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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Re: Brain Tumors
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Re: Brain Tumors
by CF-NEURO-MD, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF NEURO MD on June 03, 1997 at 13:46:16:
In Reply to: Brain Tumors posted by Raina on May 29, 1997 at 10:31:45:
: Dear Doctor:
I 've been having this constant pain almost for a month..
it used to come before but I never thought about it...I
thought it was just a headache like any headache..
This month it really annoys me and starts to make me dizzy,
Lazy..troubles in sights just while it persists..and then once it goes
Iam fine again...I felt that my memory is not like it used to be...Iam
known as a good memory person...I don't know what happened to me..
I really feel sometimes as Iam stupid too. It's hurtung me alot..
Both emotionally and physically..
I went to the doctor and she said that it maybe a migrain..but after the blood test
she said that it's not migrain.and that she wants to wait for another two weeks If this pain persists then she's
afraid that I have to get the brain scanning. Because she's
afraid it's " Brain Tumor".
well, All I want to know.is If anybody can tell me what these symptoms for?..and is it really "brain Tumor"?.
I know it's rediculous to ask that but I need comfort for myself..
all I can say about this pain next to the above is that it
starts as a headache then moves slowly to my left side giving me painfull sensation
on the left eyebrow, and the left pulse area.
It's like electricity but harder than that.. I can't explain it.
and it's making me crazy that it's on one side..which really after reading the " brain tumor"s symptoms..that I
may have a brain tumor..
Iam 25 years old..nobody in my familly ( both my mom or my father's) had a brain problem in general.
PLease, respond to my concerns as soon as you can.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks
=
Dear Raina,
Your question is a good one and one that is commonly asked to neurologist. Head pain can be caused by a number of conditions including migraine headaches, tension headaches, brain tumors, infections, inflammation of vessels (vasculitis), vascular abnormalities, post head injury and also due to other medical conditions, etc. As you can see the list is quite long and it is only after a comprehensive history, neurologic exam that a diagnosis is made. Sometimes brain scans or imaging studies are sometimes used in conjunction. The majority of causes of headache are benign in nature (do not cause any serious complications). Your physician likely performed blood test to rule out other medical diseases. However, there is no blood test, neurologic sign or imaging study which is useful in making the diagnosis of migraine headaches. They are only useful in excluding other possibities such as a brain tumor. Migraine headaches may be located on one or both sides of the head. They may always occur in the same location or may change locations. It is not uncommon for them to be felt behind the eyes. They are generally described as throbbing in nature associated with nausea, light and sound sensitivity. There may be other associated symptoms as well. These generally last less than 24 hours. Brain tumors may also present with headaches, but these are typically insidious in onset, get worse with time, awaken a patient and are associated with morning vomiting. Not all these symptoms are universally associated with either migraines or brain tumors. Some people with migraines or brain tumors may not have headaches.
It is reasonable for your physician to wait and see how your headaches evolve over time prior to getting a brain scan as long as there were no worrisome features on your exam or history. I suspect that if she was concerned that your had a brain tumor she would have performed the brain scan immediately. The only way to be sure is to call her and ask her directly. This if very reasonable in order to do to ease your concerns. There may have been some misunderstanding. If she is concerned that you have a tumor, ask her to schedule the scan sooner. I would caution you from trying to diagnose your own symptoms, as there are many diseases that can cause similar symptoms. It takes a trained physician to put all the information together for a correct diagnosis.
My first recommendation is to call and talk to your physician. If she is unable to diagnose your problem, then a referral to a neurologist would be reasonable. If you live near the Cleveland Clinic, we would be happy to see you, call 1-800-223-2273 ext 45559 or 1-216-444-5559 to arrange an appointment. If you do not, I'm sure your physician would be able to recommend a neurologist. I hope this information has been helpful to you.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
In Reply to: Brain Tumors posted by Raina on May 29, 1997 at 10:31:45:
: Dear Doctor:
I 've been having this constant pain almost for a month..
it used to come before but I never thought about it...I
thought it was just a headache like any headache..
This month it really annoys me and starts to make me dizzy,
Lazy..troubles in sights just while it persists..and then once it goes
Iam fine again...I felt that my memory is not like it used to be...Iam
known as a good memory person...I don't know what happened to me..
I really feel sometimes as Iam stupid too. It's hurtung me alot..
Both emotionally and physically..
I went to the doctor and she said that it maybe a migrain..but after the blood test
she said that it's not migrain.and that she wants to wait for another two weeks If this pain persists then she's
afraid that I have to get the brain scanning. Because she's
afraid it's " Brain Tumor".
well, All I want to know.is If anybody can tell me what these symptoms for?..and is it really "brain Tumor"?.
I know it's rediculous to ask that but I need comfort for myself..
all I can say about this pain next to the above is that it
starts as a headache then moves slowly to my left side giving me painfull sensation
on the left eyebrow, and the left pulse area.
It's like electricity but harder than that.. I can't explain it.
and it's making me crazy that it's on one side..which really after reading the " brain tumor"s symptoms..that I
may have a brain tumor..
Iam 25 years old..nobody in my familly ( both my mom or my father's) had a brain problem in general.
PLease, respond to my concerns as soon as you can.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks
=
Dear Raina,
Your question is a good one and one that is commonly asked to neurologist. Head pain can be caused by a number of conditions including migraine headaches, tension headaches, brain tumors, infections, inflammation of vessels (vasculitis), vascular abnormalities, post head injury and also due to other medical conditions, etc. As you can see the list is quite long and it is only after a comprehensive history, neurologic exam that a diagnosis is made. Sometimes brain scans or imaging studies are sometimes used in conjunction. The majority of causes of headache are benign in nature (do not cause any serious complications). Your physician likely performed blood test to rule out other medical diseases. However, there is no blood test, neurologic sign or imaging study which is useful in making the diagnosis of migraine headaches. They are only useful in excluding other possibities such as a brain tumor. Migraine headaches may be located on one or both sides of the head. They may always occur in the same location or may change locations. It is not uncommon for them to be felt behind the eyes. They are generally described as throbbing in nature associated with nausea, light and sound sensitivity. There may be other associated symptoms as well. These generally last less than 24 hours. Brain tumors may also present with headaches, but these are typically insidious in onset, get worse with time, awaken a patient and are associated with morning vomiting. Not all these symptoms are universally associated with either migraines or brain tumors. Some people with migraines or brain tumors may not have headaches.
It is reasonable for your physician to wait and see how your headaches evolve over time prior to getting a brain scan as long as there were no worrisome features on your exam or history. I suspect that if she was concerned that your had a brain tumor she would have performed the brain scan immediately. The only way to be sure is to call her and ask her directly. This if very reasonable in order to do to ease your concerns. There may have been some misunderstanding. If she is concerned that you have a tumor, ask her to schedule the scan sooner. I would caution you from trying to diagnose your own symptoms, as there are many diseases that can cause similar symptoms. It takes a trained physician to put all the information together for a correct diagnosis.
My first recommendation is to call and talk to your physician. If she is unable to diagnose your problem, then a referral to a neurologist would be reasonable. If you live near the Cleveland Clinic, we would be happy to see you, call 1-800-223-2273 ext 45559 or 1-216-444-5559 to arrange an appointment. If you do not, I'm sure your physician would be able to recommend a neurologist. I hope this information has been helpful to you.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
