Dizziness, fatigue, insomina - brain cancer?

[chesteadman]

I have been experiencing some scary symptoms for several weeks now. I've seen two different doctors, the first one twice a week apart. The first gave me Ativan for managing anxiety. The second has gone along with that original diagnosis and also said that my symptoms could be from allergies, recommending Claritin in the morning and Zantac and Benadryl at night to deal with my sleeping disturbances. In addition, if these didn't work, he gave me Lexapro to deal with anxiety.

On to the symptoms:

It all started with a feeling of dizziness, almost lightheadedness. It wasn't the kind of dizziness that would make me fall; it was maybe more like disorientation.

Anyway, it has progressed. This original symptoms continued when I tried to sleep. I would have a hard time falling asleep and then would wake up several times in the night, sometimes panicked. Also, sometimes as I was falling asleep, I would jerk and wake myself up; I would also be scared because this seemed like something that shouldn't happen. It would take me a long time to get back to sleep when I woke up in the middle of the night.

New symptoms include feeling drowsy during the day, like the feeling one gets when just waking up except for a long time. This was sometimes accompanied by some big amounts of yawning. Also, this drowsiness combined with/caused a kind of brain fog, a feeling of detachment from everything around me that made it hard to focus.

Sometimes it feels like there's pressure in my sinuses, sometimes in the top of my head; sometimes the pressure is on the left or right side of my head, sort of a headache.

Finally, sometimes I shake, sometimes different muscles scattered around my body twitch a little (fasciculations).

I must add that there have been days when I have felt almost normal, and some days where I have felt pretty good most of the time.

I started taking the Lexapro yesterday, 5 mg a day. Oddly enough, I have started to feel hopeless and emotionally blunted over about that same period of time.

This is affecting my ability to do my work properly; I'm 20 years old, living with my parents for the summer. My parents are unmoved by my symptoms and tell me to try to overcome it, but it's hard when I am worried I might have a brain tumor. I haven't wanted to go to work, and I just don't feel like myself.

Also, I get an extremely tired feeling but unable to sleep due to dizziness. Another bad symptom; I haven't gotten a good night of sleep in a long time.

Finally, I just have a general feeling of ill health.

I'm worried that this could be a brain tumor, though everyone around me insists it's just anxiety (mixed with allergies?) I'm scared and I don't feel good at all. What should I do?

[nyleavesfall]

This isn't consistent with common brain tumor symptoms.  Brain tumors typically manifest themselves through seizures or other neurological symptoms, such as weakness on one side of the body, altered behavior, or through progressively worse headaches accompanied by vomiting.  

Sounds like you may have some sinus issues, which can cause lightheaded feelings and fatigue, so visit your GP or an ENT and get examined.  An ENT will likely order a sinus CT scan.

[chesteadman]

Thanks for the response.  It's a weight off my shoulders to hear this.  My only problem with the sinus explanation is that I have no runny/stuffy nose that normally accompanies my allergies.  If these problems persist I will definitely need to schedule the CT scan though... regardless of their cause, they're pretty debilitating.

[justme212]

Slim chance. You and I share the same symptoms somewhat. I haven't been able to get a good nights rest since a dear friend of mine died over six months ago. Along with living with alot of stress or anxiety (from personal issues or worrying over this, I worried over a heart condition), it just makes things worse. Your worrying is what's causing alot of your problems. Chin up and you'll feel better.

