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Warning-sign checks

Bilateral acoustic neuroma: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the care team promptly for a noticeable change in hearing, new persistent facial symptoms, worsening balance, repeated falls, new weakness or numbness, or headaches that are becoming more frequent.

    These symptoms do not always mean a tumor has grown, but they deserve assessment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up is usually long term.

    Visits may include MRI, hearing and speech-understanding tests, balance assessment, neurologic examination, and review of new symptoms.

    People with NF2-related schwannomatosis may also need periodic spinal imaging, eye examinations, and monitoring for peripheral nerve problems.[3,5]

The article also says

The timing of scans and tests is not the same for everyone.

It depends on age, tumor growth, symptoms, treatment history, and the other findings present.

After surgery, radiation, or medicine treatment, the schedule may change.

Genetic counseling may also be offered to relatives.

Whether a relative needs genetic testing or clinical screening depends on the affected person's test results and family history.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bilateral acoustic neuroma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.