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I am Leslie and I am new to Blogging. I am 41 years old I was born with Neurofibrmatosis.
Neurofibrmatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve endings. In 2008 I was hospitalized to remove a tumor from my cervical spinal cord. The tumor had been there so long my spinal cord was flat like a piece of paper. It was causing me to have a lot of trouble walking. I was constantly tripping and falling. If I held my head back to look at the sky my hands would start to stiffen and curl.

What is neurofibromatosis?

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic neurological disorder that can affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and skin. Tumors, or neurofibromas, grow along the body's nerves or on or underneath the skin. Scientists have classified NF into two distinct types: neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and NF2. NF1, formerly known as von Recklinghausen's NF, is the more common of the types. It occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 births. NF2, also referred to as bilateral acoustic NF, central NF or vestibular NF, occurs less frequently- 1 in 40,000 births. Occurences of NF1 and NF2 are present among all racial groups and affect both sexes equally. The tumors arise from changes in the nerve cells and skin cells. Tumors also may press on the body's vital areas as their size increases. NF may lead to developmental abnormalities and/or increased chances of having learning disabilities. Other forms of NF, where the symptoms are not consistent with that of NF1 or NF2, have been observed. A rare form of NF is schwannomatosis. However, the genetic cause of this form of NF has not been found.

How is neurofibromatosis treated?

Though there is no cure for either NF1 or NF2, there are ways to treat the effects the disease. Surgery may be helpful in removing tumors, though there is a risk of the tumors regenerating. For optic gliomas, treatment may include surgery and/or radiation. For scoliosis, treatment may include surgery or back braces. For symptoms associated with NF2, surgery may be a viable option, however not without complications that could result in additional loss of hearing or deafness. Hearing aids are ineffective when parts of the auditory nerve are removed. A breakthrough in treatment became available recently to NF2 patients, when the Food and Drug Administration approved an Auditory Brainstem Implant [fda.gov] for those who have parts of their auditory nerve removed and have suffered from subsequent hearing loss. The implant transmits sound signals to the brain directly and allows people to hear certain sounds and speech . Radiation treatment, may also help relieve symptoms associated with NF2.