how old is old!

[westcoastroller]

I have joined w&W May 16, 2012 1.3 cm x 0.7 cm, I am a young healthy 54 year old.  My next MRi is in 9 months, that will make it 1 year from my first mri.  I was told if there is no growth the next MRI will be 5 years after that when I am 60.  1 year seems like a really long time to wait.  I have asked the dr for MRI sooner and was told I can't the BC health system wont cover it.  The Dr is giving me another hearing test to see if there is any change, from the Nov 2011 test.

I see on this forum alot of people have treatment on ANs when less than 1.0 cm.  And from what I've read its seems there are less complications when these ANs are treated when small.   My ENT and family drs were pretty happy that my AN is 1.3cm.   I was told they usually grow very slowly or not at all, I would like to know what the odd s are for it being slow growing? 

All information I have read states watch and wait is used on older patients.  I haven't read anything that explains what age is considered old.  Does anyone know ?

[CHD63]

Hi westcoastroller .....

As my mother always used to say, "Old age is 10 years older than I am ......"   

In my mind, old is a state of mind not a number of years lived.  I know some people who are/were old at age 20 and some people still young at 85.  So much has to do with overall general health and mental attitude, as well.

From my research, whether or not an AN grows at all or slowly or rapidly has little to do with age.  Some ANs are dormant for a period of time and then take a sudden growth spurt.

If you have manageable symptoms and they are not increasing, it is more likely to be OK to wait and watch.  If your symptoms are increasing or you are getting new ones, by all means tell your doctor and/or insist on an MRI sooner.

Clarice

[Archer]

I had my first AN surgery 10 years ago when I was 51.  I felt like I was 95 afterwards but was pretty much back in shape and feeling good within 6 months. 

My second AN surgery was 6 weeks ago and I feel pretty much normal today.  I learned a lot the first time out ad tried to hasten my comeback this time even though I am 61 years old now.  Doing exercise and made sure I was in better shape going into this surgery.  It worked. 

My Dr.s told me they would not consider my age when we were deciding to do  this last surgery so much as my symptoms, my health, and my attitude.  They said they have done many surgeries on patients well into their 70s. 

I guess my opinion is even though age may enter into the decision, it is only part of what you want to consider.  Growth of the AN, how healthy you are, and your symptoms play a bigger part in making the decision.  I'd guess you have time to do a lot of investigation and soul searching on how you proceed in dealing with your AN.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.  And remember, you're just a young pup yet.   

[pjb]

I have joined w&W May 16, 2012 1.3 cm x 0.7 cm, I am a young healthy 54 year old.  My next MRi is in 9 months, that will make it 1 year from my first mri.  I was told if there is no growth the next MRI will be 5 years after that when I am 60.  1 year seems like a really long time to wait.  I have asked the dr for MRI sooner and was told I can't the BC health system wont cover it.  The Dr is giving me another hearing test to see if there is any change, from the Nov 2011 test.

I see on this forum alot of people have treatment on ANs when less than 1.0 cm.  And from what I've read its seems there are less complications when these ANs are treated when small.   My ENT and family drs were pretty happy that my AN is 1.3cm.   I was told they usually grow very slowly or not at all, I would like to know what the odd s are for it being slow growing? 

All information I have read states watch and wait is used on older patients.  I haven't read anything that explains what age is considered old.  Does anyone know ?

Mine was 1 cm and now I wish I would have waited before having surgery I was 3 years older than you when diagnosed and at that age it usually stays slow growing. I have numerous problems after the surgery and prior had perfect hearing which was not the issue the only symptom I had was fullness and I fainted a few times but was advised fainting was not a symptom? There are others who are on the W & W list and still doing fine. So research research and more research and of course whatever anyone chooses to have it removed find a GREAT team of doctors.

Best Wishes,

[Mickey]

I`m a W+W er for the past 5 years. Diognosed @ around 58, I`m sure looking back that my AN was there many years before that. Now 63 I`m doing fine with a stable 1cm with a MRI taken every year. My doctor said I could now
skip a year if I wanted. Plenty of info on W+W posts to help you if your deciding going that route. I`ve actually felt better doing alot which is mentioned there. Best wishes, Mickey

[LizAN]

Wait and watch is an option at any age.  I'm 54 and was diagnosed at 52.  My tumor shrank in the first 6 months and then grew aggressively in the next 14, so I'm having it removed on July 3.

It is important to keep an eye on your tumor, but not to obsess about it.  I would not recommend waiting 5 years between MRIs, unless you have many years of stable MRI reports.  I've been wishing I hadn't waited so long between my second and third MRIs, as I don't know when the growth actually occurred.  My symptoms definitely increased recently, but I thought that could happen even without any growth, just from prolonged pressure on the nerves.

Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.

Liz

[leapyrtwins]

I really don't know how old is old, but I do know that most ANs are very slow growing - and as an ANer gets older the growth slows down even more.

Jan

[westcoastroller]

Thank you very much for your comments, everyone has made some very good points.  I am feeling better about  w & w, for now.