I think I have a brain tumor ...

[Tender Branson]

or something like this.

A few weeks ago this all started: I basically have headaches every day now, I feel dizzy and weak and want to sleep all the time. I also have fever around my forehead all the time that won't even go away with Aspirin like it usually did.

I have also been at the doctor who said that I probably have a cold or flu and should take the regular medicine against it. But after 3 weeks it starts to worry me. So I looked up the symptoms of a brain tumor, and they are almost identical to what I experience right now. Or could it just be some severe infection in my nose area (even though my nose is not stuffed like during a usual cold) ?

I think I will consult a neurologist this week to see whats wrong.

What do you think ? It's a very weird situation.

[tpfkaw]

That honestly sounds like migraines compounded with dehydration and lack of sleep to me - brain tumors in someone your age are incredibly rare unless you've been exposed to highly carcinogenic substances or high doses of radiation.  Still, better safe than sorry.

[Torie]

Did the pain start gradually, and get worse, or start rather suddenly? The former is more indicative of a brain tumor. I suspect the odds that you have one are quite low however. Good luck, and yes, get it checked. You are probably in for an MRI.

[patrick1]

You know just yesterday I was going to start a thread on cyberchondria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberchondria

I had myself convinced, ever so briefly, that I had lymphoma.  I don't mean to dismiss your symptoms at all, but I both think we could use a little Occam's razor thinking.  If your symptoms persist get it checked further.

[Tender Branson]

That honestly sounds like migraines compounded with dehydration and lack of sleep to me - brain tumors in someone your age are incredibly rare unless you've been exposed to highly carcinogenic substances or high doses of radiation.  Still, better safe than sorry.

A) I never had migraines before, only light headaches
B) I drink at least 2 liters of water every day
C) I sleep at least 8 hours each night (unless there's a GOP debate or primary) ...

...

Besides there is a pressure in my forehead and a feeling like there's sand in my forehead.

My blood pressure is OK (I've checked it several times and it is about 135-85)

[Tender Branson]

exposed to highly carcinogenic substances or high doses of radiation.  Still, better safe than sorry.

Does high use of Wi-Fi radiation on my notebook count ?

[tpfkaw]

exposed to highly carcinogenic substances or high doses of radiation.  Still, better safe than sorry.

Does high use of Wi-Fi radiation on my notebook count ?

Headaches (and feelings of sickness) can also be brought about by staring at a screen for several hours

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

It sounds like this could be something very minor, or something very serious.  Definitely get it checked out just to be safe.

Do you have family history of things like this?

[Tender Branson]

Yeah, well, I've been staring at computers for a few hours before and never had any problems.

But there is another possibility as well where my problems could come from:

I've not been to the eye doctor for about 3 years and my glasses are even older. Maybe I need new glasses because they are too weak ...

[Mechaman]

I know you probably feel like hell or what not but it's probably just an extreme migraine caused by lots of stress or something to that effect.

And it's important not to jump to conclusions when looking up stuff on the internet.  Last year I had a lot of stomach troubles: episodic recurrent diarrhea, constant stomach pain, a pain in my chest that feels like I'm having a heartattack after I eat something.  You name it.
First search result that came up: Intestinal Cancer.

I went to the doctor, took a few tests, or what not and it turned out to be Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Not a pleasant diagnosis, but it beats worrying about whether or not you will live to see graduation.

Sometimes, non-life threatening health conditions feel like the end of the world.  Tis a bitch, it really is.

I would see a doctor and then go from there.

[Tender Branson]

It sounds like this could be something very minor, or something very serious.  Definitely get it checked out just to be safe.

Do you have family history of things like this?

My godmother (a far away relative of mine) died because of a brain tumor in 1990 or so.

My dad had prostate cancer last year.

All my other relatives usually died because of heart related stuff.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

In general if you think there might be something seriously wrong it's better to see your GP (or whatever the relevant equivalent is) than to ask the internets.

But, yeah, hopefully it's nowt serious.

[Tender Branson]

Another possibility could be the beginning of a Multiple Sclerosis ...

[Oakvale]

Well, you should definitely get it checked out - if it is something serious, the sooner you find out the better, and in the (more likely IMO) event that it's not that serious it'll give you some peace of mind.

It could be a sinus thing, or even psychological - anxiety/stress can manifest itself in all kinds of weird physical ways.

Also, Googling symptoms is the worst possible idea, trust me.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

A) I never had migraines before, only light headaches
B) I drink at least 2 liters of water every day
C) I sleep at least 8 hours each night (unless there's a GOP debate or primary) ...

Do those debates cause you to get less sleep or more?

[Beet]

FWIW, when I look up symptoms on the Internet I always end up getting more worried than what turns out to be justified.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Also, Googling symptoms is the worst possible idea, trust me.

Not always - that was how I figured out I had shingles.

EDIT: Although this isn't always the case, and if you aren't going into the situation with a cool head, it can drive you nuts (I've been on that side of the coin as well).

[Antonio the Sixth]

I wish you the best. I really hope this is nothing...

[Tender Branson]

Yeah, I hope it's nothing bad.

I'll call the neurologist tomorrow to get an appointment and let you know what comes out of it.

But thanks to the Austrian "SOCIALIST MEDICINE" I'll probably have to wait 2 months for an appointment. That's what it takes when you have only 2 neurologists in a county of 100.000 people ...

[Lief 🗽]

Meh, I live in a country with decidedly un-socialist medicine and it still took me two months to get an appointment with a dermatologist for a routine check-up.

[Pingvin]

I wish you the best. I really hope this is nothing...

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Meh, I live in a country with decidedly un-socialist medicine and it still took me two months to get an appointment with a dermatologist for a routine check-up.

Are there shortages of dermatologists in the D.C. area?

[Tender Branson]

Meh, I live in a country with decidedly un-socialist medicine and it still took me two months to get an appointment with a dermatologist for a routine check-up.

It really depends here. There are some specialists where you can get an appointment on the same day you called in. Or I had some, like dentists or eye doctors, where you wait a month or two. Don't know about neurologists, maybe their work is not so needed here and I get a real quick appointment.

[Phony Moderate]

Sorry to hear this, I hope you are ok.

[Paul Kemp]

Yates?