One year after Cyberknife balance

[Anne S B]

In three weeks I will mark a year since my Cyberknife surgery.  My tumor appears to be responding well - at the six month  MRI 75% of the tumor was dying.  Nevertheless I am developing many more balance issues than previously.  I almost feel light headed.  Since I react poorly to most medication, drugs are not an option.  I guess what I would like to know is whether this is normal or not.  I feel worse now than I did immediately after surgery.  Coupled with  total deafness in my left ear and occasional problems with my sense of taste I am not a happy camper.  Does it ever get better?

[PaulW]

For me the first 12 months were the most difficult... Things got a lot better....but it was a slow process. Most people feel pretty good after radiation, but it takes 24-36 months.
Hang in there you are over the hump at 12 months.

[Elliott]

Hello Anne
As much as your situation is frustrating for you, your commenting on it is comforting for me. I am about 8 months post radiation treatment and I fully understand that light headed feeling you describe. It has become more noticeable over the last month or so. Although it does not alleviate any of the symptoms, it is reassuring to know that our situation is not unique and that painfully annoying symptoms are not necessarily a sign that the treatment is not working.
Hang in there. 

[arizonajack]

For those of you with balance issues (not dizziness or vertigo) please know that the body compensates over time.

But it helps to have some Vestibular Therapy where you will be taught exercises that challenge the balance centers of your body and enhance the balance recovery.

I am about 18 months past my Gamma Knife and I had several sessions of Vestibular Therapy, two before and four after and they helped a lot. I continued with the exercises and still do them once in a while to test myself.

I may never be 100% but long gone is the lurching feeling I used to have and I only find myself off balance on rare occasions.

It does get better.

PS: If you don't want to pay for Vestibular Therapy or your insurance doesn't cover it just google vestibular therapy exercises and you'll find plenty of exercises that you can do at home.