Hello TSL,
As another watcher and waiter I was wondering how you have been doing since your original post? I was first diagnosed in October of 06 and am due my first follow up MRI in two weeks. I had the tinnnitus (sp?) and the feeling of the blocked ear for about three months but have either blocked it out of conciousness or it has stopped. By the time I knew what I had, the hearing in my left ear was totally gone so my only experience with the reduced hearing thing is by the factor of half. It continues to bother me, mostly in my inability to identify sound sources. I am getting better but still a problem some days. It absolutely amazes me how we can accomodate to almost anything. The one area I still struggle with is what I call the overload factor. Public places such as major stores and malls just overwhelm me with noise. We have altered our shopping patterns to acomodate my issue. Crowded restaurants are also a problem but again, a little common sense scheduling on my part helps. Hopefully you are also learning to accomodate and adjust. Please post again so the group will know how you are doing. Your initial observation about the value of this site and the group of folks so willing to share of themselves was right on. This remains the best resource I have found.
Richard
Hi Ricahrd,
Thanks for your inquiry. I'm due for my 2nd MRI at the end of May--just about 6 months since my original MRI in Dec 2006 that found my AN. My follow-up appt with my ENT is in mid-June. I'm hoping for "no or little growth".
When I read your posting, it was as if you could read my mind. I am learning to accommodate and adjust to the sense of my ear being blocked and the reduced hearing in my left ear. I'm also learning to adjust to the tinnitus that developed after I was diagnosed. I have good "adjusting days" and not good "adjusting days. I didn't originally have a problem with the overload factor (I like that term). Now I'm acutely aware of it. It was especially noticeable when I went to my niece's cheerleading competition!
I"ve learned a lot from this site and am truly grateful to people who have shared their good and bad experiences, their fears, their research, and their knowledge.
I've made some decisions for myself. I'm in the fortunate position that I have options in terms of treatment. My choice of treatment would be radiosurgery (not sure what type yet). A posting from Derek said it the best for me. Both microsurgery and radiosurgery "carry an element of risk as to the eventual outcome...I cannot see the need to put my present lifestyle at risk of being temorarily or permanently affected...Everyday without medical intervention is a bonus and as each year passes there is always the positive aspect that advances in the treatment of ANs are continually progressing..."
I hope to be a watcher and waiter for a long time. I know that I will need to take action if symptoms develop that affect my quality of life and/or before my AN grows to a size that excludes radiosurgery as an option.
I hope that your first follow up MRI has good results for you.
-Theresa
