Possible AN symptoms or causes?

[Mark1003]

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with an AN and awaiting my follow up (next Wednesday) to discus treatment options (surgery)! It seems that my AN stems back from a RTA I had in 2008 (ten years ago next month) which was when I started having hearing loss in my right ear plus loads of other symptoms that are linked. I'm curious though as to whether some other issues are linked to the AN such as fluctuating blood pressure (which was causing me to collapse), anxiety (I went A&E the other year because I was struggling to breathe and the doctor said I was having an anxiety attack), short term memory loss/recall (I can read a page in a book and be oblivious to what I've read so I avoid too much reading these days, I forget I've put food in the oven and only realise when I see the smoke etc etc...), and focus/eyesight (I'm 47 years old so my age could be responsible also but when I try and read my eyesight becomes watery and blurry)? I do have other symptoms which are very common hut was just curious as to if the above were linked to the AN and if they are then do these go post surgery or stay?

[bypass]

Hi Mark, there are many AN treatment options, several types of surgery, several types of radio surgery and "watch and wait". The problem is that any one Doctor will only know in detail about the option he or she performs and somehow, almost inevitably patients are told that they are an ideal candidate for this (I generalise but this is certainly the trend). You need to educate yourself by visiting sites like anworld.com/pretreat/ , asking questions in forums like this and if you can getting consultations with Doctors who specialise in different AN treatments. Then with their guidance making up your own mind. As for your other symptoms, they could well be an indirect result of your diagnosis related to the mental strain these things put on us, if so they will indeed reduce and probably go after treatment. Do seek proper medical advice on those from other Docs though "just in case".

[Mark1003 in reply to bypass]

Thanks for your quick response! On my first consultation the specialist told me that my tumour is too large (around 3cm) to watch and wait and said a team of specialists are reviewing my case in a couple of weeks time (beginning of April) to see whether the surgeries are going to be best or the radiation therapy! He will probably go into more depth on my follow up this Wednesday!

[bypass in reply to Mark1003]

Do involve yourself in the debate over treatment. Don't let them decide either way without your input. if they are the experts they claim to be (and the usually are) they will have no difficulty in answering any questions you have and assuring you that their decision is indeed correct.

[drdeanbellavia]

What is RTA?

[Mark1003 in reply to drdeanbellavia]

RTA= road traffic accident. An articulated wagon drove into the side of my car on a major A Road. Although it wasn't too serious at the time and don't recall having any trauma to my head I did go A&E to get checked over as I was in considerable pain with my back, arm, neck and head. But my first MRI scan wasn't for 3 years (as I was still in loads of pain with my back) and although I was still having frequent "migraines", random losses of balance and deafness in my right ear with tinnitus, I only had a spinal scan! I didn't have my brain scan until last October (and got my results through this March)!