Please talk me off the ledge!

jdootoo
jdootoo Member Posts: 253
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I am 3 years out and went in last month for my 6 month checkup... my bloodwork was perfect, everything fine. Last Thursday I experienced a dizzy spell / light vertigo that lasted a couple of hours. The next day I felt better, then I was having coffee with a friend whe she mentioned that one of my pupils was noticeably more dilated than the other. I know this is not good, but I am not feeling ready to call my Oncologist.

I am feeling worried and scared. Frown

One love, Jackie

Comments

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited April 2013

    jdootoo, we always want to assume the worst - part of our new normal, I guess. Maybe your friend was exaggerating a little about the dilated pupil, maybe not. The only way to set your mind at ease, is to see your oncologist. It may be something totally unrelated to bc that you worry yourself unnecessarily about. Best wishes!

  • kar123
    kar123 Member Posts: 273
    edited April 2013

    It is more than likely totally unrelated.  A migraine can present with similar symptoms even if you don't have a headache. Just one of many benign conditions it could be.  Just give the onc a call, they may just have you keep track of things to see if your sypmtoms persist. 

  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited April 2013

    Hi Jackie, I don't know if this will help but I've had more dizziness lately.  I think it's my sinuses, not sure how NY is but around here the pollen is insane.  Even without any congestion I can have dizzy spells, I have noticed I'm more sensitive to things since tx.  Might be a combination of tx or the Aromasin...who knows.  I was scared the first time it started happening, last year during the season.  As for the pupil thing I'm not sure but have times where I feel something going on with my eyes.  It's hard to describe, it's not a dizziness but my eyes will focus in on something and my vision becomes different but then it will go away, never happened before BC.  I never mentioned this to the dr....I got so much sh*t going on since tx, I'd be at the dr every week :)  I truely hope this helps you sweetie.  Sending hugs and prayers your way.  Let us know how it goes.

  • Rachel1
    Rachel1 Member Posts: 363
    edited April 2013

    Crystals in the ear can cause dizziness. One way ENT's check for this is by looking at the way your eyes track.  Not sure if it will cause the pupil to dilate. Your first stop may be an Ear, Nose and Throat dr. I keep having to remind myself that it's not always about "c".

    Deep breathe and big hug,

    Rachel

  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited April 2013

    I am hearing your stress and I wish you didn't have to feel it, being three years out!!! That is a good long time for your stats and I think it would be highly unlikely for a met to be lurking in your brain this whole time and not growing (as chemo doesn't cross the brain barrier and so never would have gotten in there to kill any microscopic cells, sorry to go right to what I think is worrying you).  I think that the dizziness and the dilated pupil are related but I'm not sure they have anything to do with cancer.  I had a friend who had this exact thing happen to him, he felt dizzy and had a dilated pupil. I don't recall what caused this but it happened about 8 years ago to him!  It could be your blood sugar levels. It could be your thyroid. It could be a blood pressure issue or dehydration. I understand why you are scared.  I completely, 100% understand why you don't want to call the oncologist. But if you get an MRI and it is clear, you will have the best sleep ever and be ready to find out what non-cancer issue caused this occurrence. 

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited April 2013

    Femara can cause dizziness.

  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited April 2013

    15% of population has one pupil bigger than the other. I have an employee who's pupil dilates with her migraine headaches. I would see an ophthalmologist to evaluate the pupil. Many things can cause a dilated pupil. Brain mets would be far down on the list of possible causes. (You might want to look at old photos of yourself. You may find that your pupil is always a bit larger)

  • jdootoo
    jdootoo Member Posts: 253
    edited April 2013

    Thank you so much for the encouragement! I spent the weekend thinkin that I won't call my Oncologist becaus I don't want to know, but now I think that would put my mind at ease. Kathleen, I also thought of my blood sugar. I had gestational diabetes with both pregnancies and dread the diabetes diagnoses almost as much! Lol! I am going to give it one more week.

    All of your support means so much to me, this is always the best place for me to go. Smile

    One love, Jackie

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