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Worried about a brain tumour

Posted , 15 users are following.

Phoebe604
Phoebe604

ive had headaches for about 4 weeks.  The optician did a full test and couldn't see anything and when I went to see my GP she did a full neuro test and said everything was ok.  I think she is only doing an MRI to reassure me, but I hav not been reassured and still think I have a tumour.  Any help would be appreciated

1 like, 120 replies

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  • Vigilante
    Vigilante Phoebe604

    Posted

    I'm also a health anxiety sufferer and have been for many years and also fear a brain tumor. I have been fearing this for just over 3 years now after starting to get daily headaches. I've had lots of strange symptoms come and go in the last 3 years and now have flashes of light and sparkles in my vision which has really knocked me, I'm terrified. I've had 3 dilated eye exams by Dr's at the eye a&e but they find nothing wrong. My gp is sending me for a ct scan.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 Vigilante

      Posted

      I would have thought in 3 years the doctors would have found something. The test at the optician can tell a lot about your eyes and brain.  Do you think they are doing the CT scan for reassurance?  The trouble with health anxiety is we tend to self diagnose.  We also go for the most serious scenario.  If I have anything it's always going to be fatal.  Let me know how your CT scan goes, but I am sure the doctors .would have picked up on something by now
    • Vigilante
      Vigilante Phoebe604

      Posted

      Thanks Mary, trying to tell myself it's very unlikely to have one that long, yeah seems my eyes have been fully checked, pupil reflex, field vision, retina, eyes pressure. No signs of anything. My gp just said ct scan but it's not a tumor. Been there so many times thinking I've got something nasty and generally it's always a cancer I fear. sad
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 Vigilante

      Posted

      Perhaps you need some help with your health anxiety before it gets out of hand.  I have had it for years and it is no joke
  • ciara50070
    ciara50070 Phoebe604

    Posted

    I know this post is 3 months old but I have just returned from an mri myself and have terrible health anxiety. I'm terrified out of my mind about a brain tumor or multiple sclerosis. I started with 2 numb hands about 7 weeks ago which kind of lingered. Had it randomly before after last 2 pregnancies which I thought was carpel tunnel syndrome. Went to gp who was happy to send me for physio as a result of a few shoulder back and very stiff neck issues. There were no other symptoms. A week later I start feeling pins and needles in my foot and a slight numbness in my ankle and calf. Physio did neurological type testing and wasn't concerned. By now my anxiety is out of control. Soon after this I begin feeling lightheaded. ...only a bit but fairly constant. Doctor has now prescribed Lexapro to combat the anxiety but so far I only take homeopathic remedies and half a Xanax when very bad. Got full bloods done and all clear. GP has done neurological exams now too and was happy with the outcome. So I felt better and a lot of symptoms eased off. Went away for a weekend and after a heavy night out woke up feeling quite off form, lightheaded and then started feeling unsteady and tingling in my head and a bit in my face plus my teeth felt weird. I got such a fright I nearly went to hospital. Took a Xanax to see if things settled and they did to a large extent but I have been in an awful state of worry since. Now I have headaches and feel some sinus pressure also but it's on top of my head like a band or a cap.Headache comes and goes. I don't know what is going on and I'm terrified as I have 3 small kids and I'm only 42.GP thinks it's anxiety and so does the physio but I can't believe them. In the middle of all this I went to the dentist for a check up but my tongue was also very sore and burny and inflamed so he sent me to a specialist who said he couldn't sign off on burning tongue syndrome unless I had a brain scan !!! Why does anyone know. It's not the first time I had it..It's happened randomly over last few years. Had a clear mri 3 years ago after I hurt my head in a fall. Any info appreciated. ...Im so scared I nearly have myself dead and buried.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      When did you have your MRI.  If you are worried about a brain tumour why not get an opticians appt. and get them to do,retinal photography when they look behind your eyes.  Did the GP send you for an MRI because of your condition or to reassure you.  I would have thought if it was anything serious it would be constant.  It may be worth adding your dentist what a sore mouth has to do with your brain.  The neuro test that the GP does is very good
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Had to reset my password to come in and comment just wanna say i know the struggle and trust me the way to get through it is surround yourself with positive people family, friends talks to people about it be open and just realise it is an irrational fear its not real your doctor knows you and he knows what he is talking about i was going through the same fears everyday and i am still in therapy trying to get through it and i feel a lot better for it and trust me if the mri came back clear you have nothing to worry about im here if you want to talk hit me up i will always reply i had the same kind of sensations which all turned out to be anxiety related and i never had an mri in my life trust me you would be surprised the things your mind can convince you of and trust me with this worry i was going to a and e and my gp multiple times a week and he always told me the same thing that it is anxiety related im sure you are fine but you definetly need some help smile i hope this helps a little bit. Peace
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 Phoebe604

