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Leslie:
I am a 42 yr old female, and just found out that the vertigo and loss of hearing in my ear was not due to allergies, ear infection or water in my ear canal as my doctor had diagnosed.  After 4 months of different types of decongestants I finally got him to agree to refer me to an ENT.  I had my MRI last week, and was told that I have a 3.5 tumor.  My doctor is referring me to a specialist to have surgery, I am awaiting a call to find out when this will take place. 
I am kind of in shock,  and realized that I didnt ask alot of questions,  so I am kind of in the dark about this whole thing.  I think what shocked me the most was the idea that I will be permantly deaf in one ear.  I am kind of anxious about the whole procedure,  and would like some info/advice anything that i can or should expect with regards to surgery, recovery, etc.
Actually any advice at all.  I also have been tired for the past 6-8 months,  and figured that it was due to lack of exercise, so i joined a gym.  It has helped some,  but still feel like i can never get enough sleep,  could this be a symptom of this also?
Any advice at all will help,  while i am waiting to see the specialist

thanks

Battyp:
Hi Leslie and welcome to out little club.  So sorry you are joining us!
Yes, the tiredness can be a symtpom of the an...at least for me it was.  I found I could hardly get out of bed before I was diagnosed.  Not sure the reason just know I had a problem.

Have you copletely lost your hearing in your an side?  Translab and retro will give you a chance to save what little hearing you might have left.  Also, there are several types of hearing aids on the market to help with ssd.  several of us are in the process of getting them or have gotten them and will be more than happy to share what we know. 

best advice I can give you as a newbie is request a copy of your mri and medical records and hold on to them.  You will need them for any consults you will get and can send copies of them to get consults from places that might be far from you but with great reputations like House in LA. 

What part of the country are you in?  (assuming you're stateside) we do have several here from UK or Oz and Canada.

Please know we're here to help you with any questions you might have.  We're a very friendly bunch  ;D  Did you request any of the AN brochures from the ana?  They are very informative and helpful too.

All my best to you,
Michelle

PS...remember to take a deep breath as this is treatable!

Patti UT:
HI Leslie,

   So sorry it wasn't allergies. 3.5 is pretty big.. Find out if it is pressing on your brain stem. If it is, there may be reason to look to surgery sooner. Otherwise, these tumors are typicaly slow growing, so take a deep breath, you have a little time to research, and start collecting all the info you can. The fatigue I would guess is what I call, "sensory fatigue" When your straining to hear, and you hearing effects your balance, and your having vertigo/balance issues from the tumor, your brain is working extra hard to compensate for all of this and thus making you fatigued.  That's my take on it anyway.(or at least the excuse I give myself for being fatigued all the time) If I'm not mistaken, it's the Translab surgery approach that wipes out the hearing, the Middle fossa and the Retro will preserve some of it. Look at the Pre surgical option section for answers and descriptions.  having not seen the ENT specialist yet I am sure you are quite in the dark on all the Acoustic Neuroma lingo. Be picky about who does the surgery, numbers mean a lot. make sure the surgeon does many, many of these a year. ALthough some of the info on here might frighten you from some of the post op issues people have, Please try to focus on what you can learn from everyone. We have all been through the journey you are now beginning and know what you re going throuhg. The shared stories give you a good insight on what you can expect and what is posible. Some people breeze through this pretty well and it is encouraging to read about their successs. Others, not so well, but it's nice, without thinking negative, to know what could be.  There is lots the doctors don't tell you about, and you will find lots of that info here. Feel free to post ANY question you have. There's usually someone who will have a good response. At everyone is freindly and supportive.  Unfortunately, now that you are diagnosed, as you go through the research process, you may find you get even less sleep. You may want to talk to your Doc about a sleep aid for this trying time. it really helps to get some good sleep.
Welcome, and Try to think positively.

Patti UT

Joef:
Welcome Leslie!!

I had a girlfriend name Leslie as a teenager (about 25 years ago) !  ;) ... believe it not, losing your hearing on one side is not so bad .. its when your in noisy places like restaurants where it becomes a pain, and you wont be able to tell were sounds comes from! . my wife has to tell me .. and finding the cats at night becomes a real challenge!!!!!

Battyprincess is giving you good advice!!.. get copies of your MRI and send them around to get other options.. after your not getting a wart removed .. you want (need) the best working on you!  We are a friendly bunch ask us anything ..

oh yea ... fatigue is a problem .. in last weeks before my surgery, I was hard to do anything!  I remember I needed to shovel some mulch that was on the driveway .. it took 2 shovel fulls .. and I needed to go in and rest.. it was at that moment (about 1 week before my surgery) that I fully accepted that I was in bad shape .. But thats all gone now!! .. I'm back to work... I still have some dry eye and facial weakness issues ..but  life has returned to normal ..   

  Joe

Palace:
Leslie,


I wrote an post for you but, sent the reply when some other people did.  It got knocked-out and went away.  I have to leave for my second doctor appointment of the day.

My story is similar to yours.



More later.........there are fabulous people here to help,



Palace

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