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Original poster

In tears and think I'm going to die

143 replies

Stardustlady · 18/08/2016 11:03

I know no one can tell me it's going to be ok but have got myself in such a state.

I am absolutely convinced I have a brain tumour and am going to see my GP next week.

In the past 6 months I've been having regular headaches and seeing floaters in my vision. My once amazing memory has suddenly disintegrated and I can't remember the names of people I worked with six months ago. When I speak the wrong words come out. Things like, it's time to go to the bank instead of its time to go to bed. Or I pronounce words wrong. All so unlike me. Finally I have weakness and tingling in my legs and arms.

It's actually worrying me so much I can't think of anything else. I just can't see any other reason why I would be having all of these symptoms. I am utterly terrified.

I am 40 for context.

Sorry just needed to write it all down.

OP posts:
Olives106 · 18/08/2016 11:06

Oh, you poor thing.

Try to hold on to the fact that you can't know until you've seen the doctor. There are other things it could be, like migraines (I get a lot of those symptoms such as losing words, pins and needles, headaches obviously, vision disturbances) from migraine. It could also be made worse by anxiety. Take care and try to distract yourself with nice stuff this weekend and tell yourself you'll take it one step at a time xx

Inthepalemoonlight · 18/08/2016 11:07

That sounds worrying. I have no mrdical knowledge but your email is coherent so try not to worry too much. Should you not go to A & E? That seems like an emergency to me.

SuperHeroesForKids · 18/08/2016 11:08

It really does sound like anxiety and migraines. I have suffered with both.

Keep yourself busy and focus on something you enjoy. Eat well and rest.

Best of luck at the Drs

BigFatBollocks · 18/08/2016 11:08

Hi there. It sounds like it could be stress. X

GilbertBlytheWouldGetIt · 18/08/2016 11:08

Are you on any prescription medication?

acasualobserver · 18/08/2016 11:09

Apparently patients with brain tumours do not usually present with headaches. (Please note that I am not a doctor or other HCP.)

HeyMacWey · 18/08/2016 11:09

I have all of those symptoms and have cfs/me and fibromyalgia - it's described as brain fog.
Stay calm, distract yourself and try not to think too much about it til you've had your gp.
Do you normally feel so anxious about your health?

FuzzyOwl · 18/08/2016 11:09

Even if it is a brain tumour, lots can be done treatment wise. Do you have someone to go with you to your appointment? If not, make sure you write everything down so you don't get too flustered or forget to say anything important.

Is it worth calling your surgery to see if you can see your GP today or tomorrow to try to get answers sooner?

Thinking of you. Flowers

Enidblyton1 · 18/08/2016 11:13

Sorry to hear this - it's horrible to be worrying about health. Can you try ringing again to see if they have a last minute cancellation? If you describe your symptoms to the receptionist they might be able to squeeze you in sooner or give you a quick telephone call with the doctor today/tomorrow.
I know this is unlikely to make you feel better, but try to keep positive - statistically it is much more likely to NOT be a brain tumour. Have you been sleeping badly for a while? Lack of sleep can do very funny things to your mind and body.
Good luck Flowers

DanielCraigsUnderpants · 18/08/2016 11:13

I'm the same as Olives I get all of those symptoms when anxious - headaches because I'm constantly worrying and clenching my jaw.

Perhaps try and break your day down into manageable tasks, get through one hour at a time and try practicing some mindfulness- there are tracks and videos on you tube which i found very relaxing and give you a tool to keep you in the moment, rather than rushing on to what may or may not be.

be kind to yourself and let us know how you're getting on

eosmum · 18/08/2016 11:13

I have everything you describe, 3 years later and it's all down to stress and anxiety. I never in my life suffered from mh issues or anxiety, then out of nowhere at the age of 45, headaches, memory issues etc. every test and I'm now on ADs for anxiety and much better. Hope you get a reassuring answer next week.

Original poster
Stardustlady · 18/08/2016 11:15

Thank you all. I am away over the next few days so I can't see the GP before next week - my dh will come with me.

I don't normally get myself in such a state over things. I just have this awful gut feeling that something is very wrong, I wish the GP next week would be able to dismiss my fears but I know that only further tests can do that.

Hey, I didn't know about fibromyalgia, thanks for taking the time to share that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stardustlady · 18/08/2016 11:16

I have been tired and stressed lately. Lots going on with kids, new house and new job.

