Brain Tumour worries! Advice?
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Original post by Helenia
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.
Having had 3 patients where CT showed nothing and I stillw asn't satisfied so admitted and had MRI performed - all of which then showed abnormalities (one a rather large glioma) I now will always acknowledge the poor power of CT ind etecting certain problems.
The more vague and weird the symptoms, the more likely CT will miss them.
Which suits me as an ED doc as I can't order an MRI anyway so its back to GP with them.
Original post by Demonicham
Just to recap, these are my symptoms as of now (This current moment in time.) and the main reason I'm worrying about the scan showing nothing.
So you worried before the scan, and now it is performed you worry it showed nothing.
Last time I saw someone with your symptoms he had been self medicating for migraines using weed. Headaches aside, everything else cleared up when he quit.
So I do hope you are clean living.
Original post by Jamie
Having had 3 patients where CT showed nothing and I stillw asn't satisfied so admitted and had MRI performed - all of which then showed abnormalities (one a rather large glioma) I now will always acknowledge the poor power of CT ind etecting certain problems.
The more vague and weird the symptoms, the more likely CT will miss them.
Which suits me as an ED doc as I can't order an MRI anyway so its back to GP with them.
The more vague and weird the symptoms, the more likely CT will miss them.
Which suits me as an ED doc as I can't order an MRI anyway so its back to GP with them.
By the sounds of it he has no neurological signs though, so you'd have to push quite hard to get an admission.
As I've already said though, the most sensible thing for the OP is to wait to see the neurologist with the results rather than freaking himself by reading internet scare stories.
Original post by Helenia
By the sounds of it he has no neurological signs though, so you'd have to push quite hard to get an admission.
I wouldn't push for admission in this case.
But I would refuse a CT in the grounds an MRI is far better and that the GP can orgnise that and I can't.
In the affluent area I currently work we get a lot of this sort of thing.
I keep a list of private companies to give to patients who want it sooner now.
I see my GP tomorrow so I think I'll ask them to push the follow-up appointment forward, and I may discuss an MRI with my neurologist. I don't want them to miss anything when dealing with a problem causing symptoms such as these.
Right, I've had it.
I'm sick of doctors not listening to me, and saying it's all stress. quite frankly, it's insulting my Intelligence, I have been stressed in the past, and these symptoms are nothing like that. its much more impairing on my life, and by god, I'm getting this problem found, I don't care how many times I have to try. What I'm experiencing right now isn't normal and I'm going to get some more tests done to have the source of this problem found. and treated, so I can get on with my life as normal. Nobody knows my body better than I do. and I'm saying there's a problem, and I want it found.
Right now, I just want this all to stop, believe me, I'm not purposely wasting the doctors time for a laugh. I'm honestly in the worst state I've ever been in in my life and just because I've been stressed in the past, they think it's 'health anxiety'. If my neurologist won't send me for the MRI with contrast and an EEG to find the cause of my twitches, then I want to be referred to someone who will. I don't care if it's private, even if I have to pay to find what is causing this, then fine. because I'd rather pay and be treated early and survive, than get free care when it's too late and die. I don't want to be the sad story of the boy who died in his early 20's because of an undiagnosed illness. I'm taking action, I'm sick of just lying around and letting the problem get worse. which is what the doctors are basically telling me to do.
My plan of action is:-
See my neurologist about my scan results, if it showed nothing, I'll request an EEG done to find the cause of my muscular twitches and uncoordinated movements of my limbs. and I want it soon, not in 2-3 weeks, within a few days or else I'll ask to have it done privately.
Ask to have an MRI with contrast done to rule out a brain tumour, which is the focus of my worries right now, CT scans, especially without contrast, are very inaccurate in diagnosis and do not show very clear pictures of the brain. I do not wish to take risks when it's my neck is on the line. again, if it takes too long or they deny me the scan, I'll ask for a referral to a private clinic that will do it.
