Brain mets?

[dede10]

Are there any symptoms associated w/brain mets? I have an MRI tomorrow due to these horrible headaches, but my bp is high, too. I don't know whether to think stress, high bp, mets...or I'm just falling apart!

[Annemarie]

Truthfully only a brain MRI can tell you if it is brain mets. I have had brain mets 3 times. Twice I had symptoms and once I had none. My symptoms included throwing up and I immediately knew. I had headaches only once (where very different from a normal headache it was severe) also my balance was off.

[Sheila]

Dede

I had a brain MRI yesterday as I was having headaches and neck stiffness....I also had a bone scan. Got the results today and all that showed was arthritis in the neck...the MRI was fine. I think its my B/P which is up a bit.

[caya]

dede10

Good luck to you tomorrow - I hope and pray everything will be okay - have you ever had migraines? Or bad sinuses - I have terrible sinuses and have lived on Tylenol 3 's ( 2 at a time) for sinus infections.

let us know - we are with you.
Caya in Canada

[chrisy]

Hi Dede,

Here is an excerpt from one of the papers in the Brain Mets section on this website (Go "home"/Index/...) The main thing my docs tell me is, be vigilant and have a "low threshold" for symptoms before getting an MRI, which is the only way to rule out the mets.

I'd also note, tho, most of these symptoms could be caused by other things! So getting it checked out (and most likely "ruled out") is the thing to do!

Is March MRI month or something? I ALSO got one today! I didn't have a headache when I went in, but after all that banging and jackhammer noise, I was dizzy coming out!

Good luck tommorrow!

Chris
What Are the Typical Symptoms of Brain Metastases?

As tumor cells multiply within the brain, they can press against, irritate, and/or destroy normal brain tissue. As a result, brain metastases can be associated with symptoms such as headaches, seizures, speech problems, weakness, bad vision, pain or numbness, problems moving, paralysis, nausea, or vomiting. Brain meta-stases may cause a feeling of tiredness or fatigue. In addition, brain metastases can cause problems with memory, reading, and talking.

However, not everyone gets every symptom. In fact, about one third of people with brain metastases have no symptoms at all.

[dede10]

Well, MRI done! Now I have to wait til Monday. I think the waiting game is the hardest.

I have also decided that that silly machine gets louder evertime I go in there. If I didn't have a headach when I went in, I surely do now!

[Joy]

That machine makes the craziest noises. Last time i almost laughed cause it is just seems so ridiculous. Anyway, Dede I am picturing nothing in your head all weekend:)

Let us know and keep busy!

[caya]

Glad you are back Dede. Hoping for good news for you on Monday.


Best
Caya

[dede10]

LOL! Nothing in my head is right!

[Annemarie]

I hope you are okay. I will say a special prayer tonight that everything turns out okay for you. I have a rule- No MRI's on Fridays because if you are anything like me you are out of your mind for the entire weekend. I now go to a place where I get instant results. I have to travel an hour but it is well worth me avoiding a melt down. Most people have no idea what levels of anxiety cancer pts. experience.

[Christine]

Hope all goes well.


Hugs
Christine