[Kinsrow]

I have similar symptom and worrying about the same thing. I have painless pressure on the top of my head. Consistanly feeling tired, fatigue, and drowsy from 10am - 3 pm. I feel cold and jittery around 9-11 am everyda. Food seemed to help. I never had this symptom before.  At night I'm fine. I can run for 3 mile and do some weight lifting just fine. I am waking up from my own loud snore. In the morning, my throat hurt and my mouth dry. The lightheadedness is exactly what you have felt. It started 6 weeks ago after a long-long air travel overseas and some scary flight moments. The next day, I told my wife that I feel lightheadedness and somewhat disoriented. I checked by BP, and it was slightly elevated but still OK. I thought it was "Jet Lag", but I never had this kind of Jet Lag before. One night I was afraid to go to sleep, because I felt like I was going to fall when I fall aslep ( does this make sense). This sympton is gone now, but feeling drowsy and lightheadedness are still constant. Recently done my physcal and did CBC. All were normal, except some dehydrations and slightly elevated blood Co2 level. Dr. ordered sleep O2 monitor which I will be doing it tomorrow. I too worried about my heart, because I'm struggling to keep my triglyceride normal. Now that the allergy season is high, it is getting much worse. I'm pretty sure I had sinus infection yesterday, but now the thick green mucus is gone.  

I too wanting to do Brain/Sinus Scan. I had sinus surgery 10 years ago
Kinsrow

[amythist2779]

Hi, after reading your post it almost sounds to me like you may have sleep apnea. The way you described your snoring and then the lack of oxygen and all of the yawning along with the lack of sleep. I think it might be a good idea to get a sleep study done. I have had one and its not painful at all, all they do is hook you up to a ton of different wires. I felt like a puppet. Then you sleep. They record everything that goes on while you are sleeping and the wires measure and record you level of sleep and all sorts of things. I do not have sleep apnea, but I also do not get the deep sleep REM I believe they call it. That is the level where your body is supposed to rest and the muscles can recover after the day, but as I said due to me having fibromyalgia, I do not get that so I feel tired, worn out, weak, and like I got the **** beat outta me at night all the time.

If you decide to get the sleep study, keep us posted on what you find out. Have a nice day.

[Jubie7]

Glad to know I'm not alone. Recently, I have been having dizzy spells throughout my week. The spells would come for a split second and end just as quickly. Monday morning I woke up with a headache, but, I was also dizzy, not to mention, shaking. I knew that this was not normal, so I called my doctor to set up an appointment immediately. My doctors ran test and I haven't gotten results yet, but, I hope that all is well. My sister had her Bachelorette party on this past Saturday, which consisted of alcohol. I'm not a drinker, and I am wondering if the alcohol has something to do with the dizziness and shaking. Does anyone have a clue?

[lizzybusy]

i feel the same way Oh My God!!!! Finally someone else who is going through the same stuff i have the same symptoms only difference is i have been to 3 doctors and i took a neurological test and got a A+ and I'm only 20 Anyone think what my problem is I Too is lightheaded all the time and i have pressure in the back of my head and in the front  And when i lay down on my back it gets worse I'm  Having Anxiety everyday ....BUT I HAVE bad allergies and anxiety so i dunno any one can tell me

[Being]

I think dehydration, allergies or blood sugar problems can cause any of the symptoms. I have low blood sugar, and it causes me to not sleep if it gets too low. I also have chronic sinus problems, most likely due to environmental allergies. If your ears are blocked at all because of sinus issues, it can really make you feel dizzy and lightheaded.

[alaw37]

Not toscare you but my 29 yr old bro. had exact symptoms for 6 months - finally went to MD and CAT scan done - He did have a brain tumor - stage 3 malignant - has had surgery- radiation and chemo.  Oncologist says 3 yrs to live.  He has done very well though - Go get your scan - You will feel better - What is there to lose.  Don't wait!  Good luck!

