Update On My Brain Scan
UPDATE: IT IS FRIDAY AND THE BRAIN SCAN HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS.
I had a very enlightening appointment with a physical therapist specially trained in vertigo and vestibular disorders on Thursday. Because all signs point to a more rare type of BPPV, and because I passed the tests she has to offer of the central nervous system my Oncologist has decided to put the brain scan off for 3 weeks.
I will be having vestibular physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 weeks. If I find some relief of the symptoms I am having from this, then we wont do the brain scan. If I dont then we will scan.
I am so grateful that my symptoms pretty clearly point to a certain type of BPPV. It is called cupulolithiasis of which I will more than likely be writing about in a coming post.
My therapist said she shook my brain up like a snowglobe yesterday with all her maneuvers. She said I would feel brain fatigue while it all settles.
She also said my vestibular system is pretty off, which is like Ive been riding roller coasters all day, which makes my brain quite tired.
This is why automatic work like cleaning and making food for my family has been easily doable, but creative work like writing this blog post and working on our budget numbers has felt almost impossible. This post took me days to write!
Finally, an excuse for typos and misspellings! Ha!
Tell mehave you ever had vertigo?
What was your diagnosis? What helped you when you had episodes?
Weakness In Limbs And Dizziness
Feeling dizzy can be caused by high or low blood pressure, stress or not eating for a long time. However, if you feel lightheaded or dizzy for more than a couple of days you should talk to your doctor as it may be a symptom of primary central nervous system tumours or brain metastases . Persistent weakness in your limbs may also be a sign of CNS tumours or brain metastases.
What Are 18 Signs And Symptoms Of Cancer
Cancer gives most people no symptoms or signs that exclusively indicate the disease. Unfortunately, every complaint or symptom of cancer can be explained by a harmless condition as well. Some cancers occur more frequently in certain age groups. If certain symptoms occur or persist, however, a doctor should be seen for further evaluation. Some common symptoms that may occur with cancer are as follows:
- Persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva
- These symptoms usually represent simple infections such as bronchitis or sinusitis.
- They could be symptoms of lung cancer or head and neck cancer. Anyone with a nagging cough that lasts more than a month or with blood in the mucus that is coughed up should see a doctor.
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Vertigo Should You Be Concerned
Vertigo is an unsettling feeling that the world is spinning around you while youre standing still. Sometimes accompanied by nausea, this sensation can occur as you turn your head or change body positions, such as when you rise from a prone or seated position. While the discomfort may be intense, it usually resolves momentarily as the brain adapts to changes in the inner ear and restores a sense of balance.
What causes vertigo?
There are two main types of vertigo peripheral and central and the causes of each can vary. Peripheral vertigo is relatively common and usually brought on by a disturbance in the inner ear. This can be caused by postural hypotension, which is a quick drop in blood pressure. Other possible causes include a buildup of calcium crystals , a buildup of fluid or an infection in the inner ear. On the other hand, central vertigo is rarer and can result from a migraine, stroke, multiple sclerosis or a tumor in the cerebellum, which is the region of the brain that controls balance.
What should you do?
As a general rule of thumb, you should seek medical attention if you experience vertigo that is severe, recurrent or long-lasting. In rare cases, vertigo may be associated with a serious medical condition, so you should call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room if your sense of imbalance is accompanied by:
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden changes in speech, vision or hearing
- Walking difficulties
Feeling Vague: ‘chemo Brain’
While being treated with chemotherapy, some women feel vague as if theyre in a fog or find they have memory or concentration problems. This is often referred to as chemo brain.
It is not clear exactly what causes these memory and concentration problems in people with cancer, so calling them chemo brain may not be accurate. Mild cognitive impairment is a more accurate description used by doctors. Another term is cognitive dysfunction.
People use the word cognitive or cognition in different ways. Most people who have cognitive changes are able to do everyday things. But they may notice they arent able to do some things quite as well as before they had cancer. Some of the symptoms people describe include:
- memory loss and forgetting things you normally remember
- difficulty finding the right word for something
- difficulty following the flow of a conversation
- trouble focusing on or doing more than one thing at a time
- difficulty organising things or planning ahead.
