Hello, Debra! I am also new to the ANA journey. Mine was discovered the day before Thanksgiving via MRI. I had the MRI because of hearing loss, "echoacusis" I guess it's called, pulsatile tinnitus (which changed to ringing and now I have both), and vertigo. For me, the vertigo began Nov 6, peaked Nov 12, then subsided. I opted for quick action because I didn't want facial paralysis (and that side had the novacaine feel about it) or headaches or the other symptoms to eventually kick in. Because the echoacusis makes it hard to deal with all the noise of travel, I opted to stay local for treatment. We have an excellent cancer center in the area, and they excel at radiation. In fact, my neurosurgeon at that center is actually excellent at brain surgeries, but he didn't recommend surgery for me, as it carried too many risks. I had Gamma Knife radiation treatment January 8. At first, I experienced vertigo and more hearing loss right afterwards, but both seem to have corrected themselves. I learned some tricks to help with vertigo (and accompanying nausea)--so I share in case you are open to natural helps: ginger, peppermint, taking in (mostly cold) fluids only by little sips rather than drinking huge amounts at once; resting/sleeping with my head elevated; Vitamin C; taking a cane along on vertigo-feeling days "just in case." I will have a follow-up MRI in April. I agree with what Mark and Dan have said--the decision is yours; what seems right to you FOR you--in my case, if I may say, prayer helped a lot, and certain circumstances pointing towards the direction I took. Wishing you the best! I am glad you (and I!) found this community.
