Thanks once again for the opportunity to hear from those who have responded, your kind words and thoughtful sharing of stories has helped me greatly through this ordeal.
I visited my retired Doctor in immediate care who had been my Doc for 35 years out of desperation 2 weeks ago looking for anyone who could help me. He reviewed my entire case and started me on a over the counter Meclizine 25 MG 3 times a day for Vertigo. In addition, he recommended I start taking Ginger as it has helped his wife greatly with her Vertigo. Both have helped and the severe Vertigo is manageable.
I had an appointment with the Neurologist and she immediately ordered an MRI due to the fact I could not pass a simple hand eye coordination test. She also put me on 60MG of Prednisone for the next month which has eliminated my "ice pick" headaches. I'm still feeling the effects of a wonky head 24-7, can't work, drive or walk a straight line.
On my first visit to physical therapy today, the therapist evaluated my balance issues and determined that my visual neurology is pretty messed up and that my eyes won't pass protocol. So she recommended I start first with a Optometrist that is certified in Neurological retraining issues and this should be my first step in dealing with my balance... who by the way is not covered by my insurance and costs thousands of dollars.
It's been an interesting, frustrating and depressing journey that started out with a simple minor problem of a slight hearing and balance loss. If I've learned one thing in the last 9 months, the treatment of Acoustic Neuroma Tumors is a journey of self discovery with little to no information or feedback (other than this site and you wonderful people) on the treatment or the after effects. I've discovered that I don't like our health care system very much at all. The lack of coordination among physicians and the overall well being of patients is a lot less that I expected. I still don't have any answers to most of my questions.
As previously noted, I went from a very healthy active person, running 50 miles a week, working 60 hours a week and loving every minute of my life filled with challenges. I've always been 100% responsible for the actions I take and the results I get, I blame no one but myself. I should have chosen "watch and wait" but instead I took action based on sketchy information from a less that informed source of "Professional Doctors" sorry, I had to get that dig in there!!!!
I will continue to challenge my Doctors to find the answers about my AN. Every appointment is met with the same stare and the words uttered, "not sure what is going on" which I find unacceptable and unprofessional. I even had a ENT Doctor tell me that"when they cook your brain, it does funny stuff, but I really don't know anything about your case". Where in the world do you radiate a guys head and give him no information on what to expect during the following year, or worse yet, leave every question unanswered on every symptom and reaction I experiencing. This has got to go down as the worst interaction with humankind I have ever encountered.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, The courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Please Please Please... do your homework before taking any action and make sure the Doctors you are dealing with are the absolute best people to deal with, question EVERYTHING!!!!
To Paul.. I just went back and re read your entire blog, I laughed and cried at the same time knowing that you have experienced the same things I am going through now. Words cannot express my gratitude to you for taking the time to put in writing your experiences and the comfort they bring. Thanks!!!!