ANA Discussion Forum
Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: new_mexico on December 15, 2012, 10:00:07 am
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Hello, I just joined the forum. I lost my hearing developed tinnitus suddenly in the early 2000s in one ear, and was eventually diagnosed with an AN in my lateral right internal auditory canal, right cochlea, with suspected enhancement along right facial never canal (3-4mmx .5MM). I have had 4 MRIs since the first diagnosis in 2008, and there doesn't seem to be any progression. I do have some facial spasms on the right side. I am very anxious because in the past month there has been some pulsing on the left side fo my head only when I am in bed, and I seem to hear my pulse on that side. I've never had problems there before and am just hoping it isn't related to either my original AN or, god forbid, to an AN on the other side I am 60 years old and otherwise very healthy, but sometimes I feel like I have this time bomb ticking in my head. I have an appt. scheduled with my primary care doctor next week but I am wondering if I should also consult an AN specialist at some point. Any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Welcome to our Wait + Watch club. With the small size and age and no progression of your AN, hopefully you`ll be able to deal with this without having to do much but stay extremely healthy. There is so much here on our W+W forum to help you along. Best wishes, Mickey (6yrs)
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Hi there N_M...
The 'pulsing' sensation that you refer to when in bed is very common (me included) and usually associated with inadvertent compression of a pulse point which tends to cease when you move your head to a different position on your pillow. I do not think it is associated with your AN but for your peace of mind have it checked out by your doc at your scheduled appointment next week.
Oh..and a very warm welcome to the Forum.
Regards
Derek
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Hi there, welcome to our little club! Sorry you had to find us in the first place but you won't find a better place for support and just a good place to vent, if you need to! So I take it that you had your diagnosis by an ENT doctor maybe? Another good source if you need to find another doctor is on the main ANA home page....there's a link at the lower right side on selecting a physician. Then you can select the state and find one nearest you. Or you can do a search in the forum for a particular doctor. Some clinics can review MRI cd's for free, such as House Ear Clinic http://www.houseearclinic.com/ (http://www.houseearclinic.com/). On that webpage, there's a link for Acoustic Neuroma patients, and it'll tell you what to do. I only suggest House because that's what I did (and eventually had them do the surgery) so I am kind of biased on them! :) There's a lot of options out there, but getting at least another opinion, regardless if you go with them, would be a nice piece of mind. Let us know how it goes, and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask here. Take care and hang in there! :)
Jay
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Thank you all for your comments. After years of very little information, I've sent my MRIs to Dr. Chang at Stanford, and he was in touch with me almost immediately. We are continuing our correspondence and I have certainly learned a lot.