Oh No, Not A Brain MRI

[europa]

So everything was going peachy until 3 weeks ago when I suddenly started getting a pain right where my occipital nodes are (behind the head where the neck and head join...on the left side). It would happen in the mornings and slowly throughout the day it would get better until about 3pm I would no longer feel a thing. I thought it was muscular and saw a physical therapist and some of the exercises have helped but every bloody morning I wake up with the stupid pain. It's not a deep pain but rather a superficial pain. If I press the area for 20 seconds, it goes away temporarily. It's quite annoying

So I tell my Oncologist and she said, let's just do an MRI to check. She said it so casually like, hey...let's weigh you when you come in. I'm now officially freaking out. She assured me she didn't think it was brain mets. But then why the brain MRI? Sure I don't have any other symptoms, but from my understanding brain mets don't always give symptoms.

Any advice or thoughts my dear HER2+ friends?

[StephN]

Yes, it may have sounded casual, but brain MRI's are a GOOD thing. This way you will have a baseline, as most of us do have a couple of spots that are NOT lesions and are harmless (such we have in our lungs or liver). Just like having a scan to rule out a problem with a sore rib, you will get a scan of your head.

If we DO have any brain mets, you are right that symptoms and pain vary widely from person to person. That is precisely the reason your onc would be remiss not to schedule an MRI to check out your complaint.

Remember there is no radiation with an MRI. You just have to be still and listen to a lot of noise for a few minutes. I get the headphones with some nice music and usually nod off.

Don't forget to breathe slowly and deeply.

P.S. When are you supposed to start the vaccine trial at Sibley? They may want a brain check anyway for that trial.

[europa]

Hi StephN!

Thanks so much for your email. I'm not so much nervous about the actual MRI, just the idea that there may be something there and that is why my Onc wants me to get scanned.

I finish Herceptin I believe at the end of this month so I will be starting the trial some time in February.

[BonnieR]

Your doctor is just being prudent and not leaving any thing overlooked. And honestly, most people would be upset NOT to have it checked out, just in case. Once weve had cancer, anything questionable has to be explored. As Steph says, it will give you a baseline too.
I had a brain scan for a pressure in my head. Then the stupid scan was over interpreted by a radiologist which resulted in seeing a neurologist who only saw normal aging brain! SO, even if they see something, it might turn out to be nothing! Try to relax and grateful that your doc is vigilant. Keep the faith

[Joanne S]

Europa, What you described is EXACTLY what I have been experiencing for 7 weeks. My onc prescribed a steriod medi-pac and a brain MRI - which I had it done last week. And just like Bonnie, it revealed an aging brain. The pain has been slowly subsiding. I still done know what it is. I wonder if it's related to the weather changes or from my neck being misalligned. I think Steph is right about it being a good thing and having a baseline for future comparisons. Keep us posted.

[Laurel]

Girlfriend, I have had a headache off and on for the past 2 years. They have decided it is a chronic migraine. I have learned to live with it. My onc. did an MRI initially saying she was sure it was not brain mets, but that it would be reassuring to me and provide a baseline brain MRI. Sometimes I think the headache is the lack of estrogen in my anti-hormone-therapy body.

I might recommend you go out and invest in a new pillow. If you are like the average person you have hung on to the same pillow for years which is advised against.

Good luck!

[europa]

Laurel, you crack me up. I think it's muscular but I agree that if it comes out clear it would give me a great sense of relief and a baseline. Also, I have one last Herceptin infusion on January 30th and a clear MRI would be a great way to send me off to NED and port-free.

[Paula O]

When is the MRI? Hope it comes out all clear and NED, NED, NED!

Paula

[Laurel]

Hey Europa,

Remember this: new pillows beget a new comforter, new high count sheets, maybe a new robe and slippers.........can you say "pamper me?"

This survivor-ship lark is not an easy road. We endure and accept our new norms. I think the dreaded "fear monster" will stalk us for the remainder of our days, but it gets easier to shoo him away as time goes by.

Congrats on your last Herceptin! Just wait until your nails begin to strengthen and grow, and that drippy nose stops leaking! Good luck with your new freedom! Are you keeping the port or having it taken out?

[europa]

Oh I cannot WAIT for my nose to stop dripping. I feel like a 5 year old sometimes using my sleeve to catch the annoying drips.

Paula O: my scan is on Tuesday. Brain and neck. Gulp.

I must say, yesterday was the first day I felt like me pre-cancer. I had meetings and attended my first event in the evening. It was so great to mingle among my peers and not be stared at. My hair has finally gotten long enough that I look like I was bold and sassy and cut my hair that because I can rather than, I had cancer. So for 12 hours, I felt normal. It was great.

[v-ness]

oh my god, i had this exact same problem in the exact same place just recently! a daily headache at the base of my skull on the left! i'd take tylenol or motrin and it would go away somewhat then come right back. i was about to call my oncologist when i decided to go to get a massage and i had him spend the entire hour on my shoulders, neck, and that part of my skull. VOILA, headache GONE. it was the weirdest headache i ever had and i do not know what caused whatever muscular problem i had, but nothing prior had stopped it. hoping the MRI is clear for you and if you haven't done so, think about a good strong massage there. oh and P.S., i had a constant headache at one point during chemo and my onco sent me for a CT scan. it is a little nerve-wracking, but they're just playing it safe. best! v

[europa]

I had another bloody scare today. I am seeing a physical therapist to try and get my butt into shape. She was stretching out my neck and said: Huh, you have a large lump here near your collarbone. It looks "puffy"
I completely freaked out. I called my Oncologist at the office and she wasn't in today so I texted her. How awesome is she! She gave me her home address (we live 5 minutes from each other) and told me to come over as she didn't want me to spend the weekend in distress. I went over with my toddler and she examined me in her living room while my son played with her son's legos. Turns out it was muscular and that I'm asymmetrical. I was so relieved and so thankful that I have such an amazing and caring Oncologist. Love her. But now I want to ring my physical therapist's neck for sending me down that road. Argh!