Ongoing research is being conducted to better understand how best to manage the symptoms of cognitive impairment related to chemotherapy. There are some strategies that have been suggested that might be helpful, including:
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Radioprotective Drugs For Reducing Side Effects
One way to reduce side effects is by using radioprotective drugs, but these are only used for certain types of radiation given to certain parts of the body. These drugs are given before radiation treatment to protect certain normal tissues in the treatment area. The one most commonly used today is amifostine. This drug may be used in people with head and neck cancer to reduce the mouth problems caused by radiation therapy.
Not all doctors agree on how these drugs should be used in radiation therapy. These drugs have their own side effects, too, so be sure you understand what to look for.
About The Signs And Symptoms Of A Brain Tumour
Symptoms depend on where the tumour is in the brain and how slowly or quickly it grows. They may develop suddenly, or slowly over months or even years.
As a tumour grows, it can press on or grow into nearby areas of the brain. This can cause symptoms because it stops that part of the brain from working normally. Symptoms can also happen because the tumour is increasing the pressure inside the skull.
These symptoms can be caused by conditions other than a brain tumour. But it is important to get them checked by your GP straight away.
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Symptoms Of Secondary Breast Cancer
Secondary breast cancer means that a cancer that began in the breast has spread to another part of the body. Secondary cancer can also be called advanced or metastatic cancer.
It might not mean that you have secondary breast cancer if you have the symptoms described below. They can be caused by other conditions.
Early Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer
Common symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A lump in your breast or underarm that doesnât go away. This is often the first symptom of breast cancer. Your doctor can usually see a lump on a mammogram long before you can see or feel it.
- Swelling in your armpit or near your collarbone. This could mean breast cancer has spread to lymph nodes in that area. Swelling may start before you feel a lump, so let your doctor know if you notice it.
- Pain and tenderness, although lumps donât usually hurt. Some may cause a prickly feeling.
- A flat or indented area on your breast. This could happen because of a tumor that you canât see or feel.
- Breast changes such as a difference in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of your breast.
- Changes in your nipple, like one that:
- Pulls inward
- Develops sores
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What Kinds Of Cancer Does Ethylene Oxide Cause
Evidence in humans indicates that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of cancers of the white blood cells, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and lymphocytic leukemia. Studies also show that long-term exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of breast cancer in females.
Why Has Epa Intentionally Withheld Critical Health Information From The Public About The Cancer Risks Posed By Eto
What we know about ethylene oxide has changed over time. EPA changed its health value for EtO in December 2016. The new health value is 60 times more toxic to children and 30 times more toxic to adults than the previous estimate. EPA incorporated the new health value in the most recent National Air Toxics Assessment , EPAs nationwide air toxics screening tool, designed to help EPA and state, local and tribal air agencies identify areas, pollutants or types of sources for further examination.
The NATA takes about 3 years to produce. EPA gathers emissions of air toxics from all over the country, conducts an initial computer-based analyses to estimate risk, and then conducts a rigorous quality review of the inputs and results. EPA headquarters leads the effort and works with the EPA regions and the states to review the NATA and make changes to the initial draft. There are many changes that are made to that initial draft, including for EtO. This is a critically important part of the process, to be sure we are conducting the screening assessment with the best information possible. Only when we are certain that the NATA is correct do we release it. We released it in August 2018.
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Are There Medical Tests To See If I Have Ethylene Oxide In My System
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry there are two kinds of tests that can determine if you have been recently exposed to ethylene oxide . One test measures ethylene oxide in blood and the other test measures it in your breath. However, these tests are not intended for use on individuals that may have been exposed to very low levels of EtO nor can they be used to predict how it will affect a persons health. Because special equipment is needed, these tests are not usually done in the doctor’s office.
