Need an MRI on my brain ...

[EchoDelta]

Hi everyone,

I know I just updated my reconstructive foot surgery prayer thread. I have another prayer request. Here's a brief summary:

Last year, I woke up one morning with a slight hearing loss in my left ear as well as the left side of my head feeling "funny." I went to the doctor who prescribed a decongestant. After 3 days, the hearing returned as well as my head cleared up. Earlier this year, it happened again but was gone after a day (forgot to mention that one Cheryl). Almost 2 weeks ago, it happened again. Only this was much worse. My left ear had a moderate hearing loss. I could not understand conversation if someone spoke from the left side. It sounded like my ear was in a "wind tunnel." Ringing began a couple days later. Music sounded "tinny" as I could not longer hear low frequencies (bass tones). The left side of my head felt very weird.

I went to the doctor who immediately referred me to a hearing specialist. I was put on a steroid. I took a hearing test and the results were shocking:



The squares represent my left ear and green is normal.

I was then referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist. After an examination and a blood test, he ruled out congestion and infection. He said the cause is likely due to a non-malignant tumor between my inner ear and the brain. This Thursday, I'm having an MRI of my brain. He said if a tumor is found, nothing can be done because to attempt to remove it would result in complete hearing loss.

Right now, the steroid is helping to return hearing. It's not 100% though. Mornings and late evenings are when I noticed the reduced hearing again.

This is just another life event in 2015. I've had so many. From the deaths of family members, to my feet, to other stuff that has occurred that I haven't requested prayers for, I give this to the Lord. It keeps me sane. But if members here can pray for an answer to this hearing loss, I'd appreciate it. If I have to lose hearing in my left ear, so be it. My faith remains in the Lord.

[ccgr]

If steroids are working that should eliminate the tumor possibility right? Praying, please keep us updated.

[EchoDelta]

The steroids are only helping to reduce inflammation in the ear. It's a 15-day course with step-down intervals. Right now I'm on the downward side with 6 days left. They have bad side effects. Tbh, I can't wait to get off them.

[ccgr]

they taste nasty too, I usually cover them with peanut butter to dull the nasty after taste

[EchoDelta]

Good news: no tumor. However, something else showed up on the MRI. My primary care doctor said it's either an autoimmune disorder or something called, "thinning of the bone." He suggested to get a temporal lobe CT scan. I'm waiting to get another appointment with my ear, nose, and throat specialist to discuss this as well as the MRI. Hopefully this takes place in November. I do not want this to interfere with my upcoming foot surgery in December. Getting that surgery takes precedence over this. Thanks for the prayers.

[ccgr]

Glad to hear that it's not a tumor. Keep us posted about your upcoming appointments, will continue to keep you in my prayers.

[EchoDelta]

Hi everyone,

I had a new hearing test this past Wednesday. Good news is that the hearing in my left ear is normal now. I could certainly tell before having it. Sounds are no longer muffled, no more "wind tunnel" and music isn't tinny or metallic sounding anymore. I attribute the hearing improvement to the meds and prayers A few symptoms remain: ear still feels plugged & there's a constant humming sound which is most noticeable in the morning and at night. Plus sounds are a little amplified now. For example I went to see the Martian at the movie theater and had to use an ear plug in my left ear. Last Friday at a local restaurant, the ambient sound of everyone talking caused discomfort in both ears.

I had a CT scan last Monday. My doctor emailed the results on Wednesday. This is disconcerting and confusing :

Your CT showed some focal bony dehiscence at the roof of the left superior semicircular canal. Also, there is significant bony thinning, but no dehiscence at the roof of the right superior semicircular canal. I do not think that this finding is related to the sudden hearing loss you had. These findings may just mean incidental findings due to the MRI for your sudden hearing loss. I do not know if these findings are responsible for the dizzy sensation you reported. I can refer you to an otologist (an ENT doctor who sub-specializes in ears) if you would like to get a second opinion and further recommendation regarding this.

I've spoken with this doctor several times about my other symptoms and he continues to ignore them. Plus I've dealt with vertigo occurrences since 1998. Last year was my worst with several over the course of the year which prompted trips to the doctor. From my own research I've made over the past month, a "bony dehiscence" in the ear means that there's an opening in the superior semicircular canal which is normally intact. And it seems like this will eventually occur in my right ear due to the loss of bone. Sometimes I have pain in my right ear and for awhile, there was always this type of "pressure" coming from it. Since I now have the time to do it due to my postponed foot operation, I will seek a 2nd opinion just for a definitive answer. Plus I'm wondering if I'll eventually go deaf.

Thank you for the prayers.
Ed

[ccgr]

Praying that this will get figured out.

[EchoDelta]

Took another hearing test on Friday. Still waiting on the results. I'll be on my own to search for a new hearing specialist though due to my medical insurance ending its partnership at the end of 2015 with my previous doctor. I now have time to do this. Symptoms that remain are a low level hum that sounds like a machine outside the house but realize it's my ear and it still feels slightly plugged.

Thanks for the prayers,
Ed

[ccgr]

will continue to pray for you!

[EchoDelta]

I took a 2-hour audio test for my ears on Monday then immediately saw a specialist. Based on all the tests I've had since October of last year, the only official diagnosis is I have a vestibular weakness in my left ear due to an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder. He said there's no dehiscence or opening in the semicircular canal as originally perceived. At this point nothing can be done. However if I lose hearing again, then I need to return. The only symptoms that remain are the left ear still feels plugged and it'll make weird sounds every once in awhile The humming sound is barely noticeable. Tbh, I'm done with this. I'll just deal with the remaining symptoms. I have my upcoming foot operation to address now. Thanks to everyone for the prayers.

[ccgr]

praying, thanks for the update

[lokik21]

Will continue to pray, praying it all gets better for you soon.