Think I have Brain Tumor?

[Worrier12]

I feel sick a lot of the time, particularly in the mornings. I've been feeling sick in the mornings on and off for a year or two now, sometimes to the point I'm actually retching about to be sick. I always feel tired. Over the past couple months where my health anxiety started (Originated from heart palpitations/skipped beats = fear of heart disease/attack). I have noticed many more symptoms - muscle spasms/twitches - mainly in my left Thumb - it feels like something is pulling it, and it starts moving left and right. As long as I can remember my hands shake when still.

Over the last week I've had constant aching eyes, pain in temple, and bad headaches and/or random throbing in my head even when I don't have a headache. Eyes always feel tired, regular heart palpitations (ECG showed heart is fine). I see floaters in vision suddenly (in past 4 weeks), and vision appears distored - optician said I'm fine. I was tested a year ago for overactive thyroid due to shaking hands, and was given the clear.

I also on and off feel like my ears have pressure/fullness, and ache. Over past 3 months I've developed tinnitus. I can hear dull ringing in my ears in a silent room. Sometimes I get a few seconds where my ear goes almost numb/part deaf, and it rings really loud, then 30 seconds later goes back to normal

I'm teriffied of going blind, or having a brain tumor(I'm very convinced this is what I have) =/ Are these symptoms Anxiety, or should I get down A&E ? I'm 19. Would really appreciate an honest reply. I know nobody is a doctor on here, but if these aren't regular symptoms of Anxiety, then I should go to A&E. - Will they immediately be able to confirm brain tumour from CT/MRI scan same day?

These symptoms have only really been over past few weeks. The only thing which I've had for a couple years is sometimes feeling very sick in the morning for an hour or two, until I eat then normally feel ok. For years since I was young, I randomly wake up with room spinning maybe 4 times a year - if I tilt head back I also feel dizzy. I think thats just positional vertigo.

[dabrucru]

i ve had these symptoms...its all anxiety, but i m no doctor, if you feel safer just do a little check up, and keep this in mind: to worry or not, what s going to happen no one knows, you have to live day by day (i prefer to live minute by minute) try and do some sports, some meditation , positive thinking, get new hobbies that give you little satisfactions every day , like growing plants etc...but i know how you feel, i suffer from anxiety on and off, but i try to 'beat' it with positive thinking , and not letting my ego win me over. good luck :hugs:

[anxietyoverload]

I dont get the retching to be sick thing, but i would say on average i feel sick for at least a few hours of every day.
Im the queen of eye floaters, since my anxiety started i get, floating white balls, flashes that take over my vision, sometimes il be watching tele and i think something flashed on the screen but it didnt. I went to my opticians and told them and he said if your adrenaline levels are high, which sounds to me like yours will be then you will see all sorts. x

[Jon1979]

I get these symptoms, I dont retch but feel sick quite alot in the morning, with me its normally my body telling me I need my breakfast, I get headaches, dizziness, same thing as you with my ears. I've had floaters for years and last time I went to the opticians I mentioned them and he said it was nothing to worry about. If you have been checked by an optician, Its amazing what they can pick up with an eye examination and if they gave you the all clear, you will be ok.

Personally, In all honesty I wouldnt go to A&E, although many times I have been tempted, trust me, and I've been close to dialing 999 on more than one occasion. I would go and see your GP. However, its your decision at the end of the day.

Aside from anxiety, I get migraines which have alot of the same symptoms, they affect my vision, horrible headache and feeling sick and they can last for days. Might be worth seeing your Dr.

Jon :)

[JonoClouds]

Worrier12

In the UK, a visit to A&E is usually worse than the actual health problem that you are suffering with.
After 4 hours waiting you'll be seen by a disinterested and inexpert doctor whose main motivation is to get you out of the hospital as soon as possible. Believe me, I've tried it. Another problem with A&E is that they are not usually set up to deal with mental health issues. You may have to wait a long time until they manage to locate a psychiatric doctor who can come to the hospital to help you. It's a nightmare.

By far the best option is to see your GP. If you don't like your GP then you have the right to ask to see a different one at the surgery.
Your GP has access to all your medical notes and history and will take at least a reasonable interest in listening to you and assessing you. If you need specialist advice then your GP is the best person to make a referral for it.

Please visit your GP. All these symptoms may be anxiety, but even so your GP is likely to offer you real help so that you start to recover.

All the best

Jono

[Worrier12]

Thanks so much guys, this really had made me feel more reassured. I'm so glad I'm not the only person that gets the flashes! I get them on and off, mostly when I'm thinking about it. I've had all sorts going through my mind, detached retina, or 'perhaps I have a brain tumor which is pressing on something affecting my vision causing it to randomly flash'. I convinced myself I was probably imagining it, it went away, and came back today. I get paranoid, sometimes it's actually a light flashing and I panic and ask my girlfriend did she see it. She probably thinks I'm nuts.

I've seen two GPs. My first said it's probably all Anxiety, and tried to sign me up to counselling. MONTHS and months waiting list - so that's no use. I went back again last week and saw someone else, she is sending me for blood tests to make sure nothing else is causing the anxiety. Also saw optician and got all clear.

What's people's opinion on Prozac? Doctor offered it, but said wouldn't recommend unless as a last resort. I'm really feeling like I'm getting close to needing a last resort..

[Jon1979]

Glad you feel reassured. I work in a hospital, in a clerical role, im no Dr lol. I used to work on reception in the eye unit and honestly the things they can find by looking at your eyes is amazing. If your optician has given you the all clear you will be fine beacuse trust me if they found anything that required urgent attention they would have had you seen. Like I said I have floaters, have had for years but I do get flashes and like zig zags, ususally its a sign that im going to get a migraine.

I went through the blood tests, which came back fine. I was put on propranolol 1st, but ive been on Citalopram for just over 2 weeks. I've not been too bad with side effects luckily. Im also waiting for CBT. Ive had the initial screening appointment and was told it was a 4 week wait, which is good really.

Its probably worth trying the meds, I would defo get on that list for counselling as well, ask to be considered for any cancellations, thats what I've done.

Jon :)

[dabrucru]

My doc told me what cipralex are good for anxiety, i took them for 6 months and helped me a lot, its not that i m anxiety free but much, much better