Does anyone who had an SAH have clogged ears as a side effect of brain surgery?

Exactly! Even when I'm at family functions, I'll have to excuse myself and lay down for a while because I feel like my head is going to explode. Thanks for your input Lisa.

Lisa Eriksen said:

I had coiling last December and still get headaches almost everyday. When I do, I feel pressure in my ears and the only way to get rid of the headache is to lie down. I simply have to put my head down no matter where I am. Good luck to you.

Lisa

You are most welcome Alice! Hope you can experience some symptom-free days soon. Wait...I mean symptom-free weeks, then months, then years!! Let's hope for that for all of us. Take care Alice...we'll "see" each other soon, I'm sure.

Alice said:

Thanks pixiechick!!!

pixiechick66 said:

Sorry Alice...I've not had to deal with this. I cannot imagine going through this frequently, though. How frustrating! I'm sending good "ear" mojo your way!

Hi Alice.

I had a rupture in November 2013. I have been experiencing similar issues though. Although my issue feels just like I’m more sensitive to pressure changes. Bad weather, allergies, flying and elevation… My ears feels like they need to pop. I had a recent check up with my neuro-surgeon and he told me the pressure feeling isn’t from the coiling/aneurysm and to check with an ear Doctor. He said everything looked good from my MRA. I think the ear Doctor will be my next move if nothing resolves… Sorry that’s probably not much help but know you’re not alone! Wishing you all the best!

Tori

i had ear popping and it affected my hearing early on, now i have ringing, i am yrs post sah, tc xoxo

Seems to me the neuro surgeons are not aware of all the side effects. I guess there is still so much that is unknown, except to those who have experienced it. Which is why this site is so important. I think more Dr’s should read it.

Lisa

Agreed… It seems like this is a pretty common occurrence and should be looked at

I don't think this pressure problem is from the coiling, but rather from the brain surgery that was required afterwards. I had half my skull removed for a period of time during vasospasm, as well as the shunt inserted on the other side of my brain. God bless these doctors for saving us, but depending upon the severity of the bleed, how can there not be other issues? Unless we speak up, how will our doctors know? Now I'm inspired to make an appointment with my neurosurgeon....I've seen everybody else!!!!! Thanks everyone, for your support.

I have hearing problems too. I had one rupture (coiled) and two others clipped at a later time.

Our cranial nerves (L and R)...are the CN VIII ...the vestibulocochlear....for our balance and hearing...

The vestibulo portion: relates to our balance / coordination...in research... the term gravity is used...

The cochlear... is the hearing...

Moltroub, the cranial nerves are in the FL Rehab site data you provided in the "Resource" category ...as I type, I do not remember how detailed the data on the CNs is...

I had/have hearing loss, both L/R, which were not in the story format records...nor in discharge records... However, the transfer records from the hospital to home-hellth care (HHC) clearly notes "hearing loss" and also notes "normal vision"...except on other page(s) it is noted as hemianopsia in the MCA cistern .

The cisterns are openings in the subarachnoid space (SAS) (and wherever else...if I am missing something on that)

Apx 10 months post-D/C and initial f/u; the magnificent neuro-docs referred me to a neurotologist for hearing test...That neuro-specialist noted his diagnosis as: Sensory Neural Hearing Loss...and tinnitus...

That term, SensoriNeural Hearing Loss and/or Sensorineural Deafness...can be researched readily online...to help you in asking your docs about your symptoms and testing and/or therapies...

Hey Alice,

I'm all for '...letting the dr's know..." IF (and that's a big if) they will listen. And not just put it down to our "overactive imagination". My wife doesn't so much have an overactive imagination, but a great deal of cautious attention. If something seems wrong she is ready to call for help. I'm often saying "Nah, wait and see... ...it might come good" and usually does, but at times she has had genuine reason to be concerned. So the dr's minimise it as something insignificant, but on a few occasions she's been right to be concerned (even when I haven't been lol ). We just don't have, at home, all the technology (scans etc) to tell which is significant and which isn't.

I must agree with you in regard to the other issues. Our skulls are a sealed unit and there is not a large amount of extra space up there, so any opening of the skull, any movements of the tissues within the skull MUST have some sort of impact and cause other issues. None of the dr's may want to say it, but it's a fact.

Merl

Alice, I’m glad you’re going to follow up with your Neurosurgeon. I vasospasmed 26 of the 28 days in ICU, my doctor used the triple H therapy. I’m not sure that was available when you ruptured.

Patioplans - you’re right, cisterns are deeper places along the subarachnoid space in which our cerebral spinal fluid flows. I thought they were just in the brain, the subarachnoid space covers our brain and down and around the spinal cord (can’t think of the right word)

Merl- there is only so much space in our brains, that’s why even a concussion can effect the brain. But as we age, our brains shrink, just like babies who have more space in their skull, we get that way too.

