Question, brain tumor..ms...oh my

[Inny2009]

I know this is the MS forum but i tried to ask a question in the brain tumor question but im gonna ask here too if its ok. Like I said my nuero said he is leaning towards a brain tumor or ms..but he said more so a brain tumor than ms...i was wondering...if i do have brain tumor/mass...ive had symptoms for three years...i mean yes my migraines are getting more frequent and all..but that could be stress or MS along with the confusion and vision problems ...if i have had symptoms for three years and its a brain tumor...would i be ...um...not here anymore? How much more likely would it be ...MS or a brain tumor..for a 23 year old female..with an easy pregancy and birth/healthy child (thank God). I dont know..this whole tumor thing threw me for a loop..i mean here i am on the MS forum convinced he was gonna tell me MS...and all of sudden..bam ...tumor..Ive never heard of anyone having a brain tumor undiagnosed for three years and not passing away..i know someone who had a brain tumor and she was gone within the year she was diagnosed...thanks..im so sorry i hope im not being rude by posting this..im kinda worried..i have extensive cancer history in my family and stuff. Im just so used to this forum and comfortable..if its wrong please let me know and ill get someone to take it down. Thanks

[Shrs105]

I'm in the same boat and been there for 10 uYears. I am 33 female and just got back from my 8th spinal tap with an opening pressure of 32. I have had Pseudotumor Cerebri for this long. It says tumor but it actually means fals tumor. It mimics brain tumor symptoms. I have no shunt. I also have had over the years lots of MS symptoms so they are sending some of this fluid and some blood work off to test for MS. I have the bilateral optic nerve swelling from the pressure of the fluid in my head with the stabbing, pulsating, miserable headaches with vision changes. I share because I wonder if you just here the word tumor and it really Pseudotumor Cerebri. There is no cause for this all though they recommend weight loss.

[Mike_Shuswap]

In my case both the neurologist and the neurosurgeon believed I had an inoperable brain tumor (inoperable because my largest lesion is in the middle of my brain).

I had a brain biopsy which surpisingly proved I did not have a tumor. I have a demyilinating disease (i now have a dx of MS). The neurosurgeon said the biopsy was to determine what kind of tumor it was and to determine my prognosis. He was pleased to tell me it isn't a tumor afterall.

For me it was a huge relief to find out I had a demyilinating disease, and now that it's been determined to be MS I can make choices on how to treat/combat it.

On the other hand my nieces boyfriend had a tumor on the front of his brain which was successfully removed, and after 6 weeks recovery he went back to his truck driving job.

So...the MRI can't always tell the difference between a tumor and other types of lesions.

       some tumors can be removed, some can not, depending on their location and probably some other things.

        a benign tumor located in an operable location would be the best scenario I think, but MS ain't the end of the world.


I'll see you at the beach......best of luck to you,

Mike

[Honor60]

Just to let you know that if it is MS not all cases progress rapidly. You could have mild symptoms and never become worse or very slow progression. Case in point; my first MS symptom was in 1978. I had symptoms on and off for many years. The doctors kept telling me it was all in my head. It took my symptoms until 1990 before they were at the point where a doctor ordered an MRI with contrast and discovered the lesions in my brain and spinal cord. Even then it was several more years before I could no longer work due to spasms and I was limping and started falling. My kids were not born when I had symptoms of MS and I got to see them graduate from college and saw my daughter get married. So, you see- MS is not a death sentence, nor does it have to be disabling. Now I can still walk in the house if I can hold on to furniture but I need a wheelchair to go out. I have vision problems, spasms and pain but I have medication that keeps it bearable. I am telling you this because I want you to know that if you have MS it isn't the end of the world or your life.

[figuerpa]

I wish you the best of luck in whatever it is that you have. Hopefully your MRI is scheduled soon so that you can get the answers taht you deserve and need.

Please keep us informed
Paula

[Inny2009]

No no red, no invalidation at all :) It is a very terrfiying thing to have...and im that would really be extra horrible to have both! Im sorry your cousin had to go through that but it is wonderful to hear he is in remission!!! Thank you so much for your kind words, red and everyone! You all mean so much to me and it makes me feel so much better to hear that i am not alone in this.

(((hugs)))

inny

[RedFlame]

I hope that you didn't feel invalidated or  judged about your illness or fear.  Either way, brain tumor and/or MS is a terrifying thing to have.  Both of those illnesses are very serious and life changing if not life threatening.  You may find that you have MS and something else together at the same time.
  
My cousin had a glio-blastoma multiforme last year.  He had it removed and has been in every type of chemo that is available.  He is in remission right now.

I guess I wanted to let you know that we do care about you and are hoping for the very best!!!!  

We want you to be able to watch children grow too!

((((Hugs))))
Red

[Inny2009]

Thanks for the responses! I am schedualed for an MRI but he really didnt go through with any other comments other than it might be a tumor. Honor - i dont know whether i should be sad or happy about that comment, I told my husband if i HAD to choose between a brain tumor or MS id choose a brain tumor..just because for the mere fact that i can get rid of it and be done with it. I never realized a person could have a brain tumor for that long. Thats pretty crazy. I really dont know what kind of tumor he thinks i have ...but i looked up pitutary tumor and it just didnt seem to fit with me...i dont think its that but you never know ..a computer cant tell you everything. Thank you so much for all your help, this has become a difficult time for me. I really dont know what im going to do..each of my family members have always lost their battle to cancer, even my young 28 year old aunt to bone cancer, so its not just a your young you can fight it kinda deal. Its very emotional. And MS is progressive, It just seems like im not gonna win either way. I just want to be able to see my son grow up and my grandbabies and go to the beach with my husband when im older. sigh...sorry im rumbling and grumbling again. Thanks for everyones help.

[RedFlame]

Do you know what part of the brain the tumor is in?  Did he schedule a biopsy?  I'm sorry to hear this---let us know what is happening. Red

[Honor60]

I have MS and originally my doctor told me the same thing. This seems to happen a lot. If you have other symptoms of MS, I would bet you have MS .but doctors must cover their butts , so to speak. If it's a tumor it's slow growing and could probably be removed and you would be better. Sometimes I wish I had a tumor instead of MS. This is worse (for me, anyway) :-) oh, and yes, some tumors can grow that slow (still think it is MS tho)

[JemmAus]

I'm surprised a neuro would even suggest such a terrifying  thing to you.

Are you scheduled for an MRI? that'll clear up the tumour idea pretty quickly.

In all honesty if oculd just be worsening migraines, but one cannot tell without a full range of tests.

Good luck. Hope you are having an MRI quick sticks!