[Mittens27]

I've had pretty much the same symptoms. For a couple days I thought it was just a strange virus, shrugged it off. Then on the third day god created day and ni- I felt really dizzy like I might pass out. I went to the hospital and went through triage, they checked my heart rate and blood pressure and everything checked out. Said that maybe I wasn't getting enough calories (I've been on a new diet) but, I thought that couldn't be seeing as how I had been on it for 3 or 4 months now. I waited a couple more days, symptoms stayed the same, I went downtown for a little bit and twice got very disoriented and had a sensation like I was sinking into the pavement, I rushed home and threw up (I had been drinking lot's of orange juice because the doctor said to keep drinking fluids) the next day I went to my family doctor and he said I have the flu... Dummy. So, I waited a couple more days (about a week since symptoms first began) but, still no flu symptoms. I began to get really upset over not knowing what was wrong and frustrated that the doctors couldn't tell me. I started hyperventilating and took on the symptoms of what seemed to be a stroke (numbness/tingling sensations in hands, face and chest. I lied down for awhile and tried to control my breathing. I called an ambulance worried that I may be in trouble. When the paramedics arrived the feeling almost immediately subsided (save for the strange out-of-my-mind feeling I'd had all week) they checked my heart rate, etc. Everything was normal.

I have since spoken with my mother and have discovered a severe hereditary anxiety disorder through out my family. Since my doctor is double-booked I have not yet seen him to confirm this is what I am feeling (awesome!) but, take comfort in the thought that it is nothing life threatening. Now, after about a week and a half the feeling is more annoying then frightening.

[prilly325]

I have also had the same feeling of dizziness , pressure in the head, and feeling like I never fully have woken up in the morning which lasts all day.  Sometimes at night when i try to sleep as I start to fall asleep i will instantly jerk awake and cannot fall alseep afterward.  One time it kept me up from midnight till 7 in the morning and then I only went to sleep for 2 hours and was up again(talk about a ****** feeling all day).  I also go about the day feeling disoriented, and constantly feeling on edge no matter what I am doing. I take comfort in reading books but lately my focus isnt sharp and I find myself reading over parts to soak it in.  Also after reading the feeling of dizziness and disorientation is intensified. It also makes me not want to work and even not want to go hang out with friends or do anything fun just because I dont feel like myself and cannot enjoy what I am doing. So lately I've just been reading a lot, keeping to myself and relaxing in my free-time and it doesnt seem like I am getting any better.   These are all symptoms of depression, however I do not feel sad or worthless I only feel upset I cannot get back to feeling normal energized and focused.  I dont want to think it is a brain tumor either but its funny you mentioned that because that thought did cross my mind.  If anyone has any helpful comments I would greatly appreciate it.

[atonio]

I also have this strange feeling around the brain area,feeling of tiredness all around my head.I cannot concebtrate on work for long.the past 2weeks I feel absolutely healed but it the tiredness on my head started agai.This all started 2 months back when I was about to fall into sleep after work @ 3am in the morning,as i was falling into deep sleep somehting jerk or something strange just snaaped in my brain forcing me to wake.This happen evrytime i try to sleep.I was very sensitive to sound and there was starnge feeling all over my head.Now the sypmton is gone but the lightheadness and weak,tired feeling is still constant.I dont know what's wrong with me.

[kccobra]

I have this same exact issue. Did you find out what was causing this? I am at wits end. The only thing I can add to your issues is I have a ringing in my ears all day ever day. Plus I have the symtoms all day everyday, and every once in a while I will feel normal.  

I have been to the DR and he has tried putting me on all kinds of drugs and I finally said I want to know what the problem is, not to just try and fix it with meds. I am going in for a MRI next week to see waht I can get done. Life is to hard to live right now...

Hope to find out if you found something!!!

[miximus]

