Should I request a brain MRI?

leftrightrepeat · March 2014

Hi, all. I've been having headaches every day for two weeks. I wake up with one, take ibuprofen, it goes away, then comes back with a vengeance in the evening. There is really nothing to which I can contribute these headaches...I've never really even had headaches before, and these are BAD. I get kind of dizzy, feel terrible pressure when I bend over to pick something up, etc.

So I'm partially convinced it's brain mets and partially in denial about that possibility. Should I call my oncologist or give it another couple of weeks to see what happens?

ziggypop · March 2014

Just my two cents. because I don't really know, but if has been a consistent thing for two weeks and you don't have other things going on like sinus congestion, then I would call my onc. I would not demand an MRI, but I would call my onc and fill him in on what's going on.

Leah_S · March 2014

I agree with Ziggypop that you should call your onc. I will add, though, that the pressure when you bend over is a typical symptom with sinus infection. I hope that's what you have!

And what a strange disease this is, that has us telling someone, "I hope you have a sinus infection".

Leah

Anonymous · March 2014

<<And what a strange disease this is, that has us telling someone, "I hope you have a sinus infection".>>

Yes, definitely agree with you on that one! I was so glad to find out my severe radiating back pain was due to herniated disks! Funny how our point of view changes.....

And, on the other hand, agree with the others - get it checked out. I had a brain MRI due to what I think was some "chemobrain moments" (all clear), plus a liver scan after pre-surgery labs (scar recission and port removal) showed some abnormal liver test values. Again, all clear - but always good to get it checked.

Kicks · March 2014

Get it checked out! That is not to say that mets are the cause - there can be many. I Never get headaches but a yr after surgery one morning I was awakened with horrendous pain around and behind eye. Vicodan or Oxy did nothing to it. I Did a bit of research and found that dex could help with pain and I still had some on hand - it worked to take the pain away. I was able to see my PA and she immediately got me into an eye Dr appt and head MRI. 'Nothing' showed up and it was decided that for some unknown reason I had had an 'aggrivated nerve'. I was on dex for 2 weeks and have not had amy provlems since.

Lots of possibilies to check out.

Anonymous · March 2014

Just to add, I do get terrible headaches with sinus infection. I get nervous about it sometimes because I've also experienced a brain bleed from a hemorrahagic stroke several years before breast cancer. So you just can't win with worries about things like this reoccurring.

Oceana

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Anonymous · March 2014

Leftrightrepeat - I had a brain MRI last year due to dizziess to the point of falling over, which NEVER happened to me before BC. MR showed nothing to worry about, but just a few days ago, had the same dizziness in the morning and it doesn't get better until at least 2 hours. I'm putting the blame on tamox.

Kicks · March 2014

Oceana - I agree sinus infections are not 'nice' to say the least. They plagued me all my life til chemo. In the 4+ yrs since starting chemo I've only had one MINOR sinus infection. Not complaining at all! Older Son also has always had sinus infection issues all his life - younger Son not. Weird/Strange!

pupfoster1 · March 2014

Could be onset of migraines???? I never had one until I was about 36 and it totally freaked me out. Seems to me if it goes away w/Ibuprofen it wouldn't be cancer, but for your own peace of mind get an appointment with your doctor. It sucks though. I always feel like I'm looking over my shoulder.

Let us know how you are doing.

Sharon

leftrightrepeat · April 2014

Well, it's confirmed brain mets. Guess I'm off to the stage IV forum. Ladies, if you are having weird headaches, please, please, please have them checked out!