Hey Derek, great news on your MRI! Congratulations!
I'm posting a slight update on my situation below (posted here too
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=15358.0). It may be helpful to Cindy or someone else.
I had my second round of hearing loss on Mother's Day and started a dose of steroids within two hours of the hearing loss, 60mg for 5 days and then tapering off quickly for 5 days. I started acupuncture treatments the day after the hearing loss. My hearing came back and is perhaps slightly better than it was in March when I had a hearing test. I've been off the steroids for almost a week and have continued with the acupuncture. I'm going 3 times a week (costing me a fortune!), lots of needles on my AN side with as much electricity as I am comfortable with for about 30 minutes. Last week I got a cold from a reduced immune system, thanks to the steroids, and have had a stuffy head (causing pressure in my ears) but my hearing is hanging in there.
From what I understand the AN creates pressure and presses on the cranial nerves. The steroids reduce inflammation, thus reducing pressure. I'm not sure what the acupuncture does, but my acupuncturist is working on the neuroma which she describes as a swollen nerve, to reduce the swelling. The ENT folks say that the tumor is an overgrowth of the schwannoma cells. These cells insulate the nerve, in this case the vestibular nerve (balance nerve)
As per the instructions of the acupuncturists, I have also removed all dairy products from my diet and am keeping sodium, sugar and wheat at a minimum as all of these foods are known to promote inflammation. I 'm also drinking lots of water (thank you Derek). I have also stopped using my cell phone except for on speaker and have stopped using my cordless headset (I've used a headset for over 15years). I've also been instructed to stay away from high altitudes (airplanes) and avoid swimming during treatment. I'm also doing kundalini yoga and avoiding stress.
My plan is to continue the acupuncture until July 14th when I have another MRI. I will have another hearing test in about 10 days to see if my hearing remains stable. Thankfully I have great insurance for the MRIs and hearing tests, I just wish the insurance recognized acupuncture in the same way it sees other medicine. I figure my hearing is a worthy investment!
The steroids were an awful experience for me and made me feel psychotic. I had "wonky head" and felt really, really strange coming off the prednisone. My gut is still suffering. I'm crossing everything that the acupuncture works but it's too early to tell. I will post as I progress...
Oh, one more thing, I drink red wine fairly regularly. I had stopped for a week (trying to be more healthy) when I had the sudden hearing loss. Turns out red wine is an anti-inflammatory and a blood thiner. Two good things for ANs. Cabernet Savignon is my medicine of choice!
C'est moi,
Lisa M
