Hi Jim
Thank you for your post, it is difficult to get anyone to listen to you. I recently had an appointment at the rheumatologist department and the Dr asked me loads of questions done a brief examination and then said I think you may have fibromyalgia. (I had been diagnosed years before) what a waste of time.
I have been told try not to take tablets and just cope with the pain.
My daughter age 19 had a terrible chest infection had a chest x-ray and was told it was cancer. They then said they got her results mixed up with another woman. My husband has had an on going problem with his eye, he says he feels like an eye inconveniently attached to a person.
Butterflyhugz:
My wife (age 53) has suffered with fibromyalgia for the past dozen years and so, I have some understanding of your problem. The fibromyalgia is either ignored by some physicians or else it's used as a 'catch-all' diagnosis by others. Maddening! Frankly, she has never had most of the symptoms you mention, such as tinnitus. Occasional (rare) facial pain, yes, but no dizzyness or ear problems. However, as we are all individuals, it isn't wise to make direct comparisons to others, even other people with fibromyalgia...so I won't.  :)ÂÂ
It appears as if you have already decided to get the MRI scan, which it seems is the best course of action for you, now. Too bad that you have to wait so long to get it. Acoustic neuromas may grow slowly - but they can also have 'spurts' of growth - which may be what is happening in your case. The MRI test will solve the mystery.ÂÂ
I have no idea how the U.K.'s National Health System bureaucracy 'works', (a relative term) but can you apply for a waiver of some sort to get 'moved up' on the MRI-candidate list?  If so, I would do it....or find a physician to recommend you receive an MRI scan, as soon as possible.  When it comes to diagnosing AN's, time is not necessarily on your side because removal (via radiation) is much easier when they are small. I only wish I had responded to my symptoms and been checked out years earlier than I was. When I eventually developed symptoms severe enough to drive me into a doctor's office, the resulting MRI my doctor ordered (and the diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma it clearly showed) necessitated a surgical removal due to the size (4.5cc) of the tumor. Fortunately, the surgery was extremely successful and I am well on the way to a complete recovery, sans AN, with the only permanent damage being a total loss of hearing in my left ear, which was expected - and manageable. I suggest that you try to get the MRI as soon as possible.
