New here and worried

[Jinxy]

Hi All.

I have been lurking and reading for a couple months and decided to join up.
I haven't been officially diagnosed with AN but I strongly suspect I have it.

I'm female and just turned 46. I believe my hearing loss has been gradual and probably the first time a I noticed it was around 5 years ago. My mother told me to get my hearing checked. I just laughed it off.

The tinnitus came about a year and a half ago several days after I had some elective surgery done.

I thought the tinnitus was related to the surgery.

Well the thing is my hearing loss and tinnitus is only in my left ear.

I currently live in Australia. I moved here over a year ago for a relationship which just ended so I am here alone with no family. I have a great job and really a great life here but this worries me dealing with this alone.

I went to get my hearing tested in July. I had a very thorough test and they found moderate flat hearing loss on the left side.

I was referred to an ENT.

I go to his office and he does a lot of difference manual tests with tuning forks etc. and he thought my loss was conductive and not sensironeural. So he sends me back for another test.

I go and have the test repeated and they tested a wider range of frequencies and the results were pretty much the same.

So now the ENT told me it was important to go get an MRI.

That is the next step and then I'll know one way or the other.

This entire tinnitus is making me depressed and irritable.

I work in IT and it is pretty important to have a clear head so to speak to concentrate.  Does anyone work in IT?

Will I be able to continue with my same line of work with this?

Cheers,

Jinxy

[ppearl214]

Hi jinxy and welcome. We have quite a few members here from "down under" and hoping you find answers soon.

The only way to truly diagnose an AN is by MRI done with contrast.   There are many medical diagnose that share symptoms such as you note, so to truly diagnose an AN is to see a growth/mass on film (MRI) done with the constrast for better "view" of anything that is potentially there.

Please follow up on the recommendation for the MRI.... hoping it gives you peace of mind and that it does not find an AN (or anything of major concern).

BTW, I work for an custom customer-designed, computer chip manufacturer based in Japan.

Please keep us updated on MRI follow up.  Again, welcome.

Phyl

[28Lisa]

Just take one step at a time and dont think the worst, it'll be good to get back in contact with your family, no matter what we are here for you and you're not alone...

I am a medical biller.coder specialist and the amt of info I had to input is hard now since I can control my "good hand", so I get to work from home now, thank God

Always stay positive

Keep us posted(((((((hugs))))))

[hruss]

hi jinxy,
welcome to the forum! i am sorry that you are alone and have to do with this stress on by yourself it is always to have someone on your side - i know it from experience.
I am sure you are very panicked and overwhelmed pending for the MRI and the future diagnose - let's hope it is not an AN.
i already had 2 retrosigmoid surgeries and now i am planning another one abroad (I am from Bulgaria, Europe) and after the stay at a hospital (2 weeks post op) I spent around 6 months home in recovering from both of my surgeries. Now i am back to work and I am doing good. No, i don;t have any facial complications(since you spent some time on the site you may have read of facial paralysis. I posted a topic about it, asking people who already have it how they manage to live with it (i am afraid that this time i wil have facial paralysis, but it is a long story) just search in the left top box "hruss" ot "how do you live with facial paralysis?") after both of my surgeires, but i do believe that you can go on with your work.
Just take everything step by stap, gradually. Your first task is to have your MRI - hope it won;t turn out to be what you are thinking of.
Keep us posted and stay in touch.
Crossing my fingers for your best outcome,
Hrissy

[Omaschwannoma]

Your doctor sounds like he/she is "on top" of things and ordering the proper tests, etc.  Make sure your MRI is WITH CONTRAST DYE, but if you've been "lurking" a few months here you already know this 

You are taking the proper steps, remember to let go of any stressful thoughts you are having about an AN diagnosis as it hasn't been made yet and you would be wasting your precious time.  "Don't worry until someone says to worry." is a saying I use with myself. 

I for one hope your MRI comes out clean and you will not have to join us here, but in case you do, we will support you as you are by yourself. 

Breathe deep, walk slowly with deliberation and notice what's around you with single minded focus. 

I await your post with your results.

