Referred to neurosurgery
Hi, so I have had pulsatile tinnitus for over ten years. I went to the doctors with complaints ten years ago and nothing was done, just get on with it kind of thing.
It came and went and then over the past year has come back but worse. I went back to the doctor who noticed I had been previously for the same thing. I had forgotten about seeing the doctor tbh!
She referred me to ENT for a hearing test and that was fine, she was concerned with my symptoms and sent me to someone else. This person was very blasé about it, I feel that as a woman it was just get on with it but reluctantly sent me for a CT because it had been going on for so long ‘but it will come back clear’.. it didn’t, I have dehiscence of the sigmoid plate(?) and having researched discovered it goes away by pressing on my neck-typical symptoms.
I saw the same doctor again who told me about the dehiscence but again played it down. Told me he could refer me to neurosurgery for a potential op though ‘it’s brain surgery and is risky’ again I think just making me feel silly to want the surgery if it is an option.
I will want it if possible as it is massively impacting my life, I also go lightheaded regularly which he told me was not related though research tells me is related.
My question is, those who have had surgery, how is it afterwards? How long is recovery and what is the surgery like? Are you in hospital long? (This is UK, I presume you may be in hospital longer in America or other private healthcare countries). And lastly, how long are you off work for?
I am a primary school teacher and I would just like to know.
He has despite his above statements referred me as an urgent case, which baffles me given what he said to me but I’m not complaining as it’s driving me mad and makes me angry, want to cry and scream all the time at the same time. It really does impact your life so much.
Despite his reluctance I am glad he did the tests and hopefully things will progress well regarding treatment.