To be honest, I don't see why people are getting annoyed at me for trying to look after my own health by trying to find the cause of these symptoms. the symptoms came on at the least stressful time I've had this year. and they've been progressing rapidly without any sign of going away. and they are too consistent to be stress. Doctor's may have studied for years about the human body and diseases that affect each person. but what they forget is that every 'body' is different, and sometimes a person's word about how they feel may be the only basis of how they diagnose a person. instead of relying on a symptom list in a file of a certain disease. they should ask the right questions and ask the patient about this ailment is affecting their life and mention every symptom they experience. above all else, people have the right to make sure they are alright, if nothing is found afterwards, apologies can be made. but by no means, can you leave something like your life up to chance. if I notice a change that shouldn't be right and that messes with my thoughts, body functions and my brain, I want it seen to immediately! just like how a doctor says that your going to die from a disease, doesn't mean they are always right, nobody is always right. we are only human, after all.
However, as a human being, I am saying that there is a problem, and I want these tests to help me find out what is causing this abnormality in my body functions. I can't eat properly, sleep properly, read properly, write properly or speak properly, and these functions are the basis of my life! what do they expect me to do, sit and let it get worse and put me on a mile long waiting list for them to tell me that they think its stress?! fat chance! I'm getting this sorted! and soon! because I want to go back to university, study and get my future sorted, rather than listen to doctors say I'm crazy and too stressed.
I'm sick of doctors not listening to me, and saying it's all stress. quite frankly, it's insulting my Intelligence, I have been stressed in the past, and these symptoms are nothing like that. its much more impairing on my life, and by god, I'm getting this problem found, I don't care how many times I have to try. What I'm experiencing right now isn't normal and I'm going to get some more tests done to have the source of this problem found. and treated, so I can get on with my life as normal. Nobody knows my body better than I do. and I'm saying there's a problem, and I want it found.
Right now, I just want this all to stop, believe me, I'm not purposely wasting the doctors time for a laugh. I'm honestly in the worst state I've ever been in in my life and just because I've been stressed in the past, they think it's 'health anxiety'. If my neurologist won't send me for the MRI with contrast and an EEG to find the cause of my twitches, then I want to be referred to someone who will. I don't care if it's private, even if I have to pay to find what is causing this, then fine. because I'd rather pay and be treated early and survive, than get free care when it's too late and die. I don't want to be the sad story of the boy who died in his early 20's because of an undiagnosed illness. I'm taking action, I'm sick of just lying around and letting the problem get worse. which is what the doctors are basically telling me to do.
My plan of action is:-
See my neurologist about my scan results, if it showed nothing, I'll request an EEG done to find the cause of my muscular twitches and uncoordinated movements of my limbs. and I want it soon, not in 2-3 weeks, within a few days or else I'll ask to have it done privately.
Ask to have an MRI with contrast done to rule out a brain tumour, which is the focus of my worries right now, CT scans, especially without contrast, are very inaccurate in diagnosis and do not show very clear pictures of the brain. I do not wish to take risks when it's my neck is on the line. again, if it takes too long or they deny me the scan, I'll ask for a referral to a private clinic that will do it.
To be honest, I don't see why people are getting annoyed at me for trying to look after my own health by trying to find the cause of these symptoms. the symptoms came on at the least stressful time I've had this year. and they've been progressing rapidly without any sign of going away. and they are too consistent to be stress. Doctor's may have studied for years about the human body and diseases that affect each person. but what they forget is that every 'body' is different, and sometimes a person's word about how they feel may be the only basis of how they diagnose a person. instead of relying on a symptom list in a file of a certain disease. they should ask the right questions and ask the patient about this ailment is affecting their life and mention every symptom they experience. above all else, people have the right to make sure they are alright, if nothing is found afterwards, apologies can be made. but by no means, can you leave something like your life up to chance. if I notice a change that shouldn't be right and that messes with my thoughts, body functions and my brain, I want it seen to immediately! just like how a doctor says that your going to die from a disease, doesn't mean they are always right, nobody is always right. we are only human, after all.