OP posts:
ArmySal · 18/08/2016 11:16

I know it's scary but there are many different things it can be. Please try to keep calm, and in the un-likelihood it is something worse, there are so many treatments available now Flowers

Haggisfish · 18/08/2016 11:17

Honestly, it sounds like anxiety. Floaters in eyes are normal and worse with age. If you're short sighted they are worse again. Do tell gp what you're worried it might be and hopefully they can reassure you.

ineedacupoftea2016 · 18/08/2016 11:17

Speaking as someone with floaters, cancer and is a speech therapist....

Floaters are completely normal. You need to have your eyes checked obvs but they are normal. I have them and you do get used to them. If you focus on your vision, it causes headaches I find.

The speech issues you talked about - again very typical of older age (sadly), tiredness and anxiety

Cancer - I've had it and come through it. It's not the death sentence it once was. But brain tumours are very very rare.

Worrying about illness is a self fulfilling prophecy where the more you worry you have something the more your body produces the symptoms. You need to be checked out obvs but please don't worry at this stage.

LightTripper · 18/08/2016 11:17

Definitely worth seeing a doctor, but I had a friend recently with really worrying symptoms including some processing problems (not being able to smell stuff, not being able to tell things apart that are quite different) and she had an MRI scan and all was fine. There are other reasons for these kinds of symptoms - go and get checked out!

PikachuSayBoo · 18/08/2016 11:17

Could be something as simple as Vit d deficiency, that causes aches, pains, brain fog, pins and needles. Ask for your levels to be checked.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/08/2016 11:18

There are other things that can explain your symptoms e.g. high blood pressure can cause headaches, vision changes and fatigue. Tiredness, vision problems and tingling could all be associated with diabetes. I get marked vision problems with migraines.

I understand why you are worried, I would probably feel the same. All you can do is see your GP and start the process of getting this all checked out. You need to know what is wrong before you can really start dealing with it emotionally as well as medically.
Flowers

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/08/2016 11:22

It might also be worth getting your Vit B levels checked esp. Vit B12 as the symptoms of deficiency cover quite a few of your concerns.

MrsBobDylan · 18/08/2016 11:22

Can you get to see a dr sooner? It must be awful having to wait a week when you are so worried.

My mum had a brain tumour and although it was an awful time, it wasn't cancerous and she had a successful op nearly twenty years ago with no lasting ill effects.

I wish you all the best Flowers

blue2014 · 18/08/2016 11:25

My friends husband had all the same symptoms plus at one stage couldn't get his arms to move at all and lost vision completely for a day. It sounded terrifying and I assumed the worse. Turned out to be migraine. Hope all goes well for you OP

sadie9 · 18/08/2016 11:26

This sounds very like stress. Especially the mixing up of words, wrong words coming out.
Bear this in mind: the amount of fear you are feeling is not proportional to the amount of danger you are in. Your brain is creating meanings from your symptoms that may not be real, however the feelings of fear are very very real.
You are not in any immediate danger from anything. The people you care about are not in danger. It is worth saying this out loud to yourself "I am not in any danger" so that your brain hears it from the outside in. A simple thing but it really helps me to combat worried thoughts.
Floaters in the eye are very common at any age. They don't mean anything, really. Headaches can be caused by all sorts of things, especially stress, caffeine, irregular sleeping patterns, chocolate etc etc.
Tingling sensations can also be stress-related. Your mind is worried about you so it's searching your body for symptoms and then relating them altogether in one conclusion (always bad) in an attempt to protect you by presenting terrible visions for the future.
Hopefully the GP visit will reassure you.
Are you the sort of person who, when an unknown number comes up on your phone, you immediately think it's something bad...rather than thinking 'oh wonder who that is, I could have won a prize!'

Bagina · 18/08/2016 11:26

I've been looking into this recently as I've been having daily headaches. So far it could be: vitamin d deficiency, anaemia, b12 deficiency, perimenopause...

Also a lot of what you're saying are symptoms of anxiety. Also floaters are completely normal.

I'm going to get my bloods done soon but in the meantime I'm concentrating on early nights, diet, drinking water etc.

Good luck and try and calm down x

sadie9 · 18/08/2016 11:27

I mean the meanings your brain makes from the symptoms may not be real, I know the symptoms are very real...

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