meningioma question

[Keste]

I’ve had a meningioma since 2018, size of a small pearl. It’s monitored annually;MRI & a physical exam so far no changes. I’m having symptoms lately of intermittent fatigue and brain fog thats proving difficult to find a cause, my labs come up clear everything is spot on. I don’t know if anyone else had these symptoms and then turned out to be this. Many thanks and grateful for any and all support.

[MypeanutandI]

Keste, I'm no expert I call mine The peanut because that's about the size it is even though it looks relatively bigger on the on the MRI and the CT.

With fatigue I get overwhelmed sometimes by the knowledge that this is me and that thing is inside my head and it makes me tired. So very tired. And I think in part that must be because we are having to handle such a strange turn of events and it takes our whole body to to deal with the knowledge.

I didn't have brain fog but what I had was an inability to communicate. I started thinking of it as mental stutters I couldn't come up with the word I couldn't I could motion but I just couldn't come up with the right words and I would be stuttering.

I also shake my hands visibly shake. Last year I was working with some elementary school children and a second grader noticed that my fingers were twitching. I knew what it was. I knew I would be told it didn't have any relationship to the peanut. But it was embarrassing and I tried to hide it I still do.

And after constant scans and disagreements between the radiologist and my neurosurgeon, I can only explain it as again a response to a completely unnerving frightening situation that I never would have thought I would have.

So give yourself time and permission to be tired and need a rest when no one else understands that you need one. And if you start to stutter mentally when you're talking to somebody just accept that and try to relax afterwards.

You're dealing with a lot a lot that not many people do. I recently read it was 83 people in 100,000 that have these. And as much as they research, the medical community doesn't really know a whole lot about them. That in and of itself can make one feel tired and have brain fog or stutters.

So it's understandable that your body and your mind would be overwhelmed trying to process something that you would rather run away from and leave far behind.

I've noticed that it's gotten a little better now that the MRIs and the watchful waiting are beginning to feel routine. I don't mean there's not going to be any scanxiety about it, but it does take on a feeling of normalcy to go get the scans done. The staff learn who you are and the tech makes jokes about you being able to do your own IV for the contrast dye. That's when you start to feel routine. It doesn't make the tiredness go away it doesn't make the brain stutters go away but it does make them a little less worrisome.

Take care, MypeanutandI

[Keste in reply to MypeanutandI]

My peanutandI… Thank you so so much for your kind, healing words. Not to mention knowledgeable. I’m going to keep this with comfort each time I go for my scan which will be the 22nd. Thank you again so much from the bottom of my heart ❤️

[MypeanutandI in reply to Keste]

💖

[summerjasmine]

Hi Keste, annual examinations are very helpful, I had them for 10 years before being referred for surgery. Do insist on seeing your neurologist if you're having these symptoms and have a chat with them. They would be able to guide you best.

Good luck, I this gets solved soon. Take care

[Keste in reply to summerjasmine]

Summer Jasmine, thank you so much. The support alone is enough to be a calming balm. You’re right I just wrote a list of questions to ask my Neurologist when I see him on the 22nd. Many thanks and every kindness your way.

[Paper2021]

Hi Keste, could it be Menopause I know they cause those symptoms.

[Keste in reply to Paper2021]

I won’t rule it out. I am 11 years post it but this was such a different kind of fatigue not like one I ever had… but thank you so much for your thoughts. It so appreciated. Have a lovely day. I hope you are well that you are on here 🌸

[DollyDayDreamer999]

Another option for women could be thyroid issues Keste? So many of my friends have thyroid problems now. One friend said she was dragging herself up the stairs at night to get to bed she was so tired. She thought all mums were supposed to be that tired.

[Keste in reply to DollyDayDreamer999]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I have Graves’ disease, so my thyroid is monitored very closely. I so appreciate the support and thoughtfulness. Many thanks.. I hope you are well 🌸

[DollyDayDreamer999]

Ah ok, glad you have got that under control. I know it can be a constant battle getting the right medication doses. My friend has really struggled with it. Yes I am thank you, at the moment anyway. Had a gallbladder removal earlier in the year but finally feeling back to my old self. Somewhat slimmer and healthier than I was before as well. It's amazing how motivating pain and fear are for self control. 😆

[Keste in reply to DollyDayDreamer999]

Oh isn’t that the truth 😆. I had my gallbladder and appendix removed at the same time in 2018 and I lost weight as well it was hard to eat. It really does change your system but you sound like you’re doing good thank goodness!

[DollyDayDreamer999 in reply to Keste]

Wow double whammy, what a trooper you are! I was so ill after having mine out. I am very grateful to be feeling better now. 🙏

[Keste in reply to DollyDayDreamer999]

Yes 🙌. It took me three solid months.