Fed up

[Pat26]

I am new on here. I have been searching the internet for some answers on my problems and have come across this website. Not sure where to go from here. It is a nightmare getting to see a doctor.

[smithy1313]

answers to what Pat ? you dont give any details. Have you been diagnosed with an AN ? Linda.

[Pat26 in reply to smithy1313]

After reading about AN, I have most of the symptoms so I am trying to see the doctor and it is hard getting in to see him.

[drdeanbellavia in reply to Pat26]

If you are sure that you might have an acoustic neuroma (AN), get a contrast MRI. You need to look into your insurance to see if it is covered since they are very expensive ($500-$3,500). If covered, tell your doctor that you want a referral to an ENT. If he is not willing, get a new doctor or tell him that if you don't get an ENT referral that you will hold him personally responsible for any damage due to a timely AN. If no insurance coverage and you can afford a contrast MRI, get one. If it shows no AN, at least you'll know.

Most AN grow slowly up to many millimeters (or a few centimeters) anywhere along the 8th cranial nerve. But if your AN is a vestibular schwannoma (VS), its growth can without warning crush that nerve and the blood supply to that inner ear leaving you deaf and out of balance. In 2001 my VS was only 15 mm and within a month, my left

ear went from perfect hearing to none). Thus you need a contrast MRI to not only confirm that it is an AN, but more importantly where it is located along the 8th cranial nerve.

[Kristyll]

What symptoms?