MRI abnormality 😟

[Butterfly4040]

I had an MRI because of hearing loss/tinnitus in one ear. Audiologist said I would need an MRI to rule out anything brain related and asked to see me again in February 2017 to see how my tinnitus was. I wasn't worried at this point. I had the Scan on sept 28th and the scanner person asked me to wait 15 mins before leaving so the consultant could check my scans. She called me back in and said they needed another MRI with contrast. I asked if something was seen and she said ' yes but we need a better look and more images'. I had it done that day. When the extra scans were finished she came to get me out of the scanner so I went to ask if everything was ok but she said ' I can't discuss it I'm sorry' and said that the results would be sent back to the consultant who ordered the scans. I went home a bit anxious but not overly worried. Then a week letter I got a letter from the audiologist asking me to come in and see her in 3 weeks instead of February next year. I rang today saying I'm worrying like mad and could they give me any reasurance so I can not worry for 3 weeks, she asked the consultant and rang me back to say the consultant wants to see me tomorrow to discuss the results in person. I'm not usually a panicker but I have to be honest- I'm worried sick. I know they probably would have called me back sooner for life threatening issues but MS/dementia is just as life altering to me. I wish this would go away. I wish I'd never gone to see about the tinnitus now sorry to rant

I am sure you're very worried, but don't panic!

My dh had an MRI for tinnitus and hearing loss in one ear which, like you, resulted in a call back for him as something had been found.

I will happily go into details if you like - but, long story short (and it may not be the same cause) - that was in 2009 (I think) and he is alive and perfectly well.

Thanks for replying Benny! I'd love to hear more whenever you have time. I'm trying not to panic but I'm so scared if I'm honest. I don't think I'll sleep much tonight. It's strange as I'm not a worrier normally. My kids are wondering what's wrong but I can't share it with them as they're all teenagers. Appreciate you taking the time to reply xx

Butterfly - you're bound to be worried but try to stay calm. If it had been something very threatening I would have thought they would have dealt with your case even quicker than they have.

My call back like this (though for something totally different) turned out to be not a big problem at all.

They only would have waited until February to see you if the MRI had shown nothing at all, I would have thought.
So, yes they've seen something interesting but that doesn't necessarily mean it's catastrophic!

Thanks Shoes. I must be panicking more because it's the brain. I have no idea why this has freaked me out so much- Maybe because I can't get a new one if this one breaks .

I'm not normally so anxious 😩

Hello Butterfly

I just want to say that I'm thinking of you today and hope that your appointment is ok.

Hi Butterfly - hope your appointment has gone OK today.

Hi Benny. Thanks for thinking of me it's a small benign brain tumour sitting near the hearing part of my brain which was caused tinnitus. I'm very happy as it could have been so much worse. They're still deciding between two types of tumour and I'll know more in a few weeks. Likely that I'll have to have another MRI in a few months to see if it's growing and they'll decide if its needs treatment then.

Thanks Shoes. I'm a much more relieved girl today

Hi butterfly, I'm glad you were seen quickly and the diagnosis made. You are being very positive about the situation which I am sure will help you to cope. Yes it could have been much worse, but still not pleasant to go through the experience you are. I hope you keep well and your follow up appointment in a few weeks brings reassuring news. Sending much love your way and I feel humbled by the strength and courage you have shown x

Well that's a relief.

My dh had the same, I would guess. He had an acoustic neuroma, or more correctly, a vestibular schwannoma.

His 2nd MRI, a year after diagnosis, showed it had grown a smidge (I actually think they just measured it more accurately) so he decided to get it dealt with.

We had 3 options - surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy or gamma knife radiosurgery.

After much research he opted for option 3. He was treated at The Cromwell in London, in and out in one day and back to work the following day.

The only side effect has been that he has lost his mid-range hearing in that ear as a consequence of the radiation (in the US, they give you 3 months of steroid treatment after the op to avoid this, but it's not protocol here).

Having said all that - I think the vast majority of people with acoustic neuromas do nothing at all as generally, they don't grow.

Hope yours is a non-grower, but even if you need treatment - it's no big deal!

Thanks Benny. Yes that sounds the same as my feedback I think. acoustic neuroma is one of the options, other than that they think it may be a meningioma. Either way she said they will probably wait and see as she said they have any previous scans to compare it to so they don't know if it's growing. I'm just so relieved it isn't more serious.

My consultant is having a meeting with radiologists and neurologists apparently and they'll let me know which type it is and what the plan is