Brain tumour fear - bad health anxiety - numb face

[AOMum14]

Hello,

Before I start, I want to share that I am going to contact a doctor tomorrow and that I am working so so hard on my health anxiety. Therapy, about to start medication, the lot. I am simply seeking some reassurence until I can get an appointment.

I am 19 weeks pregnant. Around a month ago, I had a glucose fasting test for suspected gestational diabetes (I don't have this luckily) which involved me fasting for over 8 hours and drinking a surgery drink. Afterwards, I went to have lunch where I ate food I always eat. Randomly experienced a numb feeling creep over my top lip and then over time over my nose. It only lasted around half an hour and I havent had it since. I could still talk, no pain, just a numb feeling. I was not anxious during this time and was actually thinking about how unanxious I was. I went to see a doctor who said "no idea what it is, but you are fine".

I have also been having very mild headaches which I have put down to pregnancy. A few weeks ago they were migraine level but now they are barely noticable and have got better. My memory is also rubbish at the moment- last week I stared at a coworker who I see every single day and couldn't remember her first or last name. I again have been putting down to pregnancy brain.

I am so scared I have a brain tumour. I lost my firstborn son to an incredibly rare condition (only 6 diagnosed cases in the world) when I was 33 weeks pregnant and since then I just feel like myself or someone I love could die in any moment. I have a 15 month old baby at home and I keep thinking I will die not being able to see them grow older.

I just need some reassurence I guess!

Brain tumour symptoms in this house were headache loss of balance and early morning vomiting. If you don't have those I think you can relax.

What you are describing could be migraine or aura migraine, I had one a few weeks after having my baby and lost some vision temporarily, the 2nd migraine I had my mouth went numb and I felt really spaced out for a an hour or two. I had an MRI after my first one to rule out a mini stroke, all was clear and they said it could be my hormones after having baby. Go to the Dr tomorrow and see what they say and try not to worry about brain tumours.

Reassurance will only make the anxiety keep going.

Have you been assessed for PTSD? Because this sounds more like a trauma reaction (possibly a type of flashback) than just anxiety. Treatment for trauma is different.

I think brain tumours can have all sorts of symptoms, I had an MRI as they worried but I was in a sorry state with half my face paralysed, weird headaches, a twitch on the other side and vague intermittent numbness all over.

I suspect in your case headaches were due to changes in blood supply and pressure. Facial numbness can be caused by lots of things, pressure on a nerve due to inflammation, it’s actually worth checking in with your dentist for a thorough check up. I wouldn’t worry about it though,

I went through a phase where I was getting one sided numbness in my face and sometimes spreading down through my body. I was absolutely convinced I was developing MS. The GP completely dismissed this but referred me to neurology as I was in such a state. In the end it turned out a combination of low blood sugar, low vitamin d, and low blood pressure was triggering the episodes. I did go on to have weird visual migraines in pregnancy, too.

The main thing is, if course, that you're seeing your GP :)

Always more likely to be an innocent explanation than a terrifying one - put that on repeat in your head! As for the weirdnessess themselves - really could be pregnancy related migraines. First one I ever had was whilst pregnant & I suddenly couldn't see in the centre of my vision. I looked up, from the book I was trying to read, and could see only half of my cat! Her head & front legs were just stood there in front of me, nothing else!

When I tell you I freaked the Fuck out...

I've had a few since then that are followed by either a mild headache or no headache at all, just the need to sleep.

My mums migraines used to render her abruptly mute & she'd get random numbness prior to a crushing headache.

Could also be anxiety related, it's a weird thing when you think you're fine but your body is like 'nu-uh! I'm still stressing here!'. You suffered something very traumatic & there's every reason to believe that is affecting you right now - that's normal.

Good luck with the gp tomorrow & don't let them brush you off :)

Thank you everyone! I went to the GP today who shone a light in my eyes, did some motor and sensory checks and said he does not think it is a brain tumour and has sent me to do some bloods to check iron, B12 ect.

I am worried as I tend to downplay stuff - such as saying "I have health anxiety so know this could be stress related but...". I worry I put the idea in their head it's stress when maybe it is real! I would like to think doctors take all symptoms seriously and use their knowledge of medicine to make an assessment and not just what we say. I'm always scared that I missed something or wasn't clear and maybe if I had worded it a different way they would change their diagnosis. Who knows!

Thank you again for your help