Author Topic: side effects after brain surgery and gamma knife  (Read 3893 times)

Gloria Nailor

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side effects after brain surgery and gamma knife
« on: September 20, 2013, 12:22:55 pm »
Hello there - I had my brain surgery in June 2013 and my tumor regrew, so  I had gamma knife radiation in July of this year.  I am wondering if those of you who had surgery then gamma knife treatment had side effects after their radiation?  Also, how long out did side effects take to show up? Thanks!      I enjoy reading the forum to see what others have experienced and also for support.
4/2011 diagnosed with 3 cm AN on right side
6/15/2011 retrosigmoid craniotomy which resulted in SSD, severe facial paralysis
7/2011 gold weight placed right eye lid
5/2012 tarsorrpapny right eye
6/2012 woke up with a smile
1/2013 cranioplasty because a screw came out of my head!
6-7/13 regrowth, GK

PaulW

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Re: side effects after brain surgery and gamma knife
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2013, 02:17:48 pm »
Most of the "Side effects" of Gamma Knife appear to be related to changes to the nerves as the tumour dies.
Side effects can happen within hours afterwards, seem to peak at around 5 months and are mostly gone at 24-36 months.
Most people that have had surgery seem to have fewer side effects, presumable because their nerves in many cases are already compromised.
10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!

rupert

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Re: side effects after brain surgery and gamma knife
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2013, 07:35:01 pm »
For a positive experience.  :)  :)   I am approaching  4 years post GK and have not had any side effects whatsoever.  Not everyone will have them. If so, they are usually temporary.  If you're not having any now, I wouldn't dwell on it too much.

Gloria Nailor

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Re: side effects after brain surgery and gamma knife
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2013, 06:15:27 am »
Oops, I meant I had my surgery in 2011.  Thanks so much for your replies, I was having daily headaches after GK and went on low dose steroids for awhile, still getting some headaches, but not as frequent. It's always nice to hear the happy ending stories out there!
4/2011 diagnosed with 3 cm AN on right side
6/15/2011 retrosigmoid craniotomy which resulted in SSD, severe facial paralysis
7/2011 gold weight placed right eye lid
5/2012 tarsorrpapny right eye
6/2012 woke up with a smile
1/2013 cranioplasty because a screw came out of my head!
6-7/13 regrowth, GK