ANA Discussion Forum

Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: km5 on August 11, 2015, 03:01:09 pm

Title: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: km5 on August 11, 2015, 03:01:09 pm
Hello everyone,
Son with neuroma is now 30 and has been watching and waiting for seven years.  After two years of no growth he stopped getting MRIs.  Today's issue:  His neuroma side started ringing last night and today he's lost a lot of hearing in his AN ear and it feels "stuffed".  So of course he's looking for a doctor ASAP and worrying....
From my reading, ANs grow very slowly and one doesn't lose hearing all of a sudden.  He is not dizzy.  I'm hoping he just has an ear infection.  Is this just a mother's optimism?
You all have been so helpful in the past. 
Thanks,
kitkit
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: mcrue on August 11, 2015, 04:23:28 pm
Hopefully it is just a scare and steroids may help him out; however, as you know, people on "Watch & Wait" must have MRI's at least every other year for the rest of their life.

Best wishes.
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: sunny on August 11, 2015, 08:37:47 pm
Hi kitkit,

I'm sorry to hear your son is experiencing some symptoms. Of course he should see a doctor, get an MRI, and have it checked out...but I will tell you (although not to worry you) that my AN symptoms did show up overnight, at least the tinnitus and "fullness" did. I woke up feeling like there was water stuck in my ear after the shower, but it didn't go away. I suspect my slight hearing loss might have been gradual, but I finally noticed it that morning, too.

So although ANs grow slowly, I guess for some people (me) there is just a "tipping point" for some symptoms?
But like mcrue said, I hope it's a simple scare and steroids will right it.

All the best to you.

sunny
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: GaryWNT on August 11, 2015, 09:14:33 pm
KM5,
My AN first showed up as fullness in the ear, slight hearing loss at some frequencies. After about 6 months of that, I had sudden hearing loss in the AN ear. Steroid IVs brought the hearing back . . . but in following up with an MRI, my AN was diagnosed. By that time it was about 2.5cm . . . so on the medium/large size. Now planning surgery. I hope things go well for your son!
Gary
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son - good news
Post by: km5 on August 13, 2015, 08:52:38 am
Ear infection!!! A great relief.  Crazy how ear stuffiness and hearing loss and tinnitus takes our minds immediately to the AN when it is equally likely that an ear infection caused the symptoms.  Sudafed and Flonase and he's feeling much better.
Thanks for your thoughts.  It turns out it's 2 1/2 yrs since last MRI and he is scheduling it.
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: Sheryl on August 16, 2015, 02:20:38 pm
Great News!!  Oh how our minds run to worst case scenerios.  Glad he will get an MRI too.
Sheryl
Title: Re: update on 23-year-old son
Post by: sunny on August 17, 2015, 09:55:35 pm
Wonderful news, km5!
I'm so very glad for all of you.

Take care,
sunny