For everyone- Merl makes a point about doctors, I hate to think our specialists and even our PCPs are blowing us off. Mine doesn’t. And I’m eternally grateful for that as she found another aneurysm six months after I ruptured. She explained my local hospital would never have seen it because they don’t have the machines available that she does. She never blows me off and answers everything in language that we both understand. Some medical professionals hide behind med jargon, it’s a safety valve for their emotions.

Dr Stacey Quintero Wolfe is the best Neurosurgeon in my opinion. But since not everyone here has Dr. Q-W let me reiterate how important it is to go in with a list of questions and concerns. If the medical professional goes into “med speak” don’t pretend you understand, ask them to dumb it down. I do it all the time and it works. When Dr. Q-W doesn’t know something, she tells us. I know she is working on (can’t think of the word - but it’s developing a history of when I do “x” then “y” happens). This woman never met me before I ruptured, my local hospital didn’t send all my history ( I think it’s because they were in the process of digitalizing to a new program). But just think, our docs have to do this with each and everyone of us, and there’s not that many of us. But they keep collecting information and building more knowledge and that means greater success rates for those that follow. Make sure you understand what the doctor is saying, before you leave their office.

Mol, you’re so wise hugs. There sure aren’t many of you that’s for sure! Thanks pal :slight_smile:




Moltroub said:

Alice, I’m glad you’re going to follow up with your Neurosurgeon. I vasospasmed 26 of the 28 days in ICU, my doctor used the triple H therapy. I’m not sure that was available when you ruptured.


Patioplans - you’re right, cisterns are deeper places along the subarachnoid space in which our cerebral spinal fluid flows. I thought they were just in the brain, the subarachnoid space covers our brain and down and around the spinal cord (can’t think of the right word)



Merl- there is only so much space in our brains, that’s why even a concussion can effect the brain. But as we age, our brains shrink, just like babies who have more space in their skull, we get that way too.



For everyone- Merl makes a point about doctors, I hate to think our specialists and even our PCPs are blowing us off. Mine doesn’t. And I’m eternally grateful for that as she found another aneurysm six months after I ruptured. She explained my local hospital would never have seen it because they don’t have the machines available that she does. She never blows me off and answers everything in language that we both understand. Some medical professionals hide behind med jargon, it’s a safety valve for their emotions.



Dr Stacey Quintero Wolfe is the best Neurosurgeon in my opinion. But since not everyone here has Dr. Q-W let me reiterate how important it is to go in with a list of questions and concerns. If the medical professional goes into “med speak” don’t pretend you understand, ask them to dumb it down. I do it all the time and it works. When Dr. Q-W doesn’t know something, she tells us. I know she is working on (can’t think of the word - but it’s developing a history of when I do “x” then “y” happens). This woman never met me before I ruptured, my local hospital didn’t send all my history ( I think it’s because they were in the process of digitalizing to a new program). But just think, our docs have to do this with each and everyone of us, and there’s not that many of us. But they keep collecting information and building more knowledge and that means greater success rates for those that follow. Make sure you understand what the doctor is saying, before you leave their office.

Moltroub...Merl and All...

You note the brain shrinkage...as we age...and, that is so true...if we do not keep it active...

or it is injured/damaged in some way... and, of course, some specific diseases...

Today, my NY Times has "Can You Get Smarter"... and is accessible on line as: NY Times - Can You Get Smarter? (and, I imagine..."of course, as long as its not a SmartPhone for a DumbCaller)

Of interest, they note "starting at age 55, our hippocampus, a brain region critical to memory, shrinks 1-2% every year, to say nothing of...fact that one in 9 people age 65-older has Alzheimer's (AD)...

The # afflicted is expected to grow rapidly as the baby boom generation ages..." And, the article goes on to address the positives of brain training...etc...

I was also involved w/PositScience @ www.brainhq.com ...In 2007, I was planning to take their "Brain Fitness" at a local assisted ling center...because I needed an instructor...(otherwise I could have bought a CD for home use). Some added humor...talking w/long-term, more elderly friends, the 102 y/o hubby was saying I was supposed to discover something... His adorable, brilliant wife, told me he wanted me to pick up the March 2007 issue of the Discover magazine... It had a grand article intro to the founder of the Posit Science... SOOOO, that was the 102 y/o explaining to the 66 y/o who had survived brain treatment... most importantly....the highly marketed minimally invasive procedure...when able to walk/talk in my 3rd ER (in 29 days)...

My initial neuropsych tests, 90 days s/p procedure...reading level ranged from 2 years to 13.8 years...

And, because of all that, I could have stayed the same...or sought care...and, it has been a horrendous issue...to even be able to explain it to you... The neuro-mds involved....encouraged me to return to work...(and my story-formatted records so indicate I was 'back-to work'...) A year and a half later, I was immediately granted SS Disability...and, there is so much more to the story...

