Headaches and Blurry Vision

• By Morrie3
• Reply 3482840
• October 23, 2012 at 5:56 pm
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Get another MRI ASAP. I had the same diagnosis and it turned out to be worse than originally diagnosed. That of course, may not apply to your situation, but i would stilll check it out nertheless.

Good Luck

Morrie

• By momsnelsen
• Reply 3484116
• October 24, 2012 at 7:17 am
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I agree with Morrie. I would ask for another MRI. If you cannot get one, I would ask to see a different neurologist.

I have astroctyma grade II/III. I completed 12 cycles of temodar and now am on the watch and wait plan. Because of this I have MRI's every 3 months. I have severe headaches, but my neuro-oncologist has told me that my headaches are not related to my tumors especially because I have had headaches my entire life. I finally saw a neurologist that specializes in headaches and have been trying a new medication. If your MRI does not show tumor growth or anything else, you may want to try to find a neurologist that specializes in headache management.

Good luck! I hope you find the help you need soon.
Susan

• By steven5
• Reply 3484617
• October 24, 2012 at 9:57 am
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Adelle74,

I remember the headaches, pressure, and inability to concentrate with my meningioma. With my meningioma in the frontal lobe, it was more about the tumor creating swelling and causing symptoms. The location is the key to which symptoms you will encounter. I would ask the doctor if he feels the tumor is too small to cause your symptoms, or something is changing since the last MRI. It is all about asking a doctor the right question to get the right answer.

I also feel the stress of a new diagnosis creates issues as well. It takes a while to sort things out and adjust. The doctor too has to sort things out and your probing, rational questions will help shorten the search for answers. I write symptoms down without emotional baggage, and insist the doctor give me some answers.

Steven

• By tgoldstein
• Reply 3484734
• October 24, 2012 at 10:33 am
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I would definitely get another opinion. It's a good idea anyway to do that, and also because you want to address your symptoms, especially since they're getting worse. I had symptoms that the doctors did not feel were from my tumors, but at least there was agreement between a few different people, not just one doctor saying that. Good luck!

• By Sarah33
• Reply 3485002
• October 24, 2012 at 11:50 am
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I think another MRI is an excellent idea. Your tumor should be slow growing and that is why they are probably saying it's not causing your new symptoms, but one can never be too careful with a brain tumor. I have a different tumor, a schwannoma that's larger and affecting a different area, but I too get headaches and sometimes migraines. See if you can pin point what "type" of headache you are having. For instance, I get one around my eyes when I didn't get enough sleep, or near lower back of my head from tension, sometimes it's one sided in the front signifying I may have a migraine coming on. When in doubt, go for that 2nd opinion.

• By Castra
• Reply 3485239
• October 24, 2012 at 1:02 pm
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Hi Adelle,
Definately get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. Make sure you have copies of your MRI (written and disc). Start a book, keep all this information together. We need to be proactive with our health. It is our responsibility, not the doctor's. Not sure what type of MRI you had, but open MRI's often don't provide as much detail as a closed MRI. Also, was contrast used? This sometimes gives the doctor a better picture depending on the location.

My original MRI was closed. It was misread and my M was diagnosed almost 5 years later. I was on watch and wait for 5.5 years, however, my docs did not compare recent scans to original MRI so they did not see the growth (all reports said no change from previous MRI). I have learned that from now on I will sit in my doctor's office as he/she reviews the scan. I will not let them just read the report.

Hope this helps....your M is very small which is fantastic!!!!

Best,
Cathy

• By Ann5419
• Reply 3485816
• October 24, 2012 at 4:17 pm
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Everybody here has given you great advice. Be proactive get second opinion even a third. Take your MIR and have the doctor read the films in front of you and show you what he is looking at. Doctors just can not understand headaches and tumors. Had to look for younger more progressive doctors who got it.