Losing hearing means AN growth?

[joanna_an]

Hi all,

I had about 50% word recognition 4 months ago when I was diagnosed. Now I can't understand a thing. This situation became very clear in a pub when someone talked into my affected ear and I was hearing just some sounds but no words. 4 months ago I was still able to understand the conversation.

Doctor said I should do another MRI at 6 months but I am not sure if I should wait that long considering that my AN might grow fast. We wanted to wait as I am writing my PhD thesis and should finish at the end of May. I wanted to deal with this after I am done writing the thesis, which is hard enough as it is...

I have the MRI referral already so I can go tomorrow if I want. I have no new symptoms. Everything the same except hearing.

So from your experience, hearing loss means larger AN?

Thank you,
Joanna.

[arizonajack]

So from your experience, hearing loss means larger AN?

From my own experience, yes.

I had already lost most of my hearing on the AN side when I was diagnosed. 6 months later my AN had grown 20% and my hearing on that side was totally gone, never to return.

I suggest you go ahead with the MRI.

Even if the tumor has only grown minimally (or not grown at all) the hearing loss is progressive and irreversible at this point.

If it turns out that your tumor hasn't grown in 4 months you'd have nothing to lose by waiting another six months to check it again.

If it has grown at all in 4 months then you can pretty much count on it continuing to grow so it's better to nip it in the bud before it gets any bigger and does other bad things to you.

[joanna_an]

Thanks arizonajack..

You're right. I'll go ahead with the MRI. Got nothing to lose by having one (except money)..

[leapyrtwins]

Maybe, maybe not.

Best to have the MRI.

Good luck,

Jan

[joanna_an]

Thanks, Jan.

It's scheduled. Will have the MRI this Wednesday.
I'll let you know when I get the results.

Joanna.

[PaulW]

Hearing loss or increased symptoms does not mean growth.
These things can damage your hearing/balance nerve over time with growth or without growth
There are others that have had rapid growth and no increased symptoms or no symptoms at all.
 

[joanna_an]

I did the MRI today and it seems to me from the CD they gave me that it grew around 2mm maybe more.. The CD comes with software that allows me to measure the neuroma. I compared measurements with the CD from 4 months ago as well...

I'll meet my GP on Friday morning and get the specialist reading then, but for sure there is growth

I'll post and then schedule some treatment.

[joanna_an]

Official significant growth.. 
It measures 21 mm now, they didn't write the other dimensions..
A bit too much.. 3 mm in 4 months.. who knows why.. It is not cystic.

Will schedule treatment asap.
My advice is that if you're not sure go do the MRI.. I would have waited longer if I would have listened to my doctor, but as we can see some grow pretty fast...

Joanna.

[thedales7]

Wow Joanna!  That is fast....I'm so glad you didn't listen to your doctor...but I'm also glad he was still willing to order an MRI!  Please keep us updated on treatment!!

[joanna_an]

I created a thread in here http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=19799.0

Basically today is my last day of fractionated radiation therapy. Fatigue mostly. I did get sick a few nights ago but maybe it was something I ate, as I feel ok now. I do have a bad stomach. Everything i do I feel it in my stomach. I can't even drink wine without heartburn. Should maybe check for ulcer, but some other time..

Doctor said 95% success rate for me and will do an MRI in one year if no problems should arise until then.