Anyone else diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor?

I went to Mayo for what I thought was vertigo, they did a hearing test and I was told by the doctor I had a tumor and needed a MRI. I can't have MRI's due to a metal implant in my body so they did a cat scan. I was told it was normal, however I just recently started having some light vertigo. I'm a flight attendant so even slight vertigo can have an impact but also flying can cause vertigo. So my question was was the cat scan as effective as a MRI and could they have missed ti?

I did phone Mayo when I first found that I have an AN, but my insurance at that time was not good in that area. Mayo's office said I could have a DVD of the MRI sent to them.for a second opinion. After my next MRI, I plan to get all three MRIs on a DVD and send them to Mayo's. Now I am on Medicare and a supplement, which should cover better.
Hearing loss seems to be what happens first and balance issues. Depending on the size of the tumor, worse symptoms can occur. My ENT doctor said that radiation is recommened for people past 65 and surgery for younger patients. Smaller tumors are watched with MRIs. 2 percent of radiation cases get cancer, which does not make me very happy, especially since I am already 1 in 100,000 with a AN! When there is surgery or radiation, even worse problems can occur.

That is a question for the doctors.

I had brain surgery in 2014 for a 3.5 centimeter tumor on my brain stem. Had the 12 hour surgery, still have 2 percent on my brain stem . Since my surgery , I’ve bad balance issues due to hearing loss in left side. Depending on barometer depends on my day, good, bad or other issues. I wish you all the luck in the world and many many blessings.

Hi vickid117, I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma a year ago, and I am currently using the observation approach. My neuroma took my hearing in my right ear many years ago. About 3 years ago I got Phonak hearing aids like what you describe, one side hearing aid and the other side a transmitter. At first, I had trouble locating where sound was coming from, but that has gotten much better with time as my brain has adjusted. Hopefully yours will, too. Also, when I go somewhere loud like a sporting event or concert, I usually just turn the hearing aids off. I saw Steven Tyler in January, and it was great! Keep living life to the fullest! Good luck!

For anyone interested, there is now a group dedicated to Hearing Loss on Connect here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/

Hi Tracey, my name is Steve. I was Diagnosed with a 4.7cm AN. Today is the 4th Anniversary of my Diagnoses. I had surgery May 15, 2015 with Dr Bendock at the Mayo, Phoenix. There is life after your AN. My life has been great ! The following is a post I wrote on the 1 year after my diagnosis. I hope it gives yo hope. I also am a coach on the “Acoustic Nueroma” Face Book Group with over 5,000 loving, supportive AN Warriors.

How would I join your group? I had an AN removed 6-8-2018. I just celebrated my year anniversary. I had my surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. I lost hearing in my right ear. I have hearing aides now. The one hearing aide tells my other ear what it hears. It is very challenging some days. I am thankful to come through the surgery, and also for the challenges I endure daily while still being alive.Balance and headaches seem to be the lasting symptoms that come and go.My name is Vicki.

I have been diagnosed with 2 different tumors and my medical card wont let them do anything till September.

Hello Vicki I am Ruby and have 2 different tumors and am scared to death with what will happen, so it makes me happy to here you are a survivor!!