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Author Topic: I hope not AN  (Read 6462 times)

G35power

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I hope not AN
« on: April 11, 2007, 12:51:19 am »
Welp, I am a 22 year old male in general good health. Im just wondering if this type of tinnitus is in sync with AN (2 doctors and one ENT didnt think so). Anyways, I hear a ocean-like roar in my right ear (almost like putting my ear in a shell).  When I clear my ears it takes extra long for my right ear to reach equilibrium. When I turn my head upside-down, I hear loud pulsating and loud swooshing. I had a hearing test and everything seems to be OK in that department. Could this be a acoustic neuroma? My doctor laughed at me when I asked him.  ??? ??? ???
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ppearl214

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2007, 06:27:41 am »
Hi G35.

Agree with Bruce... an MRI with constrast is how you will confirm if you have an AN... and yes, tinnitus is a by-product of AN's, but as previously noted, other things can also bring on tinnitus.

I would also suggest an MRI with constrast to rule out if you do or do not have an AN.

Good luck
Phyl
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Joef

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2007, 07:16:22 am »
Yep there is a long list of things which could cause "T" .. AN's are only 1 of them ...and I would guess one of smallest percentage of causes .. the other posters are correct , and MRI/contrast  is the best way to tell .. and if you dont have any other issues (hearing,balance, etc) I bet they wont want or need to get a MRI just yet....
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macintosh

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2007, 11:09:27 am »
I agree with all of the previous posters--you should get an MRI with contrast to rule out an AN, even though the chances are somewhere in single digits (i.e., less than 10%) that these symptoms wil turn out to be the result of one. Are you in an HMO or an 80/20? MRIs cost several thousand dollars, and, given the odds, HMO-affiliated doctors with little AN experience might be reluctant to spend the money on a contrast MRI.
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Sheryl

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2007, 12:54:34 pm »
Along with all the other good advice, I would get a new doctor who didn't "laugh at me". 
Sheryl
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9th cranial nerve schwannoma - like an acoustic neuroma on another nerve. Have recently been told it could be acoustic neuroma. Only 7 mm of growth in 18 years. With no symptoms. Continuing W&W

G35power

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2007, 06:34:03 pm »
im a blue cross ppo holder.

Im going to see another specialist on friday. i havent been so scared in my life, and im usually not scared easily.  :-\
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G35power

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2007, 06:38:17 pm »
oh and we called my doctor today, and he was reluctant to give me a brain scan. I dunno, hes known to be a good doctor.
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Sheryl

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2007, 08:26:36 pm »
Glad that you are getting another opinion.  PLEASE keep us all posted - we've all been there and, yes, it is frightening even for the unfrightenables (I really don't think that's a word but the meaning comes through)!! 
Sheryl
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9th cranial nerve schwannoma - like an acoustic neuroma on another nerve. Have recently been told it could be acoustic neuroma. Only 7 mm of growth in 18 years. With no symptoms. Continuing W&W

macintosh

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2007, 09:18:56 pm »
From one who had radiosurgery in January, after doing tons of research: (1) Odds are very high that you do not have an AN. My ENT said about 4 to 5% of those who have classic AN symptoms and are MRIed for an AN actually turn out to have one, and (2) If you have an AN, odds are again very high that it will be treatable with minimal side effects. The early days, when  you don't know what's going on, are often the scariest part of this experience. Still: I would make sure to get an MRI to rule out the possibility, even if it's only for your state of mind.
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Larry

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2007, 11:24:10 pm »
G35,

I am sick and tired of these doctors who just want the visit fee and are not prepared to explore options. Albeit different, we just had an inquest (in Sydney) following the death of a 16 year old girl who got hit by a golf ball. The doctor didn't prescribe the right meds and she died a few days later (this actually happenned 2 years ago). the doctor's lame excuse was "I was too tired to focus on the right medication".

If I was that girls father, I would be in court for murder at this point because i would have throttled the guy.

We have many posters here that have been poorly / misdiagnosed in the past and have had to suffer for periods of time until they were properly diagnosed.

Sheryl is spot on - sack your "quack" and get another opinion. Also, follow Bruce's lead and get an MRI.

You could go back to your doctor and get him to sign a piece of paper that says he does not believe that you need an MRI and if you do in fact have an AN, that you are entitled to sue him for millions in compensation. See what he says to that one.

Sorry for sounding heavy / bitter but being a parent who is going through a rough trott with my 21 year old daughter and the medical system, your situation is just too close to home for me.

One very important lesson that this forum has taught a lot of us is "get other opinions" you can't be too safe with your own health and you need to take the lead with that.

good luck


Laz


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G35power

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2007, 09:42:54 am »
I see where youre coming from Larry. My dad suffered at the hands of doctors when he had a stroke. He still doesnt have any movent or speech. Now you know where my paranoia is coming from. I'm afraid I might end up like him. Ill keep you guys posted.

thanks
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Jwh

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2007, 01:56:37 pm »
Hi,

I was 25 when I went to the ENT with "T" and he said that he didn't want to send me for an expensive MRI.  Two years later, I went to see another ENT who sent me for a MRI.  Guess what, I had an AN...  Follow thru for yourself and get the MRI for peace of mind...

Jen
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5/01  1.3 AN removed at NYU using Retrosig. Approach
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G35power

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2007, 09:47:21 am »
welp its been 3 hellish months since my tinnitus started. I can confidently say it has significantly decreased. almost to the point where I cant hear it now. I think my doc was right it ws just eustachian tube dysfunction. It took a while for the meds to work. ;D thanks for your suppoirt anyways guys. I wish you all the best.
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BeJoi

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2007, 09:58:27 am »
I was very fortunate in that my ENT listened to my symptoms--which were basically reduced hearing in my right ear and the sound of a "heartbeat" in that ear as well--and decided to do bloodwork, hearing tests, and an MRI so that he could rule out any physiological problems.  He did not laugh at me, and I'm so thankful he did what he did, because as it turned out, I do have a small to medium AN on my right side.  When he did the MRI, he told me that inner ear tumors are very rare, and he didn't expect me to have one.  But I did.  Thank God he did all the tests he did, so that I know what I need to do and can make informed decisions about it.

Never stay with a doctor who doesn't respect your opinion or questions.  I'm 48 years old and I've brought a family member with me to every appointment so that I can make sure I hear what the doctor has really said and also so that the family member can ask what I forget to ask.  You may want to do the same thing.  You're never too old to have someone there supporting you.

I agree with everyone so far in that there can be many reasons for what you're experiencing.  The important thing is that you listen to your gut and get the right tests--an MRI with contrast, as everyone has said--so that you can have peace of mind and know that you've not left any rock unturned.

Good Luck!

Beverly
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Windsong

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Re: I hope not AN
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2007, 07:10:30 pm »
Hi Beverly,

I saw that you replied to my link re the video about linac and the star wars type lol machine but I also saw your post about the "heartbeat" sound in the ear. I've noticed that mentioned before here in posts but haven't replied on them but thought I would now. I can remember that I had that sound in my ear so long ago that I was  probably around 11 or 12 years old. It kept me awake quite a few nights.  And if I remember it now it must have been quite something at the time. I suppose it had to  be very loud and intrusive then as I don't recall more than maybe once or twice since and haven't  had any for years now except maybe once the last couple of years. I guess this makes me wonder if that is a symptom or can be a symptom of An and makes me wonder if the darn thing was entrenching and trying to grow at that time....


Hope your treatment continues to go well. All the best.
Windsong
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