View Full Version : Brain Tumour Worry (no headache)
This topic is kind of weird to mention and a little embarrassing, but here goes!
Of late, I have been having headaches, which do come and go and I have accepted them and currently experiencing a little dizziness at times, which I have put down to anxiety because it’s not all present all the time.
Today, I woke up fine and went to work with everything normal, as I’m currently on medication to help with my anxiety/headaches, which is working so far. Sitting at my desk in the office I’m suddenly started to worry (anxiety creeping in) as I think I can smell burning, which I read many years ago, that this sensation could be a sign of a brain tumour.
I did not experience this smell on Saturday or Sunday, as I only noticed it this morning around 9am.
I’m asking myself, could it be dust, which is making me think it’s a burning sensation?
Any advice, which could help me, would be appreciated, as I cannot keep running to the doctors, every time I come across a symptom or a worry, as it would annoy my family and doctor.
Red
hiya
i would try to stop worrying over this i think if you had a tumor there is so many other symptoms you would be getting .
as for the smell of burning i have read about this but not for a tumor for a stroke so not to sure about that one.
this ha is so nasty and plays with the way we think so much it is sad and takes over us in such a big way ,try to sit down and think about what you would say to someone if they were worried about the same thing that's what i do and i find it makes me think rationally about it all
jodie xxx
hi, honestly don't worry I had the same worry a few years ago. really convinced myself that had brain tumour. Felt awful. even started thinking my hands and feet were going numb. it were all down to me worrying, and once I wre finally able to stop the symptoms cleared up. I know its really hard but try to stop worrying and take your mind off it as best you can.
lv and best wishes pinkxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hi, honestly don't worry I had the same worry a few years ago. really convinced myself that had brain tumour. Felt awful. even started thinking my hands and feet were going numb. it were all down to me worrying, and once I wre finally able to stop the symptoms cleared up. I know its really hard but try to stop worrying and take your mind off it as best you can.
lv and best wishes pinkxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Each year, about 4300 people in the UK are diagnosed with a brain tumour The population of the UK is estimated at just over 60 million so don't worry.:)
Hi red, it's probably something in the air con ducts in your office. The other day I kept smelling burning at work (tumour didn't occur to me to be honest), couldn't work out where it was coming from. No one else could smell it. Turned out there were a bunch of people in the meeting room on the other side of my wall who had been popping outside to have a ciggy all morning :).
Hi all,
Thank you for your messages, much appreciated.
I managed to lift myself earlier but it did not last long, gone low again.
I still have this kind of funny sensation in the nose, also made me sneeze a few times. I have also got this horrid taste, which has appeared, tastes metallic, not sure if it is all linked etc.
I asked my wife to smell my work clothes but she said they do not smell of anything unusual, so I'm unsure what it is at the minute, apart from my brain telling me that it is a burning smell and taste is signalling a tumour.
I have also had a dizziness earlier, and my body feels weak, is this because of worry / anxiety?
Red
Hi
I think you may have a sinus problem or similar. I am getting wicked headaches at the moment, I know it's anxiety but in the middle of the night when I wake up I think of 'brain tumour'. This health anxiety is a terrible thing to have happen to you. I have had it for years on and off. Where do we go with it, family get sick of hearing it, GP's just talk the talk..... God what a life ay!!!
Keep in touch..x
Hi,
I decided to perform a search on this forum and there are several posts about how other people have had this funny smell, simular to burned toast.
I started to feel a little better until I read a post where their specialist said it could be signs of epilepsy......?????
Red
This topic is kind of weird to mention and a little embarrassing, but here goes!
Of late, I have been having headaches, which do come and go and I have accepted them and currently experiencing a little dizziness at times, which I have put down to anxiety because it’s not all present all the time.
Today, I woke up fine and went to work with everything normal, as I’m currently on medication to help with my anxiety/headaches, which is working so far. Sitting at my desk in the office I’m suddenly started to worry (anxiety creeping in) as I think I can smell burning, which I read many years ago, that this sensation could be a sign of a brain tumour.
I did not experience this smell on Saturday or Sunday, as I only noticed it this morning around 9am.
I’m asking myself, could it be dust, which is making me think it’s a burning sensation?
Any advice, which could help me, would be appreciated, as I cannot keep running to the doctors, every time I come across a symptom or a worry, as it would annoy my family and doctor.
Red
In the whole of my life I have only known three people with a tumour (and one of those is me) so please don't worry about that I doubt very much if you have one.
Do you think it is migraine?
Hi Red, you've been to the doctor in the last few weeks and asked about brain tumour? Presumably he checked you over, looked in your eyes etc and didn't find anything? I doubt that a tumour wouldn't have grown so much in the last couple of weeks that it could go from not showing any visible signs at all to your doctor, to having it produce phantom smells and tastes and making you sneeze.
You could go back to the doctor and ask about epilepsy and migraine too. But everything you describe could be caused by anxiety, including the metallic taste (see the Symptoms page). I once completely lost my sense of smell (anosmia) for about 6 months after a heavy cold. Tumour crossed my mind, of course, but slowly, over the years, my smell has come back, although it is still not and probably never will be very powerful. I guess the virus probably damaged the olfactory receptors in my nose. That's all. That was about 4 years ago. No tumour, no epilepsy, not even migraine. Not everything is the worst case scenario :).