However, as a human being, I am saying that there is a problem, and I want these tests to help me find out what is causing this abnormality in my body functions. I can't eat properly, sleep properly, read properly, write properly or speak properly, and these functions are the basis of my life! what do they expect me to do, sit and let it get worse and put me on a mile long waiting list for them to tell me that they think its stress?! fat chance! I'm getting this sorted! and soon! because I want to go back to university, study and get my future sorted, rather than listen to doctors say I'm crazy and too stressed.
I get everything you have said, for the past 3 days I have had a headache, I slept for about 18hours, getting up and walking around was too painful, but i had a scan too and they said it was nothing. They told me to wear my glasses regularly and take iron tablets coz i'm anaemic. I don't trust doctors anyway, I do suggest you go somewhere else for a second opinion once you get your results. However, there is no point in going private because its literally the same doctors that work in the NHS that work at private hospitals. Also, read up on 'cluster headaches' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_headache
I can understand that just a headache and wanting tests would be abit silly. but it's all these neurological ailments alongside with it. the headache I'd say is the least concerning of my symptoms. because when I do get headaches, they are there for about 10 minutes then fade away again. but its just the muscle twitching, the cognitive defects and the tingling and weakness in my arms and legs that's concerning me right now. however, I do also get attacks of ear ringing that also completely stop my hearing in one ear for a few seconds. it's just all these symptoms piled up tell me that whatever's going on, needs treating right away.
Original post by Memo100
I do suggest you go somewhere else for a second opinion once you get your results. However, there is no point in going private
I'm only going private to have the tests carried out. The sooner the better, in my case. and as long as they get a diagnosis done, then I can finally be at ease. I'm not even bothered what they find, as long as they find it. so they know it's there and can treat it.
I hope they find whatever is wrong soon, or at least put your worries at rest. But as you have posted on an open forum I'm going to put my point in the mix too.
I have to say that I agree with most of the medics who have posted on here; I think you're way too worked up. You say this has ruined your life, you can't talk or hear etc but you can still type coherently on the computer. If your arms and hands were that bad we wouldn't be able to read what you had written... I have had every single one of your symptoms and a lot of them I have right now because I am feeling extremely anxious (selling my car [my baby!] today and I may have messed things up with a guy I like at work who I'll see later on). I agree that if you have a family history of brain tumours, and especially early onset ones that getting it checked out and telling all of the doctors everything including your worries is a sensible idea. But I think you're getting yourself really worked up. You keep saying you get a headache when you exercise, again if your symptoms are as bad as you say they are then you wouldn't be able to exercise. I'm not trying to second guess you, or make you look stupid, or insult you; I just think you are far too worried about it. It's not a brain tumour that is ruining your life, it is your worries. Maybe you have got something, or lots of things wrong but worrying about it will do nothing but make everything worse.
My advice: take a deep breath, and get on with your day to day activities like your symptoms aren't even there. That's what a lot of us have to do, and in case you have to live with it for a while the sooner you start getting on with your life and getting used to it the better. Harsh but it's what I had to do and what I will have to do for the rest of my life.
Good luck, stop Googe-ing, and stop asking people on a student health forum for what they think it could be or if they agree or not with your doctors. Ask for support or advice yes, but not a diagnosis or to second guess what a medical professional has told you.
I have to say that I agree with most of the medics who have posted on here; I think you're way too worked up. You say this has ruined your life, you can't talk or hear etc but you can still type coherently on the computer. If your arms and hands were that bad we wouldn't be able to read what you had written... I have had every single one of your symptoms and a lot of them I have right now because I am feeling extremely anxious (selling my car [my baby!] today and I may have messed things up with a guy I like at work who I'll see later on). I agree that if you have a family history of brain tumours, and especially early onset ones that getting it checked out and telling all of the doctors everything including your worries is a sensible idea. But I think you're getting yourself really worked up. You keep saying you get a headache when you exercise, again if your symptoms are as bad as you say they are then you wouldn't be able to exercise. I'm not trying to second guess you, or make you look stupid, or insult you; I just think you are far too worried about it. It's not a brain tumour that is ruining your life, it is your worries. Maybe you have got something, or lots of things wrong but worrying about it will do nothing but make everything worse.
