Meningiomas are often called “benign” brain tumors, but their effects on patients can be anything but harmless. These growths can wreak havoc on your neurological system, causing debilitating symptoms that impact your relationships, career, and quality of life. Most disturbingly, they can fundamentally alter who you are and how you function.
The location and size of your meningioma determine which brain functions become compromised, but the consequences are often severe regardless of where the tumor develops. A Depo-Provera brain tumor attorney can help if use of the medication contributed to or caused your meningioma. Here are some of the negative health effects that you might experience.
Memory Loss and Cognitive Difficulties
Your brain’s ability to process and retain information can suffer when a meningioma presses against critical neural pathways. You might notice that simple tasks like balancing your checkbook or following a recipe become frustratingly difficult. Short-term memory often bears the brunt of this damage, leaving you unable to remember conversations from hours earlier or where you placed everyday items.
Executive functions—your brain’s ability to plan, organize, and make decisions—may also deteriorate. You could find yourself losing track of appointments, struggling to concentrate at work, or feeling overwhelmed by decisions that once seemed straightforward. These cognitive changes don’t just affect your professional life; they can strain relationships with family and friends who may not understand why you seem different or forgetful.
Personality and Behavioral Changes
Meningiomas can also transform your personality, often becoming the first sign that something is seriously wrong. Close friends and members frequently notice these changes before physical symptoms appear.
You might find yourself becoming uncharacteristically irritable, aggressive, or emotionally unstable. This can strain your relationships with your loved ones and cause difficulties in your professional life. Depression and anxiety often accompany these personality changes; you may lose interest in activities you once enjoyed or withdraw from social situations that feel overwhelming.
Paralysis
When meningiomas develop near the areas of your brain that control movement, they can cause weakness or complete paralysis on one or both sides of your body. This might begin as subtle coordination problems—perhaps your handwriting becomes shaky or you occasionally stumble. However, as the tumor grows or shifts position, these symptoms can progress to significant weakness in your arms or legs. In severe cases, you may lose the ability to walk independently or perform basic tasks.
Speech Difficulties
Your ability to communicate may become compromised when a meningioma affects the language centers in your brain. You might struggle to find the right words during conversations, experience slurred speech, or have difficulty understanding what others are saying to you. These communication barriers can be incredibly frustrating and isolating, affecting your ability to work, maintain relationships, and advocate for your own medical needs.
Vision Impairments
Meningiomas can cause various vision problems depending on their location and size. You may experience double vision, partial vision loss, or complete blindness in one or both eyes. This impairment can make activities like driving, reading, or recognizing others’ faces dangerous or impossible.
Seeking Justice for a Meningioma Diagnosis
Living with meningioma symptoms affects every aspect of your life. If you suspect that Depo-Provera caused your condition, you deserve more than just medical treatment—you deserve justice. Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can fight for your rights and handle the legal process while you focus on healing and recovery. Contact us at (212) 485-9899 to explore your next steps today.