Hi Tracie,
I am also a newby and newly confirmed an of just about the same size as yours. I have been in the diagnosis stage for over a year, with the primary symptom of dizziness and vertigo. My docs all thought it was menieres until one finally ordered an MRI which confirmed the tumor. And like you, mine is too small for any treatment at this time. So watch and wait it is.
I thing one thing I have learned from reading through this site is that each of us will react/respond in our own unique fashion to our neuromas.
I had my first symptom over a year ago now, as a very severe attack of vertigo, followed by lesser attacks, and finally months of constant rotational spinning. It has now subsided to daily unsteadiness, with occassional spinning days. I have fibromyalgia and arthritis, so I can somewhat related to joint issues.
I had a big walk scheduled in early November down in Phoenix and a friend suggested a hiking stick as a way to keep balanced while walking (I tend to touch walls around work to keep 'centered'). I tried the stick, and waws able to walk 60 miles in 3 days without falling down once. I was only a little dizzy the first day, but havng something to hang on to, that let me sense the ground was in the same place everytime I put my feet down really helped.
I have seen others use a cane, but for me the walking stick is perfect, light weight,more comfortable hand position, and it can fold and be stuffed in my backpack. Plus it's very jaunty, and people ask if you are getting ready for a hike, rather than if you're all right!
By the way, I live and work and Grand Canyon National Park, and can't even go to the rim anymore, so part of the challenge is learning your own triggers, and making changes to accommodate.
It sounds like we're in this together!
Laura
