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1 reply
rose4622 | @rose4622 | Nov 8, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @rose4622, have you started with PT yet? If so, how is it going for you?..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @rose4622, have you started with PT yet? If so, how is it going for you?

I hope that it helps you with your balance problems.

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No I haven't called PT yet. Having to arrange transport for Dr appts right now.

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rose4622 | @rose4622 | Nov 15, 2018

Hearing aid specialist turned up sound on my left hearing aid. It really helps because I have no hearing in my right ear since surgery.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 15, 2018
In reply to @rose4622 "Hearing aid specialist turned up sound on my left hearing aid. It really helps because I..." + (show)
@rose4622

Hearing aid specialist turned up sound on my left hearing aid. It really helps because I have no hearing in my right ear since surgery.

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That is great, @rose4622. At least the hearing problem is partially solved!

REPLY
1 reply
annedodrill44 | @annedodrill44 | Nov 15, 2018
In reply to @jmlane "I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma on my left side in February 2006. It's size..." + (show)
@jmlane

I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma on my left side in February 2006. It's size was 8 x 14.5 x 8.5 mm. I had hearing loss, ear ringing, and balance issues. I received Gamma Knife treatment at the University of Minnesota Fairview hospital in Minneapolis later that same year. After 10 years of monitoring the tumor with MRI's there has been no additional growth and my neurologist said that future MRI monitoring is not needed unless the symptoms change. So far so good (2018) !. My primary care physician suggested I try treatment at the National Balance and Dizzy center in St. Paul for my balance issues. They give you exercises to improve you balance. This really improved my balance and eliminated the severe dizziness. I still do the exercises from time to time if I my balance feels a little off. It usually helps. I also got a hearing aid to help with the hearing loss and I also think it helps a little with the ringing in my left ear. Nothing eliminates it and that is probably the worst symptom to me. It is also a constant reminder that the tumor is still there ! I get a hearing test every year just to keep track and my hearing loss has remained about the same after the initial loss. I am posting here because I wanted to share my story and that the balance exercises have really improved the dizziness, balance issues and just that crappy feeling you get in your head! It sounds like other people are also doing various exercises to improve their balance. The Gamma Knife treatment was a 1 day outpatient treatment with no side effects and a little bit of pain from screwing the halo into your head. I'm 60 years old and retired and do not think much about the acoustic neuroma anymore but have other aches and pains and medical issues to worry about as I get older !

Jump to this post

My husband had very successful gamma knife surgery for acoustic neuroma at Mayo Rochester. That was 8 years ago and not a problem since. He has MRIs at Mayo to follow up. We are so fortunate to have access to this magnificent facility and level of excellence.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 16, 2018
In reply to @rose4622 "Yes!" + (show)
@rose4622

Yes!

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The "Small Step Approach" is always good, isn't it @rose4622? That way you can recognize benchmarks and celebrate with each success.

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