I know how you all feel as i've been having these symptoms. I work as an Assistant In Nursing in hospitals so have found a few reasons why some of you mite have this issue. As for me i'm goin through a few processes. I've had this thing for 10 wks now and hav had enough. I woke up one night like i was hallucinating. I went to bed fine, no issues, then woke up and the feeling and intensity subsided but never fully went away. I find it extremely hard to sleep so have taken a natural hormone called Melatonin which ur brain creates to help sleep, this helped a little. i still wake numerous times during the night and hav to really battle to get back to sleep. there have been nights where i haven't slept at all. i constantly feel dizzy/slightly drunk. its a feeling that is really hard to explain. If im inside home and i look outside, everything seems to take a lot longer for my brain to process, i can see everything fine, nothing is blurry but not as fast as normal, like im a little drunk. Some of you guys/girls above may have something called Labrinthytus which is an inner ear infection, especially the person who said they hear ringing all day. they believe once u hav it they cant do anything to fix u. i dont believe this as i work with GP's and doctors all day but i still very much believe in Naturopathy. this stuff has worked well on me and numerous of my friends before. see an ENT specialist to confirm. Others above may have TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint). Everyone has this joint. its in your jaw. however if u have a bad bite (dont think u dont cos i thought i had a perfect bite but was wrong) this can cause this joint to wear out and put pressure on ur jaw, neck and prevent sleep. now i dont necessarily get a saw neck or saw jaw all day but i do sometimes. u hav to go to an Orthodontist or TMJ specialist who will likely get u to have and OPG x-ray(of the mouth) to see. If so, they have a device called a SOMA (Splint Orthodontic Myofunctional Appliance) which corrects ur bite and relieves pressure off ur inner ear, back and neck and helps people sleep better) I'm havin this device installed in 2 wks and will definatley post back how the progress is going.Thyroid problems could also be affecting some of you above mentioned. I also notice that if im talking to someone and they're about 3+ feet away and im starring at them, they're faces seem to look smaller all of a sudden, like im a camera panning back but still at the same distance??? Whateva this is it seems to be affecting alot of younger people, im a 25 yr old male. we need to keep eachother posted. I pray this information helped some of you's. All the best

[miximus]

Im back again. its been a few weeks now and I am sleeping better. However, i do not believe it is because of the SOMA device i mentioned above. I went and saw a Kenesiologist. U can generally find these people working at a Chiropractor place. I saw her and mentioned what i had and she did a test with and found out that I have mercury poisoning. I started taking chlorophyll and slept better that night and have for the last 5 days. My twitching has subsided but is still there. not enough to stop me going to sleep at nigyht however. She mentioned to me that due to my mercury poisoning, most likely because of having anamel in my teeth as fillings from when i was younger, my brain is going to sleep quicker than my body is shutting down and therefore causing a twich. Whatever the reason i know im sleeping better. i would recommend trying a Kenisiologist. they are inexspensive, especially compared to getting an MRI or EEG for your brain. Having symptoms of dizzyness or feeling slightly drunk all day and not being able to sleep are unbarable. I know when ive been experiencing it all i wanted to do was die, but there is numerous places to check out. Exhaust all avenues first (especially the ones mentioned in above messages) and never give up. Life is precious. Please let me know people how u went. i will post back later. Poepl especially around the 20's should get this checked as we all got our teeth looked at by dentists in training when they came to school in their dentist vans and most likely applied anamel in our teeth. Check the effects of mercury poisoning on the net and see if they relate to any of you. All the best.

[catrinaj]

I have these symptoms, too. I wouldn't start taking those antidepressants just yet! Doctors love to tell you that it's "all in your head" and push medications like zoloft and lexapro on you. Make sure you really need antidepressants before you begin taking them, because when you stop taking them you are capable of many unwanted side effects! It sounds to me like one or three possibilities. It could be as simple as a sinus infection (you can get those without a runny nose and allergy-like problems), fibromyalgia (though it's difficult to get a doctor to diagnose you with this) or it could be stress. Are you under a lot of stress? Oh, and one other thing it could be is from lack of sleep. You'd be surprised of the impact it has on you when you don't get proper rest. Good luck!

[tiggs89]

i am 18 years old and 3 months ago gave birth to a berautifull little girl. ever since she was born i have been ill and 6 weeks ago i was diagnosed with labrinthytus.i was told it will go in about 7 weeks and it just seems to have got worse.  i am constantly dizzy and tired and for the past few days have been having a wierd feeling in my head which spreads to the top of my nose. only way i can describe it is its like my heads being sick mixed with brain freeze.also my feet feel funny like they're floaing. keep seeing black dots aswell as the occasional flash of light. only difference is that the worst of the feelings subside at night and i can sleep.can anyone help me? im lost. feel like im missing out on my daughters important first months and my fiance doesn't know what to do either. its hard as everyone assumes im fine cause i dont look ill. please help!!!

