Acoustic Neuroma

[Cam]

I gots it.

August 1, I woke up with tinnitus in my left ear. Saw two GPs (one in Alaska and one here) about the issue. They didn't know what was up. September 2, tinnitus was so bad it woke me from sleep. Got in with a ear, nose, throat (ENT) doctor who gave me a hearing test and an MRI. I have high-frequency hearing loss in the left ear. It seems they found a small cyst via the MRI that has developed around my ear nerve which is causing pressure and causing the problem. It is not large enough yet to warrant surgery or radiation treatment and he believes it is not cancerous. It's called an acoustic neuroma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestibular_schwannoma

So, it seems I'm stuck with it for now. Tinnitus isn't too bad right now, but it's certainly annoying. I could face more hearing loss if it is treated by either surgery or radiation. The doctor would like to monitor it for the next 6-12 months and do another MRI then to measure the rate of growth. If it gets to the point that it is too large, then they would treat it. However, it is likely that I would lose hearing in that ear.

Disappointing news. Bummer.

[thesameguy]

That is certainly less than ideal - is these any approach for a biopsy or is it just monitoring from the outside?

[novicius]

Aw Cam, that's tough to read about.

Did they say if inflammatory drugs like ibuprofin help at all?

[Cam]

To biopsy it, there would have to be surgery. It's inside my head.

I am currently taking prednisone (corticosteroid) for the next ten days. It has not helped so far and I don't have high hopes after today's chat with the doc.

[speedpimp]

Fuck, hope it(the cyst and the tinnitus) both go away peacefully.

[21Kid]

That stinks Cam. Sorry.

[drew]

[Alan P]

Damn Cam.

Hope it works out Ok for you, I've had some ear infections in the past, although outer ear and tinnitus isn't fun.

[FaultyMario]

Take care buddy, and fear not... doctors are there for you.

[G'day Mate]

We're all getting old and things don't work as well as they used to.