Memory Loss; Concerns around career advancement

[ScottWit28]

I had an AN removed 8 years ago. I feel like it has been tough absorbing information and limiting my ability to remember and communicate efficiently. I have definitely noticed difficulty in articulating thoughts in an efficient manner. Can anyone confirm this could be a side effect? I never had these issues prior to the surgery. I am also concerned if I disclose this to my employer that it would could show weakness and potentially harm my career. Would love to hear everyones thoughts.

[anan88]

Thanks for your post. I began to notice cognitive changes about 4 years ago, i.e. 3 years after AN surgery, Gamma Knife, then surgery for a CSF leak. I'm 63.

My research has turned up similarities in effects from brain surgery and radiotherapy to effects from brain injury, acquired brain injury etc. My research is also turning up quite a lot you can do about it. Google "The Brain Coach", a US woman who had very severe brain injury - not AN - and has largely overcome it, and now works coaching others to do the same. Yes, she's an extreme case, but highly encouraging! There's also a series of webinars, again, American, called "The Broken Brain" worth looking at. I can email you the transcripts if you'd like, but not sure how to give you my email address privately?

I wouldn't mention it at work yet, until you've done a bit more research. That's just my opinion, clearly. I hope that helps a bit. You're not going loopy, honestly!

[Kristyll]

All the cases I know of I seem to have found that the real reason for your type of symptoms is mostly stress not surgery related x x

[draws001 in reply to Kristyll]

Hi Kristyll,

I hope you are well.

I agree with you regarding symptoms not being related to surgery, I am interested to know at what stage AN the cases you refer to were at prior to surgery and what treatment they received.

I had my surgery in July 2015, my tumour was grade 4 (life threatening - brain stem compression) I relate all too well to the cognitive difficulties mentioned. I know (retrospectively) these difficulties existed pre-op, the effects of which increased with time.

I am currently awaiting an appointment with a Neuropsychologist in relation to my cognitive issues which I hope will enlighten me.

I will update following this appointment as may be useful to others.

I look forward to hearing from you

Take care

Draws001

[drdeanbellavia]

I

have heard from many young and old AN patients that they have mental

confusion and seeming memory loss before and after their AN surgery. I

also had that problem around the time of my AN Gamma knife surgery in

2002; even to this day.

The problem stems from an inability

of the cerebellum to maintain your somatosensory system since it is

getting bogus (or little) information from the affected inner ear.

Before I figured out how to resolve this problem I would feel the heat

coming off of the back of my head near my cerebellum; the tinnitus

seemed to exacerbate the memory problem. It's all about "brain noise"

from sporadic neurons firing. You may have noticed as I have that when

your balance is off, so is your memory.

I discovered in

2002 that I had to retrain (reset) my cerebellum by exercising the three

planes of the semicircular canals individually to reduce their bogus

information: it worked! At first I did the exercises a couple of times a

day for a month or two, which helped to reduce the balance and memory

problems. I then did it weekly for a few months and now I only need to

do it monthly to help my memory and balance problems. Unfortunately,

this did not reduce the tinnitus, which seems to be a neural feedback

loop in the temporal lobes of the brain.

Doing the

exercises, eating blueberries and avoiding alcohol seems to help the

so-called memory loss (actually the access to the memories is lost; the

memories are always there; going through the "alphabet" seems to give

better access). If you would like help with this problem go to the

following link on my website:

thebioengineeringco.com/ind...

I wish you well in your endeavors.

[drdeanbellavia in reply to drdeanbellavia]

In case the link did not come through it is:

thebioengineeringco.com/ind...

[draws001]

Hi ScottWit28,

I relate & sympathise 100% - unfortunately my employers know I am having difficulties and have begun a ‘retention’ process therefore I definitely agree with those advising you to wait before informing employer however, if affecting your abilities at work I would suggest working with employer who will hopefully put in place anything that can enable this.

Goodluck on what is a ‘confusing’ journey to say the least.

Keep smilin everyone - Feel good factor is best self help by far I find.... I laugh at myself an awful lot too!

Gud to know there are people out there who can relate, I wish each n everyone of u good luck & good health.

Draws001 😁🤪😉