Hi all,
Well, it has been a very hard day at work, all I could think about is my symptom (smelling something like burning or petrol).
If at times I'm having this metallic taste, could it be that, which I smell?
My wife has told me to ignore it, I would love to but I'm worried if I do, then it could be something serious?
On the positive side, I’m eating ok and sleeping (when I get to sleep without worry)?
Red
Hi,
Its weird what us Health anx people pick up on cos I heard this before about smelling burning and then every time I had bad headaches would think about it.
I have since been to the docs who has diagnosed severe migraines :( not so good when I get one but at least I know what it is now
X C
Yea, it is playing on my mind.
I’m questioning myself, would it be a strong smell, would it get worse and would it be there 24/7 without google?
Red
Hi,
I was wondering if people would know if acid reflux could cause this horrid smell sensation?
Red
Hiya red
Smelling burning can be associated with anxiety and cause this phenomenon along with infections and sinus problems. As trixie said brain tumors are not common & if you had one you would be experiencing many other symptoms with this.
As for the metalic taste in your mouth again this can be from post nasal drip (sinus), anemia, preganancy etc..
I suggest you go to your Gp as untill this is clarifed to you, you will find it hard to relax xxx
Hi,
I think I might take your advice and see a doctor tomorrow.
I agree, I will be worring if I don't.....!
There is an appointment tomorrow at 5pm, I might as well book it.
Red
Hello all,
I have just come back from the doctors, not sure if I’m happy though.
I told him that I can smell smoke from time to time and that I have read that it could be a sign of something sinister.
He started off by telling me that I’m correct, it can be a sign of something sinister. He could tell I was worried straight away, so he did some tests:
· Checked ears
· Checked eyes
· Checked nose
Then he touched my face, tongue and hands etc, and I had to tell him if I could feel it, then he got this little hammer item and tapped all my joints with it.
He said the disks at the back of my eyes were clear, no sign of pressure.
I then asked him “Is it safe for me to forget about it”, he replied “yes”.
He did tell me that this is not caused by anxiety but the smell, which I have could of had via catah or something might be me thinking about it and keeping it longing, which I'm confused about.
I’m not sure why but I’m here at my pc typing away, getting upset that I can smell and taste this horrid thing, which I can only describe as smoke.
What steps can I take next?
Red
I think it might be a case of remembering a smell. I was in a shop once and a rather smelly person stood by me and then reached up to get something off the top shelf giving me a very strong whiff of his arm pits.
Now as a nurse I have smelled some rather nasty 'niffs' but this smell was terrible. It took me about a week to forget it and get it 'out of my nose.'
At least it isn't anything serious
I’m not sure why but I’m here at my pc typing away, getting upset that I can smell and taste this horrid thing
I think this is the key sentence, Red. Try to let it go for a while. You can smell a weird smell. The doctor has given you a thorough check-over and can find no physical problems. Maybe try giving yourself a period of time NOT to think/worry about it, like one day. Even if the smell is still there, accept as just a smell and carry on with your day.
You might even find that giving yourself a break from it for a day gives you more clues as to what it could be, you might find you notice it more or less strongly at certain times of the day, whereas you actually might not notice this if you are focusing on it intensely all the time.
Good luck and remember the things that the doctor said, and the fact your eyes, senses etc were all otherwise fine.:)
Hi all,
It appears worse since I came back from the doctors and it is making me sneeze.
If it was anxiety, how can the body keep this smell and taste appearing, especially when the doctor told me anxiety is not the cause.
I just told my wife, he might think everything is anxiety with me when it could be sinister.
Sorry to be moaning but with anxiety, I have nobody who understands, only you people on this forum and trust me, the days are getting longer when you worry
Red
I could smell burnt chocolate a while back, no-one else could smell it, I even asked my neighbour to sniff lol. Think it must be the anxiety.
Well, for the first time in years, my anxiety has forced me to leave work and go home poorly but i just can not concentrate because of this symtom.
I'm hoping it does not start to control my life.
The smell today is more like petrol / battery acid and nobody around me can smell it.
Red
Hello,
I’m after advice please, if you people were in my shoes.
1) Ignore the smell and get on with your life?
2) Go back to see the doctor in 7 days?
3) Go back to see the doctor in 14 days?
Thank you,
Red
Just found this under symtoms, do you think this is my problem?
I can smell and taste something like acid / petrol, would this mean tinny, metallic or ammonia???
Lack of appetite or taste, a tinny, metallic or ammonia smell or taste
What you feel:
Sometimes you just don’t feel like eating, or the thought of food is unappealing. Or, that even though you are eating, the food has no taste or is unsatisfying.
