ENT Referral

[Jimac]

Hi all

I was referred by my gp to an ENT after she was concerned with my symptoms.

One sided mild hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness and vertigo. Three attacks of vertigo so bad I collapsed and couldn't move for over an hour. Balance is poor, can't stand on one leg with

my eyes closed. I thought my eustachian tube was blocked.

Seen ent, left sided hearing loss (mild) was confirmed with a pure tone audiometry test, tympanometry test came back clear, no blocked eustachian tube. Inner ear feels weird, ent thinks it could by otosclerosis, having a CT scan next week as some symptoms don't add up. Tinnitus is now high pitched with also a low range pulsatile too.

Im aware of the saying if you hear hooves don't look for Zebra. I'm just worried it's an AN and we are going around the houses so to speak.

Thanks

[Jerrycat13]

Have u hah a mri. That will show if u have an acoustic neoroma.

[Jimac in reply to Jerrycat13]

Hi

No MRI as of yet. CT scan next week to check for otosclerosis. The ENT doctor was convinced it was eustachian tube dysfunction until it came back clear, then moved onto to otosclerosis. Even he said symptoms don't match, but thinks it is that.

TBH, I found his attitude quite dismissive, I never visit the doctor and only visited my gp after I collapsed the third time with virtigo and nausea. I feel he trying to fit my symptoms into what he assumes the issue is.

[Jerrycat13 in reply to Jimac]

Let me no how c/t scan goes. But also ask for a mri.

[Hipporanabella]

INSIST on an MRI

[Jimac in reply to Hipporanabella]

Hi

Worst case I'll go private. My employer provides private medical cover. Didn't use it as my GP made an urgent ent referral, so I was seen within two weeks, now I'm in the slow NHS machine. I keep thinking, could be otosclerosis, but not a lot fits. I can see myself having an MRI after next week's ct.

Probably not an AN, but the pulsatile one sided tinnitus is really concerning me. Coupled with the rest of my symptoms I know something is wrong. Hopefully the ct scan can point to a reason.

[Hipporanabella in reply to Jimac]

Ok good you are ‘on it’ and you can easily transfer over to private and in fact i would recommend contacting your insurance and asking about the procedure to get a 2nd opinion and also an MRI as this is that is the best way to detect anything suspicious.

For peace of mind Don’t waste time if you have the private option.

You can still keep the NHS follow up running alongside....

Good luck

[Jimac in reply to Hipporanabella]

Thanks for the reply.

Already give my insurance company a heads up that I'm ingoing tests. I feel like I'm trapped between initial consultation and and first scan. I'm not sure what to do for the best. I thought about going private but I'm already in the NHS process so to speak.

I feel like I'm getting nowhere as I know I'll wait ages for any test results.

[Hipporanabella in reply to Jimac]

You won’t have to wait long if you go private..... you can research the consultants yourself and find one you think has a good chemistry with you.... you can usually discuss the scan results on the same day or very soon after.....

it’s just up to you to take control of the situation

[Kristyll]

You are best awaiting a diagnosis and insist on an MRI if the CT shows nil. Good luck

[drdeanbellavia]

Did your severe vertigo occur when you too quickly get up or turn quickly or both, maybe after some drinks or a big meal, possibly even with severe nausea? That might account for the vertigo; the rest of the symptoms look like an AN. Is there pain/heat in the back of your head, which is another indication of an AN? When you schedule your MRI, make sure it is "with contrast" to get the best possible indication. Also, some MRI labs have old MRI's that are not as precise as the new Hi Def MRI's; only your doctor (or a possible search on line) will know where they are. Good luck.

[Jimac in reply to drdeanbellavia]

Thanks for the reply.

The severe vertigo scared me, no heavy meal or alcohol. Happened twice when I stood up as normal. Never really been ill before and when I went down I crawled into the entrance hall with overwhelming desire to cool down, I literally panted like a dog (sounds daft) for an hour and I slowly felt better.

What is odd is the pulsing tinnitus with normal high pitched tinnitus which started since I was referred. If I lower my head the pulsatile tinnitus gets louder. No head pain apart from ear fulness and the odd sharp pain from within the ear. CT scan on the petrous bone next week, then take if from.

[Jimac]

Hi all

I went private through my health cover and have had an MRI. Now waiting for the results, I'm nervous as hell as half way through the MRI the radiographer asked me if I'd had any facial surgery as they had found a 'strange artefact'. When I replied no, they said are you sure? No surgery around the mouth or nasal area? Well of course I'm sure! Wouldn't elaborate after the scan.

Can't say I'm sleeping well.