symptoms with small ANs

[tatianne]

My AN is small 8mm x 3mm

I have read many posts and a lot of people with much bigger ANs do not experience symptoms but mine is small
and i do.
-hearing loss
-tinnitus
-pressure headaches
-once in a while a little dizzy

Im wondering why some have the symptoms and others dont, does this mean mine is growing more quickly ??

[GM]

Tatianne,

You are VERY fortunate to have found you’re AN at such a small size.  This gives you many opportunities:  Research, waiting on technology, seeking advice from friends/cyber family and specialists.

As for your symptoms, they will vary from person to person.  Everyone’s is different…and if will affect them differently.  You may be in that boat, or your tumor may be slightly different on it’s location on the hearing nerve than mine…causing different symptoms.   Again, you are very fortunate to have such time on your side.  Many people are forced to make decisions very quickly…sometimes immediately after finding that they have an AN. 

Try also to figure out if some of the symptoms are actually AN related.  I once had a bad head ache for a few days and was ready to relate it to my AN and then realized I was actually dehydrated from activity outside.  I know I am quick to relate just about anything to the AN and have to keep myself in check.

Gary

[amymeri]

I am  one of those who had no symptoms until my AN was 4 cm and even then I only felt mild lip/cheek numbness.  I never had hearing symptoms.  I think you will find more people with big ANs on here because they may have more residuals post-treatment and come for support.  I learned from my NS that the size of the AN has no bearing on whether or not you will have symptoms. 

I agree that you are lucky to find this tumor when it is small and you have options.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Amy

[targa72e]

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know I am in the same boat. All the same symptoms as you described. My AN is a little smaller than yours. From all the info I have read the size does not relate to the symtoms but can relate to the success of the treatment with large tumors typically having worse outcomes.

john

[Jim Scott]

tatianne:

I'm not a physician but I believe it's the location of the tumor that causes most symptoms.  If it's resting on or wrapped around a crucial nerve -  you'll have symptoms.  If it's a AN and grows but doesn't involve the vestibulocochlear, trigeminal or facial nerves, you won't - or the symptoms won't be as severe and may even go undetected until hearing is lost or facial numbness becomes noticable enough to get your attention.

Your symptoms are a warning.  Your small tumor is very treatable at this point- probably with non-invasive radiation, not surgery.   You are somewhat fortunate in that regard.  I wish you well in your future decisions on what you will do about your AN.  I hope it goes well for you. 

Jim

[tatianne]

my tumour is pressing on my nerve Jim, so your probably right, thats why i have the headaches. They actually feel more like muscle pain in my scalp...
Thank you for posting.
T

[ppearl214]

HI Tatianne:

when my AN was found (and only 5mmx7mm at that time), I had intermittent tinnitus, some slight facial numbness and some slight hearing loss. My Chiari I malformation (brain stem malformation) was causing more symptoms than my AN and thus, one of the reasons I had the MRI and my AN was accidently discovered.