C1-c2 into foramen magnum meningioma

[daisyhawk]

Just wanted to send an encouraging word to all those dealing with spinal meningiomas. We are a rare breed. I had my large, heavily calcified, severely compressing my spinal cord TUMOR removed three weeks ago. Will share that the first few days after surgery were painful even with the pain meds. Came home after a week and have improved considerably since then. Walked on my own after a week and a half. I was very proactive pre surgery getting my digestive system prepared by taking acidophilus so never had bowel issues. Was able to shower myself at two weeks. I had issues with my left leg, left hand and with dizziness pre surgery. The deficits are still there but not as prominent as before with the constant electric pulsations that went with them. Overall I am extremely pleased and thrilled to have had my meningioma removed. Surgery and stitching took about 10 hours so that also figures into recuperation. God has been merciful and gracious!

[Joyce Moes]

I have a calsified meningioma foramen magnum compressing my spinal cord but no symptons yet?? May I ask who was the doctor and hospital.

[Kit at]

We are a rare bunch? I am 57. I had a large menginomia removed from my cervical region. I was experiencing plenty of issues. I blamed them on a broken ankle and the surger I needed later. The symptom kept getting worse. I lost the use and feeling in my right leg. I was also starting to lose feeling in the left leg. Both legs were cold. I was on crutches for two years and I am overweight. It was difficult. I was sent to a neuro that gave me a death sentence of pain and loss of mobility. I thank him for that. He made me mad. I'm a fighter. My wonderful GP doctor sent me to the one he sent his wife to. At that appointment that wonderful neurologist found the tumor he also found a mass in my thyroid. That day I was sent to the hospital had MRI after MRI, scan after scan. Surgery was done on Monday in Jan. 2014. I was walking on Tuesday! I was using a walker, but I has feeling in both legs. They were not cold. I did not have foot drop. Pain was OK as long as I took my meds like I was told. After surgery my right shoulder and arm was extremely sore. Still is. Today it has been 9 months since surgery. I have also been told that basically my upper and lower back are a mess. I do daily stretches to keep them moving. I walk a lot. I'm planning on doing a 1mile fun run in October with my grand kids. When I' m tired my " funny" walk comes out. I had my thyroid removed because of cancer. It was caught early. I struggle with all of this happening over a two year period. Part is from thyroid meds, part is from legs still not strong. My life is not what it used to be, but it hasn't been a year yet and my grand kids are helping me train! You have to stay strong and focus on the positive. Celebrate the small things. The first time you step up a step or curb withou help celebrate it. The first walk, steps celebrate it! Otis the only way to get through this. Best of luck to all

[CharliRae]

Hi everyone! I had a Large meningioma (Grade 1, thank God) removed on January 12, 2015. My symptoms were vision changes (mild blur), headaches, sleep apnea, and debilitating occipital and c1-c2 pain. My symptoms started years ago with just the headaches, then I just was exhausted all the time. So I did a sleep study and was diagnosed with "Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea" and was put on CPAP therapy in January 2014. I started hearing ticking noises in my head when I walked just shortly after that. Then my vision started to change. The next symptom is what finally convinced me something was wrong. My neck would just suddenly get stiff and I would get kind of a heat flash and then the pain would set in and I couldn't move. I would have to hold my neck in whatever position it was in until I took enough Tylenol to dull the pain enough to move. I would have these episode for weeks before I went into Urgent Care in November. I did a little internet searching and thought for sure I had MS. I got a CT ordered the next day and was immediately called by a neurosurgeon to deliver the diagnosis. He wanted to see me right away to see my physical condition. My tumor was compressing my spine so much that my neurosurgeon wasn't even sure how I hadn't lost control/sensation of any limbs. He was shocked that I even walked into his office.
I was refered out of town (to USCF) for my surgery and what seemed like a whirl of a week, I was in and out of the hospital (only 4 days including surgery day). It didn't seem rushed because I am only 28 and in otherwise good health, so I was ready to leave the hospital and begin recovery at home.
The first week was rough. The steroids themselves were quite a trip. I had vertigo, was extremely sensitive to sound and light, had regular panic attacks and was very emotional. I kept the pain pretty much in check with Percocet and then eventually just Tylenol. But napping and relaxing was very hard to do so I feel like I wasn't getting quality rest.
Now that I have has the tumor removed and I am off the steroid, I can't say that I feel much better, but I am relating most of that to still recovering from the surgery. I still get headaches and my neck muscles are still all jacked up from having such a large incision. But my biggest worry at this point is my vision in my right eye does seem to be getting progressively worse. I have a follow up appointment with my neurosurgeon in March but may make a call before that is my vision continues to worsen. Other then that, I'm happy to be alive and to know that my tumor is gone!

[Taylor]

I had meningioma remove 6/17/13 it took a good year to feel like myself again, I go every six months for MRI to see if it has return, My tumor was a grade 2 My upper back hurts from time to time, and I lose my balance just a little, but for the most part I am ok. I have a wonderful doctor who gives it to you straight, My doctor was suprise I was still walking when I walk into his office before surgery, the best advised is excerise walking is the best thing as well as physical therapy.