Do I have a brain tumor.

[St1243]

A few months ago I was reading the internet about brain tumor and I am really scared. I realized that I have been showing some of the symptoms : my head starts tingling, sometimes muscles in my legs or arms start contracting on their own. I am 15 and I am really scared to tell this to my parents. Please help

[liveforsun]

Hi there, what happens when you focus on a really scary illness is that you become hyper alert to everything your body is doing and then thinking it is a possible symptom. I have had health anxiety since i was a teenager. I have a very good doctor who sometimes knows that i need to have a scan so i know i don't have that particular thing.
To help you stop worrying what do you think you need to find out? Can you talk to your parents, or your doctors and tell them what you are really worrying about? Often because you are worrying and anxious, you will get symptoms that are due to anxiety but that can seem to be from the medical condition you think you may have. Getting help to deal with all the anxiety would be really really good for you...i never got help as i didn't tell and no-one asked. I know its really hard- please confide in someone who can help you get help. All the best- you are going to be ok!! :)

[rumpled]

I also think it is quite common - think of all the blooper tapes. I know I do it.

I think of it as a way to remind us we need a sense of humor, not that we need to think we have a rare medical issue.

[sickandtired456]

I related to this one incident about 3 years ago where instead of saying " fork and spoon" I said "Spork and foon"

When we talk the letters or syllables of our words sometimes get swapped and it's called a Spoonerism which is known as a speech error.

Human speech production occurs at a rate of about 150 words per minute. Speech errors, such as spoonerisms, occur about once in one-thousand words uttered. Given the speed of speech, it is remarkable that we don’t make more speech errors! It's thought to be a blip between the two linguistic sequencing processors in our brain. Fatigue or lapses in attention and intoxication can cause these word blips.
http://psychden.blogspot.com/2009/10/tips-of-slung.html

I think its common to have it happen every once in a while. If it happened once 3 years ago to you, I think that falls into the normal category.

Again, I'm not a dr. I just searched the internet for the info for you!

[St1243]

The thing is that whenever I read about possible symptoms of a brain tumor i start somehow relate them to something in the past. For example with slurred speech being a symptom, I related to this one incident about 3 years ago where instead of saying " fork and spoon" I said "Spork and foon" I know this sounds really crazy.

But I will definitely take into account your advice

[rumpled]

Actually yes for the most part. Again it can depend on where it sits, but my dad, uncle and cousin all had/have cancerous brain tumors and the symptoms can vary widely, but it was not really symptoms in the head (headache) that was the tip off, to be honest. It was more gait, speech or movement.

You are young - you should not be faced with such anxiety. Now that the eye exam is normal. I would go back to the doc and tell him that you are worried, and have him explain the odds based on your history and your health (I am not a doc nor your doc) and hopefully that can help. If not, you may want to get some counseling so that you don't obsess on thinking you have something that you don't, as that can seriously effect the quality of life going forward.

You do have a right to get copies of tests, normally (it can vary by states, I don't know if all the laws have caught up for freedom, oddly to give us access to our own info!) and that may help or may make you obsess more. Reading can make things scary... I know in the case of my own tumor it did at first. I finally realized that the people that are fine are not posting and only people that are having issues post, which skew the data out there making it look more like everyone has more issues. You also have to realize some symptoms are very very general aka not specific so you can't look at one or two and figure out what you have, if anything.

Please  follow up - and try to concentrate on other things too.

[St1243]

And during the eye exam they checked my internal eye pressure, pupil response and co-ordination (he told me to look at his finger as it moved from side to side) and all of this was fine. Could any of these be indicative of a tumor

[St1243]

I have spoken to my parents about my suspicion but not to my doc. I just went to his clinic and told my symptoms. He didn't look worried but didn't even say anything, just told me to get an eye exam

[rumpled]

Brain tumors are very rare. So yes, but unlikely. If you had one, your doc would have found something worrisome by now.

Have you been to the doc, and spoken to your parents?

[St1243]

So does this mean that I could still have a brain tumor even if the eye exam was fine

[rumpled]

It is very normal for your eyes to change. What is indicative of a tumor during the exam is the look at the optic nerve. Then there is no mass effect on or near the nerve.

[St1243]

Okay, I went for the eye exam and everything came clean, only my eye number has increased but I am still not sure. Is it still possible that I might have a brain tumor even though the eye exam was fine

[sickandtired456]

I think the dr. would have told you if he suspected a brain tumor. They don't mess around, they tell the truth (or they get sued for malpractice!) My dr. told me right away that she suspected a pituitary tumor (which isn't a brain tumor btw.) If you're still scared and not sufficiently satisfied with the outcome of your drs. visit, your mind will jump to conclusions trying to rationalize your fears. It's an innately human thing to do and you do have these symptoms that frighten you!

Was your mom/dad happy with how the dr. handled himself? If not, might have to find a new dr. I would put your trust in your parents. They have your best interests at heart. Be smart, keep a journal of your symptoms and mark whether they get better or worse. Keep your parents informed of how you are feeling. Sometimes we get caught up in our own fear. Talking with a trusted friend, parent, clergy or therapist can be really helpful in getting back to a happy place. Good luck and keep us updated! :)

[St1243]

I went to the doctor today. He gave me a tablet for vitamin d deficiency and a tablet to control the movement in my arms and legs. I am also going for an eye exam tomorrow. I am still not sure whether it is a brain tumor or not

[rumpled]

Totally agree with Sick.... it is highly unlikely you have a brain tumor but tell your parents and go see a doctor.

Being dizzy is more likely sinus, ears or if something else it can be hormones or something with the ears. It is a very non-specific symptom.

Do keep us posted on your progress and feel better.

[sickandtired456]

Hey there!

I have a 15 year old son and a 20 year old daughter. I tell you what I would want if I was your parent, ok? I would want you to sit down with me and tell me all your symptoms. I would want to hug you and try to alleviate your concerns and calm you fears. If your parents aren't there for you, get an appt. with your pediatrician and tell him/her you need a moment alone with and explain your concerns. Searching the internet for answers will only raise your anxiety level. You need to talk it out with an adult or a health care professional who can give you the answers you need! Good luck and let us know what happens?

[St1243]

Also I forgot to mention that i used to have episode of dizziness when I used to go off-balance . But my last dizziness episode was 6 months ago