Paul .....
While I appreciate you providing the links to the VEDA materials, I hope AN patients do not feel that it is a given that we will have cognitive and/or psychological problems as a result of our ANs.
I have had three skull-based surgeries (see signature below) and although I had many of the symptoms/issues listed in these articles in the very short-term, most are a non-issue at this point in my life. Because of huge radiation doses as a teenager and my AN, I have NO vestibular function on either side (documented by tests). I awoke from my first AN surgery with MAJOR balance issues ..... needed a walker for the first week, double vision, memory problems, etc. ..... but most things disappeared within a very few weeks.
Those articles sounded like ALL acoustic neuroma patients should expect to have problems in cognitive or psychological areas. I disagree ..... at least in my situation. Yes, I still have some difficulty walking and discussing something at the same time, unless I am hanging on to something or someone ..... that is a given because I simply have to concentrate all of my visual and muscular energies on staying upright. Yes, I still need to take breaks during long physical tasks ..... it takes more energy for me now. So, yes, the possibility for cognitive/psychological issues exists ..... depending upon one's personality and/or daily work needs, but I do not feel it is automatic, by any means.
Yes, I did have a period of being really down after my first AN surgery, when it seemed I had plateaued (Is that really a word?
![Cheesy :D](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/cheesy.gif)
) in my physical progress. I went to a trained vestibular therapist for months and I firmly feel that he was single-handedly responsible for teaching me the skills I needed ..... to be where I am today. I have learned to stay as close to something as solid as possible when walking ..... and to keep my vision firmly fixed on non-moving objects when walking. Driving is not a problem because I am not trying to walk and drive at the same time.
Cognitively ..... I do have some holes in my memory from the past four years, but I really have chalked that up to wanting to forget some of it and my age ..... the important things are still there. I am a retired teacher and church organist, but I still volunteer in many activities with no problem, other than working around the walking issues (no walking at night outdoors by me). I am a Sudoku, Words with Friends, and crossword puzzle addict so those brain functions are intact.
![Wink ;)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)
Just please do not make assumptions about this. Encourage yourself to do as much as you can to keep yourself healthy!
Clarice