Author Topic: Possible AN?  (Read 2827 times)

Mab2018

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Possible AN?
« on: June 23, 2018, 10:35:43 am »
I apologize, this is long....

A little over a month ago I went to the walk in clinic due to my ear feeling odd, not pain, but plugged. I was also dizzy and having balance issues. The NP felt my issues were due to a little wax build up and cleaned my ear out. She stated it looked like I had some fluid in my ear, but that it didn't appear to be infected. She gave me a 5 day prescription of Prednisone.
After I was done taking that, my ear felt the same so I went to my regular doctor. She also stated she felt there was fluid in my ear still. She gave me a 7 day prescription of Prednisone and had be do nasal rinses, Flonase, Benedryl at night, Zyrtec in the morning.
After that 7 days, my ear was even worse. The pressure was worse and I had started to have a ringing in my ear. My doctor gave me a prescription for an antibiotic, which didn't do anything, but she wasn't sure what else to do.
I was able to get into an audiologist (ENT is months out) and had my hearing tested. My left ear is normal, but my right ear had moderate to severe hearing loss of both low and high frequency, the middle frequency was normal. My ability to discriminate words was also lower in my right ear. She said I have sudden sensorineural hearing loss. She stated she doesn't think there was ever fluid in my ear, but that both the previous doctors were seeing some scar tissue that can look like fluid. She stated she would speak with the ENT and he would decide if my appointment date for mid July was okay or if he wanted to see me sooner.
Within an hour the ENT office called and stated he wanted to see me the next morning. He also didn't feel that there was ever fluid in my ear as well. The ENT stated the hearing loss could have been caused by a virus, but he wanted to rule out a tumor. I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast next month. He seemed to imply it probably wasn't AN, but was doing an MRI just in case. The more I research, the more I wonder if he was downplaying the possibility. He gave me a 14 day prescription of much higher dose of Prednisone. I have 1 more day of that and it's done nothing. 

My symptoms:
Hearing loss of low and high frequency in the right ear, I suspsect it happened much earlier than the last month. For at least a year I've gotten irritated with my husband because I claim he's always mumbling. (I can't really find anything that talks about losing both low and high)
Tinnitus in the right ear (constant)
Pressure in the right ear (pressue is always there, severity changes)
Numbness in the right check, corner of my mouth, and along the jawline (Intermittent)
Balance issues/dizzy feeling (Intermittent)

I know these symptoms could be any number of things and the only way to know for sure is an MRI, but the wait is killing me. Am I being overly paranoid?Has anyone had these symptoms and it turned out to be something else?

MarlaB

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2018, 11:06:09 am »
I am glad to hear your doctor is being proactive. yes, I have heard of a number of cases where this turns out that it is NOT an AN, however, in my case, I was sent home for nearly 20 years before I finally got a doctor to check for a tumor "just in case" and it was. You don't know what it is, until you know what it isn't. I wish you the best, knowing if it IS a vestibular schwannoma/acoustic neuroma, you are in the right place, and if it ISN'T it isn't!

Remember to breathe.

Marla B.

Mab2018

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2018, 11:45:02 am »
I'm so sorry it took nearly 20 years for you to get answers! My few more weeks I have to wait seems like nothing compared to that.
Thank you for your reply. I'm trying to remember to breathe and not worry. It will be what it will be and there is nothing I can do about it.

notaclone13

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2018, 12:01:41 pm »
MAb2018, when is your MRI? Until you have a definitive answer try to stay calm.  Easier said than done, I know. 

Mab2018

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2018, 12:02:52 pm »
I'm scheduled for an MRI on July 5 and then see the audiologist and ENT July 6.

Letty

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2018, 05:14:46 pm »
Keep us updated on what you find out.

Patti

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Re: Possible AN?
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2018, 06:42:04 pm »
All I can say is that I totally empathize with you.  That is a long time to wait! The torture is very real for anyone waiting to find results of a medical test.  I guess the only thing I can say on the positive side is that ANs grow VERY slowly so try not to worry that anything more will happen in the next month. just stay overly busy with fun things and let the days pass.  Best of luck to you!
4 cm AN removed 12/2000
subsequent brain swelling
removal of part of cerebellum
face, scalp,tongue numbness and partial paralysis
no corneal sensation and no tears-frequent eye issues
cognitive issues
Regrowth (3.1 x ..86 cm) treated by SRS on November 6, 2015