Brain Tumor? Anxiety?

[krob011]

Okay, it all started the week of my bday, march 22. I had a headache, stupid me, googled headache and meningitis came up, so i panicked and my headache persisted for about a week. That week, i didn’t sleep, i would get maybe an hour of rest but stay up, and search stuff all night long...as the days started to go by, my headache went away, but i noticed my eyes felt strained, sensitive to light, and my pupils were kinda dilated, i also noticed my hearing sucked, constantly popping and gettin pressure, i thought it was because i was driving up in the mountains but nope, the ear pressure remains and won’t go away. My limbs are so weak, mainly my right side, so dizzy, my right hand started contracting and isn’t working right, it feels heavier than the left side. I went to the dr because i had another panic attack, this time at school, this will be my 3rd one this month, and i was rushed to the ER, they did every blood test there is, urine, chest x-ray, and a CHEST cat scan. All normal, i was then given tremadol for the headache and was told i was dehydrated. It’s been 2 days, i feel scared, i woke up, dizzy, eyes feel off and uneven, and ears are muffled and left ear seems to have more pressure built in it. I am so scared i have a brain tumor, i had a dream the other night of my dr telling me i had brain cancer, i’m too young, i’m only 18, i want to be healthy. I’m so scared. Pls!! Has anyone ever experienced this? I’m a senior and i need to focus on my work, this all is so off!! I need help!!!

[Hidden]

I had the exact same thing would get severe head pressure, and ear pressure felt like my head was going to explode, really bad headaches, one side of my face arm and leg would go numb/pins and needles I was terrified and convinced 100% I had a brain tumour I tried out 5 different migraine medications and none worked so I finally had a brain mri scan, all clear no tumour I was told to stop taking all the medication and eventually it went away. I do still get the occasional migraine and this does make one side of my body numb but I know what’s causing it so I try not to worry. Anxiety is good at making you assume the worst and googling things doesn’t help. Try your best not to worry it’s very unlikely to be a brain tumour, try some medication keep drinking a lot of water and hopefully it will pass

[krob011 in reply to Hidden]

UGH SAME!!! I’m so terrified. my eyes hurt but i’m sure it’s the anxiety too

[SophieC22]

Hey, i want to assure you that your fear is so so normal and common however anxiety and stress is very sneaky and can present its self in every way imaginable. The chances of a brain tumour are so incredibly tiny and so rare, but tv shows and stories make it out like it something so common. If you told a doctors all of these symptoms are occurring I’m sure they will tell you it’s anxiety related and stress related, probably also a bit of congestion because of being a bit ill (eg having a minor cold). I don’t want you to think I am saying your symptoms aren’t valid because they totally are but I also want to tell you how your symptoms also explain very normal things in bodies, especially anxious ones. The chemicals produced from having anxiety can do crazy things to your body, and therefore give you the most odd symptoms. Head pressure and ear pressure could be a minor cold (even without a runny nose of cough), bad headaches are so often stress or dehydration, painful and strained and sensitive eyes is one of the most common effects of stress and watching too much tv or working too much. Weakness in the body is very commonly a cold related symptom and also stress and anxiety (and just plain exhaustion-remember anxiety takes up SO much of your bodies energy). Your brain is telling you that you’re too anxious and stressed, please try and relax I am 20yrs old myself and I really understand how you’re feeling. But the only way to get rid of it is “fake it till you make it”, yoga, lighting candles, having a bath, reading a book, listening to nice music and don’t spend all your hours worrying about being unwell, trust me you can push past the fear and that’s what has to happen.

[amyty19]

hi, i have the exact same symptoms as you and i understand your worry because i’m thinking that too, constantly.

I’m only 16 so it’s so stressfull to why it’s happening.

I’m constantly dizzy, to be honest the dizziness goes away when i’m distracted and the head pressure does to , my ears ring and sometimes suddenly feel clogged for no reason , nausea, shaking , fatigue, it’s very confusing.

But i hope you find some way to help ease it for you because i understand how scary it is , just know you’re not alone 👍🏼

[krob011 in reply to amyty19]

i feel you, i’m so scared i’m dying. i don’t feel right, my eyes hurt and my ears keep clogging. ugh what is this???

[amyty19 in reply to krob011]

i wish i knew , we’ll find out eventually try not to worry x

[Stephanie89]

Omg! I had the same thing happen to me for about a month and I was convinced I had a brain tumor or that something terrible was going to happen to me so I literally was in the hospital and doctors office every week especially cuz my head was pulsating horribly but it turned out my brain was completely normal they said my mri came out perfect I even got to see it cuz I wasn’t convinced I still get weird sensation in my head and I try not to freak out but I notice I get like that when my anxiety and stress levels are through the roof I experience dizziness 24/7 like a floating sensation or like rocking in a boat type of feeling scares the crap out of me til this day but the headache part I’m pretty certain u are ok and it is anxiety related I hope u get some clarity soon and u feel better ❤️

[Want2BHappy3]

STAY off the internet trying to diagnose yourself. The information on there is NOT reliable. I did that having high white blood cell count, it came up with leukemia, that was fake news about 10years ago I'd be Dead by now. Did you do that because you don't have insurance? Do yourself a favor... stay OFF the internet, leave it to the Professionals.

[krob011 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

i went to the dr. i had blood tests and chest cat scan, but not a head cat scan. something is terribly wrong. my ears and eyes and whole right side aren’t working!! making me panic

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to krob011]

What were the results? Having anxiety makes things seem Real... I've heard these stories many, many times. It's always the same.. Nothing. Once you get your anxiety under control. Have you seen a psychiatrist?

