Headache and need relief

[Scared1234]

Is your vision “off” or nearly gone? My brother woke up completely unable to see out of 1 eye and went to the ER and had “optic neuritis” which is 90% of the time caused by MS. They did an MRI which showed no lesions so we don’t know why it occurred. I believe optic neuritis is different from the eye thing you have but sounds similar. You said your googling led you to the pale optic nerve being caused by lesions. Lesions are not tumors. Lesions are scars (MS) and while I don’t think you even have that…that is clearly the worst case scenario as the doctors told you. If a tumor was a possibility, they would have told you. They have to save their asses too, remember.

I failed the field vision test. Now, it’s hard for my eye to focus and I have to really concentrate on seeing something or else it blurs together. Yes, the eye dr said pale optic nerve which can be caused by a tumor pressing on it. The dr never said for sure it wasn’t a tumor, just that the ct didn’t show one and we now need to do an mri. So that’s why I still have these concerns.

 

[Jonathan123]

I have said this so many times on this site and another. ANXIETY CAN MIMIC THE SYMPTOMS OF ANY KNOWN DISEASE AND SOME UNKNOWN ONES'. Honest!!!! I doubted, after so many years counselling, that I could ever be surprised at any new symptoms. But I am!! There is no end to Mr. Anxiety's box of tricks. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is childsplay. Making a railway train disappear is simple. Giving people with HA the frighteners is easy. But it's still all smoke and mirrors. It's so easy to be bluffed and fooled into a certain belief. Once we have been checked out and told we are OK believe them. NO GOOGLING!!! I can't emphasis this enough. In HA suggestion can be so powerful, it can stop us in our tracks and last for days. Only advice from a qualified medic should be listened to.
Just an example of how we can panic so easily. Many years ago I woke up one morning and my right eye was all blurred and misty even with my glasses on. I panicked. A stroke for sure!!! Until my wife looked and saw that one of the lens had dropped out. What a relief!!! I was suffering from GAD at the time, and it made me realise how easily we can be fooled.

 

[Scared1234]

I have said this so many times on this site and another. ANXIETY CAN MIMIC THE SYMPTOMS OF ANY KNOWN DISEASE AND SOME UNKNOWN ONES'. Honest!!!! I doubted, after so many years counselling, that I could ever be surprised at any new symptoms. But I am!! There is no end to Mr. Anxiety's box of tricks. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat is childsplay. Making a railway train disappear is simple. Giving people with HA the frighteners is easy. But it's still all smoke and mirrors. It's so easy to be bluffed and fooled into a certain belief. Once we have been checked out and told we are OK believe them. NO GOOGLING!!! I can't emphasis this enough. In HA suggestion can be so powerful, it can stop us in our tracks and last for days. Only advice from a qualified medic should be listened to.
Just an example of how we can panic so easily. Many years ago I woke up one morning and my right eye was all blurred and misty even with my glasses on. I panicked. A stroke for sure!!! Until my wife looked and saw that one of the lens had dropped out. What a relief!!! I was suffering from GAD at the time, and it made me realise how easily we can be fooled.

I understand that. But I actually was told from an eye doctor that something was wrong with my field vision and my optic nerve is pale. There’s no denying that. Yes, it can be for many reasons, but it’s typically something. There’s not a lot of good explanations of why I am having the symptoms I’ve having. I can’t pretend I’m just making them up when an eye dr can also see them. I had a ct scan done, but the doctor said an MRI needs to also be done. Apparently there’s a lot that a ct can miss. So I feel as if I have very valid reasons for being worried, when you’re health care professionals are also convinced there’s something wrong.

 

[Scared1234]

I failed the field vision test. Now, it’s hard for my eye to focus and I have to really concentrate on seeing something or else it blurs together. Yes, the eye dr said pale optic nerve which can be caused by a tumor pressing on it. The dr never said for sure it wasn’t a tumor, just that the ct didn’t show one and we now need to do an mri. So that’s why I still have these concerns.

Also…sometimes I have squiggly lines in my vision. Not always, but sometimes.
I guess my concern is that for so long I brushed it off as anxiety but now there’s definitely more than anxiety. I worry I have MS but that the new vision issue could be from a tumor, in addition to the MS. Or maybe it’s not MS at all and it is a tumor that the CT didn’t detect. My vision is worse today than it was when I went to the eye doctor. Close up and distance. I shouldn’t be losing that much vision in less than a week.

