I have questions

My take is to see the neurosurgeon. That means that your original doctor thought that surgery would be the better way forward. You are going, I infer, just for a consultation. Not the actual surgery. After you hear what the neurosurgeon says, you can decide what to do with more complete information. Oh, I have both a neurosurgeon and a neurologist. And they are both very good, but definitely have different specialties.

Consider finding this website as a supportive positive step in your journey. I had a calcified meningioma “incidentally” found on a CT done because of a concussion. I consulted with a neurologist and she advised the wait and watch approach - 6 month interval checks with a CT. Everything she spoke about was consistent with the published data I had found on line and the information that Mayo sent me. (Highly suggest contacting them for this info. Phenomenal literature.) I started having balance, visual, and hearing issues following my first CT check. The neuro sent me for MRI w/w/o contrast . Found a second meningioma that was too small to pick up on a CT. The first meningioma had not changed (as expected). We discussed the medications I was on and theorized that the change in the level of Mounjaro may have been an accounting factor to these new symptoms. I contacted my endocrinologist and we dropped back to the prior dose. I got to thinking about the Prozac I had been on for 25+ years and researched it. WOW! All of the symptoms I was having for years were showing up in the literature. I spoke to my primary and told her I wanted to go off of the Prozac. I have been off of it for several months and have regained my physical and emotional health including the reduction in my feelings of paranoia and aversion to social situations. I have digressed….. My lessons learned: 1. Get the literature packet from the Mayo Clinic (it’s huge and weighs a ton.) 2. Take a deep calming breath and develop a plan for living with your condition. 3. Find a neurologist that you trust (your instincts will tell you). Take someone with you into your neurology appointments (they need to be able to hear and ask questions that you may forget to ask or have not thought about, they can be your ancillary information repository for questions you have that were covered during your appointment. 4. Neurologists are the stepping stone to the neurosurgeon/surgery and are the post long term care following surgery. 5. Dig deep into the literature concerning any medications and their interactions, that you are taking. (Consult a pharmacist if they are super complex - Dr’s are not always fully aware of pharmaceuticals and their interactions.) 6. It is ok to let people support you - everyone has a different way expressing it. Best regards and positive thoughts, G

With regard to your family stating you "will be fine because the meningiomas are almost always benign," is only half the equation. Yes, having a tumor that isn't cancer is wonderful news. But, sometimes these benign tumors will press on critical structures in your brain that can cause loss of eyesight, balance issues, cognitive issues, personality changes, etc. Great advice from the doctor who referred you to a neurosurgeon. He is the specialist who can guide you in the right direction and know what symptoms are associated with the meningioma. I'm sorry it is inconvenient to travel for your Oct. appointment to see the neurosurgeon. I've been in that boat as well; but it's what is best for your diagnosis and treatment.

Take a hard look at the medications you are taking. Can you reduce the dose and see what happens or get off them completely? My doctor put me on a trial drug to augment the anti-depressant I was already taking - I gained 12 pounds and almost lost my mind, really.