[Marc19]

i haeve the same almost exact feeling, im 16 and i just dont know what to do. please if you find out what it is reply to me! Im worried sick about my problems. The only thing i can say is that when i run and play football it goes away. when im calm and thinking hard it comes back! I dont think there was a day where it has been gone for me!

[mama_stone]

wow i have a lot of those same symtpoms,followed by thoughts of death,hallucinating,anxiety,just not feeling like me anymore,my surroundings feel and look so different these days,im only 18,i feel that know one believes me,it started off about 4 years ago,of just getting minor anxiety attacks,as the years passed it progressed,thats when i started feeling very tired and just fatigue even tho i would get a good nights sleep,with that still going on I started hallucinating,i feel like im druged up everyday,i just alwaysy wonder when,ill finally feel sane again!WOW!ha i need to write a damn book!

[bendywendy71]

hi there all those symptoms you have i started with these about five years ago a bit of shock of a family member dying brought the symptoms on worst and i had my illness diagnosed as LABRINTYTUS  a medical term for vertigo you should got to your doctors and ask for a test for vertigo you seem to have excatly the same as i suffer from time to time believe me if you dont get medication for this and it is vertigo it will get extremely worse get it under control quick it isnt a nice feeling its the dizzness and sleeping you are saying but 10 times worse and all the other symtoms you are saying but with the right medication it will be ok dont worry about it please just ask your doctor for test for this and see wot happens

[nik75]

I recommend lay off the medications. Eat healthy most of the time, and stay physically active when you can.  I suffered serious food sensitives for years. I finally got past it by eating whole/raw foods and taking enzymes. And I stopped eating out at crappy restaurants (especially chinese). Although lately I've been eating out again, and I get little relapses of my sensitives, but no where near as bad as before.

Also, I've never been one to take medication. It's horrible for your body. If you can live without meds, don't take them. I hardly ever take pain relief for headaches. Only if I'm having a pms headache (which is close to a migraine) will I take some otc headache medicine. It amazes me the amount of meds doctors prescribe to patients who don't know any better .... how on earth can someone be regularly taking more than one type of medicine .... at 20 years old? You sound like my old grand parents (now dead, rest their souls) who were loaded up on meds.  That will never be me.

[BBetances]

This is great. Knowing that I'm not the only one with these exact feelings. I'm 21 years old. I sleep as soon as I get home from work everyday, at 3pm, for 3 or 4 hours. I have a constant pain in my head, not like a headache, just a tugging feeling. I'm aware of my sinuses all the time, they don't hurt but they tingle. Sometimes my ear starts to hurt for a bit, then goes away. My eyes get strained easily. I am generally weak. My job is a sedentary one, I sit down all day. I need to start exercising more. I take Centrum and aspirin for my heart, and glucosamine for my bad joints. I feel out of it, sometimes a bit dizzy and off balance, and have a hard time focusing (BAD at my job). Doctors say it's nothing. I constantly think "what is wrong with me?", "Is it brain cancer?", and "If it is, I won't do the chemo, just let me die already.". It is a very depressing disorder. I'm sure its a sinus infection, I think it could a different bacteria infecting my sinuses though, maybe MRSA. My lymph nodes on one side of the neck are also swollen. I though the one under my jaw near the ear was a tumor, but found out it wasnt. Hasn't grown, but its pretty firm. That's how I know it's an infection. I also get muscle twitches in random places. I need to get to the doctor soon, but believe me when I tell you, go to a good one, that likes what he does and won't try to rush you out. Tell him every symptom, demand his time, and give him suggestions as to what is wrong. Express a concern about cancer, tell him it runs in the family, something of that sort. Force the issue. I'll let you know how it turns out when I go in 2 weeks.

