Brain mets symptoms?

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aggiemegs
aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
edited August 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am exhausted from trying to read through all the different forums and consulting Dr. Google looking for answers. I give up, and I am going to create an actual post. Not something I do very often, lol. I am looking for real life examples of symptoms prior to brain mets diagnosis.

Back in April, shortly after my bmx, I was having pretty severe headaches (I'm almost certain now that they were Percocet withdrawals), so my MO ordered a brain MRI. It came back all clear. Fast forward a few months to about June or so, and I have been having nearly constant dizziness. My MO wasn't terribly worried and actually sent me to my PCP to discuss positional vertigo. PCP was unable to confirm the diagnosis, but seemed fairly certain that's what it was. Told me to see an ENT if it didn't resolve soon. Over the last several weeks, in addition to the vertigo, I've started experiencing occasional (and incredibly random) "ice pick headaches," where I get a super sharp, stabbing pain in my head that lasts anywhere from about 1-3 seconds, then it's gone. My MO decided yesterday to go ahead and order another MRI just to be safe, and I now have that scheduled for Monday. I am praying that the scan shows nothing again, but at the same time, I can't help but be completely and utterly terrified.

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  • Kiks1
    Kiks1 Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2016

    Meghan, I am sorry for what you are going through. Like you, I had migraines withdrawing from xanax after my bmx. I was sent for a brain mri which fortunately turned out fine. Then, chemo actually kicked the weekly migraines that I used to have. However, last month, I started getting a twice weekly migraine after 4 months of being headache free. I also experienced the random 'ice pick' pain while I was waiting for the MRI to be scheduled and for results. I was wondering if those were stress related because I don't get them anymore. My MO sent me for another MRI. I was convinced that it was something. Fortunately, it turned out fine. I think our bodies are going through so many hormonal changes from the drugs we have had that it can cause headaches and neurological issues. I wish you all the best and I know how tremendously stressful it is always waiting for the other shoe to drop. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2016

    The hormonal changes can cause horrid headaches. Hoping the MRI gives you the all clear and that your headaches subside soon

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited August 2016

    Thanks so much to both of you for the responses.

    Kiks - Did you have any issues with insurance paying for a second MRI in such a short time? I wasn't even thinking about that until the lady from the MRI place mentioned something about it. I'm sure it'll be fine, but geez, now I get to add THAT to my worry list!

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  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited August 2016

    I had terrible migraines from gabapentin withdrawals for up to three months after stopping it, which I took to battle insomnia caused by Arimidex. I also assumed the worst and my GP ordered a brain MRI, it came back clear and then I thought about it and realised it must have been the gabapentin. My GP advised that usually (not always) people with brain mets have some of event (eg like losing memory, eyesight or balance) something significant and then the headaches kick in.

    It's also amazing how much stress can effect the mind, for me I was definitely stressed out and once I received the clear result within 2 weeks my headaches had faded. I also took magnesium supplements and they disappeared. Hopefully it's nothing serious

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited August 2016

    Thanks Lotte! Honestly, at this point, it's the persistent dizziness that has me more concerned than anything. Hopefully I'll find out next week that it's NOT mets, and then I can go see an ENT to try to figure out what the heck it might be. It's very frustrating, and causes me way too much stress! Also just dawned on me that I scheduled my scan for first thing in the morning on my son's first day of school. Oops! Hope he doesn't mind riding the bus, lol.

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited August 2016

    Argh! I just stood up to twist and pop my back like I have done a million times before. The second my back popped, I got the worst wave of dizziness ever, my ears started ringing, and a wave of numbness shot down my left leg. It all eventually passed, just some mild dizziness now, and the bottom of my left food is a tad numb. None of this sounds good. Monday can't come fast enough, so I can get some answers!!!

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  • Kiks1
    Kiks1 Member Posts: 254
    edited August 2016

    Meghan, insurance paid for the 2nd mri. I assumed it was due to the fact that I had symptoms. Btw, years ago, I had a pretty bad spell of dizziness that was due to ear issues that I did not even have any symptoms of till a month later. I know, it is not easy to stop worrying but my fingers are cross for you.

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  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited August 2016

    Hope all goes well Meghan on Monday, keep us posted

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited August 2016

    MRI done....and now we wait. I'm always overreading people. I chatted with the tech before my scan and she was all happy and chipper, but then after, she seemed very somber and standoffish. Gah! Why do I do this to myself??? She said I should have results this afternoon or tomorrow morning at the latest. Not sure I'm ready

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2016

    Keep us posted. Hoping for good news for you.

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  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 337
    edited August 2016

    Sending positive thoughts your way...hoping all is well xx

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  • aggiemegs
    aggiemegs Member Posts: 146
    edited August 2016

    Just got the call from my MO....all is clear! Now to an ENT to figure out why I'm so dang dizzy all the time!

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited August 2016

    Whew! So glad they called you same day and with a good report. Did you and your docs consider benign positional vertigo?

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  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited August 2016

    congrats! That's great news, what a relief.

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  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 337
    edited August 2016

    Yay! You must be so relieved. Fantastic news. Xx

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2016

    Great news!

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