Tinnitus, blurred vision..other weird symptoms

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swg
swg Member Posts: 461
edited October 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Right around the time I was diagnosed, I got a UTI. My dr. gave me Bactrim. I switched to Macrobid because it seemed to cause all kinds of problems, including Tinnitus.

Well, the tinnitus has gotten worse. And now my vision is very blurry, and my eyes are very irritated. And I have a weird twitching in my lip, as well as the feeling I'm being poked, from time to time, on various areas of my skin.

Of course now that I have BC I'm paranoid the cancer has spread to my brain or something. UGH.

I don't even know if any of this stuff is related to each other..or related to the cancer.

I haven't seen an oncologist yet and I'm supposed to get my pre-surgery tests-blood, EKG etc. soon so maybe I should just tell the dr who does those tests.

Anyone had any weird symptoms like this that turned out to be related to cancer?

thx

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2017

    It is likely not related to the meds, bug it is worth a call to the doc whoprescribed them or to your surgeon.

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    HI KBeee,

    I'm not on any meds for my cancer yet.

    I had orig thought the tinnitus was related to an antibiotic I took for a UTI same time I was diagnosed.

    My breast surgeon told me to go see my primary care dr and if they recommend a CT scan, she's ok with that.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2017

    My vision has gotten noticeably worst in the last year, but I chalk it up to age. I'm doing a lot more squinting these days.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited November 2017

    i am on a chemo drug called taxol, day after infusion my vision is funky but i do get tons of utis, make sure you get a med that works for not just any antibiotic, course the steroids i am getting for cancer treatment now kill my utis

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    My UTI is gone. But I get them frequently.

    I'm just trying not to panic about brain mets :p

    thx for the feedback :)

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    What's weird is the blurry vision comes and goes.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2017

    Are you getting chemo now?

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    No. I have surgery planned for Nov. 28th, and then after getting a SNB, would see what the next steps will be.

    My tumors are luminal A. My BS says she doesn't think I will need chemo; just Tamoxifen.

    I'm not on anything right now.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2017

    The good news is if your doctor thinks you don't need chemo, the likelihood of mets is probably very slim. The CT could give peace of mind though if you decide to go that route.

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Looking up my symptoms, I seem to have the same symptoms of Meniere's Disease or intracranial hypertension.

    I'm kind of scared to do the CT scan, but maybe I should.

    Fun!

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  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited November 2017

    Do the ct scan or an MRI. My dad had tinnitus for a year that was dismissed a Ménière's disease. It was a symptom of an acoustic neuroma (benign tumour in ear canal). He had it treated with gamma knife radiation. Good luck.

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2017

    I had tinnitus and blurred vision. For 6 months they worked me up for migraines, MS, and ocular Mets but never did a CT. When they finally did the CT they found the problem right away, it wasn't any of those things, it was an aneurysm behind my eye which required emergency neurosurgery ...I wish I had gotten the CT sooner, they are a very good diagnostic test when sorting out weird symptoms. I hope you are able to get answers soon, the unknown can be stressful...Maureen

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited November 2017

    if they offered you the CT, do it. Peace of mind is worth a million$$$

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  • Kath1228
    Kath1228 Member Posts: 76
    edited November 2017

    SWG,

    if your doctor advises to have the scan or MRI - you should definitely do it - especially to get some peace of mind. But also remember this is an extremely stressful time and stress can do A LOT to our bodies. I say this because I am a very high stress and anxious person and I know what it has done to me. I imagine every little ache or pain is something worse than it really is. At various times I’ve had all the symptoms you describe and they’ve turned out to be nothing and seem to resolve on their own.

    I hope for peace and calm for all of us on this difficult journey



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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Thank you all SO MUCH. Yeah..you convinced me. I'm gonna get an appt with my primary care dr asap..Monday, and get a referral for a CT scan.

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  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited November 2017

    Good luck, you're in my thoughts and prayers hoping things settle down as you get answers and prepare for surgery.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited November 2017

    You could also get an eye examination.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited November 2017

    You could also get an eye examination.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    Swg I agree getting scanned. New onset symptoms, add that to new onset cancer, you want to know if there is something going on. But I disagree with the Cat Scan. It has do due with the radiation. You will be scanned for years now.

    One CT scan has the radiation affect/effect of 200 chest xray's That number of radiation exposure can be variable on the source. The key is that MRI doesn't cause radiation exposure. Ask for an MRI.

    I essentially cheated on my symptoms initially when dx'd with BC. As a nurse I new what words would get me a test. I wanted a brain MRI. I got it. They found an incidental brain tumor on the opposite side of my complaint.

