Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/29/2010

Question
QUESTION: My husband had brain surgery April 14th, 2010 to remove an ependymoma. Three days later, he had another surgery to remove a bone flap to allow swelling. June 14th, he had another surgery to install a PV Shunt.
He has an on going sideeffect from the first surgery--double vision. We were told this would go away. Well, after almost 3 months he is still dealing with that and dizziness.
My questions are 'Is this normal?' and 'if so, how long is the cut off time to expect it to go away?' The eye specialist said there is nothing wrong with his eyes, that swelling was pressing on his optic nerves. The swelling has gone down since the shunt has been installed. Frankly, this is really depressing my work-a-holic husband. I just need to know how long this is gonna go on.
Thank you for any imput you may have on this.

ANSWER: No it is not normal. However you need to discuss this with an expert of neurosurgery which I'm not (I'm a medical oncologist & radiation therapist with experience of treating brain tumors). Good luck!




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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for that response. Since you are an oncologist, could you tell me if sleeping alot is common for someone who has had only 8 radiation treatments. He started sleeping alot after the 4th one. I found that to be odd. I wasnt expecting that so soon.
Thank you
kay hammond

Answer
Radiation therapy may cause a certain amount of brain swelling. That can cause confusion and also more sleeping. That effect can be countered by corticosteroid treatment - which also may have some side effects.






You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128     There is no restriction to the number of questions there.