Tinnitus Post Radiosurgery

[CattAN]

I've been diagnosed with a 2.2 cm x1 cm Rt AN on June 8, 2015; still weighing my treatment options.  I started noticing tinnitus in AN ear a week or so after diagnosis.  Is it true that this can increase post radio surgery (either CyberKnife or single fraction with 12Gy)?

Any thoughts on the difference between the two treatments as far as tumor control are much appreciated....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sleepless in Long Beach

[TJ]

Cattan,

Yes in many of us that have had AN treated by radiation the tinnitus did increase after treatment.  But I believe it can also increase post surgery as well.  That seems to be one of the biggest questions for medical, they just can't seem to find a treatment to stop it.

Good Luck
TJ

[Echo]

Your tinnitus can increase, decrease or stay the same after surgery or radiation from what I have read.  Some who have no tinnitus, develop it after treatment.  I honestly can't recall reading that anyone has found that it went away, but you might find a post where they say that's happened.

In my case, I have a mild tinnitus, not enough to bother me.  I am almost 2 years post GK and my tinnitus has never changed, it's stayed the same as pre treatment.

Cathie

[arizonajack]

I have mild tinnitus that went away for a long time after GK but comes back some times for a little while.

Seems to be visiting me for about a month this time around but it's faint so I can ignore it most of the time.

[PaulW]

I had very mild tinnitus, after CK it got loud... sometimes very loud.... but after 5 months post CK it went away.
Still have very very mild tinnitus, I only notice it if I think about it and even then I have to concentrate to hear it

[CattAN]

Thank you all for your responses.  It sounds as though tinnitus is here to stay, and that the treatment option will not make any difference in the outcome for this symptom. 

I noticed the increase in volume when I am under stress; such as when looking for parking, or when it gets too hot.  I would think that any type of treatment increases the stress level.

[arizonajack]

Stress increases before, up to, and during treatment. But for a lot of people life gets better after treatment.

I overlooked your question about the difference between fractionated radiation and single treatment radiation.

The following article explains the difference between the various radiation protocols:

http://www.thebarrow.org/stellent/groups/public/@xinternet_con_bni/documents/webcontent/203563.pdf

For my GK Dr Porter was my neurosurgeon and Dr Brachman was my radiation oncologist.

[Echo]

CattAN.

Check your caffeine levels as well as your stress levels.  Several of us have noticed an increase in tinnitus with the amount of caffeine we drink.   I also found being overtired or around loud noise can cause an increase.

Cathie

[ampeep]

CattAN,

I had screaming tinnitus starting a few months post GK along w/ assorted other tinkling, gonging, bell ringing sounds to accompany it. 

Don't recall when it got better but it did so hang in there!

[CattAN]

Cathie,

It is interesting that loud noise brings on Tinnitus.  I was at a cat rescue fundraiser, the music was very loud.  Lo and behold, the tinnitus started and I had to leave at intermission. 

ArizonaJack,

Thanks for the article.  I don't know where would I be without this great Forum.

- Nancy

[john1455]

My tinnitus increased after CK but settled back down to preop levels after a month or so. I am so used to it now that I have learned to ignore it. I doubt that it will ever go away.