Growing again?

[LisaBod]

I have had an acoustic neuroma since 2011. For the past month, I have had a quite painful earache, more noticeable tinnitus (popping noises and whistling) a fullness in the ear and swollen glands all on the right hand side. Sometimes the earache gives me pain in my jaw and a headache again just on the right side.

I called the doctor, who prescribed antibiotics in both tablet and ear spray form. I took the tablets for the full 5 day course and used the spray as prescribed.

The symptoms haven't gone away. I went back to the doctors and had my ear examined. The nurse said it was completely clear and that she wanted to refer me to ENT.

I received my letter to book an appointment and there are no appointments available. Due to the vestibule schwannoma being in the same area as the pain and other symptoms, I wanted to check I was ok to wait for an appointment becoming available.

I am worried that my tumour has started growing again. I had gamma knife in 2012 and a small growth spurt in 2019

I look forward to hearing from you.

[904newton]

Could you contact your previous ENT team and explain your symptoms and concerns? Or try contacting ENT directly and explain?

[LisaBod in reply to 904newton]

Thank you for replying. I have emailed my consultants secretary and asked she pass it on to the consultant. Fingers crossed I'm just worrying for nothing.

[904newton in reply to LisaBod]

Always good to check 🙏

[NikkiN101]

Hello, my situation is similar. I had small AN diagnosed in September 2019. Since then I sometimes have earache and also have a swollen gland above my collar bone. I’ve had an ultra sound on the gland which was found to be normal. I waited quite a few months for my neurosurgeon appointment, he said the earache wasn’t related to the AN. Since then I’ve had a telephone consultation with ENT doctor at my local hospital, again he didn’t seem concerned about the earache. I sometimes think it’s stress related as when I’m fully occupied I don’t notice it. I’m having another brain scan in September so hoping there’s no change and I can continue on watch and wait.

So I hope this helps and let me know what your ENT says, good luck.

[LisaBod in reply to NikkiN101]

Thank you for replying. Hopefully it is just stress too. My next scan is due in December

Good luck and best wishes