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Do I have a brain tumor? Worried beyond death

BlueGrass0
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I've been experiencing headaches since October, and have been obsessively worrying about it since. I'm 17 female, am I being crazy about this?

The headaches stretch from my forehead to both sides of my head, or move to the top of my head. The pressure can be extreme or mild, sometimes it feels like there's a little ball in my head pushing on my brain. It never hurts badly, but I can't help but google away my symptoms. The areas of the headaches change from the sides of my head, to the forehead, or the top of my head. Or, if I'm lucky, they combine forces and hurt everywhere. The pressure is very scary.

I feel nauseous, stressed, I cry, I feel like I'm going crazy. Right now I even have a fever! At one point, while I was standing, I felt like I was falling. Of course, I didn't fall or even physically move- but it felt like I was.

Sometimes it feels like my heads in a lock, I don't know what to do. I never wake up with a headache, or in the middle of the night- but I go straight to thinking about it. Now, even my neck and back have caught on to the trend. Just aches and pains.

Luckily, I've been to an ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, and my regular doctor for unrelated check-ups. Of course, I mentioned my issues and they've all confirmed that I shouldn't be worried. Still, even though it's stupid, I can't help but obsessively worry. What if my anxiety is caused by the brain tumor??? Personality changes can happen, what if this is happening to me?

In general, I'm hoping for some reassurance and advice. Thank you.

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    Hello BlueGrass0 and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    I am so sorry to hear about these intense headaches you've been experiencing since October. Try not to anticipate the worst though as there are so many things it could be other than a brain tumour. One thing is sure though: Google is your worst enemy at the moment and it's best to stay well away from the famously unreliable Dr Google or it will make you feel even more anxious. 

    I can imagine that the pressure you describe is indeed very scary and you did well to flag this with your ophtalmologist and also with your doctor. It's reassuring that they have confirmed that you shouldn't be worried. Your anxiety is unlikely to be caused by the brain tumour and it is more likely on the contrary that the anxiety itself is making you imagine the worst possible outcome when there are so many harmless things it could be. If you are still worried, perhaps you could try and seek a second opinion from another GP? You can find out how to do this on this page. 

    I hope that you feel better soon and that you find out what is causing these debilitating headaches.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Please stay clear of google. According to my symptoms i had 3 weeks to live. 

    Since covid many people are suffering health anxiety and we are hearing about more and people being diagnosed with cancer, myself included. I think more and more people are going for screening, there are adverts on tv telling you to ho to the doctors etc. 

    Also being anxious can do horrible things to your body including pains in your head.

    Try not to overthink and keep off Google x

     

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    I am so sorry that you are so stressed out. Maybe your stress is making your symptoms worse. I google everything and one of my self diagnosis was a bt too. Try meditation and gentle exercise. That feeling of falling is anxiety. I get exactly the same thing. I find that when I am busy my symptoms subside and when I think about them, they get worse. That should tell me that I don't have a bt but of course we still worry. Honestly, I think that if you find something to do and not focus on your symptoms then you will start feeling better. I am trying to do exactly the same as you do I know that it is difficult. Please try not to worry. 

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