ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Balance Issues => Topic started by: C-Biscuit on December 01, 2011, 10:06:23 am
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Hi - Just had an MRI done this week to rule out acoustic neuroma. Do not have it (good) however I now need to figure out what is wrong with me. First symptoms started about 3 mos ago - pounding in my left ear (about 1-2 times per day, usually at work). The pounding is random and feels like someone is tap dancing or a drumbeat (sounds muffled). Then the pounding started occurring when I hear a noise - like a reverberation or feedback (think of a construction site when you first hear the pounding of a hammer and then hear the echo afterward). I now feel the click/reverberation after I complete a sentence and it will still happen randomly on its own. I also (for entire 3 months) have felt some random vertigo (maybe once a day, not frequent). Feels like my whole body freezes up and if I take another step I will fall off a cliff, like I am floating...this is a split second type of feeling and it is scary. Feels like my sight "jumps" when this happens too. Now as I sit at my desk I feel my head kind of leaning towards the left (my bad ear), like I am floating. I have also been nauseous fairly frequently and have tinnitus all day (but MUCH worse at night b/c there is no background sounds to block it). My ear also feels full and is sometimes painful, but I still have good hearing (although I am finding that loud noises - i.e. my kids crying / listening to music will bother me - it doesn't hurt it's just uncomfortable, like nails on a chalkboard). My right ear has some pain as well (no other symptoms with it). There is no fluid in my ears (doctor already checked). I am waiting to hear from the MD to tell me what is next (ENT appointment I guess). But does anyone have an idea of what could be wrong? Sounds like some kind of inner ear issue I guess...there are so many common symptoms. I am worried that I could lose my hearing if this continues much longer especially since the symptoms have progressed so quickly....any insight would help. I hate how I feel right now. THANK YOU!!!
This is a great site - unbelievable support system.
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Hi C-Biscuit .....
First of all, it is good that you do not have an acoustic neuroma, but bad that you still have no answers and a relief from your symptoms.
I am not a doctor, but there are many inner ear disturbances (e.g. Meniere's Disease) that can mimic symptoms of an AN. Hopefully further tests at a visit to the ENT will assist in a correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
Just want to make sure your MRI was done with contrast ..... if it was not, it is possible to have a small AN and it not be seen. If it was done with contrast, with a reliable machine and read by an experienced radiologist, it is very accurate in picking up even a tiny AN.
Best wishes for an accurate diagnosis and relief from your symptoms.
Clarice
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Hi - Thanks so much for getting back to me. Yes, it was done with and without contrast. When I do speak to the doctor I will certainly ask about the radiologist. I do know that even the smallest of AN's could cause symptoms.