 

[Scared1234]

Also…sometimes I have squiggly lines in my vision. Not always, but sometimes.
I guess my concern is that for so long I brushed it off as anxiety but now there’s definitely more than anxiety. I worry I have MS but that the new vision issue could be from a tumor, in addition to the MS. Or maybe it’s not MS at all and it is a tumor that the CT didn’t detect. My vision is worse today than it was when I went to the eye doctor. Close up and distance. I shouldn’t be losing that much vision in less than a week.

Also, eye is super sensitive to bright light outside and then I see squiggles then too.

 

[Phillies Phan]

The ER doctor told you if there was a tumor the CT would have picked it up. When people go to the ER and a brain scan is ordered it’s a CT over 90% of the time. Why would that be if they were so worthless? Is the ER doctor incompetent when he told you the scan would have seen a tumor? I forget whether it was the ER doc or your chiro who told you the MRI is to rule out MS. Is that person incompetent or lying to you?

Of course not.

You were also told by a fellow member here, and it is true that while a CT might miss a very small tumor, one that small is not going to be causing all the issues you are concerned about.

Finally, while perhaps anxiety is not 100% the culprit here, anxiety will make every symptom seem much worse, or cause you to “see” and “feel” things that are not physical/real, especially vision. Quick example; did you know that stress can cause our pupils to dilate a bit, even in bright light? Fight or flight causes this. That causes things like peripheral vision deficits, things looking distorted, such as squiggly lines, odd shapes, etc?

Wish you could accept your victories when they come. Normal CT. That is great. MRI ordered to rule out MS, as CT is indeed not capable of picking that specific issue up very well.

 

[Jonathan123]

Also…sometimes I have squiggly lines in my vision. Not always, but sometimes.
I guess my concern is that for so long I brushed it off as anxiety but now there’s definitely more than anxiety. I worry I have MS but that the new vision issue could be from a tumor, in addition to the MS. Or maybe it’s not MS at all and it is a tumor that the CT didn’t detect. My vision is worse today than it was when I went to the eye doctor. Close up and distance. I shouldn’t be losing that much vision in less than a week.

I have what is known as silent migraine'. I get all the symptoms but no pain, thank God. When I first got the flashing lines and 'squiggles' I too thought I had something serious. This was ruled out. I still get it after nearly thirty years and all the attention it gets it 'oh you again'!! I very much doubt if you took the average person off the street and gave them an eye test you would not find some issue, however mild. Our eyes are one of the worst affected organs in anxiety. Such very delicate instruments are bound to be. Yes, you could be losing that much vision in a week. Once again, anxiety can do that. You have missed the point in my first post. 'ANXIETY CAN MIMIC ANY KNOWN DISEASE'. So many medics dismiss it as imagination, all in the mind. Of course it is, where else would it be? Some even don't believe it exists. No wonder we get shoved out of the surgery with a prescription for anti depressants. How could they know when they have not experienced it themselves?

 

[Scared1234]

Yeah, I understand. I did get my mri and got results back. The brain looks fine, although I had some minor issues with my neck with pinched nerve and disc issues. The brain details weren’t very in depth. Just basically said that I had no hydrocephalus and no findings of MS. It did it have any details about my optic nerve or state that no tumors were found. The mri said it was ordered for “headahces” and was specific for that. Im assuming a tumor would show up, even if that’s not what they are looking for? I also thought optic nerves showed up as well, but no mention. I will ask about it tomorrow but when I spoke to the dr today, he said it basically rules out all the really bad stuff but he thinks I should still see the neurologist. I need to ask why. I am still having the head pains, the vision is still blurred if I don’t focus just right and I have been a bit nauseous. I have told myself that a brain tumor would have been found between the ct and mri. Im trying really hard to not let myself think it could be related to any other awful cancers or diseases. I just hope that you don’t need a specific mri for brain tumors or optic nerve issues. Im hoping a regular mri would pick that up. It was without contrast, but my ct was with contrast. Im going to try really hard to just let this go.