My advice: take a deep breath, and get on with your day to day activities like your symptoms aren't even there. That's what a lot of us have to do, and in case you have to live with it for a while the sooner you start getting on with your life and getting used to it the better. Harsh but it's what I had to do and what I will have to do for the rest of my life.
Good luck, stop Googe-ing, and stop asking people on a student health forum for what they think it could be or if they agree or not with your doctors. Ask for support or advice yes, but not a diagnosis or to second guess what a medical professional has told you.
Original post by SuperCat007
You keep saying you get a headache when you exercise, again if your symptoms are as bad as you say they are then you wouldn't be able to exercise.
A lot of people get headaches due to not drinking enough. That, according to a friend who is a paramedic, probably why I have one.
I agree with everything else you've said.
Original post by OU Student
A lot of people get headaches due to not drinking enough. That, according to a friend who is a paramedic, probably why I have one.
I agree with everything else you've said.
I agree with everything else you've said.
Thank you I was really worried about being ridiculed! Indeed your food, drink and lifestyle will affect all the symptoms the OP is displaying. Sitting on the sofa all day then going for a big run will make you hurt etc etc. But I do hope the OP gets it sorted ASAP whatever it is.
Original post by SuperCat007
I hope they find whatever is wrong soon, or at least put your worries at rest. But as you have posted on an open forum I'm going to put my point in the mix too.
I have to say that I agree with most of the medics who have posted on here; I think you're way too worked up. You say this has ruined your life, you can't talk or hear etc but you can still type coherently on the computer. If your arms and hands were that bad we wouldn't be able to read what you had written... I have had every single one of your symptoms and a lot of them I have right now because I am feeling extremely anxious (selling my car [my baby!] today and I may have messed things up with a guy I like at work who I'll see later on). I agree that if you have a family history of brain tumours, and especially early onset ones that getting it checked out and telling all of the doctors everything including your worries is a sensible idea. But I think you're getting yourself really worked up. You keep saying you get a headache when you exercise, again if your symptoms are as bad as you say they are then you wouldn't be able to exercise. I'm not trying to second guess you, or make you look stupid, or insult you; I just think you are far too worried about it. It's not a brain tumour that is ruining your life, it is your worries. Maybe you have got something, or lots of things wrong but worrying about it will do nothing but make everything worse.
My advice: take a deep breath, and get on with your day to day activities like your symptoms aren't even there. That's what a lot of us have to do, and in case you have to live with it for a while the sooner you start getting on with your life and getting used to it the better. Harsh but it's what I had to do and what I will have to do for the rest of my life.
Good luck, stop Googe-ing, and stop asking people on a student health forum for what they think it could be or if they agree or not with your doctors. Ask for support or advice yes, but not a diagnosis or to second guess what a medical professional has told you.
I have to say that I agree with most of the medics who have posted on here; I think you're way too worked up. You say this has ruined your life, you can't talk or hear etc but you can still type coherently on the computer. If your arms and hands were that bad we wouldn't be able to read what you had written... I have had every single one of your symptoms and a lot of them I have right now because I am feeling extremely anxious (selling my car [my baby!] today and I may have messed things up with a guy I like at work who I'll see later on). I agree that if you have a family history of brain tumours, and especially early onset ones that getting it checked out and telling all of the doctors everything including your worries is a sensible idea. But I think you're getting yourself really worked up. You keep saying you get a headache when you exercise, again if your symptoms are as bad as you say they are then you wouldn't be able to exercise. I'm not trying to second guess you, or make you look stupid, or insult you; I just think you are far too worried about it. It's not a brain tumour that is ruining your life, it is your worries. Maybe you have got something, or lots of things wrong but worrying about it will do nothing but make everything worse.
My advice: take a deep breath, and get on with your day to day activities like your symptoms aren't even there. That's what a lot of us have to do, and in case you have to live with it for a while the sooner you start getting on with your life and getting used to it the better. Harsh but it's what I had to do and what I will have to do for the rest of my life.
Good luck, stop Googe-ing, and stop asking people on a student health forum for what they think it could be or if they agree or not with your doctors. Ask for support or advice yes, but not a diagnosis or to second guess what a medical professional has told you.
