[hannah_dru]

Do you think it's worth going to A&E saying your GP sent you?

[Demonicham]

Definitely. I went and they said that all they can do is write a letter giving their opinion on what they think it is and agree with the scan approach. however I've also noticed a new symptom appeared in the past 24 hours. I'm starting to mishear what people are saying very occasionally. like they'll say a sentence and ill mishear it as something else and it wont make sense. and now thats another embarassment to add to the pile.

Honestly, I'm at wits end. I can't take it anymore. and the doctors aren't seeing it how I'm seeing it.

[Demonicham]

This is me a few days ago, check the veins showing on the right arm. I've also noticed that my veins are far more prominent than usual along with the neurological symptoms, because funnily enough, It started out as chest pains and palpitations. then the headaches and the neurological symptoms came along. right now I am not so sure whats going on, but you guessed it, the doctors don't listen to me.

[Helenia]

Lumps on the outside of your head are hardly likely to be brain tumours, or causing all these symptoms. Going to A&E is unlikely to get you a scan any sooner unless you have solid physical signs of something neurological going on (or, as in hannah_dru's case, significant previous neurological/neurosurgical history, which you don't have, as far as I can tell). I can understand that you are very anxious about all these symptoms you are having, but your best options at the moment are either to stick it out until the scan in 2 weeks, or go private, where you can get whatever test you want, regardless of whether it's actually clinically indicated or not, as long as you're willing to cough up the money.

[timeofflight]

(Original post by Demonicham)
I don't have a brain injury, the head injury I had was only a piercing of the skin on my head that went to the bone, no fractures.

Firstly, you don't have to see something for it to injured. A blow to the head of sufficient force to expose bone will likely have hurt your brain in some way.

Secondly, you probably wont get seen much quicker privately. They will want to repeat the consultation and things again (they are not going to just let you stroll in for an MRI) and that will all take time. By the time you have decided you want to go, booked in, seen doctor again (possibly two), scheduled a brain scan it will be about two weeks.

[hannah_dru]

If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here for you

Unfortunately I'm even more convinced that it's a waiting game with things like this. I was in A&E for 10 hours yesterday, they're calling me back today for more tests, then again at a later date and then I have to monitor myself. Have you started making a diary of your symptoms? They might need something like that.

[Fishfingers52]

I know many people have been saying things on here, but if you do have a tumour, don't worry about it. My nan had one 2 years ago now, and all they done was remove it and now she lives a normal life. She didn't suffer any brian damage and just continues on with her life.

Hope it all works out for you and is something small and easy sorted.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Demonicham]

Well, after abit of moaning and begging, I've managed to secure a MRI for tomorrow So I'm quite relieved to be honest. I'll finally get to see what's causing all this. and the only thing I'm worried about is it being some kind of cancer in the brain that's incurable and will end up me kissing goodbye to my future.

I just want this sorted so I can go back to being a happy go-lucky young guy who just wants to have fun. and go back to uni, with a smile on my face.

if it turns out to be a brain tumor or whatever, I hope to god it's reversible and hasn't damaged anything in my brain. because I've experienced a few more symptoms over the past few days like my right leg is starting to feel weird, like heavy and weaker than usual. I'm feeling incredibly dizzy. and my headache gets worse when I exercise and gets better when I cough (which I find weird)

Firstly, you don't have to see something for it to injured. A blow to the head of sufficient force to expose bone will likely have hurt your brain in some way.

Hmm, then maybe that's something that could've contributed then. well, whatever the case, I just want it sorted out.

Also question, if it was something serious or there was something showing on the scan, would they inform me straight away or does it take a few days to process?

[OU Student]

(Original post by Demonicham)
Also question, if it was something serious or there was something showing on the scan, would they inform me straight away or does it take a few days to process?

It normally takes a few days or so. That being said, it took months before anyone managed to properly diagnose me. With my first scan, they said they don't know what's wrong; but there's certainly something there that shouldn't be.

