Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Brain Lesion. Help, so scared.
by Jess_H, Oct 28, 2009 08:47AM
The right side of my face has been numb/tingling for about a week which started after a horrible headache behind my right eye. CT scan, lyme's, blood work, lumbar puncture all came back negative. They found a lesion (not quite 1/2") on the back of my brain. My appointment with neurologist is not until next week. I am going CRAZY!!!! I am very healthy normally, I am 31 years old. I never had headaches before, there is no history of cancer, headaches, etc in my family.
They are trying to use the spinal fluid already taken for more tests.
I am freaking out b/c I have a few questions that no one will answer b/c no one will talk to me:
1: Do lesions always have to be removed?
2. Is there a less invasive way to biopsy it than surgery?
3. Do they always have to be biopsied?
4. Is it possible it has always been there and it isn't even causing my problem?
5. Are lesions common?
6. Are there ways to get rid of lesions other than surgery?
Please, any help would be great! Something maybe to ease my mind until then.
They are trying to use the spinal fluid already taken for more tests.
I am freaking out b/c I have a few questions that no one will answer b/c no one will talk to me:
1: Do lesions always have to be removed?
2. Is there a less invasive way to biopsy it than surgery?
3. Do they always have to be biopsied?
4. Is it possible it has always been there and it isn't even causing my problem?
5. Are lesions common?
6. Are there ways to get rid of lesions other than surgery?
Please, any help would be great! Something maybe to ease my mind until then.
Post Comment
Related Communities
Recent Videos
Related Expert Forums
Recent Activity
Most Popular Trackers
RSS
Expert Activity
Community Members
It is understandable to be freaked out about the thought of lesions in your brain. The terminology is a bit different - lesions are not the same as growths or tumors. Brain lesions are areas where there is scarring. The cause of that scarring is what the doctor now needs to diagnose.
There is no surgery for brain lesions.
Yes, lesions are more common than one might think. Lesions can be caused by a lot of things besides MS, including lyme disease, vasculitis and migraine headaches.
Yes, we can have lesions and not have symptoms from them - it all depends on their location. Our brain is real estate, and location, location, location is the key. Some spots don't affect anything while other spots in our brain control critical functions.
There is a lot of study going on about healing lesions - the body is pretty good at trying to get in there and do the repair on its own. When the body can't do that, there are other avenues that scientists are looking at to help. We're keeping our fingers crossed for those discoveries to happen soon.
We have tons on information in our health pages (yellow icon, upper right side of this page) which might be of use to you while you wait for your neuro appt. next week. Please take the time to read and learn more.
In the meantime, I hope you will come around with any and all of your questions. This is a great community, willing to help others understand this complicated process.
be well,
Lulu
Alex
I think my doctore uses the wrong words. She metions biopsies, etc but she even admitted she has no idea what it is.
If it was no big deal wouldn't the neurosurgeon say that instead of making me an appointment?
I have lost my appetite and I feel sick to my stomach since I found out last night. My headaches are coming back. I am now freaking out b/c I assume these are all symptoms of a brain tumor but my husband says it is b/c I am freaking myself out.
I read symptoms of brain lesions and tumors and I suddenly have symptoms I never had before.
I was told that lesions can also be caused by old head injuries.
I know it's crazy to think about lesions being on your brain but please listen to what the dr. tells you. I won't tell you to not worry because I've been in your shoes and I know how worry can consume every thought until you get an answer.
Good luck at your appt with the neurologist!
I am a person who gets freaked by anything medical. I spend more time worrying for nothing. I have learned to watch a funny movie, take a walk, play with my dogs. Anything to forget even for a little while.
Alex
My right side of my face is numb so my eye feels weird. Seems like trying to use that eye gives me a headache as well.
Alex
You should probably try your best to keep your mind occupied with other things. To put things into perspective for you, I have over 30 lesions on my brain, in several areas.
One lesion (or spot) could be the result of several different things. As some mentioned they are migraines, former head injury, and some are there for unknown reasons. (MommaQuix is gonna hate me for that one. LOL)
Try not to jump to the worst possible conclusion, you're only going to drive yourself crazy.
Like others have said, they do not operate on or "get rid of" lesions. They are scarring as a result of several different issues.
Seeing that you had a bad headache, accompanied by numbness, the "spot" could very well be a result of a migraine.
(My son has migraines with facial numbness.)
Deep breath, my friend....Everything will work out just fine--You'll see. :)
Oh, in my very humble opinion, it would be a fantastic idea to go back to work. It's the best thing for you right now. If I could work, I'd be there in a heart beat.
Hugs :)
How do you stop worrying? Every time that worry bubbles up, tell it you'll deall with it next week. Tell it it's making you sick and you like feeling well. Distract yourself. Get totally involved in a video game or reading a book or watching a movie; something truly absorbing.
This may sound ridiculous, but it's actually wonderful that you're seeing a neurologist next week; I had to wait 6 months for my latest appointment, and I also have over 30 lesions in my brain.
Things will work out. We'll be here, and you can tell us how things go with the neurologist. Your primary care doc will learn as you do; the neurologist will know which words to use.
be at peace,
Kathy
I am glad to hear that it is possible to have 30 lesions and still be ok.
My question is what if this lesion is causing my numb face, what do they do?
Kathy, how long does the numb face last for your son?
I never had migraines before either so that throws up a flag.
I feel much better, thanks so much!
Lesions are not biopsied. If this were a growth/tumor that would be a different story perhaps.
Lesions can cause face numbness- it just depends on where the lesion is located. Each spot of the brain controls different functions all over our body.
I hope you can relax and havea good weekend.
my best,
Lulu
I can relate to what you are going through because I have 15 brain lesions.When the neurologists said that to me I started crying in his office. It's ok to be scared. But I have since decided that I cannot allow these lesions and TM/MS
to control my life. I try to keep myself busy. I do things I love to do. Which makes me happy. Being Happy= Feeling Better. I know thats cheesy but what else can you do. Try to hang in there.Take Care....