Should I be concerned

[Laura B]

So I have always had issues with my ears, damaged ear drums,grommets, repeat ear infections my whole life.

Earlier last year I got a feeling of fullness which seemed to pop and I was left with constant tinnitus in the left ear. Nothing else.

I went to the doctor's who referred me to the ENT in August last year. I had the hearing and pressure test done then and no hearing loss no issues with pressure however ENT did say there was alot of scarring on my eardrum which didn't surprise me. He booked me in for an MRI just to be on the safe side as there was nothing out of the ordinary on my hearing test.

Had the MRI in October however had no results from that yet.

Only got a letter in march this year to go see the ENT again in April. So it will have been approx seven months since my MRI. My initial letter I had in August from the ENT is I would have the MRI and he would follow up with me after.

Is it safe to assume this is that follow up appointment and if it was serious I would have had results back well before seven months since the MRI?

As said no other issues no balance,numbness or hearing loss.


I'm just really scared because I would have thought if it was nothing I would have been told over the phone not in person but it's been seven months

[donjehle]

Hi Laura B, and thanks for posting in the ANA Forums!

I'm not a physician, and cannot speak authoritatively on this subject.  But I am a little surprised that no one told you anything after your first MRI.  Someone should have shared with you what the first MRI showed.

It's not unusual to have a second MRI six or seven months later since the first one typically provides a baseline, and the one seven months later reveals any potential growth since the first one.

I don't know why your specialist would have ordered a second MRI if he/she didn't see something on the first MRI, but I'm totally speculating on what they might have seen.  It is extremely important that your specialist communicates clearly with you, especially with something as serious as an acoustic neuroma.  If the specialist does not communicate better with you in the near future, I would seriously consider going to someone else who will take the time to explain exactly what is going on.

Best wishes on your journey!
Don

[Laura B]

My specialist hasn't ordered a second MRI as far as I know. I haven't even had the results back from the first one seven months ago. Which is why I was so curious about this appointment

[DanFouratt]

Laura,

I am struggling with having the test done in October and no one giving you any results.  I would push that issue to the point of getting copies ans sending them elsewhere for an opinion.  We are entitled to copies of the test results. Several of the sponsors.

To give you an idea of MRI in wait and watch time; I start the MRI at 9:30 and drive down the road to my ENT for a review at 11:00. When I did my first MRI and not in the system, I had the MRI done at a Rex Med facility and with in two hours had calls from both a Duke Doctor and an Cone Doctor.  Local but different establishments. 

It simple should not take that long.

[Laura B]

Just wanted to provide an update before I leave.

Got results of my MRI today seven months after my actual MRI and all completely clear.

[DanFouratt]

GREAT NEWS!

[donjehle]

Well, it's about time!  But that news was worth waiting for!  Congratulations!

[stevehernes]

That's great! Congrats! Our physical and mental health are the most important things; everything else can be sorted out.