Clean MRI means you're OK?

[Worrier747]

Hi everyone.
I have a rather long history of "weird" vision, some blurring in my left eye (worse sometimes than others), unequal pupils (varying degrees and most of the time it's the left eye, but sometimes the other!), MILD balance problems, FATIGUE LIKE CRAZY and a doctor who says I just have anxiety! I guess I do but I am having a hard time believing that this is ONLY anxiety!
I'm concerned about a brain tumor...like everyone else here, I'm sure. I have had full bloodwork including all chemistries, CBC, FULL thyroid workup and nothing was out of the norm. I also had a brain MRI which was normal. They didn't find anything there at all. I have not seen a neurologist as my doctor is completely convinced that I'm dreaming this all up. Also, had a full eye exam with dialation and they noted that my vision wasn't as good in the left eye as my right but no problems other than that. I feel sensitive to light and like my eyes/brain work hard to focus on things lately and that I feel almost dizzy when I look out far in the distance. This all came on pretty suddenly after a cold turkey paxil quit but that was MANY months ago...almost a year. I since then (shortly after my problems started) went back on paxil a time or two, added in a week or so of Zoloft, a month of Lexapro and then ended up on Buspar for a few months only to cold turkey quit that one too! I realize that that is absolutely not recommended but I just kept feeling like the drugs they had me on were messing me up worse! When I was on the Buspar, EVERY TIME that I would take it my pupils would constrict (both fairly equally, I think) down to a TINY size! I was very light sensitive and nauseated while this was going on....about an hour after I took it, I was fine and back to normal again. But, since then I have had this pupil thing going on. I'm not on anything anymore and it's been probably 4  months or so since I took any Buspar. Both eyes seem to react at equal speeds to lights being dimmed or brightened but the left one just doesn't get as big as the right and when I stare at them in the mirror my pupils seem to go in and out and kind of "spasm"? Like they can't decide how much they want to dialate. I should mention that 3 of my family members (Grandma, G'Gpa, and GG'Gpa all had quite obviously unequal pupils and then only one living is my G'ma who says she has "always had it". She does not remember if it was there when she was a kid or after she grew up but that it's very normal for her. So, whether I can inherit it and just be noticing it now or if it can just pop up now, I really don't know.

I'm a 32, YO woman who until this past year has been very active and in awesome shape! I've gained weight, I barely get off the computer, eat horrible because I crave sugar and caffeine like crazy and I'm DOG TIRED all the time!! When I get out and do something I feel pretty good!! I might have a bit of dizziness and fatigue when I start out but it is not bothering me when I'm out riding horse or cleaning barn! So, I realize this sounds like depression and trust me, I would LOVE if that is all it is but I'm just not able to accept that yet.

SO!!!!!!! To my questions finally!! Could a brain tumor that was small enough to be missed on an MRI be big enough to cause my problems? OH! And I have some serious, SERIOUS brain fog! My kids are talking to me and I don't even hear them. I am in a constant state of worry and I'm preoccupied as hell. My husband is constantly mad at me because I can't remember anything that he's told me. Also, if a brain tumor or bleed or anything terrible like that was to blame, would the pupil irregularly vary in degree and which eye and sometimes not be detectable at all? As was the case when I saw my GP and eye doctor. I guess I would think, logically, a brain tumor would just be there...constantly putting pressure on whatever is responsible for making my pupil dialate or constrict and it likely would not come and go but it sure would be nice if someone would tell me that!!!

I was thinking MS maybe, I also have this strange internal vibration feeling that comes and goes and is usually worse at night. Mostly in my legs but I don't think RLS because I have no desire to jerk them. My mom has RLS and I don't think it's the same thing. Can you have a clean MRI but still have MS?

Then I thought Chronic Fatigue but I don't know that I feel worse after exercise. I think I actually feel better for a while....But that, I know, can give you some neurological signs.

Somebody help me please!! I called the doctor again and asked for a referral to an endocrinologist so that I could see if maybe I have some hormonal issues. Maybe adrenal gland problems? I read that they can affect your pupils....what's up with me!!

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[cindyb8863]

Please get in with an endroconologists.   I am 45 and have been under the care of one since I was 17 when a (small) pitutary tumor was finally found on my anterior lobe.  And at that time Bromcriptine (parlodel) medication was new to the market and totally expiermental in shrinking the tumor.  However after 2 gut wrenching years on this medication which kept me sick ( doesnt bother some) IT DID SHRINK the tumor.  I do remember upon finding the tumor and during the process of shrinking and gosh a good 2 or 3 years after , my Doctor REEALLY watched my vision As that is obviously a good indication of whats going on !? Sooo,  I would suggest atleast talking to one and going through your symptoms with that Doctor.  They found mine through MRI but my 1st indicator was at age 17 I hadn't had a period and was having regular headaches.  But boy he alway's stayed on top of looking into my eyes and tons of eye questions.
Good Luck...                                    Sincerely Cindyb

[rumpled]

ANA and seds are the stuff for inflammation and basic tests for a lot of tests for diseases that have an inflammatory basis.

An eye doc may help you out as well too.

[Worrier747]

Thanks Rumpled, but what are ana's? I was never tested for Lyme (and I live in northern MN!!) or any other tick borne disease or even Epstein Barr...

Seeing an internal medicine guy on the 24th. Maybe he'll dig a little deeper into this and figure something out for me!

Thanks again!

[rumpled]

Er, sounds hormonal - as in pituitary. And yes that can and is frequently missed on a regular MRI.

Regular blood tests and a standard thyroid is not going to pick it up - the endo should, but some of them are a bit less than standard and have not studied the pit ever, all they do is diabetes and some thyroid. So, describe your symptoms carefully and hopefully you will get the right tests but they should be pituitary tests - or go see a rheumy and get tested for all the ana's etc.