You have a persistent ‘tinny’, ‘metallic’ or ‘ammonia’ smell in your nose, or you taste it often and it’s not from your food or environment. Often it’s just there, but you can’t figure out why
What causes this:
Similar to the other stomach related symptoms, loss of appetite is a result of an upset stomach due to the sustained increase in digestive action. Loss of taste occurs because taste buds are nerves, and an over stimulated nervous system can send false signals to the brain which means that sometimes we can experience odd, dulled or incorrect sensory perceptions (since our receptive senses are controlled and interpreted by the nervous system). The loss of taste because of this miscommunication or misinterpretation by the over stimulated nervous does occur. This is another example of how we can receive incorrect or inaccurate sensory perceptions because of an over stimulated nervous system.
The only remedy for this symptom is rest so that the nervous system can regain its health.
Well, I gave in and googled, found this health anxiety forum (america) and a person on there said, his doctor said a strange smell is a sign of a tumour.
This has freaked me out in a big way.
Not sure what to so next?
Red
And if it did turn out to be one (which it won't) how will you feel?
berkshiregirl
25-10-08, 18:26
i am sure you will be fine alot of us on here panic about tumors or strokes but trixie has had a tumor, i apologise if i am wrong trixie but there are alot more symptoms than taste you could have a virus or something try not to panic and try and challenge your thoughts as to what else it could be write it down if it helps take care
My symtoms are a constant smell, which I can only describe as petrol etc. and I feel dizzy, which I have had a few head spins and nausea from time to time.
i am sure you will be fine alot of us on here panic about tumors or strokes but trixie has had a tumor, i apologise if i am wrong trixie but there are alot more symptoms than taste you could have a virus or something try not to panic and try and challenge your thoughts as to what else it could be write it down if it helps take care
I still have a brain tumour the surgeon won't operate at the moment.
Perhaps this might help http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5017#common
Mine was found by accident before I had any symptoms, but because it is not a simple operation my surgeon is going to wait until it becomes urgent.:)
My symtoms are a constant smell, which I can only describe as petrol etc. and I feel dizzy, which I have had a few head spins and nausea from time to time.
Have you been decorating?
Temporal lobe (http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5019#temp)
Forgetting words
Short term memory loss
Fits associated with strange feelings, smells or déjà vu (a feeling you have been somewhere or done something before)A tumour in this part of the brain may also affect your sight or sense of smell.
Temporal lobe (http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5019#temp)
Forgetting words
Short term memory loss
Fits associated with strange feelings, smells or déjà vu (a feeling you have been somewhere or done something before)A tumour in this part of the brain may also affect your sight or sense of smell.
Mine is a left frontal parafalcine tumour.
My wife is worried about my state, I have just heard her on the phone to my parents, who I think are coming up, not sure if I want to talk to people who mock anxiety.
Red
Hey Red, I hope you are feeling a bit better now. It is hard for those who don't suffer from anxiety to understand it, but at least have people around you who care about you. Try to be understanding about their lack of understanding, if you see what I mean :winks:.
One symptom in isolation (odd smell/taste) does not make a diagnosis. Have you been to the doctor about your anxiety lately?
Hi,
I went last Thursday, which the doctor checked my eyes and reflexes and blood pressure, told me no sign of a tumour but I'm still worrying.
He told me to stay on 50mg of my medication.
My parents kept saying I'm being stupid, worrying over nothing.
If I was callapsing, they said it would be a different story etc etc.
They carn't understand why I'm scared to ignore this smell etc, my dad said he would not even go the doctors with just a smell.
I wanted to go back next week but they have told me to stop going to the doctors, give it a few more weeks etc.
Red
Hi all,
Well, we have just got back from the family eye test.
I have been told that my eyes are healthy.
If I had a tumour, would it show up in my eyes?
Red
Red, have you tried the tablets to settle your stomach yet? Just wondered if they were helping. I know you're on meds for the anxiety - have you ever tried CBT?
Hi,
Yes, I tried CBT and being honest was a waste of 12 weeks.
He kept blaming my childhood was the cause (I was beaten black and blue by my mother and put outside in any weather without food all day to defend etc).
I have just noticed, when I eat the smell does go, I'm starting to wonder if it is because I'm occupied?
Also, the smell is not there when I wake up.
Red
yanksforever
27-10-08, 17:53
Red you are unbelievably tense and anxious and if you continue at this rate your symptoms will get worse and worse and you'll become irretrieveably convinced you have a malignant brain tumour when you don't! You just do not have a brain tumour!
You are religiously focused and obsessed with having one. You're reading up on it like crazy! You read certain symptoms and your body begins to have them.
You need to believe the doctors. You don't have a brain tumour!
yanksforever
27-10-08, 17:57
and don't google!
You have to get this tumour worry out of your head.
If you type in on Google can smell something all the time you will find that you are one of many people with a similar condition so please stop thinking you have a brain tumour.
This post related to me so so much, I know it's old but I'm wondering how you got on? I'm currently in an on/off state because I can smell paint but my office was decorated recently and the room opposite are apparently. The scent was strong while it being decorated and I can randomly smell it. I thought it was the air con. I'm not even sure they are phantom smells or just imagining them. I had eyes tested recently.
My mom is annoyed with me, so is my boyfriend and friends.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.