Brain tumor or anxiety/depression?

[vividblue]

Hi, I have been feeling off for over a month now. Symptoms: light headed, dizzy spells, out of sync feeling, trouble concentrating, mild depression, cloudy/foggy head feeling, feeling like Im going crazy sometimes, some disorientation.Ive had anxiety in the past and was taking alternative medicine coupled with therapy which helped me and I got better but about 5 wks ago, I began to feel dizzy.  The next day, I started to feel all these symptoms which prompted me to think that I have a brain tumor that is causing me to feel this way.  I have no physical pain. No headaches or seizures, just lightheaded/dizziness, foggy feeling.  I went to the doctor and had a physical which came back normal other than a vitamin D deficiency and a lower level of B12... Im not sure if these deficiencies could be causing me to feel the dizziness which in turn triggers my anxiety but I can't stop worrying about the brain tumor. My doctor and therapist said that I probably dont have a brain tumor but probably doesnt mean anything... The dizziness don't last all day, they come and go.. I just can't seem to shake this worry of a brain tumor.
So Im just wondering if anyone had this experience and could offer advise as to if these are symptoms of a brain tumor or just anxiety and Im manifesting some of these things... Thank You.

[vividblue]

Thanks so much!!!

[ggreg]

Yes, Vivid, the CAT scan involves radiation.  But I always suggest it because it is cheaper than an MRI and I also prefer it as relates to general comfort.  I hope you will get to feeling better, tho, with the supplements, so you won't feel like you got a tumor no more.  Also, a good neuro can give you several office tests to see if you've got a brain thing going on, and if he finds no clues to indicate any illness, you can probably take that to the bank and avoid the scan thing altogether.

[vividblue]

Thanks for the comment.  I am taking supplements now so hopefully that is the issue and will get better soon. I thought that MRI involves radiation but that's good to know.. I guess the CAT Scan is the one that invovles radiation.  

[AireScottie]

Dizzy, lightheaded, trouble concentrating, cloudy head can also come with dysautonomia.  You might want to check out the health info pages for that community.  Low B12 is one of the (easily fixable) causes of autonomic nerve destruction.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) involves no radiation.  It uses an electromagnet to excite the cells in your body and watches the energy they give off as they go back to their normal state.  These signals are compared to what should come back for the particular kind of tissue in that area.  Good luck!

[vividblue]

Thanks for the comment... I had blood work done, went to several doctors including one last night.  She said that I may have allergies which I really have a hard time find the relation between my symptoms.  But anything is possible I guess. She said that it could be the B12 and Vit D deficiency, so I ve been taking the Vit D along with a multi vitamin for 2 wks now, I hope it starts working soon so that I can get back to feeling normal.  I have taking B12 shots in the past and think I may need to do it again...

I have all kinds of symtoms that lead me to think that it is anxiety/depression coupled with thinking that I have a brain tumor.. I know, not a good thing to think like that.  I was thinking about the MRI but I want to wait a little bit before going through radiation, which is not healthy... You are right, Iam the type that need solid proof to be convinced.. The mind really is dangerous!  

Thanks again for commenting.

[ggreg]

Dear Vivid Blue,
One way to find out if you got a brain tumor is to have a CAT scan, it'll show up on there big as day.  I think for you, seeing the pictures will be about the only thing that will convince you one way or the other.

If you got low B12, it can indeed cause you to feel strange, because the B vitamins keep electricity flowing thru the nerves like it's supposed to.  Some people actually have to get shots of B12 to keep from going koo-koo.  Now, another thing that can make you feel dizzy is lack of protein, and also lack of enough water.  Also, various drugs, including birth control, can affect your vitamin and mineral levels.  By the way, the deal on vitamin D, electrolytes come from milk, and if you don't drink milk or at least a substitute that has electrolytes, you can feel wierd.

Balanced nutrition is real important, and all sorts of things can upset the balance, from simply imperfect eating habits, all the way up to some major oddness in the way your body breaks down and processes food.  The docs can check out how your kidneys and gallbladder are doing, do a workup on how your thyroid and adrenal glands are functioning, draw blood and look for perhaps a bacteria or infection.  So, if replacing some vitamins and minerals doesn't do the trick, they can most definitely do a million tests to figure you out.  

I hope something here will help you get to the bottom of your awful symptoms.  I wouldn't want to go around feeling lousy either.  It's scary when the body doesn't work right.  So keep at this thing until you feel better.
GG

[vividblue]

Ive been taking a multi vitamin and a 5000 IU of vitamin D for a few wks now but still experience the light headiness/dizinness now and then.  I still have the other symptoms so Im not sure if the lightheadiness/dizziness is triggering my other symptoms because it is very possible since I have become quote the hypochondriac...

I see you like tennis, me 2! lol

[vividblue]

Thanks for the comment. I actually did start taking a multi vitamin along with a 5000 IU of vitamin D for a couple weeks now.. I m still experience the lightheadiness from time to time... Maybe it takes longer...  Usually, a supplement taken to bring you back up to normal takes longer than a few weeks, I think... But I have other symptoms that I listed to add to the dizziness/lightheaded feeling... So Im worried that it is a brain tumor, I dont know why..... Ive become quote neurotic about and I know I need to stop.

[tennisman]

I have lightheadedness also. My Gastroenterologist told me to start taking vitamin D3 supplements because my Vitamin D level was slightly low. I've been doing so, but I still feel a lightheaded weak pain in my head almost always. I haven't had my B12 checked, but I've just started taking methylcobalmin which is the best absorbed form of oral B12. If the lightheadedness continues definitely talk to your doctor.

[tsbookworm]

Surprisingly enough, vitamin D deficiency can actually have a huge impact on your health. It sounds stupid, but try adding in supplements of both vitamins. If after a couple of weeks, the feelings persist, communicate this concern to your doctor.