Again with the brain tumor

[still_aimless]

Everything was fine and last week boom - I started feeling woozy; a bit like after I had one drink, so not falling over drunk, but enough that I know that something is not "right". Tried to ignore it and then I started noticing slight headaches on my right hand side. Nothing major, if I were to assess the pain on 1-10 scale it would be max a 2. It comes and goes sometimes its in my right temple, sometimes it's behind or above my ear. I went to my neurologist on Monday. She did the usual checkup and everything was as it should be (reflexes, coordination, eye tracking, etc). She reluctantly gave me another MRI referral. This would be my third MRI in the last 3.5 years! although the last one just over couple years ago, in 2019. I'm trying to convince myself not to go, but the wooziness and headaches are telling me otherwise.

Just venting ...

 

[MATD]

I know you are just venting, but you do need to be careful here. I don’t know what country you are in but in the US health insurance co’s are pretty stingy with expensive tests. Dr’s have to convince the insurance company that the test is necessary. I’d hate to see you use up your credibility here and actually need an MRI at a later time and be refused because of frequent use. Know what I’m saying? Your dr was reluctant you said. You may want to rethink this one.

 

[still_aimless]

I'm not in US and my insurance covers everything (EU). Getting an MRI where I live is a cakewalk. That's good and bad I think here reluctance was more about feeding my "habits" I also had a gastroscopy, colonoscopy and various other tests in the last three years in addition to MRI. The only one that was truly warranted is prostate related as I am over 40.

 

[Sweet T]

What does your doctor recommend? Get the MRI or no?

 

[still_aimless]

She said she wouldn't, but it's my choice.

Edit: I bit the bullet and scheduled the MRI for next Wed.

 

[Sweet T]

She said she wouldn't, but it's my choice.

Edit: I bit the bullet and scheduled the MRI for next Wed.

Then why not believe your doctor and take her advice? I’m sure she’s been through many years of medical training. It sounds like even after to get a your results from the MRI that you will not trust them.
I’m not judging. Truly. I have been where you are so many times. Once I get good news, I just go on to some other worry then circle back a few months later to start the cycle all over again.

 

[still_aimless]

Then why not believe your doctor and take her advice? I’m sure she’s been through many years of medical training. It sounds like even after to get a your results from the MRI that you will not trust them.
I’m not judging. Truly. I have been where you are so many times. Once I get good news, I just go on to some other worry then circle back a few months later to start the cycle all over again.

I 100% agree with you and couple weeks ago I would be giving the same advice on these forums, but once you off the wagon, rational thinking goes out the window and fear and anxiety take over. And there's always this thought -"I've been wrong dozens of times, what if this time I'm actually right". And spiral effect you mentioned is quite real - it almost never ends with just the first ailment.

 

[Iugrad91]

I think of it as the opposite of “I’ve been wrong dozens of times”. I’ve though (more than dozens of times) that I could have something very serious going on and it was always either my anxiety or something that resolved itself with minor treatment or just time.

I 100% agree with you and couple weeks ago I would be giving the same advice on these forums, but once you off the wagon, rational thinking goes out the window and fear and anxiety take over. And there's always this thought -"I've been wrong dozens of times, what if this time I'm actually right". And spiral effect you mentioned is quite real - it almost never ends with just the first ailment.

 

[sTeaLth]

I've been feeling woozy for a week now as well. Mine comes and goes. Usually it is tied to big stomach issues, like diarrhea. For a while I thought it was a sinus infection/ear infection. I am not sure now. Been fearing the worst, but hoping it will just subside on it's own. I fear going to doctors in case they find something. :-/

 

[still_aimless]

Last couple days have been better, but couple hours ago I started feeling "off" again.

 

[Jennifer]

She said she wouldn't, but it's my choice.

Edit: I bit the bullet and scheduled the MRI for next Wed.

I'd be more worried about repeated MRIs, I know they don't use radiation but they do use a chemical contrast and a really strong magnet. That can NOT be good for you.. I'd hate to see you cause a different health issue because you are obsessed with having a brain tumor.

 

[Iugrad91]

Will you believe the results when they are negative, and for how long before the next sensation drives you to get
more tests? How will you end the cycle of seeking reassurance? If you’ve passed all the tests at the neurologist, that is telling that your issues may either be anxiety or perhaps sinus/allergy related. The changing weather here can really mess up one’s sinuses, which can certainly cause dizziness, headaches, etc.

 

[still_aimless]

Good points. I was thinking about a 3rd MRI and was also considering that putting yourself under in strong magnetic fields over and over again cannot be good for ones body. On the topic of "feeding the habits," I know it oh-so well. My sinuses are usually acting up this time of the year and this year is no different. I usually wake up to a sneezing session that lasts for several minutes before I'm back to normal - those are triggered by some from of vasomotor rhinitis - in my case triggered by temperature and/or dust. On the positive note those violent "sneeze-fest" don't aggravate my headaches.

 

[Jennifer]

Good points. I was thinking about a 3rd MRI and was also considering that putting yourself under in strong magnetic fields over and over again cannot be good for ones body. On the topic of "feeding the habits," I know it oh-so well. My sinuses are usually acting up this time of the year and this year is no different. I usually wake up to a sneezing session that lasts for several minutes before I'm back to normal - those are triggered by some from of vasomotor rhinitis - in my case triggered by temperature and/or dust. On the positive note those violent "sneeze-fest" don't aggravate my headaches.

What would it take for you to stop obsessing about brain tumors?

What do you need to hear?

 

[Iugrad91]

So why can’t it be the sinus issues you are having that are causing your issues? Try some allergy meds for a few weeks and see if they get better before subjecting yourself to another substantial test.

 

[Scared1234]

What did you ever figure out about your headaches? I originally came in here because I was worried about breast cancer. While worrying about cancer, last Friday, I started to have a spot on the back of my head that started to hurt. Almost felt like a bruise and then turned into a headache. I was worried it was cancer that had spread. The headache was off and on all weekend. Then on Tuesday, after having a clear mammo and ultrasound, I thought the headache would go away. It hasn’t. Ibuprofen isn’t helping. It freaks me out bc it says if pain relievers don’t help, that could be a sign of brain tumor. I went to my chiropractor today and he said it could be related to stress and that a skull bone was out of place. I do trust my chiro. He did an adjustment and said it should take 2-3 visits and then resolve itself. I came home and took some Sudafed because I feel some pressure. It hasn’t helped. I’m really concerned now thinking I spent my time worrying about one type of cancer when it could have been even something worse-a brain tumor. I feel bad going to my dr after I was just there for my other issue. However, the headaches haven’t stopped, I’ve felt a bit nauseous and dizzy and I’ve had some ringing in my ears. Does this sound like what you had? How did your situation turn out?