Brain Tumor Symptoms and Stories from a Health Forum

Trusting Your Instincts

Many people reported having an innate sense that something was not right before receiving their brain tumor diagnosis:

• “I just knew deep down something was wrong with me.”
• “Even though my symptoms were minor, I could feel it in my gut that something serious was going on.”
• “Don’t ignore your body’s signals even if you can’t explain them.”

Tuning into subtle changes and inner intuition can provide early warning signs. While symptoms may be ambiguous, trusting your instincts prompts you to seek medical answers.

Headaches and Dizziness

Headaches were a commonly reported precursor to a brain tumor diagnosis:

• “I started getting bad headaches that felt different than regular ones - constant, severe pain on one side behind an eye.”
• “My headaches always seemed to be centered in one spot and would wake me up at night.”
• “I had dizzy spells that would cause me to lose balance. I nearly passed out once.”

Noticeable changes in headache patterns, especially concentrated pain or dizziness, can indicate issues like a brain tumor. But remember many conditions can cause headaches, so discuss any changes with your doctor.

Vision Changes

Vision problems prompted many people's brain tumor discovery:

• “My vision would blur in one eye. It was like a camera lens going out of focus.”
• “I saw sparkling lights in my periphery that weren’t really there.”
• “Sudden onset double vision was one of my first symptoms something was wrong.”

Vision changes should never be ignored, as they can result from pressure on the optic nerve or other mechanisms. Vision symptoms were a tip-off for many of these patients.

Memory and Concentration Issues

Cognitive difficulties were commonly reported:

• “I started forgetting very familiar names and basic words when speaking.”
• “It became impossible to focus at work. I couldn’t retain information I just read.”
• “My memory and reasoning skills seemed to decline rapidly out of nowhere.”

Sudden lapses in memory, concentration and cognitive ability may signal something amiss. These mental changes prompted medical investigation in many of these cases.

Seizures

Several participants experienced seizures prior to diagnosis:

• “I had a violent seizure while getting ready for work one morning. It came from nowhere.”
• “Minor seizures happened a few times but I brushed them off until I had a major one.”
• “Looking back, I had symptoms like lip smacking that were small focal seizures I didn’t recognize.”

Seizures, especially those that start suddenly, could indicate abnormal electrical activity from a brain tumor. Seek emergency care if you experience an unexplained seizure.

Hormonal Changes

For some, hormones were affected:

• “My menstrual cycle changes were the first clue. I had non-stop heavy bleeding.”
• “As a man, I lost my sex drive and had erectile dysfunction.”
• “My hormones went haywire but it was chalked up to perimenopause at first.”

Brain tumors can impact the pituitary gland and other hormone-regulating parts of the brain. Dramatic hormonal shifts warrant medical testing.

Sleep Changes

Some experienced sleep disturbances:

• “I suddenly could not fall asleep at night, or I would wake up extremely early.”
• “I was sleeping all the time - 12+ hours a night and napping daily.”
• “I would fall asleep anywhere, even standing up.”

Excessive drowsiness or insomnia could stem from brain tumor effects. A reversed sleep cycle is especially concerning.

Mood Changes

Some mood changes and depression occurred:

• “I felt emotions like anger and sadness so intensely for no reason.”
• “My depression and anxiety came on rapidly and didn’t respond to meds.”
• “I lost interest in all my normal activities and became withdrawn.”

Mood and personality shifts may indicate a neurological issue. Mood disorders should be evaluated for any physical factors.

Motor or Balance Changes

Physical abilities declined for some participants:

• “My handwriting changed drastically. It was barely legible.”
• “My left side weakened. I would drag my foot when walking.”
• “I lost coordination and my balance was off. I was bumping into walls.”

Deterioration in motor skills or balance can have neurological underpinnings like a tumor. Don't dismiss these physical changes.

Speech Changes

Speech difficulties occurred for some:

• “The right words just wouldn't come out. I used incorrect words without realizing it.”
• “My voice got very hoarse and strained. People asked if I had a cold.”
• “I started slurring words as if I was drunk, but I was completely sober.”

Changes in speech ability, voice strength and language expression can indicate problems. These symptoms prompted some forum users to seek medical help.

Sensory Changes

Some people noticed differences in their senses:

• “I lost my sense of smell completely yet I had no congestion.”
• “The left half of my tongue had reduced taste. Food was bland on that side.”
• “My scalp became numb to the touch yet was sensitive to pain at the same time.”

Unusual sensory symptoms like loss of smell or one-sided numbness raised red flags something was amiss.

Fatigue and Weakness

Many experienced increased fatigue:

• “I was exhausted all the time no matter how much rest I got.”
• “My muscles felt weak even though I was fit and active.”
• “Simple physical exertion like climbing stairs would wipe me out.”

Worsening fatigue and weakness, especially if persistent or interfering with activities, warrants medical investigation.

Personality Changes

Some noticed personality shifts:

• "My family said I had become withdrawn and passive, which wasn't like me."
• "I became more irritable and had angry outbursts, which was out of character."
• "Small things would upset me and make me obsessive."

Sudden personality changes could reflect neurological changes from a tumor's effects on the brain.

Seeking a Professional Diagnosis

While these patients identified symptoms of a potential brain tumor, only medical tests can determine the cause. Many forum members advise:

• See a doctor promptly if you notice any unusual or concerning symptoms.
• Ask your doctor to rule out physical causes like a tumor for any new cognitive, emotional or physical symptoms.
• Insist on further testing like an MRI if your symptoms persist without explanation.
• Seek a second opinion if you feel your concerns aren't being adequately investigated.

Trust yourself and listen to your body - you know better than anyone when something is amiss. While many conditions could cause these kinds of symptoms, a brain tumor is one possibility worth ruling out. Catching it early is key.

Emotional Support After a Diagnosis

Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis understandably stirs up many emotions. In addition to medical care, be sure to seek counseling, find a support group, and open up to trusted loved ones. Do not hesitate to ask your doctor for referrals to mental health assistance, support organizations, and other resources.

You are not alone. Forums like this provide a judgement-free space to share your story, seek advice, and connect with others who understand. Together we can offer hope and optimal wellness moving forward.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.