Awaiting results of MRI

[Sherwood]

Hi, my consultant did an MRI back in May as I had Covid in December and still had nor regained my sense of smell or taste and was extremely lethargic and fatigued and felt like I had a fuzzy head a lot of the time. I have tinnitus and some hearing loss in they right ear. She said it was just going to be routine to rule things out and didn't expect to find anything. The results came back with an incidental finding of a 5.6mm lesion on my 7/8 nerve suspected acoustic neuroma. I was sent for a further MRI with contrast and I am now waiting results.

I feel upset and angry that since the incidental finding I have not had the opportunity to talk to any consultant about the finding or possible diagnosis. I have been doing lots of my own research as I feel sure this is going to be the diagnosis.

I know this is a small tumour by comparison but would you think that this could be the reason for all my symptoms even given how small it is?

If anyone could help I would be grateful.

[GGourmet]

Symptoms often vary from one person to another.Loss of balance when eyes are closed and later, tinnitus are the most common.

A hearing imbalance is observed with in my case having 10dB attenuation on my left and 20dB attenuation on the right. This was a flag, as a 10dB attenuation difference is very large. My biggest problem was tinnitus drowning out higher frequencies and turned screaming babies into offensive weapons - I kid you not it’s like having a thousand knives plunged into your ear.

Lethargy might be something else. I got diagnosed with 2 other conditions when the AN was diagnosed so perhaps you too have other things waiting to be diagnosed. My lethargy was diagnosed a few years earlier as non specific B12 deficiency and successfully treated, which is ongoing for life.

I believe lethargy is most likely in larger tumours but am not the best person to comment.

The Brain Tumour Charity has a fair bit on tumour effects.

To settle any fears you may have, my 12.1mm tumour, measured as it’s maximum dimension, was regarded as too small to produce significant side effects and the consultant said that the tumour represented no risk to driving, for me.

It may depend on how far along the nerve the tumour is located so whether it is already touching the brain or not, hopefully someone else here has an idea of that.

My tumour moved over a 6 month period, along the nerve, which the consultants found rather interesting.

My consultant, if it helps, is one of the highest recognised neurosurgeons in the UK.

[Sherwood in reply to GGourmet]

Thank you for your reply

[GGourmet]

This link might prove helpful.thebraintumourcharity.org/l...

[Zhaleh_TBTC Administrator]

Hello and thank you for your post. It's understandable that you feel frustrated and the symptoms you describe must be tough to manage. I hope you can get some support with this soon from your medical team. We do have some information on Acoustic Neuroma and the potential side effects that can occur: thebraintumourcharity.org/b...

We also have our Support and Information line, if you want to talk anything through or just need someone to listen. You can give us a call on 0808 800 0004 which is open Monday – Friday 9-5. Alternatively, you can email us on [e-mail]. Warm wishes, The Support Team.

[Sherwood in reply to Zhaleh_TBTC]

Thank you x

[Bizzyhazel]

Hi Sherwood Sorry to hear of your possible AN

You just need to try and keep going and take pain relief if needed .

Keep walking and be outdoors .

Appointments and scans do seem to be taking more time than pre Covid but you will get there .

My details were lost and my AN was a quick growing one .

After just over 3 years I’ve finally got rid of my AN . Now 3 months of recovery .

But the nurses staff and surgeons worked so hard .

Try to keep calm and keep talking you’ll get there x x 🌸👍

[Sherwood in reply to Bizzyhazel]

Good luck with the rest of your recovery, thank you x

[Jcandoit]

Hi Sherwood I was diagnosed with a 3mm lesion in 2019 and I was having terrible systems like you on a daily basis and was placed and watch and wait. Fast forward ⏩ to2022 I did a follow up MRI scan in July only to be told that the lesion had disappeared and my scan was clear. I was overjoyed to hear that but I am still having some symptoms. Hopefully they will go soon,. So I am hoping it will be the same result for you too since it's only a small one...Good luck.

[Sherwood in reply to Jcandoit]

That’s great news for you, hopefully the rest of your symptoms will go soon. X

[Kkk7 in reply to Jcandoit]

So when you got diagnosed in 2019 what treatment you opted, that's great your scan is clear hope your symptoms will go soon.

[Kristyll]

Regardless of the size of the AN sometimes the symptoms are what it is actually close too, regardless of size

[Sherwood in reply to Kristyll]

Yes that makes sense. Thank you