Dizziness

[izzy123]

This year I have chosen to have my AN removed, hopefully by the end of fall. I hate winter so thought it would be a good time for recovery. My ENT specialist said I have to have mine surgically removed. I have had it for about 10 yrs now and I can tell that its growing and pushing on my brain. It causes a lot of pressure. Today I went to hold my grand daughter and I got the worst case of dizziness I have ever felt. I was standing in a parking lot and down I went. I tried hard to keep myself stable and upright but the dizziness was so strong that I was still spinning while I was trying to get up.
I have cancelled my surgery about 3 times out of fear but I know that now is the time or I could lose my life. But I'm scared. I just had a hernia the size of a grapefruit removed and the first week post week just about killed me. I hated being layed up. I was under the impression that with the AN surgery I would have to learn how to walk all over again. But as I read everyones comments it seems that this isn't the case. It seems that the facial and eye issues are the problems. That scares me even more. I am 99% deaf in my right ear from the AN so that's gone but then to have nerve issues in my face or eye on top of that is really scary to me. And I also wonder if I will continue falling down after having it out as I fall so much now.
I was also wondering if I would be qualified for disability. Right now I cant work because of the constant falling and head pressure. I know I'm rattling but I am so nervous about having the surgery. Can anyone give me any good advice?

[arizonajack]

You haven't given the dimensions of your tumor but what generally happens during surgery with large tumors is that the tumor is "debulked", the blood supply to the tumor is severed, and the acoustic/vestibular nerve is severed since it's already too far gone.

There's a video on youtube that depicts the surgery process:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClrBPO6KULk

It's a little gory, so viewer discretion is advised.

After the surgery the prognosis is that the serious symptoms diminish and, with vestibular rehab therapy, the other ear's balance equipment compensates and your balance improves.

The surgeon will do his best to avoid impacting the facial and trigeminal nerve but issues with those are likely to be temporary.

Also with large tumors, there is a possibility that you'll need some radiation treatment to kill whatever cells remained after the debulking.

My research over the past year or so indicates a positive outlook for post surgical success.

There's really no way to predict whether you'd qualify for Social Security Disability but I would urge you to apply now regardless of the outcome. Ditto if you have a private, group, or state disability available.

Other than that, my advice is don't cancel anymore. When you come out the other side, things will be better than they are now.

[Chances3]

Hi Izzy123

We are asked to muster up courage during our lives.  Look at our service men and women, who are asked to turn towards harms way, not run from it.  Or the firefighter who is asked to run into a burning building.  We humans can be pretty brave when we have to.  Now it's your time to demonstrate your courage.  You can do this !!  Your tumor is at the point where it must come out, don't cancel your operation, get it done.  From what I have read on this site and over the internet, the brain recovers faster with those who have larger tumors than smaller ones because the brain has been making the adjustment all these years.  In reference to facial issues, eye issue, I would ask your doctors.  For balance, I can speak of my own experiences, and balance can be recovered.  I had my vestibular nerve severed, it took time, but I have recovered.  I hope this helps, if you're a person of faith, than let's pray for courage, and a speedy recovery.

God Bless.

[nftwoed]

Hi izzy;
   I've had uncompensated vestibular loss bouts also. During 3 of those, I was hospitalized because I couldn't function at all and vomited repeatedly.
   You mention deafness and the vestibular problem. Seems you are a Translab candidate?
   If your contralateral ear is good, you should see an end to the attacks and vestibular compensation beginning in a few days and improving into following months.
   Scared, yes; But, please remember thousands of the surgeries have been performed successfully and with uneventful outcomes. This, given you have a good surgical team.
   If you can, focus on a good outcome. The facial, and if necessary, optic nerves, are monitored during surgery and the chance of damaging them must be fairly low or Dr. would have likely recommended an earlier removal.
   You'll get through this fine and feel better.