The thing is though, with typing, I can correct myself without having to worry about stuttering, and I get plenty of time to think about what I type before I type it, hence why my typing seems normal. however, my speech and reading words have steadily deteriorating, there was one point where I had stuttered speech and could read sentences fine, then boom. one day I noticed that reading a sentence became harder and processing what the sentence is saying becomes harder. like I'll mispronounce words in my mind when I read it or replace a word with another word. that is not normal despite how you look at it. especially if it came on suddenly.
These two symptoms are, to be honest, the reason why I'm so worked up, it's affecting my intelligence as well as my ability to even distract myself from these symptoms which usually helps with stress. knowing that I can't distract myself because of these impairments is like torture. you have no idea how bad this actually is.
Have you considered possibly that your symptoms don't have a clear pathological basis? A lot of people can experience medically unexplained symptoms. The important thing is to not be sucked into the (vicious) cycle of 'health anxiety', where you start to perpetuate your condition by constantly seeking medicalisation, thinking about negative scenarios etc...
Blindish post.
Brain tumours are rare, but people still do get them.
I had a friend that recently passed away from a brain tumour. He was early 30's perfectly healthy and then he got most of the symptoms you listed. When the headaches/nausea/irritability got really bad is when he went in for a scan.
I should read through this thread to see if you got your results or not yet, but I hope that you are okay.
Brain tumours are rare, but people still do get them.
I had a friend that recently passed away from a brain tumour. He was early 30's perfectly healthy and then he got most of the symptoms you listed. When the headaches/nausea/irritability got really bad is when he went in for a scan.
I should read through this thread to see if you got your results or not yet, but I hope that you are okay.
Hey guys, It's been a while so I'll give you a quick update.
Since I first posted this, I have had an MRI, a CT scan of my head, bone chemistry blood tests and a chest x-ray, all looked fine except for the CT of my head (which I had a few weeks ago) that showed a bony swelling on my head. everything else internally, such as the brain and the blood vessels looked fine apparently. However, I have an appointment to see the Neurologist in January to discuss this lump and all of my symptoms as they are currently.
My life is still in shambles. the symptoms are just as bad, and the most noticeable problem I'm having right now is my speech and memory. I can't word sentences properly anymore. or hold any proper conversations with people without stuttering or having to end the conversation out of embarassment and not remembering the correct words to say. my memory is atrocious. starting to forget simple details, such as my address, my bank card PIN and my friends names. my coordination is horrible, putting my shoes on back to front and not realising at all, my flatmate had to point it out before I actually noticed. going in the shower with my socks on and other mishaps I'll end up doing without realising. I am also suffering from bad Brain Fog. it feels like I'm forgetting more details by the day and slowly deteriorating mentally, and it's safe to say, I'm anxious.
All the tests I've had have came back with nothing and at the moment, I want a diagnosis more than anything.
My symptoms are relatively the same, however there are some new ones, such as:-
joints making a clicking snapping sound when I move them, noticeable muscle weakness and fatigue. muscle cramping almost everytime I move a muscle.
A large bony swelling on the back of my head and on the manubrium (center bone on my chest, top of my sternum) both are rock hard and connected to bone.
wheezing when I breathe
severe chest pains to the point where I can't breathe, but only last for a few seconds, and get worse when I breathe in.
a persistent dry cough
queazy sickness has gotten worse, and occurs almost always in the morning, or when I lie down to go to sleep
dry throat
random occasions of numbness and sharp pains on areas of my body for no reason
The other symptoms are still there but these ones listed are the most discomforting, as they stop me from sleeping, eating and generally socialising normally.
I have had a chest x-ray about the chest lump and the pains and cough, but apparently everything looked as it should, I mentioned the lump but the doctor assured me that if it was anything abnormal, the x-ray would've shown it. so I am unsure what to think about it, it's very visible and I'm ashamed to be topless because of it.
would a chest x-ray have shown an abnormal growth on my chestbone? I have a clear chest x-ray I had about a year ago where the lump wasn't there, I have considered mentioning it to my doctor to see if they could get them and analyze the current and the previous scans to examine the changes in my bone structure, but people have pointed out that they may not do this, so I have left it for now.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated as I am still suffering but soldiering on! it's like torture not knowing what's happening in your body and I look forward to the day I'm diagnosed.