    Incidental means "oh by the way" there's something we found when looking for something else.

    Worked out really good for me.

    But I joke, how the hell am I ever going to know if any thing's wrong in my head. Tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, vision disturbances, white flashes, wet macular degeneration, memory loss, word finding, MS symptoms(ruled out, but symptoms still there)........................SSssssssssssssso much. Frankly a joke.

    Look you work each problem, Yes you need a scan. The tinnitus if it's one side is reason a concern if present.

    BUT MRI's are great! LOVE MRI's

    SWG your in the system now. Be proactive on all your care do all the follow up's I had an extremely aggressive tumor and a pathology report that said "unfavorable outcome" Oncodx score 30. That was 2009. This is 2017. WHY no clue am I here, well Happenstance, melatonin 10 mg a night, also on a beta-blocker--------both have been shown to have a positive affect on limiting recurrence . That info wasn't available then. happenstance was I couldn't sleep I took Melatonin at a higher dose that the 3-6mg because I was on AI's and total insomnia. The beta-blocker was for hypertension. It's now being trialed with an NSAID.

    I do have recommendations regarding surgery. I will link it. This is very important. The topic box will explain how to use the information. It will also, have links to other topics that are very important to surgery and the use of drugs at the time of your surgery.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    This is on Beta-blockers

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/845083?page=4#idx_92

    This is on the use of Torodal in surgery

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/843381?page=1#idx_23

    It also, links to the opioid thread and paravetbral info.

    Sorry about the bolding once it's on it's hard to turn it off


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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Funny, I was thinking the same thing (about an eye exam). Actually, a little over a month ago I had a flash in my peripheral vision. I'm very near-sighted, so I'm always conscientious about the possibility of retinal detachment.

    I went to an ophthomologist. They did everything BUT an eye dilation--just because I was by myself and concerned about being able to drive home (last time I had a dilation, my pupils were dilated all day).

    Apparently I did fine on the vision tests. But now I'm thinking I'll call them in the morning. See if I can get a friend to drive me to get my eye dilated, and see if they catch anything abnormal.

    It's so frustrating and anxiety producing. I've had some weird symptoms for a while, that I thought could be Parkinson's (my dad and grandmother had Alzheimers, which I think has a similar mechanism to Parkinson's.) Tremors..lip twitching..chin twitching. I still have those.

    I actually saw a neurologist earlier in the year. Reflexes and everything were good. He thought the tremors could be related to a cervical radiculopathy I got from a car accident and ordered an MRI that I didn't get around to doing, simply because I was buying a house and moving at the time.

    I still probably have the MRI order somewhere. I should dig it up and see if it's for my head.

    It sucks to have all these symptoms that could be metastases, OR something else..OR anxiety from having cancer. Could drive you nuts.


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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Thank you so much, sas-schatzi!

    Since I have time before my surgery, I am trying to prepare as best as possible.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    SWG this is a preparation list. Key in now on the immunizations and teeth. Good job on getting the eyes checked

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/748296?page=1


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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    Okay swg back here from the titanium allergy thread

    Tell me the story.

    But I've been up all night, maybe no opinion till the day after tomorrow

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    oh just that it made me itchy but I'm ok now.

    Ended up in the ER last night. The tinnitus is maddening.

    My cat woke me up at 3a for food, and when I got up, I was dizzy...felt like I was going to vomit, then pass out. Called 9-1-1.

    Hospital did an EKG, blood test, blood glucose test...everything looked fine.

    They asked if I wanted a CT scan but then I remembered what was said on this thread about the radiation. I think I will wait and see if my primary care dr can refer me for an MRI today.

    A doctor friend thinks I might have an inner ear infection.

    The hospital gave me anti vertigo and anti nausea meds.

    I swear I do not want to have this tinnitus when I'm trying to rest after my mastectomy :(

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    Swg based on your story your doc can get this approved easily. MRI with and without contrast.. Questions?

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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    I guess not, but damn, it scares me to be getting another MRI. I'm petrified about this possibly being a brain tumor. :(

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    swg, if it is, you will deal with it, one action at a time. I'm with you. I found out I had a brain tumor and BC on the same day. That was 2009. This is 2017. One step at a time. Worrying will do nothing for you. Work the problem. If you must, ask your doc for some Ativan. I did use the Ativan primarily for sleep along with Melatonin. My dose on the Melatonin had to be 10 mg vs. the usual 3-6.

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  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2017

    swg here's some important info to review for surgery. Everything is explained in the topic box

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/843381?page=1#idx_23


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  • swg
    swg Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2017

    Wow. That's amazing, sas-schatzi. I need to get some Melatonin!

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