Hi, I'm a 44 mom and HR professional and newly diagnosed with a 1.8 cm AN. My story - I became aware of ringing in my ears (sounds like a constant fluorescent light next to my right ear) last fall. I was under a lot of stress at work and after a quick google search, I concluded that it was just that and there's was nothing I could do but live with it and hoped it went away once things settled down. Most days I wasn't really even noticing it. Flash forward to the end of May 2017 and staying at my parents house. My mom had told me about the noisy baby birds waking them up each morning. I realized laying in bed that depending on which side I was sleeping on, I could hear the birds and on the other, I couldn't hear them at all. I had no idea that I had any hearing loss up until that point! I think the birds were meant to be to send me a sign to do something. I got a hearing test down and confirmed hearing loss on the right side. When the ENT recommended a MRI, I was in shock - it was so out of the blue to consider was he was suggesting. I mentioned I had a brain MRI in May 2015 (for checking my pituitary) and he requested those records. Turns out the AN was present 2 years ago but was missed at that time. Of course this was upsetting to hear, but along with a new MRI done last month, I now have two measurements and know how fast it has grown in 2 years (13 mm to 18 mm), so I'm not dwelling on what could have been if I had found out 2 years ago, but approaching it as I have more information going into treatment options. I guess I've been in wait and see without knowing it! I go to Dr. Lupo at the Rocky Mountain Ear Center (Denver, CO area) on August 2 to get my first opinion on treatment options. I'm thankful for this association and the great information I've already found (the questions to take to the doc). I need to reach out to the local support group as well. While I have no current facial or balance symptoms, the future is daunting right now. Trying to tell myself that it could be worse and is treatable. I'm most interested at this point in finding great doctors. From scanning the forum, it sounds like there are a few online/remote second opinion options, so any recommendations there I would really appreciate. Also, has anyone found chiropractic care to help symptoms or is it something I should be avoiding for now? Thanks!! Holly
