2.5 cm Acoustic Neuroma - Postop 5 months

This is my third video in this series documenting my recovery. I had hoped by now I would be well past most issues and recovering well. That is unfortunately not the case. In any case, as promised, I will continue to post these videos to demonstrate the process involved in my recovery. Thanks to everyone who has given me useful feedback. In my effort to help people understand the rcovery involved with this operation, I have found I have been provided with useful information myself.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• acoustic
• neuroma

[guidodday]

I had AN surgery last year (Dec18th) on a 5.1cm tumor on my right side. I've posted videos too (Acoustic Neuroma Removal Chapter 1), about 11 of them. I haven't any severe neck and head pain like you do, but I had tons of other complications. My doctors said it would take up to a year for my face to heal, and it's almost there. Best advice I can give you is stay positive and try and find the humor in all of it. That helped me keep my sanity. All the best to you...

[JohnnieD72]

I watched all of your videos before my surgery. Sounds like you had quite a tough time even without the neck pain. I am glad you are recovering well, and would love to see a new video from you to see how you are doing now.Take Care

[mattweissguam]

I see that you got the ol' "six months and you'll be fine" party line from your doctors as well. I had my surgery almost five years ago and I am still struggling with many of your symptoms, sans the pain. The good news is that you did the right thing with having the surgery, because it would have eventually killed you. People need to realize that AN surgery can leave you in pretty rotten shape. It's not all doom and gloom...you will continue to get better...it is a long road...no time frame.

[JohnnieD72]

I totally agree with you. That is my goal in doing these videos is to let people know how hard it is, but the one thing that really seems to be missing in the youtube videos has been follow through. I intend to keep doing these for as long as it makes sense. Hopefully I willl be able to show the process is no picnic, for people to be prepared for it, but in the end, all will be good. I am happy to get to the latter part of that. :-)

[2911harry]

I had a medium to large AN removed in 2000. I am 34 years old. I too had very bad neck pain and headaches in the early days. After consulting a pain consultant and physiotherapy, they got me to try a hardish memory foam pillow at night. The trick is to get it onto a slant so that the pillow wedges in between your neck and jaw line. The results were amazing, no more intense headaches first thing in morning or shooting neck pain during the day. Pain can be debilitating, hope this helps u 2.

[JohnnieD72]

Thanks for that. My doctor just prescribed Lyrica for me, and the pain is pretty much gone. It seems the pain is nerve pain, and everyone had been prescribing the wrong thing. I can't tell you how happy I am about this new medication, but I appreciate the advice on the pillow too.

[MsPuppen]

hi, ive just found out today that i have this, mine is 13x5mm?, they are going to monitor this and do annual mri's, if it grows then they will look into this more. I really hope it goes well for you and pray that you will recover 100%.

[Marie5115]

There JohnnieD72 I would like to know how you are now? I had same surgery on a ( 2,9cm) tumor in june 2009. I also already saw you last video and am scared off your neck pain as I have some from time to time and as the scarearea is all the time painfull.

Let me know.

[gopherusagassizii]

I pray your recovery is coming along. I go in for my surgery in January and appreciate your sharing your experience and frustrations.

[bobchatt1]

Just a quick note to say thankyou for posting your videos. I greatly emphathize with your recovery journey. You were my motivation to post my video (1.0 cm tumor removed this past August). I am thankufl that I was one of the luck y ones with minor / temporary post surgery complications (except for hearing loss). Best wishes and continues success to you on your recovery journey. Bob

[mattweissguam]

For me, besides the physical complications from the surgery, the psychological factors of not feeling great after the six months for seemed to set me back in the healing process. After I hit the six month mark, and did not feel great I assumed there was something else wrong. The fact of the matter is that this is a life altering procedure with no concrete healing time frame. Have had vestibular hyperacuisis and mass tinitus after surger...now getting that fixed via TRT and trans ear aides..matt