My symptoms were sudden. Tinnitus all of a sudden and a suction blocked sensation on my left ear. Within 2 days went and saw a GP. Tinnitus was loud. He said not to panic, wait and see if it goes away and to call in 2 weeks if it didn't. That was a friday. That weekend it was consuming me. Tinnitus was so sudden and weird, i'm not generally a sickly person, felt like there was something really foreign going on. Went and saw another GP on the weekend. She told me to relax, it's nothing, millions have tinnitus. On the Monday was complaining to a friend about the tinnitus driving me crazy. She called an ENT friend of hers, got me in on the Tuesday. He tells me I'm too young and healthy to have anything seriously wrong, but there's always a chance. Referred me to an audiologist in 2 weeks. Tinnitus was driving me crazy, I made the appointments in few days. I could see on audiologist's face that he thought there was something wrong. Back to see ENT in few days. He tells me hearing on one side down in the higher frequencies, not a big deal, scheduled me for an MRI in two weeks. Reassured me nothing would likely be wrong, but we'd do the check just in case. Couldn't wait 2 week. Rang many radiologists, got into one the next afternoon with my referral. Was nervous all day. Thought there was somehting wrong. That afternoon MRI done. 3.5 cm AN. Hmmm, ENT little bit surprised. Can't complain at all though - he was great, never dismissed my complaint, he truly thought it wasn't likely to be anything serious, but he was very professional and cautious and referred me for thorough testing. I wish all doctors were the same, he was great.
Yes, your symptoms do sound atypical - but the thing about ANs is that they go misdiagnosed in many cases because the symptoms really can relate to so many other less serious things. It is rare, so you can understand that most ENTs will not assume that hte likely diagnosis is an AN if there is so many other more common explanations for the symptoms. However that is no excuse for not exercising caution and referring a patient for an MRI if symptoms remain unexplained. I recall getting into a false sense of security when I was researching on the net pre-diagnosis and I read one ENT surgeon's views that MRIs should not be ordered for AN investigation unless patient has severe dizziness. I did not have severe dizinness. Naturally I dismissed that as a realistic diagnosis - didn't really help the shock factor post MRI.
I think there is just as much chance that you don't have a tumour (in my humble opinion) and I will be saying a prayer for you hoping that you don't. Please keep us posted. I pray that your MRI comes up nice and clear.