Too Much Calcium In The Blood
Too much calcium in the blood can cause symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Passing large amounts of urine
- Weakness
- Confusion
Hypercalcaemia is a medical emergency and can be serious if not diagnosed quickly. Its important to know who to report these symptoms to if they occur, so check this with your treatment team.
To relieve symptoms you might be told to drink plenty of water. However, many people will need to be given fluids into a vein to help flush the calcium out of the body.
If youre not already having bone-strengthening drugs, your treatment team will prescribe these.
Eating foods that contain calcium or taking prescribed calcium supplements does not cause hypercalcaemia.
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Some Of The Most Common Signs And Symptoms Of Cancer
Although every case is different, some general signs and symptoms of cancer include:
Most of the time, these symptoms arent caused by cancer. A benign tumor or another problem may be the culprit. But you shouldnt ignore symptoms that are persistent, severe, or dont go away.
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Emotional And Spiritual Care
End-of-life care also includes emotional, mental, and spiritual therapy. A personâs healthcare team may include social workers, counselors, mental health professionals, and religious or spiritual advisors.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, up to 40 percent of people with cancer experience serious mental distress. This may include anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder .
Medications, therapy, religious or spiritual rituals, and support groups can help a person cope with mental health issues and stress during this difficult time.
Caregivers may also need help with stress, anxiety, and depression. The palliative care team can usually also provide support and advice to caregivers for their emotional needs.
The Breast Cancer Healthline app provides people with access to an online breast cancer community, where users can connect with others and gain advice and support through group discussions.
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Talking To Your Healthcare Provider
It is crucial that you talk to your oncologist and healthcare team about any and all symptoms you are experiencing. Some of these symptoms, such as pain, are under-treated in people with metastatic cancer. This is not because healthcare providers fail to treat the symptoms, but because they are simply unaware that a person is coping with them.
Breast Cancer Doctor Discussion Guide
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
With all of the talk about people with cancer being brave or strong, you might hesitate to share symptoms that could make you appear frightened or weak. Yet facing metastatic cancer is frightening, and being able to share your concerns is a sign of strength, not weakness. There is a lot that can be done to ease most of the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, but the only way that your oncologist can know what you are feeling is if you are brave enough to speak up.
In addition, sharing your symptoms, even if they may seem of little consequence to you, may help your oncologist better recognize the extent of your disease, anticipate potential complications, and suggest the best possible treatments for your disease.
Hormone Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer
Many women in the UK take hormone replacement therapy to reduce menopausal symptoms. But doctors dont recommend taking HRT after breast cancer.
This is because we know that HRT can increase the risk that the breast cancer will come back. It also increases the risk of developing another breast cancer. But some doctors will prescribe HRT, particularly if you are having very severe menopausal symptoms.
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Dizziness And Balance Problems Related To Vision
Maintaining balance is a complex process that is controlled by three different systems in the body:
- The vestibular system is mainly located in the inner ear and is responsible for providing the brain with information about head position, spatial orientation, and motion
- The visual system provides input from your eyes to your brain, and is the dominant system providing cues for maintaining balance and preventing dizziness
- Proprioceptors in the legs and feet provide the body with a stable platform as well as information on movement and motion
Unexpected Signs And Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
What sort of symptoms would be considered unexpected, shocking, or surprising? These signs and symptoms dont appear to be related to our lungs. The general public would not expect these indicators or signals to be a warning of lung cancer.
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Changes In Bowel Habits
It is important to get to know your body and what is normal for you, including your bowel habits. Changes in bowel habits can include diarrhea or constipation or more frequent bowel movements. These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions including cancer, so it is important to see your doctor.
Re: Does Chemo Cause Dizziness When Walking Or Laying In Bed
I have just experienced dizziness when laying down in bed also dizziness when walking at times i’m just about to have my 4th Fec treatment wondered if the chemo is the cause of this have had BP tests and blood tests ECG etc all was fine hosp not sure may be vertigo or the treatment has anyone else had these symptoms as there very unpleasant and horrible feeling as if your going to pass out when you lay in bed so have had to sleep sitting up not ideal but better than feeling dizzy.
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