I did nothing but therapy after therapy... including the most important to me...the vision therapy...I am yet a slow, slow, reader...

Before I can tell you more of the NYTimes article... I have to read, type, outline... but at least, I regained the sensibility of needing that...

I have gone in 3 times for f/u neuropsych testing since the SS Disablity...to experience...the areas as achievement, the reductions, and the "same"... I began all this @ 61 years...to now 74 years...

There are parts of mine that have 'stayed the same'...and my simplest explanation of one issue... on reading/comprehension/memory... On the PositScience...one is to view 15 words...in sequence...and, then list them...In 8 years...I have not been able to surpass 3 words...Conversely, in my WonderWord game in the mornings...I average 6 minutes...But...I can see the words thru-out the game...Whereas, when I glance at 15 words (PositScience)...each not again visible...my memory is almost worthless... (is that 'not visible?')

One of these days, I will write to PositScience...for them to study and add help in regaining that portion of memory... it has to secure to specific portions of our vision/memory pieces...And, no, I'd never rely, waste my time, asking an average neuro-doc...

Now, that I've whined/cried/witched...have a great evening!!! ...


Moltroub said:

Alice, I'm glad you're going to follow up with your Neurosurgeon. I vasospasmed 26 of the 28 days in ICU, my doctor used the triple H therapy. I'm not sure that was available when you ruptured.

Patioplans - you're right, cisterns are deeper places along the subarachnoid space in which our cerebral spinal fluid flows. I thought they were just in the brain, the subarachnoid space covers our brain and down and around the spinal cord (can't think of the right word)

Merl- there is only so much space in our brains, that's why even a concussion can effect the brain. But as we age, our brains shrink, just like babies who have more space in their skull, we get that way too.

For everyone- Merl makes a point about doctors, I hate to think our specialists and even our PCPs are blowing us off. Mine doesn't. And I'm eternally grateful for that as she found another aneurysm six months after I ruptured. She explained my local hospital would never have seen it because they don't have the machines available that she does. She never blows me off and answers everything in language that we both understand. Some medical professionals hide behind med jargon, it's a safety valve for their emotions.

Dr Stacey Quintero Wolfe is the best Neurosurgeon in my opinion. But since not everyone here has Dr. Q-W let me reiterate how important it is to go in with a list of questions and concerns. If the medical professional goes into "med speak" don't pretend you understand, ask them to dumb it down. I do it all the time and it works. When Dr. Q-W doesn't know something, she tells us. I know she is working on (can't think of the word - but it's developing a history of when I do "x" then "y" happens). This woman never met me before I ruptured, my local hospital didn't send all my history ( I think it's because they were in the process of digitalizing to a new program). But just think, our docs have to do this with each and everyone of us, and there's not that many of us. But they keep collecting information and building more knowledge and that means greater success rates for those that follow. Make sure you understand what the doctor is saying, before you leave their office.

Mol-What is triple H therapy?

You might want to investigate Meniere’s Disease. Mine started with aural fullness.

I have never had vertigo, although it was a very interesting read, thank you.

Campanile said:

You might want to investigate Meniere's Disease. Mine started with aural fullness.

Alice... Triple H therapy is for vasospasms... I think they used that on me

A protocol referred to as "triple H" is often used as a measure to treat vasospasm when it causes symptoms; this is the use of intravenous fluids to achieve a state of hypertension (high blood pressure), hypervolemia (excess fluid in the circulation) and hemodilution (mild dilution of the blood).[

Was that a protocol used before they started removing half of your skull to allow swelling, like they did with me?

Mary Barton said:

Alice... Triple H therapy is for vasospasms... I think they used that on me

A protocol referred to as "triple H" is often used as a measure to treat vasospasm when it causes symptoms; this is the use of intravenous fluids to achieve a state of hypertension (high blood pressure), hypervolemia (excess fluid in the circulation) and hemodilution (mild dilution of the blood).[

Mine was in 2007... so I am not sure. I also had a drain placed and then a permanent shunt.... I remember none of this, which is probably a good thing! I never had my skull removed... I thought they did that for a aneurysm clipping (mine was coiled).

I can remember them waking me up every few minutes but again, I'm not sure exactly when that was or why.

I was coiled in Sept 2011. 21 days later, due to vasospasm, they removed the right side of my skull for a period of time (who knows how long?) and induced a coma, so I'm told. I have a shunt, but I remember nothing about it being put there. (left side temple).

Mary Barton said:

Mine was in 2007... so I am not sure. I also had a drain placed and then a permanent shunt.... I remember none of this, which is probably a good thing! I never had my skull removed... I thought they did that for a aneurysm clipping (mine was coiled).

I can remember them waking me up every few minutes but again, I'm not sure exactly when that was or why.