Recently Diagnosed AN

[Dusty]

I was diagnosed in July 2008 with a right AN.  I have lost significant hearing in my right ear and have tinnitus as well, which was the initial reason my doctor scheduled an MRI.  I was referred to Dr. Antonelli at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.   Dr. Antonelli was great and recommended I take the watch and wait approach and have a 2nd MRI in 6 months to chart any growth pattern.  Reading all the stories and comments on this forum has been extremely helpful.   I look forward to sharing additional information on my AN journey.

[leapyrtwins]

Hi, Dusty and welcome to the forum 

Although I'm sorry you have an acoustic neuroma, I'm very glad you found us.

This forum is full of excellent information, good humor, and great advice.

It sounds like you're already in the hands of some good doctors, but I'd also like to suggest that you contact the ANA and ask them for their literature if you haven't already done so.

Jan

[Dusty]

Thanks Jan.  Dr. Antonneli provided me with some literature and actuallly recommended that I get on the ANA forum.   I will contact the ANA and request the literature as you suggested.

Dusty

[leapyrtwins]

Sounds like a plan.

And kudos to Dr. Antonneli - some doctors are unaware of the forum and we're all trying to inform them. 

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Dusty:

The AN diagnosis is never welcome but fortunately they are almost always benign and quite treatable.  I assume your AN is small enough to be observed without risk.  You appear to have a solid medical professional working with you, which is a big plus.  My neurosurgeon has been a member of ANA since it's inception.  I believe that speaks well of his committment to AN patients and your Dr. Antonelli seems to be equally involved.  So far, so good. 

Let me extend another welcome to you as well as a wish for better days - and no AN growth. 

Jim

[Rivergirl]

Hi Dusty, Sorry you have joined our group but this forum is such a good place for information, stories, questions and support .....and I can say it is all that and I am newly diagnosed in June 08.

[Dusty]

Thanks for the support.  My AN is small (confined to ear canal?).  I also have great support from family, friends, and management at my work.  I will continue to lean on the ANA family also and provide updates and support to others on this forum struggling to deal with their diagnosis. 

Dusty

[Lamsue23]

Dusty,
     Welcome to this forum.  I'm glad to hear that someone else is from Florida and had the same doctor.  You seem in good hand.  Take it one day at a time.

[Omaschwannoma]

Dusty,

I wanted to say "hello" and I have Dr. Antonelli for my neurotologist.  As you can see below I had surgery in 2005 and went back for more work in 2008.  He's a wonderful doctor, I know you will be in goods with him and the staff.  Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. 

[Pooter]

Sorry for getting to this late, but welcome to the forum, Dusty!  This forum is a wealth of information about all treatments, ailments, symptoms, etc..  I encourage you to ask all of your questions (I'm sure there are plenty!).  You'll find some really great people here to help.  Nobody wants to be here, but yet we do want to be here.

I had surgery about 4 months ago, and life is getting back to normal for me.  We all have different outcomes to the different treatment options, so I encourage you to take your time and make the right one for you.  If we can help that in any way, please let us know. 

In the meantime, welcome to the forum!

Brian

[candtlaw]

welcome Dusty......... I agree you are very smart to explore all options that are there for you. GL....................

[Nancy Drew]

Hi Dusty,

Sounds like you are in good hands with your doctor.  Important.  I was diagnosed 12/05 with a small AN in left ear.  My AN didn't grow until this past year--and, it is still small as you can see in my signature below.  I have decided to have GK in mid-Sept.  I did a lot of research, and it helped me make an informed decision. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, lots of good support at home and now you can use this board to your own benefit.  One thing I found helpful was to find people here on the board who live in my area and/or have had treatment with my doctor and to use these people as a resource.  You are not alone.  Hang in there.

Nancy

[Dusty]

Thankd for all the feedback.  My Audiologist is wanting to try a hearing aid with (white noise?) to see if it will help with the tinnitus.  They have never tried this with an AN patient with tinnitus so I don't have high hope for any relief with this.  Will post my results in a couple of months.  Meanwhiie we watch and wait for my next MRI in Jan 09.

Dusty