      Posted

      This too mary helped me a lot to get through this more than she will realise when she replied to me on this post thank you so much Mary i am much better for it now and yes an eye test is very good and the neuro test are both very accurate ways of a physitian or optition detecting intercrainal pretty caused by a brain tumor but the fear will never leave you until you get furthur help counciling threapy etc 
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      So glad things are getting better for you.  I seem to feel that people with HA tend to be over sensitised regarding the odd ache and pain.  I still find it hard to trust doctors but we have too.  I still have neuro symptoms but because I accept them they aren't so evident.  Stress and anxiety can do terrible things and once you focus on something it will get worse.  We need therapy on the NHS we are not attention seekers we have an illness.  Nice to hear from you and so glad for the feedback.  I know people who have been to have there eyes tested with no symptoms and the optician has seen something
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Yes i agree with everything you said here, but i have learned through counciling to try and start listening to my doctor and believeing him and yes certainly stress and anxiety have made me believe some insane things in regard to my health so i definetly know what you mean. Yes therapy should be on the NHS because this is a real problem which a lot of people suffer from and need help and if they keep going to doctors a and e the actual problem never gets addressed they are just reassured for in my experiance a very short amount of time. I hope you are well anyway and once again thank you for the kind words and help when i first started to combat my problem with health anxiety even though i had been going through it for a year and was just too scared to talk to anyone... im glad i did smile
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      When will you get your results.  I have found if I am stressed about an illness I say to the doctor why don't you think I have this rather than do I have this disease I find this more reassuring.  Take care.  Remember stress can cause all sorts of problems.  Your adrenaline will be on overdrive and muscles will be tensed up
    • laura48798
      laura48798 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      What is a neuro test and can I ask my go to do one on me???

      I'm seeing my optician on Thursday for a sight test due to constant headaches which are getting me down.

      I don't have any other symptoms except very occasionally my eyes are quite sensitive to light and I do feel quite lightheaded at times so think it's best I get this checked out as soon as possible.

  • ciara50070
    ciara50070 Phoebe604

    Posted

    Thanks to all for commenting. I have had an eye test too....optician happy with the test and there are no additional pressures or strains on my eyes according to her. So it may sound as if I just dont believe the health professionals but my health anxiety is appalling . The doctor did not push for the mri , I did , because she said I should see a neurologist for clarification and peace of mind, told me to take Lexapro and by time the appointment wd come around I'd probably be feeling better. I freaked out at having to wait as no appointment was available even privately until about June so then I asked if we could do mri in the meantime. It was in the middle of all this that the oral physician said he would prefer if I had a brain scan. He didn't seem unduly worried but wouldn't accept it was burning mouth unless brain issue was ruled out. This tipped me over the edge. Should have mri results this pm or tomorrow. ...my nerves are shot.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I am surprised that it takes so long to see a private consultants I can see one in a week
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      This is Ireland Mary....Our health care system wouldn't be great. If I was a public patient I'd have to wait months or go through accident and emergency.
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Probably similar. We pay very expensive private insurance hence I got a scan quickly but seems there is a shortage of neurologists and a lot of people seeking care for neurological problems .
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      It seems you are no better than we are even with private insurance
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      I like the wording of your question Mary. But in short yes I will because ill be able to put the major issues to one side and concentrate on finding a way to deal with my anxiety problems. I have commited myself to doing that if I get the all clear and have made an appointment with a CBT for next week anyway. If I'm still experiencing symptoms ill discuss best course of action with my GP. I'm quite sensible in a lot of ways but this health stuff knocks me sideways.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I am having CBT at the moment and it seems to be helping.  I agree that we have common sense in everything else but with health anxiety we seem to lose the plot
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Well if I get over this hurdle I'm going to try and get to grips with it. It's not normal behaviour I know and now I have my husband , my mother and my parents in law on edge too waiting for these results. However maybe it won't be clear...that's why I can't brush it off as anxiety because nobody ever knows. The doctors surgery rang earlier about bloods recommended by the mouth guy and when I saw the number on my phone I almost collapsed in a field where my daughter was doing sports. My legs nearly went from under me....and now I have to go through it again as that conversation was not about the mri and the GP not there til tomorrow. What dreadful carry on.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I am just the same its all consuming.   Do you go,on the net to look at symptoms.  That's lethal
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 Phoebe604

