CT & Mri on my brain ... Gulp

DebbieT
DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
edited 2. Jun 2013, 08:36 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,

I know this isn't arthritis related but I need to get all of this off of my chest.

Last Friday I had numbness & tingling in the left side of my face & neck. I had a GP fone consultation as I was concerned it was a side effect from a new antibiotic I started the day b4. He immediately requested I was driven to see him as he was concerned it was a TIA. He sent me to hospital.

I had a CT scan which showed no bleed thankfully but it showed 'something', they didn't know wot tho. I've since had an MRI on my brain (Omg wot a horrendous experience, I had no idea I was that claustrophobic!)

Yesterday I went to get the results. I'll be honest I thought the lesion, as they'd called it, may have been from chronic pain as I know it can damage our brains or even an infection coz of how long I've been ill with chest infections ... 6 months on & off but this one has been constant since April!!

I expected to see a Neurologist, was I nieve to think that?? It turned out that the consultant I saw was a pulmonary one :? He didn't even have a clue how to read the MRI as it's not a lung MRI, were his words!!
Well thankfully who ever wrote the report said there is a 1 & 1/2 cm Cyst. The consultant couldn't give me anymore information, not even wot part of the brain it's in :(

I came away feeling badly let down. I'd waited days n then 90 mins at the clinic to get the results to leave with very little information!! Don't get me wrong, I'm over the moon it's nothing too serious but its meant I've had to come home & 'google' to get any info :(

It could well be completely harmless & I'd never have known had I not had the numbness etc that led to them finding it or it could mean I need surgery to remove it, it just depends on wot sort it is & where it is within the brain. It's a bit daunting if its the latter but needs must & all that.

I suppose I'm just venting coz I think I'd have these answers already if I'd been seen by a Neurologist instead of a Pulmonary Dr!! I'd rather have waited for an appointment with one than get a small part of the picture :(


I don't know wot caused the original symptoms that I was sent to hospital for & they will be looking to see if my headaches, migraines, nausea & dizziness are connected to the cyst ... Am I wrong to be cheesed off that I'm still in the dark??


Thanks for listening :) My rant & self pitying moan is over.lol x
Healing Hugs
Debbie.x

Comments

  • mig
    mig Member Posts: 7,154
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sending hugs ,will be thinking of you.(((()))) Mig
  • lizzieuk1
    lizzieuk1 Member Posts: 302
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh blimey youve had a right scarey time, yes I'd be annoyed too, fancy not booking a neurologist for ur consult how ridiculous, think I'd be writing a stinking letter of complaint to the hospital director, its not fair to mess people about with such worrying things.
    Hope it all gets sorted v soon.x
  • Numptydumpty
    Numptydumpty Member Posts: 6,417
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Crikey, what a shock!
    I hope hope it's all sorted soon.
    Thinking of you, (((())))
    Numpty
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all (((hugs)))

    Yes it was a shock, it's something you don't expect even under the circumstances I was in. :?

    I'm thinking of writing a letter of complaint or contacting PALS. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking it was an idiotic thing to do.

    Thanks again.x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Awe poor you, I can't understand either Debbie why you didn't see a neurologist or neurosurgeon, here's hoping it gets sorted out soon...............tc................Marie xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
    smile another smile and soon there
    will be miles and miles of smiles
    just because you smiled I wish your
    day is full of Smiles
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Marie.

    It was a drop in clinic. I wasn't told that wen the Dr on the ward booked me in to it or that it wouldn't be with the correct specialist :( Frustrating to say the least.x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Debbie
    Of course you are not wrong to be cheesed off, this is your body and you are worried and who wouldn't be, if this was me I would be back on to then to ask questions...you just don't need the stress.
    I do wish you well with whatever they do...please let us know how you get on x
    Love
    Barbara
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 8,900
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Debbie
    Barbara's right you have to think of your body.
    good luck i've had both scans i know how you felt.
    take care
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Debbie, that is awful, both finding out you have a cyst but also not getting any further info. What's the plan? Are you going to see anyone else soon? I do think you have a case for PALS. Best of luck with it.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can't make sense of it either, Debbie. Your GP seemed to be on the ball so why not make an appointment for a chat with him about it all?

    A friend of mine has recently had a cyst on her brain drained. She's a very healthy person and her only symptom was that she started dropping things. She seems to be going on well.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all SO much for the well wishes, thoughts & advice!!

    SW, I'm sorry about ure friend but very glad to hear she's recovered well :)

    My hospital discharge letter arrived yesterday & it said my Cyst is in the Pineal region, it's at the centre of the brain!!

    The GP that sent me to hospital is going to ring me Tuesday morning from the other practice he works at (they're 3 small practices that work together). Hopefully he'll have more information for me!!

    At the moment I've no idea if I'm going to see a neurologist/neurosurgeon!! Maybe the GP will be able to find out for me tho.

    Thank you all again.x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • kentishlady
    kentishlady Member Posts: 809
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Debbie. Am so sorry you are having such a worrying time and do hope that the chat with your dr on Tuesday will be positive for you. Take care. Sending some ((())) your wzy in case you are in need of them. Beryl
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Pocket duties are available for Tuesday morning if required, Debbie. I hope it's good news.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    :oops: Hugs are always needed & appreciated, thank you!!

    SW (I do hope I've not offended you using just the initials? My apologies if I have n just tell me so I know not to do it again please!) wot are 'pocket duties'? I've never heard of it, sorry :? Aahhhh, I've just cottoned on to wot it is!!Lol God I can be dense. :oops: Haha
    That's so sweet, thank you :) x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Debbie;

    Maybe it's a good thing the doctor's could determine it was a cyst from the mri. That must mean it has definite borders and less worrying than if it did not?

    It's must be really difficult for you, especially when nobody gave you any information. And doctors wonder why people consult Dr. Google!

    Best wishes,
    Anna
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Anna,

    I was definitely glad to hear it was a cyst, as like you said, it ruled out tumours etc :) I've the Dr that read the scan to thank for writing it on the screen for the Dr I saw to tell me!!

    It's all of the unknown that winds me up!! I like to know details, any & all of them, so being left in the dark is extremely frustrating. I'm fairly confident it's nothing to worry about but I'd like that confirmed properly so my children, husband & myself can forget about it!!

    Thanks hun.x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I actually saw my friend for the first time this morning. She both looked and sounded no different to before - but she did feel better :D
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That's such fantastic news :D

    Do you know where it was in her brain & wot her symptoms are? I'd be very interested to know as I have daily headaches that are eased a little with meds but by night time nothing touches them. Also nausea, dizziness & migraines. I've no idea if it's related or just part of my other health issues & stress.

    Thank you for the update :) x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x