Persistent Nausea--a brain mets symptom?

LuLu

I've been consistently nauseated and somewhat dizzy, just all-around not feeling that great for more than three weeks now. Some times of day it's worse than others, but it's an every day, every hour thing, worse after laying down or sleeping. (Never any fever at all.) First I lost weight, now I'm eating at least two good meals a day, because I know I won't actually throw up. There's no stomach pain, either. Just a pressure like I could puke at any minute.

Blood tests have ruled out all kinds of other issues, like thyroid, pancreas, liver, kidneys, B12, anemia, etc. On Tuesday I see my oncologist because he had said two weeks ago if I wasn't well by now, he'd start ordering scans.

I guess I'm wondering if this persistent nausea and weird feeling could be mets and if so ... where? You can see my original diagnosis below. Supposedly the cancer never got to my lymphnodes. But my breast was also full of DCIS, not just IDC. So I don't know how that affects things. Since my mastectomies and reconstruction my breasts have filled with tiny cysts again.

I'm not liking how this is going and wondering if any of this sounds familiar to anyone. Oh! Also, quit tamoxifen for seven days to see if it would help. It did not affect the nausea one bit.

CandDsMom

Lulu- just wanted to respond to your post.  There can be lots of benign causes of dizzyness and nausea (like benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (basically benign stones in ear canals), labrinthitis (inflammation of inner ear) and some others).  I agree though it is best to get everything checked out by your doctor or a neurologist.  Hoping for B9 results for you!

chainsawz

Everyone is different, but I didn't have any symptoms with my brain mets.  I think it was due to their size and location.  If you are worried, then definitely ask for a brain MRI so you have piece of mind.  MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays) - I get them every 2-3 months and I am not worried about exposure. 

I did have some dizziness & nausea a few years ago caused by the positional vertigo CandD talked about.  If you google, there are some exercises you can do at home that will usually help right away. 

Discuss with your onc and if you are still worried, then ask for the scan that way you know for sure.  Best to you!!!  lisa

Joyce4123

My daughter is having similar symptoms for about a week and her onc just gave her an infusion of decadron yesterday to see if that helps.  He was thinking her dose of decadron was reduced too low (2 mg every other day)and so he's trying this first. If she feels better he's taking her off Herceptin and putting her on Avastin for the brain mets.  I don't understand why she can't stay on the Herceptin AND take Avastin too.  Does anyone know why?   I'm praying that she feels better in the morning! 

Joyce