[krob011 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

all my results were normal. but the dr didn’t think about checking my head!!! she told me it’s anxiety and sinus pressure but why would it be affecting my whole right side!??!

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to krob011]

Right side of your head or body? Trust me the doctor knew what she was doing because of you having anxiety it would have been a wasted test. You feel like you're losing you're mind?

[krob011 in reply to Want2BHappy3]

yes right side!! i feel like i’m losing it. i’ve lost 15 pounds because i have no appetite

[krob011 in reply to krob011]

right side of body

[Want2BHappy3 in reply to krob011]

I was that way too, No appetite, I dropped 40 pounds. I was afraid of being hospitalized for Malnutrition? That would have definitely made things worse? I got the right Medication, got my appetite back, nothings perfect right? I'll be seeing my psychiatrist Saturday about my medication. I've been hearing that the medication was addictive? She had told me she would Not give me anything that was?

[Miniwheats]

When you were in ER, did they do bedside neurological testing to rule out brain issues (testing all cranial nerves by getting you to do things like smile, lift your eyebrows, track movement with your eyes, finger to nose etc...) This sort of testing is surprising accurate yet simple. If they did and they said you were solid, you can believe it. If they didn't, go back and have them do it. But your symptoms could very well all be due to anxiety. Once we have a feared disease in mind like meningitis or brain tumor, our brain, out of fear, can actually PRODUCE THOSE VERY SYMPTOMS. I know it sounds crazy but I had issues... I've been through all this and read about the physiology of anxiety and finally overcame it with CBT. Please give yourself a break from worrying and focus on your life instead of trying to figure out what's wrong with you...let it go for a couple weeks and see what happens. Just keep telling yourself that it's anxiety whenever you notice a symptom and then just carry on with what you are doing. Don't give the symptom the time of day because it's the emotional reaction to it that fuels anxiety and teaches your brain to think that you are under threat. Then you become chronically in "fight or flight" mode. This causes structural changes in your brain (changes your neurons) that leads it to process information in an emotional, non rational way which, unfortunately, will seem totally rational to you. These structural changes can be reversed. You need to break the cycle by ignoring your symptoms which ultimately retrains your brain to know that it's not under threat. It's not easy but you can do it. Trust me you can! Every fibre of your being will tell you that ignoring your symptoms feels wrong and irresponsible and that's what makes it so difficult to do but you gotta do it for yourself, your sanity, and your future. Read the first few chapters of the book Stress Proof by Mithu Storoni and it will explain the physiology and give you reassurance.😊 There are all kinds of online resources re:CBT. A good one is Anxiety BC. You can do it yourself or with the help of a therapist. Meditation and relaxation will get your parasympathetic tone up as well which is important in reversing the structural changes in your neurons. Good luck to you!!😊😊

[krob011 in reply to Miniwheats]

i’m so scared. nothing feels the same. my eyes, ears just keep lessing out and can’t use them. eyes so heavy, ears feel so full and keep clogging deeper, dizziness, tiredness i want it to end. i wanna be me again

[Kevin160]

I understand you , i had the same exact fear , in 2016 just being about 14-15 , i remember googling all sorts of symptoms and convincing myself i had brain cancer , or a tumor, or something, i started developing symptoms that werent real ...then something crazy happened, after all the tests and emergency visits and everything being noral, i insisted on an MRI or a CT scan for my head , but no one said its needed, then in 2018 my mom and i were driving home when this huge SUV hit us on an intersection , thankfully no harm was done , but i hit my head on the window and the ER wanted me to get a CT, and everything was normal, all clear,

I guess the point is that we all convince ourselves things and develop symptoms and dont think how rational they can be ..not saying you should ignore symptoms and never go to doctors and get check ups, but always take a deep breath before every scary thought , and think of the rationality of things , and ear infection can cause the same symptoms becaus it controls balance and an infection can cause muffled hearing .., it took me a while to get to this stage and you will to , im also 18 and i get it , im in my A levels and its hard balancing anxiety that your fellow students dont deal ith, its an added pressur but you will be fine , trust your doctors ..dont over worry everything happens for a reson, limit the google search because to me it became a living hell just panicking every day betwee diseases such as cancers, MS, etc..i used to be superstitous about things like that but it ges better , it takes time so be patient ..if you ever need to talk hit me up ..chat is open but remember , calm down dont overreact because this panic wont solve any problem, keep in mind that you could be likely more wrong that right in cases like these

[krob011 in reply to Kevin160]

your rigjt. it fucking sucks!!! i am supposed to be enlisting in the marines soon but idk because this is taking over my life

[Kevin160 in reply to krob011]

Yes i totally understand , it prevents me from doing the things i want too , bit im too scared and this takes over all of my thoughts

Just take small steps to calm down and think about how rational are your ideas, get regular checkups and explain your worried, trust your doctors and what ever is meant to happen will happen , if there was ever the thing you fear , you will be strong enough to beat it , but just being careful and living your life is in my opinion what you should do, dont waste your life worrying about diseases, they can come wheather you worry or not , so get regular checkups to prove you are healthy , and leave the worry until you have a solid proof that says otherwise ..your doctors went through med school and will take good care of you

Live life and love life , because it doesnt happen again

[Oreotak]

Maybe an mri will put your mind at ease