Cervical tumor removed: anyone had balance issues?

[cindy]

I had a meningioma removed from C3-C5 5 years ago almost to the day. It was large, compressing my spinal cord to 1/7th normal size. The NS said he couldn't believe I wasn't a quadraplegic. It had been growing there, he estimated, for at least 20 years or longer, if not from birth. Since it was 100% removed in August 2010, I have done amazingly well. "Amazing and Awesome" were the words used by my NS and my Neuro. Two years ago, though, I developed what I am being told is Meniere's Disease, which causes dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It also causes attacks of vertigo (think room spinning so fast you can't even see), with vomiting, diarrhea (at the same time) and inability to even walk at all, let alone straight. My ear doctor wants to do surgery to relieve these symptoms but in the back of my mind, I think there is a possibility this all has to do with residual spinal cord damage from my many years with the tumor pressing on my spinal cord causing damage that was slow but steady.

My question is: Has anyone who has had a tumor in the cervical area, especially above C5, had any issues with vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness or balance as a result of their tumor. I really do not want this surgery if it's not going to treat the actual problem. Since there has not been much done in the way of follow-up on the residuals of spinal cord surgery over the years after it's been done, there is nothing in any literature that I can find about this, but I swear this is from the tumor damage, not Meniere's disease.

Thanks for any response.

[samuridude]

I had C7-T1 and have ringing in my ears and very dizzy when standing up. I also was having a hard time swallowing and breathing. Most of it went away except the ringing in the ears from time to time post. Our central nerves system (spinal Cord) is related to everything so anything is possible.  

[dawn]

Hi Cindy,
Sorry to hear about your vertigo - it's just a terrible feeling. So, I have an intramedullary C1-C2 tumor and have balance problems that are related to certain head positions. For me, if I turn my head to the right and bend forward at the neck the room will spin and I have blacked out and fallen a few times until I learned not to move my head like that. It still happens to me if I lay on the couch with my head bent forward and turn my head. I won't even be able to tell if I'm laying down or standing or falling. Terrible.
Also have tinnitus.

Some medical teams have told me it can't be tumor related and some tell me it is tumor related. I believe it is. I saw the balance specialist team at Mayo Clinic and had a 4 hour evaluation and they could not reproduce any of my symptoms that would be caused by inner ear problems and concluded that the problems are tumor related.

However, since you have had yours removed it is curious that it is a problem for you now. Did you have these issues when pre-surgery?

I have had good luck working with NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) adjustments. I found a great one (Dr. Leach in Minneapolis) who will very gently place C1 back into place which relieves a lot of dizziness problems. Of course, it is quite dangerous to be adjusting the spinal column around our tumors so I wouldn't advise anyone to have adjustments unless you are very careful that they know what they are doing and understand the danger they could be causing if there is any torking of the area.

[markcore]

Hello,

I had two types of tumors between C2 and C7. I've never experienced any dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, or any other thing similar. The tumor being a cause may be a red-herring.

[grials]

I had an intramedullary hemangioblastoma and cyst removed from C6-T1 in 2012. I have no deficits and have resumed all athletic and outdoor activities post op. However, I have experienced tinnitus in my left ear this year and will consult my NS at my next follow up appointment. If your NS is telling you it is unrelated, odds are it is not. These cats are quite knowledgeable.

[peaceandlove]

Sir,

I can advise you to do the followings:
First to ask about Meniere's Disease , if it is creating such symptoms than go for surgery.
If not u make Brain MRI. Usually Spine Tumor can lead to Brain one, even if it is benign tumor. However make brain MRI nothing to loose except cost.

Please keep me updated about your case.

Peaceandlove

[john8888]

I had C2 to T2 and the dizzy and loss of balance symptoms. All kinds of treatments and no results for 6 months. Had an ear specialist clean the wax from my ears and in one day the dizziness disappeared. Now have it done every 3 months. If I miss the dizzy symptoms return. I have balance problems from the surgey and it may be that any blockage in the ear is super sensitive and results in dizzy symptoms.