Pink cheek, ref Rapid Access for hearing loss

[hollyrain]

Hi everybody hope you are all doing well. I've NOT been diagnosed but briefly this is where I am now and wonder if anybody had similar without it being AN.

Tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus 24/7 for past 14 months or so, random vertigo. Headaches left temple and to rear of ear like the lower skull area pre neck. Referred to ENT post audiology who said some low frequency hearing loss...altho I thought my hearing was still spot on despite the constant screech. Whilst waiting for appt, on holiday I developed really muffled left ear (everything is on the left) and could hear my voice as an echo when speaking or singing. We were on holiday so saw a locum who said sounded like ETD and tympanic membrane was a tad dull. Gave me Otomize spray and after about 10 days it settled.

Had my ENT appt and CT scan Dec...discharged by letter as nil on CT to support symptoms.

I developed a sudden muffle to left ear later in Dec...a little crackling here and there, a little pain here or there but a feeling my head was wrapped in layers of cotton wool and in huge glass bowl an the PT was bouncing of it really loud, like a washing machine pulsing. Saw GP beg Jan...she thought ET effusion after looking at ear etc. Gave me AvaMys nasal spray. Few days later I developed sinusitis..again all left side. She gave me Doxycycline...which cleared it. But the ear still felt clogged..like there is a hard barrier between ear canal and my head. At the same time I noticed I couldn't hear properly. Instances of people approaching me from left made me jump, my right ear could hear but I couldn't differentiate the sound and the direction and occasionally my hearing seems distant like in a dream or waking from an anaesthetic. Left ear still solid with no crackling or popping even. Like it doesn't belong.

Throughout...and actually looking at some photos from months before I've noticed my left cheek is almost always pink..like an infection. Sometimes it's there and I'm not aware, other times I'm aware it's getting redder because it's hot. I had further episode of Sinusitis and saw gp again this week...she said hearing loss warranted urgent referral and my appt has come thru. She said CT will not have shown AN bcos it's basically the 1st thing they look for. Put me on stronger broad spectrum abs and prednisolone, more otomize. But no explanation for possible cause of sudden hearing loss and no improvement at all.

I also had, November, some visual problems left eye...like a little shadow ran across my field of vision like when a cloud goes over the sun. Sometimes I thought I'd seen somebody walk past. Optician sent to ophthalmologist who treated as vitreous lattice ? And it has settled. But is it related?

Has anybody been in this position and what was your eventual diagnosis?

The red cheek? Anybody had that, it's too much of coincidence to be anything else as it only started with the onset of tinnitus over a year ago.

Sorry for such a ramble but the speed with which she referred me and I have appt already for week Monday scared me, along with no other explanations.

Many thanks for taking the time to read and for any insight you can provide

[flappers]

Hi Holly, what a rough time you’d been having. So horrible not knowing what is going on isn’t it? I have been part of forums and an a peer supporter with the brains Trust and cannot recall ever having heard any of my fellow AN hosts experiencing the red cheek thing. It really fits more with an infection and deep problems with the inner ear in my ( totally not medically trained) mind! I believe the only way you can really be diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma ( although they can show up on CT scans) is for an MRI scan. Even then, small ones might need MRI with contrast to really show clearly the details. I would push for this. Hearing is precious so whatever is going on, that needs attention.

[hollyrain in reply to flappers]

Thank you, I'll discuss this at my appt on Monday but I am claustrophobic and have had several issues in MRI scanner, don't think I can do it again. Thank you for your response 😊

[flappers in reply to hollyrain]

Hi Holly, there after things that can help with the claustrophobia. Open scanners, hypnotherapy, medication to calm you, etc. It is the very best way for them to know what is going on. Tell the person to see how you need help and support with this. All the Very best of luck, let us know how you get on x

[Sunshinelater in reply to hollyrain]

I found my first scan pretty anxiety provoking but the 2nd one had a screen I could look at, music playing and a voice telling me how long each part of scan would be. That and the staff member spoke to reassure as well. It was much better than I expected after my first experience. I also internally told myself I was doing great and every minute that passed was me closer to end of scan. Hope you get the support you need.