Newbie. Getting My MRI This Friday and I'm Scared to Death

[rhiannon67]

Hello everyone.
So, I am a tinnitus sufferer, and to be honest, I have really no idea how long I've had it. Seems that it's gotten louder and more obviously noticeable in the past month or two, but I've likely had some form of it for a while. Never paid much mind at first because I've always been a sucker for loud music over the headphones lol. Figured that may have caused it at first....but now I'm not so sure.

The tone is high pitched, but the disconcerting aspect is that it's unilateral. I have it only on the left side. Based on my ENT visit last week, the audiology tests show moderate sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear as well.

The doc thought it is likely a viral infection of the inner ear and Rx'd prednisone under the assumption my acoustic apparatus might be inflamed. He also made me make an appt to get an MRI this Friday to look for other neuro causes; namely, an acoustic neuroma or things of that ilk. Five days in to the prednisone and no relief of symptoms in sight, so it looks like the MRI is going to happen whether I want it to or not.

Oddly enough, I have a Brother-in-Law who was just dx'd with an acoustic neuroma last year. My own father died of Brain Cancer so needless to say this whole thing is really freaking me out.

I'm 47, not in the greatest of health as it is (I have some lousy comorbidities), happily married to a wonderful man, and mother to a wonderful little 7yo boy I can't bare the thought of ever leaving behind. I am afraid of finding out what may be the cause of this tinnitus/hearing loss

Any similar stories or advice?

Thank you for reading and for having me.

 

[Sound Wave]

MRI is useless in practically most of the T cases. AC is VERY rare. Actually MRI is not even adviced anymore in T treatment protocol if I remember correctly. So if I were you, I would just cancel the MRI.

 

[rhiannon67]

I didn't cancel it because I want it treated if it is treatable. Had the MRI Friday and now await results. This is the worst part, for I know way too much for my own good

 

[Ricky81]

Get mri.. it might find something you are un aware of. In my case mri found high intracranial pressure due to assault.

 

[sakrt]

Rhiannon67: Acoustic Neuromas (A.N) are VERY rare, grows slowly on nerves. ONLY an -experienced- specialist are usually able to recognize/diagnose these. Oftentimes, tests begin by Auditory Brainstem Testing (ABR) before going into more expensive further work-ups. A.N also create horrible dizziness. Have you already had an audiogram? Vemp test? VNG test?

It was posted on another site - of Otosclerosis. I mentioned it runs in my mother's side (she's fit and had no other sinister issues). It can be unilateral, and often occurs in women after having children, at your age and older. (In some instances, it occurs in children). The ossicles develop bone calcium formation and eventually starts to seize up, resulting in symptoms alike yours. This can be checked by a high resolution cat-scan of the temporal -bones- (not brain) as they are very, very tiny (MRI is more for soft tissues & nerves). It all depends on the type of symptoms you have. Blood-work helps a lot to rule out any deficiencies (full work-up including hormones). Other thing - of genetic predisposition could be a the beginning of a clogged artery near your ear area (getting old is great eh?) I believe a easy carotid sonogram helps rule this out. Nothing to be scared about - you're acting upon it, rather than behave what most men do...who require us "nagging" women to SHOVE them to doctor appts!
Pls. check my checklist suggestions for your ENT appt. under Forum "MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Discussion & Experiences & Questions. Let us know how it goes!

 

[Matt01]

Mri unlikely to show anything, but to an extent has to.be done just in case. Good luck.

 

[Crazeefiend]

Let us know what the results are, hoping for the best!