 

[Gooze17]

Yeah, I understand. I did get my mri and got results back. The brain looks fine, although I had some minor issues with my neck with pinched nerve and disc issues. The brain details weren’t very in depth. Just basically said that I had no hydrocephalus and no findings of MS. It did it have any details about my optic nerve or state that no tumors were found. The mri said it was ordered for “headahces” and was specific for that. Im assuming a tumor would show up, even if that’s not what they are looking for? I also thought optic nerves showed up as well, but no mention. I will ask about it tomorrow but when I spoke to the dr today, he said it basically rules out all the really bad stuff but he thinks I should still see the neurologist. I need to ask why. I am still having the head pains, the vision is still blurred if I don’t focus just right and I have been a bit nauseous. I have told myself that a brain tumor would have been found between the ct and mri. Im trying really hard to not let myself think it could be related to any other awful cancers or diseases. I just hope that you don’t need a specific mri for brain tumors or optic nerve issues. Im hoping a regular mri would pick that up. It was without contrast, but my ct was with contrast. Im going to try really hard to just let this go.

You don’t. They look at everything, and since there were no tumors, there was no reason to mention them specifically. I’ve had more brain scans than I care to admit. They only relay any findings. Besides that the only comments you’ll get are that something looked “unremarkable”. If the MRI wasn’t enough what will be?

 

[Scared1234]

You don’t. They look at everything, and since there were no tumors, there was no reason to mention them specifically. I’ve had more brain scans than I care to admit. They only relay any findings. Besides that the only comments you’ll get are that something looked “unremarkable”. If the MRI wasn’t enough what will be?

That’s what I figured. I know my dr said the fact it said no encephalitis also was good for ruling out a tumor. The ONLY thing that worries me is that it was done without contrast. But…my ct was done with contrast, so I’m hopeful between the two of them, it would be very unlikely something would be missed.

 

[Scared1234]

That’s what I figured. I know my dr said the fact it said no encephalitis also was good for ruling out a tumor. The ONLY thing that worries me is that it was done without contrast. But…my ct was done with contrast, so I’m hopeful between the two of them, it would be very unlikely something would be missed.

I asked my chiro and PCP about if this would have picked up tumors, optic nerve issues, etc and they both said yes so I’m going to trust in that. Head pains are definitely less. Still have the muscle twitching and now some rib pains, which I’ve had before. I am not sure why I still need the neurologist if I’m my PCP’s words, “everything so far looks good.” What else could be wrong with me? I just don’t want to be blindsided.

 

[Gooze17]

I asked my chiro and PCP about if this would have picked up tumors, optic nerve issues, etc and they both said yes so I’m going to trust in that. Head pains are definitely less. Still have the muscle twitching and now some rib pains, which I’ve had before. I am not sure why I still need the neurologist if I’m my PCP’s words, “everything so far looks good.” What else could be wrong with me? I just don’t want to be blindsided.

Do you really want another rabbit hole to dive into? Honestly probably just covering their bases. Ruling out everything that’s even remotely possible.

 

[Scared1234]

Do you really want another rabbit hole to dive into? Honestly probably just covering their bases. Ruling out everything that’s even remotely possible.

Right. But you would think after a CT scan and an MRI, would else would a neuro do/look for?

 

[Gooze17]

Right. But you would think after a CT scan and an MRI, would else would a neuro do/look for?

For me it was nerve damage from alcoholism and anorexia. Neuro can look at/for a lot of things that might not be specific to your brain but that entire system.

 

[SB2017]

You sound so much like me I would swear I wrote this! When my HA first started, I would be ok with reassurance from a doctor. Then I wouldn’t be satisfied until I got a scan or a test. Now I’m like you, where I actually doubt the results of a scan or a test. Or I think something has developed since I got one done. I would google what that specific test looks for and what are the chances of it being missed. I wasted so much time with my family. So much. I wish I could go back and believe the doctors and the scans. And like you, each time I was convinced there was NO WAY it could be anything but cancer or something terminal. Trust me when I say, once you accept the results, everything will fade. You may still have vision problems due to the diagnosed issue from your eye doctor, but you have to accept that it’s not due to a brain tumor. Tumors don’t just get missed on scans, especially one that would have to be big enough to cause all your symptoms.

