Hello! My name is Mary Ellen. I am new to this forum and came here seeking some advice. I am 42 years old, married, with a daughter in high school and have been a registered nurse working in pediatrics and case management for 20 years.
In 2005, I noticed a ringing in my left ear and that my hearing was diminished. These symptoms took me to my PCP and once referred to an ENT, audiology tests confirmed the hearing loss. An MRI was done to rule out multiple sclerosis or an acoustic neuroma. The results were negative except an incidental finding of a Chiari malformation.
Fast forward to 2009, when I experienced my first episode of dizziness and vertigo. By this time, we had moved and I had a new PCP. After 2 weeks of dizziness/imbalance, I went to my new PCP, who diagnosed me with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and I was given a series of movements to perform twice a day. The dizziness seemed to improve, and for several months I would feel "normal", but the dizzy feeling would reappear for periods at a time.
In August of 2011, I had two severe episodes of vertigo within a 2 week period. I scheduled an appointment with my PCP, who diagnosed me with Meniere's Disease. Because I wanted more reassurance and knew my hearing was declining more, I sought out a neurotologist, who agreed that this is Meniere's Disease. I received a hearing aid last year and had a series of vestibular tests performed.
Last week, I just had my yearly hearing evaluation, which revealed that my hearing is fairly stable, however I had a sharp decline in speech recognition. Previously, speech recognition was 96%. (This time, I was batting zero until my audiologist increased the volume, and even then, recognition was only at 50%). As I understand, this is a strong indicator of acoustic nerve damage and the physician suggested that an MRI would be indicated to rule out an acoustic neuroma. While in the office, my understanding was that the office would call and schedule an MRI for me. When I had not heard anything back for a couple of days, I called to remind them and was told that the physician had recommended an MRI in 8 months. This is where I feel I am in need of some assistance in understanding the reasoning of not ordering it now. My opinion is that if significant nerve damage has occurred already within a year, why would I wait and potentially risk further damage.
Regardless, I am going to insist that we go ahead and schedule this now, but I would certainly try to understand the reasoning of why waiting 8 months would be suggested.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Mary Ellen
