Meningioma: Anyone else? I'm frightened

Warmest regards, I was diagnosed with a 2cm calcified meningioma one and a half years ago. It was found when I had a CT scan due to a concussion; as most meningiomas are found incidentally. I followed up with a neurologist and she ordered an MRI with/without contrast. As expected, it had not grown, but a second one was unexpectedly found that was too small to have been seen on an CT. I had a follow up MRI 6 months later. I started having headaches, vision changes, balance issues, etc., and repeated the MRI a month early. It still had not grown, as expected. While discussing the 1st growth and the discovery of the second, we did a review of my medications for other issues that led to making changes with those, in consultation with the prescribers. The changes I made were lowering the dosage of my GLP-1 and going off of Prozac (after being on it for 30 years). WHAT A DIFFERENCE! All of my symptoms that I was relating to the meningiomas, went away. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. The initial shock can be very frightening. Make a long term plan on how to approach living with the meningiomas. Find a provider who you can fully trust. Take someone into your appointments so they can ask questions that you may not have thought about or forgot. They can be a reference point for after your visits if you think of something that you may missed or forgot from the appointments. Basically they can act as an advocate for you and help put a perspective on your status. The Mayo Clinic has some fantastic educational materials that can be sent to you for free. I strongly recommend them. They step you through the journey with the twists and turns that we live with from the moment of the initial shock of the diagnosis. I wish you all the best and believe that there are positive outcomes when dealing with tripping over this pebble in our road of life.

Thank you, both kdog and Maryann! I’m not a confrontational person, so was afraid to ask the Doctor, figuring they know what they’re doing. I’ll ask the neurologist if I can lower or quit the Keppra. It’s making my life really, really miserable!

Hi all. I recently had a CT scan on Friday and it showed a calcified meningioma with the measurements. I’m still waiting for the doctor to read the results and call me back, it is now Monday and I’m scared. I don’t know what to do at this point. I’ve been having symptoms for years now and I thought it could be my medication or just me getting older but I’m 49. I just don’t know what to do?

I agree with kdog-that sounds like a lot of Keppra. I was only on Keppra for a short time,
( 4 weeks) after my craniotomy to remove a meningioma. I would get a second opinion from the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery, or any neurosurgeon, as per your last sentence it seems you are consulting with a neurologist on this.

Hi,
Kepra 4x daily for 3 1/2 years seems like a lot. I was on it until the 6 week post surgery checkup. The dosage was 2x daily, don’t remember the per pill dose. I would simply ask the neurologist if I could reduce or eliminate the kepra especially since it may be causing undesirable side effects. Remember you’re the boss.

Background: Had meningeal tumor removed 3 1/2 years ago after silent stroke. My son took me to my primary care doctor well before that point. Doctor gave me three of those tests (that Trump passes easily) and told my son that I was “just getting older.” After my son consulted with my siblings, there was discussion of putting me into a senior facility. Luckily (!?) I had the seizure at that point, had the surgery, and within two days I was back to normal. BUT, I’m still taking generic Keppra XR (750mg 4 times daily) and Vimpat (50mg 2 times daily.) Is this a normal amount? Even after 3 1/2 years, I am still too dizzy to do much walking at all. Dizziness is a byproduct of Keppra. Anyone have a suggestion on how to approach my Neurologist on this?

Mine was diagnosed benign.
( thank God not Cancer)
However; I’m still scared. I get a lot of headaches..

I also just found out.
However from prior studies; no one told me. Yes. I was angry. I’m told it’s small and need to be monitored.
It’s been there almost 4 years..I have suffered from migraine all my life. ( the reason for the scans)

thank you
very much

Perfect response.