[Demonicham]

Hey guys! just a quick update, just had a scan done, but it was a CT rather than a MRI. and I didn't have the dye injected so I don't know how that affects the readings, but the radiologist said if there's anything abnormal they will let me know in 2-3 days if not sooner. Are CT's just as good as MRI's for catching tumours and problems with the vascular system in the brain? as my symptoms are still progressing with my speech and general word-finding abilities are deteriorating fast.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Demonicham)
Hey guys! just a quick update, just had a scan done, but it was a CT rather than a MRI. and I didn't have the dye injected so I don't know how that affects the readings, but the radiologist said if there's anything abnormal they will let me know in 2-3 days if not sooner. Are CT's just as good as MRI's for catching tumours and problems with the vascular system in the brain? as my symptoms are still progressing with my speech and general word-finding abilities are deteriorating fast.

If it's something big enough to be causing such rapid progression of your symptoms, then yes, it would be visible on CT. I think it highly unlikely that this is the case though.

[Fuzzpig]

Surely lumps on the outside of the head won't be brain tumours? The brain is within the skull!

[Demonicham]

My main concern is these muscle spasms I've been having. they came on as soon as I developed these neurological complaints and they don't stop no matter what medication I take. doctors think It's stress so all they do is throw antidepressants at me which do nothing. I'm concerned I'm just going to be falling on deaf ears eventually and end up in a 'boy who cried wolf' scenario.

[Demonicham]

Hey guys, sorry to be a bother, but whilst I wait for the results of my CT, I've started to get weird numb sensations in my arms and legs. like, I can still feel in them, because I nip them and it hurts. and I can still use them for exercise like press ups and running. but it just feels like there numb or just weakening and I get tingling in them too. as well as the cognitive decline I've been experiencing, muscle twitches and headaches, this basically points to a brain tumor clear and loud. so if the CT scan shows nothing, how should I proceed? should I push my doctor for a MRI with dye injected? or should I ask for his opinion first? or should I talk to my GP? I just feel lost. my life as it was is now gone, and all I want to do is get it back, as fast as possible.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Demonicham)
Hey guys, sorry to be a bother, but whilst I wait for the results of my CT, I've started to get weird numb sensations in my arms and legs. like, I can still feel in them, because I nip them and it hurts. and I can still use them for exercise like press ups and running. but it just feels like there numb or just weakening and I get tingling in them too. as well as the cognitive decline I've been experiencing, muscle twitches and headaches, this basically points to a brain tumor clear and loud.

Not really, it doesn't. Never say never, but your symptoms certainly don't ring any of the classic alarm bells. Especially as you are apparently concerned about lumps on the outside of your head.

so if the CT scan shows nothing, how should I proceed? should I push my doctor for a MRI with dye injected? or should I ask for his opinion first?

Yes. This is their job, to interpret your symptoms and test results, and to decide what else is needed, if anything. If an MRI will be helpful, you'll get one, but you won't just because you want one if there is no clinical indication.

I'm not saying there's nothing wrong, but I do think you have jumped rapidly to the worst case scenario and are now giving yourself more symptoms due to all this stress. Stop panicking, and let the doctors get on with things. Have you told them you're worried about a tumour? They may well be able to reassure you better than any of us.

[DannyR2811]

I don't know alot, but my mum has had 2 brain tumors, she is fine, has scans every year, they happened when she was young.

I would try and push for the MRI with dye, as this is what my mum has and they show really clear what she's had done.

[Demonicham]

I'm not saying there's nothing wrong, but I do think you have jumped rapidly to the worst case scenario

I know, because of how I feel and how it's affecting my social life, I've naturally been freaking out about it. and as the symptoms are progressing and getting worse in nature, I figure it is something that's biological in nature that hasn't been detected yet causing a abnormality in my brain functioning properly. like the cognitive affects happened overnight, one night I could talk fine then I wake up and I'm all stuttery. and one night I could run fine and have no pain and the next, I have numb limbs and my head hurts everytime I run.

Have you told them you're worried about a tumour?

I have told a few A&E doctors about it but they say that there was no signs of it at that present moment. but that was before I had the cognitive mental impairments and I could talk fine. and was only getting moderate headaches and twitches.

