Brain Tumor?

Question

I have had frequent headaches and migraines over the past few years, varying in severity. I have also had various other symptoms, such as Lightheadedness, Dizziness, Concentration problems, Focusing Problems, Difficulty with my words, such as stumbling and loosing train of thought, and random muscle weakness and twitching(spasming). My mom has been calling me dramatic, but I am not a dramatic person. I am a leader and a XC runner. I've only been having these symptoms over the past 2 years, and I am almost 15 now. We went and talked to my optometrist, and when he looked at my family history(sis & Dad had brain tumors), he told my mom to wait and see if I was still having headaches w/ glasses, and if so, talk to doctor about an MRI. Does it sound as if I may be having a Brain Tumor? I excercise daily, but not strenuously, so I am fit. I drink alot of water, and get on average 8 hours of sleep a night. I used to be good @ math, now I can't focus, and my grades are slipping. Help. Thanx.

Answer 1

Your symptoms could be any number of things. It is best to take the sound advise of your optometrist and see your doctor about getting an MRI and other medical tests done. Since you have a family history of brain tumors, your symptoms should not be ignored.

Answer 2

This is very possible to be a brain tumor...it can also be a number of other things such as an aneurysm, high blood pressure, stress etc. Either way the condition sounds to be very problematic and deserves some imediate medical attention in the form of an MRI. There has to be a cause for the headaches and you parent should realize that two weeks is far too long for a child your age let alone two years. If your parents won't take immediate action tell a guidence counselor, school nurse, teacher...whoever will listen and understand the severity of the issue.

Answer 3

Having a certain combination of symptoms does not mean you have a brain tumor, but it does put you at higher risk.
Did Dad and Sis have the same type tumor? Where their symptoms the same as yours? How long have you been wearing the glasses?
Your symptoms can be caused by many things, including hypoglycemia, and stress.
1] get at least 8 hours of sleep a night
2] eat a quality diet -
3 servings lean protein
3 servings low fat dairy
4 servings whole grain bread, cereal, or pasta
3 servings of veggies
2 servings of fruit
Try eating small meals 6 times a day - have a protein at every regular [ breakfast, lunch, dinner ] meal, and have a yogurt, cheese, or veggie or fruit for 'between' meals.
Avoid fried, fast, or junk food - even diet junk food.
3] drink 1/2 gallon of water a day
4] take a quality multivitamin with minerals every day
5] exercise daily
6] talk to a counselor, pastor, or other trusted adult about your
fears.

Answer 4

Dear Sara,

1)Your symptoms sound more like stress than brain tumor -but, that said, does not exclude the possibility.If we would sit face to face the picture of symptoms I would get might differ from what you tell in writing.
2)The likelihood of 15 year olds to have a brain tumor in general population is very, very, very small.
3) As there are at least 100 different kinds of brain tumors the crucial question of your likelihood of having a hereditary type -which are even more rare - depends totally on the type of tumor your father and sister had. Did they have Neurofibromatosis?some other syndrome? what were their tumors?
A basic answer is that your question can be analyzed further: All of your symptoms and their possible other causes and the tumors in family and the hereditary likelihood of these tumors.
You could try to find out about those tumors and then have a Neuro-oncologist (=someone who is working with brain tumors) evaluate your symptoms and order needed exams.If you go to the Neurosurgeon they are very good in ruling out tumors, but that is it. With a Neurologist you might have more luck in getting some help with your symptoms after they have ruled out the tumor.
I hope you get help in sorting out your situation.All the best! from marya

Answer 5

Unfortunately no matter how much sleep or exercise or how good you eat will not prevent cancer. The only way to know if you have a Tumor is to get a brain scan. I suggest you go to the doctor it is pretty detrimental to you considering the fact that you have a family history of Brain Tumors. We the people of Y!A cannot help you with this. But good luck sweetie I hope you are OK

Answer 6

You should definitely get that checked out. I've never known anyone with a brain tumor before, but I'm guessing that if you really DID have a brain tumor, you would've collasped a long time ago. Sometimes when you put stress on yourself, you experience all sorts of symptoms. Go to the doctors and see what comes. Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

Sounds like you may have a genetic propensity in your family history towards brain tumors, so regardless of what we say here...best to check things out with a doctor...better to be safe than sorry...

Answer 8

you might have had a stroke if you got too over heated while running. go see a doctor