[elvinight]

I dont know, my left ear has been stuffy for 2 years went to doc 2 years ago when it 1st started, and he sent me to the ENT. And hearing checked out fine. But until recently (about 2 weeks now) ive been experiencing major headaches with sharp pains, xtreme dizziness to the point walkin is difficult and now at the point i cant drive or go to work, also forgetting things a lot (such as stuff ill just do and forget), even have a weird sensation behind my left eye, as if it want to look cross eyed.  Ive been to ENT today ears check out fine, no ear infection, blockage, hearing is great, etc. He doesnt know what it is either he's recommending i see a Neurologist, which i am tomorrow. Ive been doing a lot of research and talkin to a lot of people and 9 times out of 10 people who are diagnosed with brain tumors is a week or 2 later when they get progressively worse. Me personally, I need and want to find out whats wrong asap, so if its something major I have better chances of correcting and or managing with it. As of now I cant function and i def need to work.
Im no doctor but from what i know , As far as brain tumor symptoms go it varies because everyone is different. Do not rule out the worse case, make sure u see every doc u can, and have all test done. (MRI's, Xrays, Cat Scans,) Thats what im doing. hopefully u feel better, and myself also.  Take care everyone.

[mszw2]

If you are still concerned about a brain tumor ask your doc to do an MRI...My daughter had a consistant headach with her first bout of brain cancer at age 16 and the second one 15 years later she started having seziers.
Best of luck to you

[chadstordy]

ok please listen to this i am 18 take dizzy spells for the past six years i have been told numerous times it just low blood pressure yet at times it is fine i am always edgy and tired at the same time i cannot sleep more then five hours at a time i am healthier then most i have been told had ecg scans you name it done nothing seems to appear lquemia runs in one side of my family and not sure if this could be a sign anybody know anything that will get rid of these dam dizzy spells ?

[wisdomnow]

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR THYROID AT ALL? THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM ISSUES THAT ARE RELATED TO THE THYROID AND THEY STRUGGLE WITH THEIR DOCTORS AND THEMSELVES LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION WITH NO HOPE IN SITE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT EVEN IF YOU CHECK FOR THYROID PROBLEMS THROUGH BLOOD WORK, THAT MOST OF THE TIME COMES BACK NORMAL. MY HUSBAND WENT THROUGH 2 YEARS OF ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS. WE SEARCHED AND SEARCHED FOR A DIAGNOSIS. HE WAS TOLD THE SAME THINGS BY THE DOCTORS STRESS, STRESS, STRESS AND MEDICATION. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A CONDITION THAT IS NOT NORMAL, I WOULD STAY AWAY FROM ALL MEDICATIONS SINCE THIS WILL ONLY HIDE WHAT COULD BE A SERIOUS CONDITION BESIDES MAKING THINKS WORSE. I WOULD SPEAK TO MY DOCTOR AND REQUEST TESTS THAT CAN PROVE THAT MY SYMPTOMS ARE NOT THYROID RELATED AND IF NOT THEN I WOULD SEE A CARDIOLOGIST DUE TO THE LACK OF OXYGEN, DIZZINESS AND INSOMNIA, JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. GOOD LUCK

[WetlandsENT]

Hello,

I have been experiencing similar symptoms. Recently visited a team of Neurologists. They ordered three MRI's and two MRA. Taking a look at the head and neck for nerve damage, vascular issue or cancer.  
One of the things the Neurologist sais is they want to rule out worst case, but sometimes these eposiode cannot be explained. Or the could simply be panic attacks.  As for the previous posts indicating a loss of sleep...one can experience a panic attach in the middle of the night, waking up and feeling terror. It was really interesting how my doctor described panic attacks and they various things they affect.

Here is my post to the Neurology group.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurology/Dizziness--almost-blackout-and-pressure-on-right-side-of-the-head/show/1051960?personal_page_id=774909