vision,hearing, balance disturbances...

[shay_nicole]

my husband is 29 years old. He is taking the medication finasteride (5 mg, taking 1/4 of the medication each night) for alopecia. that is the only medication he is on. He as been experiencing SEVERE dizziness to the point of brief (2-3 sec. blackouts) memory loss, he can't remember what things that happened a few hours prior, hearing disturbances, like the volume is being turned down and when he lies down he hears wooshing sounds. he also is having visual disturbances. he is unable to focus on objects near or far randomly throughout the day, other times he can see and hear perfectly. it comes and goes. he also loses his balance and it has been happening for the past 6 months and it is getting worse each day... it was only happening a few times a week and now it is happening several times a day. He has been tested for diabetes, and the Drs have ruled that out... is there any connection to the drug that he is taking or could this be something more serious?

[shay_nicole]

Well, my husband had his Neurosurgery Consultant Appointment today.... It is a tumor ( they didn't say what kind, but they don't believe it is cancerous) It is a tumor... touching his brain stem... They said that he needs surgery and they would be getting ahold of him within a week or so because the surgeon he talked to today said that isn't is area of expertise per say, so he will be reaching out to another surgeon in hopes of helping my husband and preforming the surgery... I was just wondering... how dangerous would that kind of surgery be? working so close to the brain stem. they said that they couldn't cut it out... so what else would they be doing? the tumor has been growing for years now...they also said that it is risky, but wouldn't give us any details at all.

[shay_nicole]

That is VERY nice of you, but unfortunately we are located in the indiana/kentucky area. :( Thank you though.

[Gina04]

If you are in the South Carolina, Georgia, Florida area, let me know.  I can contact the University system where I had a lot of my testing and both of my surgeries done and see if there are any special programs that would make it affordable for him to be seen there.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. It can really be frustrating if questions are left unanswered.  However, it is best that you wait for the appointment with the neurosurgeon so that he or she can explain better because he is in a better position to do so. Hang on and do keep us posted. Best regards.

[shay_nicole]

There is a way, but it's a very expensive way. :) he has a few appointments lined up so hopefully we will be finding things out soon.

[Gina04]

Is there any way you could go to a non-military facility?  Not sure where you live, but I was very impressed with my neurosurgeon and the facility that I had my surgeries at.  I would definitely try to get my friends/family to go there if they needed a neurosurgeon.