I need help!!!

[krissy_S_22]

I was watching mystery diagnosis last night and saw the lady that was diagnosed with a schwannoma tumor. Her symptoms where very simular to mine. I have bad headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, tingling in my neck and rigth arm, jaw pain and inner ear pain or more like a fullness filling, dizziness and sometimes i have trouble focusing. I can look from one side to the other to quickly without having to focus or getting dizzy. My headaches accour everyday and sometimes do not go awya for 6 to 7 days.  My neck, sholder, arm, ear and jaw pains are all on my right side. Just the other day i started having pain on the left side of my neck. Also I have high blood pressure and I am 23 years old. I may be way off track here but at this point in time I am looking into everything. I have tried to find symtpoms of schwannoma tumor on the internet but cant seem to find what I am looking for. Could someone please tell me the symptoms of this and if you think my symptoms are anything like the symptoms of as schwannoma tumor. Thank you so much, I hope to hear from someone SOOOON
Krissy

[Larry]

Krissy,

Symptoms of AN's vary. Do you have any hearing loss? 9although this is not always the case). the best thing for you to do now is to get yourself to a neurologist and get an MRI done. That will tell you whether you have one of these beasts.

As for research, you may want to ues the words Acoustic Neuroma or contact the ANA web site.

If the medicos don't authourise an MRI for you, push them. Don't take no for an answer. that will eliminate a number of potential causes if nothing else.

Laz

[Joef]

Larry is right,  Please see your doctor and ask for a MRI with contrast !!

your symptoms can be other things..(and usually are)  but a MRI is the best way to see if it is a tumor ..

[Samantha n Adrian]

Yes…I concur.  An MRI w/ Contrast.  Symptoms do sound like an AN, but one never knows for sure.  An MRI tells it all, push very hard for it!  Good luck and please keep us posted.

Adrian

[ppearl214]

Hi Krissy and welcome. I also have to agree with everyone.... and MRI with contrast would light up anything that may... may... be there. Many situations could bring on what you experience and as JoeF noted, not necessarily an AN.  We see many that post here that are scared and anxious that do not (and sometimes do) have an AN, so I would ask your dr to order the MRI and try to bring closure to your situation.

Please hang in there and hoping for a terrific result to help ease your mind.

Phyllis

[Sam Rush]

First thngs first !! You are only 23 w/ high blood pressure. You need a good history and physical , preferably by a qualified internal medicine specialist, then appropriate tests depending on what the symptoms suggest. An MRI is not the first thing to do in a case like this. You need to find out why you have high blood pressure and get treatment if needed.  You also sound like you may be having a panic attack, which could imitate many illnesses.

If the findings of your evaluation suggest a possible central nervous system  disorder, than an MRI would be indicated.

[ppearl214]

First thngs first !! You are only 23 w/ high blood pressure. You need a good history and physical , preferably by a qualified internal medicine specialist, then appropriate tests depending on what the symptoms suggest. An MRI is not the first thing to do in a case like this. You need to find out why you have high blood pressure and get treatment if needed.  You also sound like you may be having a panic attack, which could imitate many illnesses.

If the findings of your evaluation suggest a possible central nervous system  disorder, than an MRI would be indicated.

Thanks Sam. I totally agree... please keep in mind that this being an AN website and the poster has come here seeking answers, I do agree with you and for an AN, an MRI with constrast is the way to determine if an AN does exist.  Not barring their other issues (ie: high BP, etc), what you recommend is correct... for this website and AN's, MRI is best way to confirm. I hope that clarifies why many have stated MRI to rule out an AN.

Phyl

[Samantha n Adrian]

My BP was at stratospheric levels.  Just before surgery I had one reading of 168/140 and I'm very active, follow a strict diet, and in good shape.  Doctors were very worried.  Since the surgery I have normal reading.  And yes….at 23 I had high blood pressure……I think the AN (or probably the start of one at the time….not totally sure) was the culprit.

Adrian

[krissy_S_22]

I want to think everyone for your input!!! You all really area great group of people. Your comments have really help me understand that my health issues are serious, AN or not. Just so everyone knows I made a doctors app. tomorrow. Hopefully that will go well. I am taking meds for the high blood pressure and for slight depression/ anxity, and have been for 2-3 mths now and neither one seems to be helping. I do agree that the first thing that I sould do is find out WHY I have high blood pressure. To those of you who asked I do not have any hearing loss. I have not had a hearing test done since I was younger but have not has a reason to. If anyone has anymore info or suggestions for me please feel free, thats why I am hear. Thank you all sooo much!!!
Krissy

[mema]

I think hearing loss is a very common first sign of an AN.    I have alot of neck  problems, and alot of what you describe could be neck related.  Just sleeping on a different bed or pillow causes pain in my neck, shoulder, arm.  Also gives me headaches.  My vertigo I always attributed  to the AN.  Still a MRI is a good idea.


                                                  mema

[chelsmom]

Hi Krissy,

I had to chime in here because my daughter Chelsea also had most of the symtoms you are having but had 100 % hearing on both sides.  She saw doctors for several years and a chiropractor trying to find out why she had such terrible headaches and neck, shoulder, and back pain.  They couldn't find anything wrong with her and chalked it up to stress and tension headaches.  Unfortunatly, she was diagnosed with a 6 cm AN at 17 years old.  I agree with everyone else here, push for an MRI with contrast.  If this turns out to be clear you'll at least know you've eliminated the possibility of an AN and keep searching for a cause.  Good luck at the doctors tomorrow.

All my best....Michelle

[Samantha n Adrian]

Not all symptoms of AN’s are typical.  Another member, Runnergirl, (actually had the same surgeons that I had) had very atypical symptoms.  She only had numbness in her left leg.  She chalked it up to heavy training; she’s a tri-athlete.  Her Chiro suggested an MRI w/ contrast that showed a 4+cm right AN….opposite side of her numbness.  One thing is for certain……AN’s are a very special case.

Adrian

[chrissmom]

Hi Krissy,
I felt that I needed to respond too,  as I watched my son at 22 have similar symptoms as you.   Chris had hearing up to 3 months before the tumor was discovered by his Ear, Nose & Throat doctor.  Chris had symptoms similar to yours but they seemed to come and go.  Later we found that many symptoms were caused by the build up of spinal fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) due to the 5.3 cm Acoustic Neuroma.  His ear seemed full and "plugged up"  but the most notable symptom was his balance.  There seemed to be a noticeable awkward gait as he walked.  I agree with everyone else, you need an MRI .  I hope all goes well for you and it isn't an AN but if it is, this is an excellent resource for you.  There are other young people here that can and will help you thru it all.  Good luck to you.
Rita

[FAITH40]

KRISSY,

HAVE YOUR DR. DO AN MRI/W CONTRAST IMMEDIATELY!!! I HAD HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE WHICH WAS THE LEFT AND MY TUMOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT! I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A PULLED MUSCLE AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD GO AWAY... BUT I JUST BEGAN TO IGNORE IT. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.. THE SOONER YOU KNOW THE BETTER OFF YOU WILL BE.

TAMMI