Please help. I have been having strange symptoms and I am scared.

[Joe B]

Thank you for taking the time to read this.My ears have been ringing for about six years now (non stop).I went to see my ear doctor and he didn't think I should worry. For a month, I have noticed that my eyes seem more red than they used to (all the time).Also, about a week and a half ago, I was looking up to the sky and noticed that I had a very small spot that I could see through my left eye.Over the course of a week, the spot seemed to become much more prevalent. I would estimate it to be about the zize of a period. It looks like two squished up masses of circular matter with a light strand hanging off of it. The more I look, the more really tiny spots I have been noticing, and now I see something in my right eye way to my right peripheral vision. The spots move with my eye. I saw an opthalmologist and my PCP.The opthalmologist said everything in my eyes looked OK and he thinks I am seeing a floater,but he could not locate it in my eye. The ringing in my ear has seemed to be getting louder also(and changing pitch).My PCP ordered an MRI on 11-27 and I am so scared that they are going to find a tumor in my head.Lately I have been having random twitches all over my body.Are the spots that I am seeing indicative of the type that people with brain tumors can see? I have not had any headaches.Are bloodshot eyes an indicator? If I had a tumor that could affect my vision and hearing would it also produce headaches and other symptoms? Could my ears ringing 6 years ago have been the start of a very slow growing tumor? I am so scared. Is there any other explanation besides a tumor?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I can understand your concerns about the possibility of a brain tumor. There are certainly some types of tumors that can affect your hearing such as what;s called an acoustic neuroma which is slow-growing. These are usually benign tumors that can be curatively resected by a neurosurgeon. But this can also represent chronic hearing loss, primary ear problems, hearing nerve problems, or an abnormal artery that sits against the hearing nerve. Drugs such as the antibiotic gentamycin and some sulfa drugs such as lasix can cause hearing loss and ringing.  Trauma can cause these symptoms, too.

Glad the eyes look ok. It does sound like you have floaters, but keep in mind that I have not personally examined you.  Floaters and blood shot eyes are NOT typical presenting symptoms of a brain tumor. What is more indicative of a brain tumor is swelling of the optic discs within your eye (which the eye doctor should have seen), weakness/sensation or speech changes, blurry/double vision, and headaches. MS is also a possibility, but the eye doctor should also have seen evidence of an optic neuritis.  Sounds like you've seen a ll the right docs. If you really can't wait until your MRI, consider seeing a neurologist for a formal exam and possibly peace of mind if it comes out normal. Best of luck.

[maz c]

If your MRI proves negative seek the advice of a physiotherapist/chiropractor/osteopath and check the state of your neck muscles. The sternocleidomastoid muscle in particular is important. If is not functioning properly it can cause all kinds of weird symptoms. (See articles by Travell & Simons). Blurred vision, moving dots (not floaters) balance problems, headaches, tinnitus etc