exertion headache

[Unregistered]

I'm worried about an intermittent intense throbbing head pain when I cough strenously, strain on the "potty" and position my neck a certain way. This started three weeks ago and now I am frightened that since I am stage IV that things have moved to my brain. I recently had a clear bone scan and a clear ct scan of pelvic and abdomen. My ca 15-3 tumor marker rises 6 points every two months and is now at 46. I feel like I can't catch a break from worrying about this. Instead of feeling good about the scans now I have this weird headache to worry about. And of course it starts after my oncology visit. Have those with brain mets had symptoms such as this?

[Jackie07]

When I had the huge brain tumor inside of my skull (13 years before my breast cancer diagnosis), the neurologist declared after listening to my description: "chronical headache, exertion headache."

The symptoms you have described could be anything. Only a CT or MRI can tell for sure. Can you contact your oncologist or family doctor? Yes, I know, they are all 'tired of' us and think that we are hypochondriac. But if you have symptoms and concerns, that's what our medical insurance is for.

[Jackie07]

From Breastcancer.org:

Symptoms of cancer in the brain may include:

headaches
weakness in your arms or legs
changes in vision (blurry, double, or loss of vision)
personality change
confusion
loss of balance, possibly with episodes of falling
nausea
seizure

[hutchibk]

My brain mets were too small to have any symptoms...

But I would not take any chances! Tell your onc and demand a brain MRI.

Let us know.

[Chelee]

I totally agree with hutchibk...tell your onc you want a brain MRI asap. It's stressful enough dealing with this daily. Being stage IV only adds to your stress. However I don't want you to panic. (Easier said then done...I know!)

I'm a stage III'er with positive nodes so I've been where your at now several times. Sometimes I have to really push my onc to get my MRI but it's worth it because I end up with severe anxiety when I don't know what's causing my headaches. You need piece of mind and the only way to get it is with a scan and under the circumstances I think it's called for. If your onc won't ok it...go see your primary doc. Be pro-active & do whatever it takes. Keep us updated and let us know how it's going.

Chelee

[Rich66]

Folks..can a brain CT show enough?

[hutchibk]

Both my medical onc and radiation onc use MRI exclusively for the brain. We use CT for the torso only.