Possible AN

[sarah001]

 :)Hi  my name is Sarah and I am 38, I have been having ringing in my left ear and for a few years now doctors always said it was nothing to worry about and gave me nose sprays which did not work  and never referred me, then for the last couple of months I have been getting a sort of pins and needles/numbness in my left side of my face which kept coming and going until last week when it seem to be there most of the time and the high pitch noise in my ear is getting louder so I went to the doctors Tuesday  and she said she thinks it could be a growth on my nerve which I looked up to be an AN and she would get me an appointment at ENT which I thought would take weeks and it was here yesterday and I have an appointment for 24th of may, I just wondered what usually happens at ENT and what tests if any I am likely to have any information would be great please.

[ppearl214]

Hi Sarah and welcome.

The best way to confirm if there is any "growth" is via MRI done with contrast.  If it is, by chance, an AN, then the MRI will pick it up.  There could be soooo many reasons for what you are experiencing but if it is a "growth" of some sort on the nerve, then the MRI is key to the diagnosis. If no "growth" is discovered via MRI, then the ENT can do further testing to try to determine what is going on.

Please keep us updated re: your appt and what the ENT noted to you.  See if they mention an MRI to help rule out an AN.

Best wishes... hang in there.
Phyl

[kenneth_k]

Hi Sarah.

Welcome to the forum. Sorry for the possible reason for it, however this is the place to be for support and to ask questions.

Your ENT will probably want you to have a hearing test. If you have hearing loss on the affected ear, then there is reason to investigate further. He may also wish to test your balance, and if something is not right, it is another indicator.

He will most likely decide to order an MRI to see whats going on in the inner ear. If he doesn't by himself, my advice would be for you to request one. Please make sure it is done with contrast. In that way even the smallest AN can be detected.

If you are so unlucky to have a tumor, this is of course devastating news. It is important to remember though, that you are not in a medical emergency. These are slow growing and benign tumors - and most importantly so - if you chose, the tumor can be treated.

I'm sure many of my fellow AN'ers will chime in, so stay tuned.

Best regards, Kenneth

[sarah001]

Hi Phyl, thank you for replying to me that's great,I will keep you updated
Sarah

[sarah001]

Hi Kenneth and thank you for your message, I am not sure if I have hearing loss on the affected side just loud ringing which I can hear even with the television on which is very annoying especially when I am tired and want to sleep, I have had occasional dizzy spells on and off even when I am sat still  for a long time but the numbness in my cheek is what made me see the doctor as it is there most of the time now and a bit worrying!

Regards Sarah

[sues1953]

H Sarah,

I am so sorry that you are going through this, it's awful I know.  I'm wondering if the ENT can order the MRI w/contrast before he sees you since your symptoms are such.  Dosen't mean that you have an AN its just the wait is the worse part.

Good Luck to you.

Sue in MI

[sarah001]

Hi Sue, thanks for message, I don't think they will organise MRI  until I have been seen at ENT, I will just have to wait and see, it is going to be a long 18 days then hopefully I will get some answers.

Sarah

[james e]

Hello, and I hope your stay here is a short one....maybe not an AN...but if it is, you are in the right place. My family doc sent me to an ENT when I complained of wonkiness. ENT did a bunch of tests, but no MRI, and said I had a neurological problem, but not an ear problem, so he sent me to a neurologist. The neuro did no testing, but talked to me for 45 minutes, emptied my wallet, and there was no diagnosis. About 2 years later, following a stroke, and an MRI without contrast, I got the SUPREME WONKINESS, and my internist did an MRI with contrast, and they found the AN. They compared my stroke MRI to my contrast MRI, taken 8 months apart, and there was no sign of the AN on my stroke MRI. It was there, it just took  the contrast to see it.

There is a history of posters here who have all the symptoms of an AN, but do not have one...hope you are one of them. If you have one, this is a wonderful place to post your questions, worries, and share your fears, joys, and get some support from us.

James

[chrisransom]

Sarah,

I'm glad you found this forum before you see the ENT or anyone after that.  Learn as much as you can about AN's so you know what all of your options are and what the "lingo" is when you start to talk to the different doctors and specialists. 

I do agree with everyone here than the ENT won't really be able to do much aside from order up the MRI (and as everyone else is recommending make sure you ask about getting one "with contrast") and give you a hearing test.  If there's any way to get one before that first meeting that would be best and save you one more waiting period and office visit. 

If it is AN then the ENT will probably refer you to someone who specializes in AN's - a neurotologist and neurologist most likely.  If it's not AN, I am not sure what they would do.


Good luck to you, keep us posted and learn learn learn!

Chris

[jaylogs]

Hi Sarah.  I can understand your axiety, it's never a fun time waiting for things.  Just try to keep calm as you go through this time.  There are a lot of things that can cause the symptoms you've described so one can never be absolutely sure it's AN until you do get that MRI w/contrast.  Take care and PLEASE keep us updated on what's going on. We all on here do truly genuinely care about each person that passes through these doors, so we'll be watching!
Jay

[sarah001]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to me, I really do appreciate it and I will let you know what happens at my appointment.

 :)Kind Regards Sarah

[sarah001]

  Hi I went to my  ENT appointment yesterday and had a hearing test and balance tests done he said my hearing was fine just had to listen to different pitch noises in a tiny sound proof booth which all I could hear in there was my heart beat thudding very loudly with the head phones on, one of the balance tests was to stand with my feet together and close my eyes my husband said I swayed a lot I have now got to wait for an appointment for a head scan to find out if anything is wrong.

Kind Regards
Sarah

[Jim Scott]

Sarah ~

Thanks for the update and although we 're eager to support you, I hope that when the testing is finally concluded, no AN will be found.  You'll still be welcome here, anyway.

Jim

[sarah001]

Thank you Jim, I have received my appointment to have an MRI on the 18th so not long to wait now (although I wish it was sooner), I am getting a lot of headaches now always in the same place near left temple also behind my left eye and the facial numbness is constant, not sure if the headaches are a symptom of an An or not.

Sarah

[oldstar]

  Much luck to you Sarah
An AN would be the best of news if there is actually a growth cause to your symptoms.  As a survivor of melanoma I can tell you that any growth anywhere can be troubling.  Although I have found no relief for the tinkle bells and ocean roaring in my head, my balance has stabilized somewhat.  I underwent Stereotactic Proton radiation at Massachusetts General recently and am awaiting further information on results.  An MRI with contrast will certainly clarify your situation.  Have faith.