Acoustic Neuroma ? Pain

[Brasic]

I have been diagnosed with having a small acoustic neuroma (on the 8th nerve) on the left side.  I am wondering if anyone with this same scenario ever experiences pain in the left temple area and radiating over the left eye?  I do have the facial numbness but no loss of hearing at this time.

Thank you

[rca09]

I was diagnosed with a left sided acoustic neuroma in 06. It was 2.3 mm and as of 12/08 it was 3.0 mm. They are very slow growing tumors that sometimes don't grow. From 07-08 it didn't grow at all. Just get your MRI's every year at the same time so they could measure it. You'll be fine.

[Brasic]

Did you experience pain in the temple, eye or ear?

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
The symptoms of Acoustic neuroma vary based on the size and location of the tumor. Because the tumor grows so slowly, symptoms usually start after the age of 30. Common symptoms include: Abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo) ,Hearing loss in the affected ear that makes it hard to hear conversations ,Ringing (tinnitus) in the affected ear .Less common symptoms include: Difficulty understanding speech ,Dizziness ,Headache -Upon waking up in the morning ,Wakes you from sleep ,Worse when lying down ,Worse when standing up ,Worse when coughing, sneezing, straining, or lifting (Valsalva maneuver) ,With nausea or vomiting ,Loss of balance ,Numbness in the face or one ear ,Pain in the face or one ear ,Sleepiness and Vision problems . Symptoms may be different for different persons depending on the size of the tumour . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !

[rca09]

I do not experience pain in the temple, eye or ear. What size is your neuroma?

[spelbound]

I had a 4.2 cm AN removed in October last year by the eminent Henry Marsh. I had headaches on the tumour side particularly on the temple/eye area. In fact I was told by numerous doctors that it was sinus problems. It was only my own insistance (after 2 years of being ill) on an MRI that found it.

My headaches always came first thing in the morning  - actually they would wake me from sleep.

The brain itself does not feel pain as it has no nerves on the outside to feel pain as such. What causes the pain in AN patients is either restricted blood flow or compression of other structures within the general skull area.

I had significant brain stem compression by the time mine was found and was starting to have speech/swallowing problems as well as significant balance issues. But throughout it all pain was the biggest issue. For me it was a kind of gnawing pain - I always described it like someone was trying to eat me from the inside out.

Ok i'll be quiet now hehe.

[jdavis1234]

I had an acoustic neuroma tumor removed from my right side in March of 2000.  I didn't even know I had the tumor it was found by mistake.  I had fallen while in the hospital for another unrelated problem (passed out from pain) and hit my head on the door and floor of the hospital and because of the fall and the size of the lump on my head a MRI was performed and it showed I had the tumor.  When looking back I did have the symptoms of the tumor but blew it off just thinking I was getting old and working to much.  The tumor was already pressing on the brain and the stem.  It had to be immediately removed.  And now 9 years later I have just had another surgery for an ABAHA implant for hearing put in.  (I love it)  But since my tumor I have been experience other problems and not wondering if there might be something else going on.  Just went to the dr. today and I am schedule for a complete mri of the brain.  So we will see. Hopefully there is nothing else wrong.  But back to you for me I had no real pain or severe symptoms that I could go to my dr. and talk about that maybe would have found the tumor sooner and maybe then I would not lost my hearing in my right ear.  So, the reason why I am saying this is because everyone is different some have severe problems and the tumor is not so big and others have mild problems and the tumor is very large.  Everyone is different.  You know the saying "don't sweat the small stuff"  well, I wish I would have sweated the small stuff then things might be different now. (My balance and being able to see while walking have really been effected by this tumor)  Who knows.  Can't go back just have to keep going forward.  But, I have to say I am very very thankful for my doctors who have taken care of me they have done a wonderful job on saving my life.  I am forever greatful to them.