      Posted

      I use too pretty much all day until i started cbt now i never google if i ever have an issue that takes hold of me i always go to my gp and him reassuring me actually works i listen to him it is absurd 3 months ago i would go in and pay no attention to my doctor just thinking i was right staying off the internet is key to getting better imo 
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      I'm never off the Internet. Literally obsessed with googling everything but sometimes it gives me peace to know it could be multiple things and only the things I dread the most.
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Never off the Internet. ...never. And I'm so busy with the kids I don't know where I find the time. I could be cooking dinner and googling symptoms.
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Yes i was very much the same 3 months ago trust me cbt will help you a lot you have to make the first step though and get some help its hard and a long road but you will be able to do it.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I believe the Internet has made me worse.  If there are a list of ailments I always choose the worst.  We are going to the GP and with a diagnosis.  I have never been right yet.  It may seem strange but sometimes i feel I deserve to get something because I have been let off so many times
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      OMG that's exactly what I said to myself today. People keep telling me ill be fine and I said to myself today can you imagine the shock for them if they turn out to be wrong this time as I've been let off numerous times too. But why is the Internet allegedly wrong do you think? I'm sure these websites have to print facts as opposed to opinions. I know for example you can read a list of symptoms for brain tumors and not all will be applicable as it depends on where the tumor is located in the brain. So like in my case I feel like I have a wide range of symptoms that could affect different parts of my brain so I'm hoping against hope that I don't have a tumor because if I do it seems to be located in all parts of my brain. ....If you get my drift. Doesn't exclude MS though and according to every search engine I have a lot of those symptoms so that's not good clearly.
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Yes this is the health anxiety telling you this, I have had that thought so many times that if i don't go and get something checked it might turn out to be a real illness and how am i gonna tell my family friends etc It is all just bs and you will lean in therapy that these are just thoughts and it is just fear taking hold of you and making you believe something false it is very hard to get through i hope you guys do seek therapy as trust me it will help you a lot it has helped me anyway smile 
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      Thank you I really hope you are right. I don't feel so bad in a general sense and would drop dead of shock alone if they have any major concerns about me but at the same time I'm sitting here in abject fear that tomorrow will mark the end of my life as I know it. We are supposed to be going in a family weekend away this Friday with extended family and I can't even see myself getting that far coz if diagnosed with something bad I won't be going. But yes if I am lucky enough to get a clean bill of health I need help / therapy for sure ! Thanks to you and Mary for the support. ...much appreciated.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      Try not to worry too much.  Please let me know.  I am thinking about you.  Good night.  Mary
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Thanks very much Mary. I will post at some stage tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Yes as Mary said try not to worry if your doctor suspected anything was wrong im sure he would act on it even if he just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong, i felt the same way i was so scared i was going to die until i went to therapy and worked through my problems i woke up every day feeling depressed and it was only when i told my family and friends about my suffering i realised i was using health anxiety almost as an excuse to not move on with my life, fortunatly my doctor is more like a friend to me than a doctor so he always picked me up and helped me to get into therapy and counciling and giving me tips of how to lift my mood and forget about these worries and move on with my life and so far so good smile 
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      I hope you are both alright too we can all get through this im sure
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I know it will be hard but try and keep yourself occupied.   Good luck
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Hi Mary. I rang the GP and the report had not been sent so they told to ring the Clinic where I had it done and chase it up. So u did that and the guy said sorry there was a bit if a backlog and said he was sending it there and then. So I guess it's with the GP now !!!! Aaaagh!
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I would have thought if it had been anything serious they would have let you no sooner
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      I have now rang the GP surgery for the second time. The receptionist said yes it has arrived and that the doctor is busy with patients so it will be later on this evening or tomorrow before she gets back to me on it. I'm guessing the receptionist herself has seen it ....she didn't say anything only was polite but dismissive enough. Sometimes the doctor calls after she has finished with her patients. ..she did that with my blood results.There is no way to gauge the situation I suppose.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      They mean to keep you guessing to the bitter end.  Let's hope it's tonight
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      They sure do. I'm here trying to analyse if the laid back air to things is a positive sign. My husband is going mad and said I should take myself down there but I honestly don't want to make a scene.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      I agree with hubby.   This isn't fair.  They no you have health anxiety they should know better
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      I hope everything turns out alright with your results im sure it will they would of told you instantly if there were any issues smile
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      The waiting can really get you down, but I am sure they would have got in touch if they had found anything
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Yes i agree they are very quick to act on these things if there was anything serious found so im sure you have no need to worry but with health anxiety this is impossible to stop doing lol the struggle
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 K1LLSW1TCH1

      Posted

      The problem is we have been in this situation and at the time logic goes out of the window.  I no it did for me 
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Ok folks all clear on mri , no abnormalities found ! I'm so relieved! She rang me after surgery hours and got straight to the point. Still have to see a neurologist but she seems to think it rules out the major issues. Thanks so much for the upbeat messages I so appreciate the support. Need to start the toad to positivity now if that's remotely possible! Ciara x
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      So pleased I would have a drink for you but I have had an allergic reaction to something and my face is bright red.  I am also back at work tomorrow, I work fir the NHS as a mental health nurse.  I think I am madder than the patients
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Really good new and good luck with recovery you will get past health anxiety no shame in needing a bit of extra help though good luck and take care 
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Ha ha Mary I am having a glass of wine here with my friend as I'm so relieved! God what are we like. I am gonna message you guys tomorrow. ... .purely coz I have company here and not wanting to be rude. Thanks soooo much for your support it was so helpful you wouldn't believe! !!!
    • K1LLSW1TCH1
      K1LLSW1TCH1 ciara50070

      Posted

      Glad we could be of some support I am always here if you need someone to talk too smile glad you are feeling better.
    • ciara50070
      ciara50070 Phoebe604

      Posted

      Had more than one or two unfortunately but it was nice to try and acknowledge good news ...I'm paying for it today I'm afraid but it could be worse. Will update after I see neurologist and I start CBT next week .Thanks to you both for your encouragement and I hope all is well for both of you in the meantime.
    • Phoebe604
      Phoebe604 ciara50070

      Posted

      At least you know now that your headache is only a hangover!  Take care
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