is my AN making me fatigued? - Acoustic Neuroma ...

Acoustic Neuroma Support

2,742 members927 posts

is my AN making me fatigued?

an14x18 profile image
12 Replies

I had a rather dramatic increase in fatigue which started early 2017 when I noticed that after a viral infection I never got energy back like my old self. I was diagnosed in the September with an AN 14x18mm which has not grown since. It was tinnitus that sparked the research. I didn't have any other problems other than slight hearing loss. My consultant says there is no link between fatigue and AN's. Does anyone else have fatigue problems with AN?

Written by
an14x18 profile image
an14x18
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
Kristyll profile image
Kristyll

It may be post viral fatigue, or a bit of both x

an14x18 profile image
an14x18 in reply toKristyll

thanks for your reply. That's my dilemma. If it's not the AN causing my fatigue then I'll maybe be better off leaving it alone as it hasn't grown in a year and my hearing hasn't deteriorated either. It's quite a long time to have post viral fatigue tho'.

drdeanbellavia profile image
drdeanbellavia

14X18:

The definition of fatigue is: Physical or mental weariness resulting from exertion, which can be caused by an AN in two ways. The physical fatigue is due to your somatosensory system working harder to keep you in balance. The mental fatigue is from your cerebellum trying to figure out why you are out of balance and from the tinnitus (static in your brain), which affects your memory. All of this combined can cause a slight depression if we feel that we can do nothing about it. So, I disagree with your "consultant" on whether an AN can cause fatigue.

When I first had my Gamma-knife surgery I was fatigued all of the time from balance issues and brain-pain from my cerebellum trying to figure out how to control my somatosensory system. It was very fatiguing both physically and mentally . I used my cerebellum resetting exercises to eventually resolve this; go to this link for these exercises:

thebioengineeringco.com/ind...

I hope that this helps,

Dean

---------------------------------------------------------

Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary

Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

an14x18 profile image
an14x18 in reply todrdeanbellavia

Thanks for your reply. I will consider your exercises. I haven't noticeably had balance problems until just recently when I feel a little woosey when I'm walking and feeling a bit drained.

What I really wondered was has anyone been relieved of fatigue after medical intervention for an AN?

Also, did your AN shrink or disappear after GK? or just stop growing? I ask because I'm wondering if I'll have fatigue as log as it remains in me.

drdeanbellavia profile image
drdeanbellavia in reply toan14x18

17 years ago when I had gamma-knife surgery and my 15mm AN shrank by 1/4 after 6 months and 1/3 after a year and remains that way; it is dead but still there. The AN has no more affect on me except for the initial damage it to my left ear causing deafness, imbalance, tinnitus, and initial pain and fatigue. Before and after the GK surgery my imbalance was exacerbated by meals (and of course wine) and my tinnitus increased with physical exertion. My exercises over the years have kept my balance intact and have relieved the fatigue that it caused.

an14x18 profile image
an14x18 in reply todrdeanbellavia

Thank you, that's very helpful. Do you (or anyone else) know if that amount of shrinkage is the usual amount?

Kristyll profile image
Kristyll

It could be post viral fatigue and not associated with your op

Freddy1000 profile image
Freddy1000

I’ve had my 45mmx15mm 30 years ago , it reoccurred 3 times since and removed , there’s still some residual there atm but stable and has been for the last 9 years , however , I have a mutidude of problems, one of which is fatigue which had been evident ever since and dosnt show no sign of abating as I’m getting older , I’m now 51.

Some days I cannot function properly , mentally or physically, other days can be normal , a ‘normal’ to me but perhaps not to others , everyone is different and it’s difficult to say that there is a definite link , but I know others who have been in that situ, and they suffer with fatigue in a variety of ways too, my doctor does recognise my fatigue goes hand in hand with all my heath problems caused illness tho .

drdeanbellavia profile image
drdeanbellavia in reply toFreddy1000

Try my cerebellum-resetting exercises for a month or so, they may help. See:

thebioengineeringco.com/ind...

an14x18 profile image
an14x18 in reply toFreddy1000

Thanks for your reply. There are certainly people having a harder time of it than me. I've only had these problems for 2 years and I'm 53. I remain optimistic for some things improving.

Ballantyne56 profile image
Ballantyne56

My consultant informed me that tumours of any sort cause fatigue

Kind regards

Teashop profile image
Teashop

Yes l have 22x16x16 mm NA and l to struggle with fatigue my surgeon said not related to AN either .l also have tinnitus and very sensitive to noise l think it is the noise and tinnus that is tiring also l am deaf on one side so use a lot of effort listen to people.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

AN headache pain

I was diagnosed with a 2.2 cm AN in July. I have facial numbness all the time, a bit of hearing...
Lolabelly profile image

Making changes at work.

Hi All, I’m just looking for any of your experience in changing roles at work to accommodate your...
DH32 profile image

Possible AN symptoms or causes?

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with an AN and awaiting my follow up (next Wednesday) to discus...
Mark1003 profile image

AN regrowth

I had a 4cm AN removed in Sept 99, suffered from horrendous head pain for 2 years but other than...
sadie2009 profile image

AN/VS "flare ups"

Hi there, i'm a 34 year old male who was diagnosed with a AN/VS in May 2022. I'm currently on watch...
Dippy1988 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Zhaleh_TBTC profile image
Zhaleh_TBTCAdministrator
Maddie_TBTC profile image
Maddie_TBTCAdministrator
Beth_TBTC profile image
Beth_TBTCPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.