I haven't told my neurologist, I was debating it, but there was that bit at the back of my head telling me that he would just think I'm being ridiculous and not take me seriously from the point I told him that. I want a fair hearing.

I'm just concerned that my symptoms will continue to get worse whereas the CT scan will show nothing therefore they'll think theres nothing to fix. but this problem is causing me sleep deprivation, alot of pain, interfering with my normal social activities, personal activities, basically enveloping my life into just one big mess, and I feel powerless to stop it. there's talk on the internet that CT's without dye can miss tumours quite easily and MRI's are the best diagnosis tool. so I was pinching myself about what would happen if the CT scan showed nothing and it turns out there is something wrong, but at the same time, wanting to find it before it can do anymore damage.

[Helenia]

(Original post by Demonicham)
I know, because of how I feel and how it's affecting my social life, I've naturally been freaking out about it. and as the symptoms are progressing and getting worse in nature, I figure it is something that's biological in nature that hasn't been detected yet causing a abnormality in my brain functioning properly. like the cognitive affects happened overnight, one night I could talk fine then I wake up and I'm all stuttery. and one night I could run fine and have no pain and the next, I have numb limbs and my head hurts everytime I run.



I have told a few A&E doctors about it but they say that there was no signs of it at that present moment. but that was before I had the cognitive mental impairments and I could talk fine. and was only getting moderate headaches and twitches.

I haven't told my neurologist, I was debating it, but there was that bit at the back of my head telling me that he would just think I'm being ridiculous and not take me seriously from the point I told him that. I want a fair hearing.

I'm just concerned that my symptoms will continue to get worse whereas the CT scan will show nothing therefore they'll think theres nothing to fix. but this problem is causing me sleep deprivation, alot of pain, interfering with my normal social activities, personal activities, basically enveloping my life into just one big mess, and I feel powerless to stop it. there's talk on the internet that CT's without dye can miss tumours quite easily and MRI's are the best diagnosis tool. so I was pinching myself about what would happen if the CT scan showed nothing and it turns out there is something wrong, but at the same time, wanting to find it before it can do anymore damage.

When are you seeing your neurologist next? I think, once you've got your CT result, if that's clear, you should explain your worries and ask if they think that an MRI would be helpful. It's not always needed, but if you explain your worries then hopefully they will be able to explain why they do or don't think it's necessary.

As I said before though, if you really did have a tumour significant enough to cause this large range of symptoms on so many different parts of your body, it would show up on CT. It is still, IMO, pretty unlikely that a tumour is the cause of your symptoms. Seriously, stop reading about things on the internet as you don't have the medical knowledge to interpret them and know what is realistic and what is rubbish (and there is a lot of rubbish out there) and you will only panic yourself more. Just stick it out until your appointment and let them know what you're frightened of there.

[AnneStaley]

Brain tumors are serious. Fortunately, parents worrying about brain tumors is far more common than actually having a child with a brain tumor. Still, since headaches, a common brain tumor symptom, are very common in kids, it is important to learn about brain tumor symptoms so that you don't worry unnecessarily and so that you don't miss an important symptom.

[LIST][*]Medical Symptom Checker - Search for common symptoms that may affect your child. [*]Childhood Cancers - Learn more about common cancers that can affect children, including Leukemia, Lymphoma, Bone Cancer, Liver Cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, and Other Cancers. [*]Brain Tumor Symptoms - Learn about common brain tumor symptoms and signs, such as headaches, vomiting, personality or mood changes, and seizures,etc.

[IndiaCaitlinn]

My friend has had the same symptoms as you, she went to the doctors and I think they basically said that it's anxiety. She used to get so anxious about having a brain tumour that she felt sick, couldn't eat, felt weak because she wasn't eating or drinking, headaches from being dehydrated etc. She also had anaemia which made her really lethargic and dizzy. If you're getting a scan, the best thing you can do is stop over thinking it and wait for your test results

My friend used to think literally ANYTHING that happened was because she had a brain tumour, e.g mishearing things, not remembering something, and she'd go crazy over it. Just try and relax as much as you can, I know it's hard but it will be beneficial.