 

[Nutmeg]

I don't really have anything to add, other than I am so thankful to have found this place because reading the things you all feel has given me comfort to realise I'm not alone in these things. I had years of convincing myself I had a growing brain tumor, which turned out to be hormonal migraines (now seemingly under control). No medical professional was able to help, or even seemed interested.

 

[Nano22]

When I was 16 my oldest sister died. A few days later my leg got this very deep tingly feel. Next day spread to my arm. All on the right side. I was terrified I had a brain tumor. Wouldn’t tell anyone. Lived with it for months. It subsided eventually to just a sort of shadowy feeling. I was always aware of my right side. For years and years thought I was dying. Of a brain tumor. I’m now 60 years old and a therapist told me I have conversion disorder. When I am anxious I get neurological symptoms. Wish I had known that 40 years ago!! Still have HA after basically 35 years of T and trying dozens and dozens of meds. This forum actually helps. God bless you.

 

[Scared1234]

You sound so much like me I would swear I wrote this! When my HA first started, I would be ok with reassurance from a doctor. Then I wouldn’t be satisfied until I got a scan or a test. Now I’m like you, where I actually doubt the results of a scan or a test. Or I think something has developed since I got one done. I would google what that specific test looks for and what are the chances of it being missed. I wasted so much time with my family. So much. I wish I could go back and believe the doctors and the scans. And like you, each time I was convinced there was NO WAY it could be anything but cancer or something terminal. Trust me when I say, once you accept the results, everything will fade. You may still have vision problems due to the diagnosed issue from your eye doctor, but you have to accept that it’s not due to a brain tumor. Tumors don’t just get missed on scans, especially one that would have to be big enough to cause all your symptoms.

Normally, once I hear I’m okay from a doctor, the symptoms do subside. This time, even after my scans, they aren’t. The head pains are still there, different locations, off and on. And my right eye vision is still off. At times it feels like someone is shining a light in my eye, if that makes sense. The thing is, the eye dr didn’t know what was going on with my eye, and just said he wouldn’t tell me all the things it could be because he didn’t want to ruin my Christmas. Now, even after a ct scan and a mri, I still have to see a neurologist. Obviously something is wrong. I hope it’s not something even worse than a brain tumor/cancer. I don’t know what else could be causing these symptoms. The longer the last, it seems like the worse my eye gets.

 

[Scared1234]

Wel

For me it was nerve damage from alcoholism and anorexia. Neuro can look at/for a lot of things that might not be specific to your brain but that entire system.
I had a EMG a few years ago. Nothing major showed up. I’m assuming it has to be something nerve related, as it’s my optic nerve. However, if it’s not a tumor, I don’t know what it could be. Was your optic nerve damaged or just other nerves? I have a pinched nerve in my neck but I think it’s on the opposite side. I felt relief they didn’t find a tumor on the scans, but I’m worried it could be something even worse than a tumor. I don’t know what. But I definitely can tell my peripheral vision still has defects. If I put both hands up, I can see the other hand with my good eye much better than the one with my right eye. I still have 5 weeks until my follow up appointment with the eye doctor. I am scheduling the neuro appt but keep playing phone rage with them.

Wel

For me it was nerve damage from alcoholism and anorexia. Neuro can look at/for a lot of things that might not be specific to your brain but that entire system.
I had a EMG a few years ago. Nothing major showed up. I’m assuming it has to be something nerve related, as it’s my optic nerve. However, if it’s not a tumor, I don’t know what it could be. Was your optic nerve damaged or just other nerves? I have a pinched nerve in my neck but I think it’s on the opposite side. I felt relief they didn’t find a tumor on the scans, but I’m worried it could be something even worse than a tumor. I don’t know what. But I definitely can tell my peripheral vision still has defects. If I put both hands up, I can see the other hand with my good eye much better than the one with my right eye. I still have 5 weeks until my follow up appointment with the eye doctor. I am scheduling the neuro appt but keep playing phone rage with them.

 

[Fraser]

The mri said it was ordered for “headahces” and was specific for that. Im assuming a tumor would show up, even if that’s not what they are looking for?

An MRI that is ordered due to headaches is 100% looking for tumors. Like, that's the main thing they are looking for. You had a CT scan and you had an MRI. I hate to break it to you, but you don't have a tumor.