Since I first posted this, I have had an MRI, a CT scan of my head, bone chemistry blood tests and a chest x-ray, all looked fine except for the CT of my head (which I had a few weeks ago) that showed a bony swelling on my head. everything else internally, such as the brain and the blood vessels looked fine apparently. However, I have an appointment to see the Neurologist in January to discuss this lump and all of my symptoms as they are currently.
My life is still in shambles. the symptoms are just as bad, and the most noticeable problem I'm having right now is my speech and memory. I can't word sentences properly anymore. or hold any proper conversations with people without stuttering or having to end the conversation out of embarassment and not remembering the correct words to say. my memory is atrocious. starting to forget simple details, such as my address, my bank card PIN and my friends names. my coordination is horrible, putting my shoes on back to front and not realising at all, my flatmate had to point it out before I actually noticed. going in the shower with my socks on and other mishaps I'll end up doing without realising. I am also suffering from bad Brain Fog. it feels like I'm forgetting more details by the day and slowly deteriorating mentally, and it's safe to say, I'm anxious.
All the tests I've had have came back with nothing and at the moment, I want a diagnosis more than anything.
My symptoms are relatively the same, however there are some new ones, such as:-
joints making a clicking snapping sound when I move them, noticeable muscle weakness and fatigue. muscle cramping almost everytime I move a muscle.
A large bony swelling on the back of my head and on the manubrium (center bone on my chest, top of my sternum) both are rock hard and connected to bone.
wheezing when I breathe
severe chest pains to the point where I can't breathe, but only last for a few seconds, and get worse when I breathe in.
a persistent dry cough
queazy sickness has gotten worse, and occurs almost always in the morning, or when I lie down to go to sleep
dry throat
random occasions of numbness and sharp pains on areas of my body for no reason
The other symptoms are still there but these ones listed are the most discomforting, as they stop me from sleeping, eating and generally socialising normally.
I have had a chest x-ray about the chest lump and the pains and cough, but apparently everything looked as it should, I mentioned the lump but the doctor assured me that if it was anything abnormal, the x-ray would've shown it. so I am unsure what to think about it, it's very visible and I'm ashamed to be topless because of it.
would a chest x-ray have shown an abnormal growth on my chestbone? I have a clear chest x-ray I had about a year ago where the lump wasn't there, I have considered mentioning it to my doctor to see if they could get them and analyze the current and the previous scans to examine the changes in my bone structure, but people have pointed out that they may not do this, so I have left it for now.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated as I am still suffering but soldiering on! it's like torture not knowing what's happening in your body and I look forward to the day I'm diagnosed.
Original post by Fuzzpig
You write incredibly coherently still with correct spelling and punctuation... You don't have any memory loss relating to symptoms or the development of your ongoing diagnosis.
I'm not saying you're lying or anything like that, but it just doesn't seem to fit.
I'm not saying you're lying or anything like that, but it just doesn't seem to fit.
How do you know it was the OP writing this and not a flatmate?
I have serious memory problems. There are somethings that I remember which happened years ago. There are things which happened last week that I can't remember.
A lot of those symptoms could be caused by a mental problem. It was such a relief to me to find out my depression and anxiety could cause memory loss, slurred speech, nausea, headaches, weakness, tiredness, palpitations, agitation..
Reading this thread kinda reminded me of that programme the town that caught Tourettes- the people who insisted their problem wasn't psychological (all claiming they had no reason to be stressed, when many of them did) haven't fully recovered, but those who accepted they had conversion disorder and got therapy did.
Reading this thread kinda reminded me of that programme the town that caught Tourettes- the people who insisted their problem wasn't psychological (all claiming they had no reason to be stressed, when many of them did) haven't fully recovered, but those who accepted they had conversion disorder and got therapy did.
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