[MAlegant]

Hi there,
Sounds like you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself.  Take it one step at a time and if you do have an AN please be sure you have family or friends around you both before and after treatment.  You are stronger than you think you are.
Good luck,
Marci

[Tamara]

Hey Jinxy,
 
  I also just turned 46, and I did have an AN in my left ear.  I had my surgery in June, and have had a few bumps in the road since, but overall, everything has turned out fine.  I know it's hard to do, but try not to worry.  Just tell yourself that even if it IS an AN, they are benign and treatable.  I'm getting my BAHA implant next week, so things are looking up.  I've even seen the return of a smile with teeth.  Not quite all back yet, but certainly not complaining.  Take heart - even if you don't have family in Australia, you are not alone. 
  And just maybe you DO have a conductive hearing loss with tinnitius, and you won't even need to worry about an AN.

Best wishes,
Tammy

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Jinxy:

I'm pleased that you decided to go from 'lurker' to participant on these forums but I also hope that your upcoming MRI will not show an acoustic neuroma.  Your ENT physician seems to be following a logical procedure to diagnose the source of your hearing loss and tinnitus.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of folks advising you not to allow fear and panic to overwhelm you before you even know whether you have an acoustic neuroma.  Although an AN is almost always benign and treatable, they can be problematic, to put it mildly, but as you must have read by now, many AN patients do just fine, even with a few complications. 

Rest assured that its very likely you'll be able to continue in your current line of work.  We have some other members who work in IT and have done just fine, post-op.  Look for messages from Brian ('Pooter') to see one of them.  We also have some posters who live in Australia and may be able to steer you to doctors and hospitals, if the need arises. 

Although I'm sorry you have to deal with this alone and far from family, please think of us as your 'family'.  You have an open invitation to visit us as often as you like..   

Jim

[sher]

Hi Jinxsy,

Hang in there! The MRI is the next step and then if need be you can start to do your homework and search for the info that you need. This forum is so wonderful! I am often times just a lurker, but ALWAYS I get encouragement and new info. I have chosen radiosurgery (Cyberknife) for now instead of surgery. This forum and others can help you to make your decision IF need be. Let me know how I can help. I will be lurking....
Sher

[leapyrtwins]

Hi and welcome, Jinxy.  Glad you decided to stop lurking and join us 

I am female and was diagnosed with my AN when I was 45 1/2.  I had retrosigmoid surgery 16 months ago and I'm alive to tell the tale 

I'm SSD on the left, but have a BAHA to help me deal with that.

Try not to worry, ANs can be scary, but you'll get through this.  We're all here for you.

Jan

[kimbo]

Hi Jinxy

I am a Aussie living in New South Wales and more than happy to talk to you if you like.   When are you having your MRI and where are you living? 

I am also 46yrs, lost moderate hearing about 4yrs ago and have tinnitus.  I have learnt to live with the tinnitus and hearing loss; you get used to it, you just need to educate others around you and let go of their frustrations. 

I am in wait and watch mode (Dr's recommendation and this is great) because my AN is deemed small 1.2mm x 9mm and my symptoms are really non specific.  The specialist I visited in Sydney said he does not want to do anything in the way of surgery until a follow up MRI proves the tumor is in active growth and or my symtoms start affecting life quality.  He did mention this could be years (I hope).

I have been on a roller coaster ride with my emotions but I have really come a long way and I believe this is because I found the Forum, I have joined a group in Melbourne and I have armed myself with knowledge; I did not even know what an AN was. 
Keep us posted with your outcome of the MRI. 

Kimbo   

[Jinxy]

Thank you all for your very kind and warm welcome! It has made me feel much much better.

I'm in Perth, Australia.

The MRI I'm to have is a contrast one. I have faith in this doctor and he is doing everything to find out what is wrong.

I just got the order for it Friday so I will schedule it Monday and hopefully I can get it done this week. As much as I dread it, I just want to know.

I'm going to ask for something to relax me as I will flip in there. 

Thanks again everyone!

Cheers,

Jinxy

[wendysig]

Jinxy,
Welcome to the forum.  I know it is scary having this kind of problem and being uncertain as to the diagnosis. The MRI should tell whether the problem is an AN or not.  Your doctor sounds like he is on the ball and you seem to have a lot of confidence in him which is very important.  Let us know what you find.

Wendy

[Kaybo]

Jinxy~
Welcome to our happy, little group!  I am sorry you're here, but you will not find a better more supportive and caring group.  We will try to answer any & all questions that you have!  Good luck with your MRI...

K

[msmaggie]

Hi there,

I sincerely hope you don't have to join our merry band of men and women, but if it does turn out that way, you couldn't be in better hands than with this group!  They have a wealth of info, experience, and encouragement to share with you and will likely become a sort of surrogate family for you..  Keep us posted on the outcome, and keep researching.  You will feel better if you gain some knowledge.

Maggie