1 Year Post-GammaKnife

[mplmimi]

It took 3 months and 1 trip to the ER to diagnose my AN.  When I look back, my first hint something was wrong was that I had a hard time understanding people on the phone with my left ear.  I saw my PCP who sent me to an ENT.  Myhearing test was ok so he said I didn't have a tumor.  The day dizziness took me to my knees I went to the ER.  They did a CT scan which was negative so they gave me Meclizine and sent me home.  When the dizziness continued I went to a Neurologist.  He did extensive bloodwork to rule out many other possibilities.   From there I went to an inner ear specialist who did an array of tests.  The results indicated an AN.  I FINALLY had a diagnosis for all of my symptoms.

I saw a Neuro-Surgeon and we discussed my options deciding I was a good candidate for Gamma Knife since my tumor was 3mm.  I had the procedure on Feb. 5, 2013.

Now, 1 year later, after 2 follow-up MRIs which showed NO growth, I still suffer from varying symptoms ranging from loud high-pitched ringing and electrical wire crackling to morse code tapping and dizziness with loss of balance. The doctors tell me the symptoms will improve and decrease over time. 

I knew the GK was not a "quick fix" but I am ready to be symptom free!!

Has anyone experienced such long term symptoms with eventual relief?  I would love to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks

[arizonajack]

We all want to be symptom free but the reality is that some things just never go away.

I'm also a year out from GK and (other than SSD in the AN ear) my symptoms are considerably milder than they were during the year before GK.

I think it has to be that the body does adapt and compensate over time because the damage done by the AN is not, in itself, reversible even though the tumor dies and eventually shrinks.

Tinnitus, unfortunately, never goes away for most people. Although there is a slight chance that even tinnitus might reduce itself to a level that can be ignored. That's how mine went.