Hello everyone how are everyone doing? Well another year to get our healthy back,I noo that I am what about you? Well I was suppose to haave my Gamma Knife done on Jan 17, but I reschedule it so that I can finish my class. Now I'm schedule for Feb 7. Just wanted to know from those that already had the radiation treatment what to expect after it's done and will I beable to to do things after. I'm getting nervous and I just want some feedback. And from looking at the machine it looks like tne MRI machine which I hate, because I dont like to be closed in. Thanks for any suggestion.
Just keep your head up and stay strong. You dont k/ow how scared I was how many anxiety attacks I went through…for nothing! Lol I went in the morning & dont remember anything untill on my way hme. It was fast painfree, a not bad like I thought at all. Going in for it I was worried but it was the easiest best thing i could have ever done. youll wake up feelung so great afterwards…good luck & just stay positive…
you also go into the machine after they get you ready and everything…after meds so you wont even see the machjne or remember it mn…trust me ihate the mri machines too…mine always have to b open but still have bad anxiety lol
Stay Positive! GK Reasonably quick. I did stay overnight after my GK. Things might be a bit different now, mine was done in 2002. Headframe removal was the worst for me, very significant pain, but they again might give more medication for it now. Maybe my surgeon was just over zealous with the wrench in securing the headframe to me?
Head and face was swollen for a day or two afterwards, then things cleared up and I went 9 years without issue. I've recently experienced the radiation necrosis, which not all will have, but be sure and ask your doctors about it. (it might depend on how much of a treatment you get too) I'd recommend MRI's every year or two just to check for the necrosis setting in. Mine has been going on longer than anyone thought, so best to check more often than not.
GK machine is nearly silent, which I found kinda creepy, little worried that they actually didn't do anything to me during the treatments.
Wishing you well and all will be ok. The GK treatment was the better solution for me even 9 years later having to go through AVM surgery, the GK made things much easier and quicker later down the road during surgery. So think of that as a positive if later on something still has to be done, GK will have made it better.
Kc
You will do great! I had gk on jan 5th I had head pain and some jaw pain from the headframe and some headaches on and off since but remember it needs to be done and each day is a day closer to obliteration the avm. I have a very busy life with a house full of kids and responsibilities and was able to resume them within a few days! You are in my prayers.....stay positive!
Nothing to be worried about. The GK looks like the MRI but they only put your head in a little way. You’re not in a small tube like the MRI. They say you will be doing normal activities the following day but I felt crappy for a couple of weeks. BTW my AVM is obliterated after just 12 months so it’s well worth it. My only advice would be to demand the doctors to put you to sleep temporally while they fit the Halo because some don’t.
I had gamma knife july of 2005 and I must say it was a breeze.I did have an angeo right before so I was only in a little pain after because of that.I went to the hospital in the morning and was home by dinner time.My head was numb for most of night and it stayed numb in my crown area for about a month but I was told that was normal and if that was the worst I said i'll take it.
I know it's very scary for you right now,I remember how scared I was.Just stay positive and have positive thoughts.You are going to do great I know it!!! Good luck and please keep us posted
I had GK in June & December of 2011--the first time included an angio, the second didn't. The angio & removing the halo were the worst parts for me. Both times I was the last person in the GK for the day since mine was the most complicated, so the lidocaine & the IV pain meds had pretty much worn off by the time they removed the halo.
The GK unit here plays music while you are in the machine. If you have an MP3, they'll play your music. I don't so I just ask them to play some classical music & I take a nap.
I was cranky & grouchy afterwards from going so long without food & from not getting my morning mocha.
My surgeon schedules GK on Wednesdays, so I don't really plan on doing much of anything prior to Monday of the following week. I'm lucky that I had my first one during the 1st week of summer break & the second one a couple of days prior to winter break, so I didn't have to worry about going back to work & was able to sit at home & relax.
Although after the one in December, I had GK on Wednesday, one of my brothers called on Friday to say he would be coming on Saturday...so I was shopping Sat. morning to finish up gifts for his kids, then sweeping & mopping up all of the mud & dirt my 4 dogs had tracked in.
Just wanted to post this because any machine like the MRI is so closed in and it wreaks havoc on those with claustrophobia. Try a towel or cloth over your eyes. The operators of the machine really don't mind. Granted I have only had MRIs but it worked for me and with the ear plugs and the cloth and trying to relax it was over before I knew it. Dang machines, not very human-friendly are they? Hope everyone is feeling well.