want to ask questions new to this

[sunflower]

I have had an inner ear infection for 5-6 months treated with antibiotics each time.  Never really whent away.
I stared having pain on my left side of my head and behind my left ear on July 3,2005.
whent to dr, and gave more antibiotics and sad the glands behind my ear where infected also
after a week of med. the pain was so sever i left work and went back to dr.  he said i had a vey bad inner ear infection
and gave me an injection of antibiotis for three days straight. still pain on left sid of head
he said i had an inflamed nerve and gave me neurotin and never explained.  i work for a dentist who thought i could have
trigemanal nueralgia. sent me to a nuerosurgen, he set me up for mri w contrast dye, and never really said what it could be
i noticed on the dischare sheet he wrote acustic nueroma. so i started searching for anything
could some help me and ease my worries my mri is on monday july 25,2005 and i havd an appt. w/ ent same day
help

[russ]

Hi SUNFLOWER!
  Well, you needn't panic for sure. ANs are generally the slowest growing of benign brain tumors, comprising 6% of all brain tumors. Growth rates, if growing, may be about 1 - 2 mm. per year.
  It's a good thing you have another MRI scheduled as MRI has an inherrant factor of + or - 1 - 2 mm. in tumor size and exact location.
  Would like to read the results of that MRI re: Tumor size and location.
  Can you still hear ok and have good balance?
  In some cases of AN, careful watching and waiting is preferred over treatment depending on size and location and whether the AN tumor is growing or not.
  Treatment options include 3 basic forms of microscopic neurosurgery or a couple different forms of radiation.
  Keep reading some posts here and notice the 'search' box at the top. Spend time at the ANA's home page http://www.anausa.org/ or http:www.hei.org/ ( House Ear Institute ) in LA. Maybe even http://www.irsa.org/
  It's good to choose a treatment provider who does a lot of AN treatments in a year. Say, at least 1 or 2 a week minimally and possibly get a couple opinions by 2 neurosurgeons and 2 radio-oncologists ( not that this is malignant ). You can receive other opinions by having your MRI sent to various institutions. HEI being 'prime' and a free telephone consult from Drs Brackmann or Friedman.
  Don't be frightened at surgical reports you might see on the web at http:///www.anarchives.org/ The editor employs scare tactics in their anti-surgical and pro-radiation bias.
  Best wishes. Please feel free to post anytime with any question.
  Russ

[MyrnaB]

Hi Sunflower!  Just want you to know that sometimes these misdiagnoses are a blessing.  I had one doctor hand me my MRI results that said "possible acoustic neuroma" and tell me I needed to see a shrink because I had no problem.  I had my surgery in Feb. of 2005 for a 2cm tumor.  But, like you, I started doing my own research, and found the best in doctors to do my treatment, which for me was surgery.  If the first doctor would have seen it, I possibly would of been frightened at the words "brain tumor" and let him operate.  His ignorance was a blessing.  I found this site and have made many friends and have had so much support.  Hang in there.  You'll be fine in what treatment you choose, and like Russ said, you have plenty of time.  Good Luck!