How do I know it isn't a tumor? - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

Tascha · 08-15-2003, 02:35 PM

I'm on week 2 of constant dizziness. I'm not even convinced that it is coming from my ear. I'm starting to worry it is a brain tumor.
Do any of you find the dizziness is worse when you first wake up and then gets a bit better as the day wares on? I do. But the dizziness and balance problems are constant. I can't hardly stand this anymore.
I have NO pain in my ear or any hearing problems. This is what scares me. If my ears hurt I'd feel better knowing it was probably in my ear. The doctor did see that my one ear was "a bit red inside", but that is not my inner ear so that doesn't really prove anything.
I'm so worried. I guess I'll have to get a MRI or CAT scan. This is starting to scare me so much.

Subs30 · 08-15-2003, 03:22 PM

....."Do any of you find the dizziness is worse when you first wake up and then gets a bit better as the day wares on?"......

Yes---I do/did---and so have a lot of others that post here----sort of like---the brain gets use to the bum signals it is getting from the "inner ear"(vestibular system)---so as you go through the day the brain starts to "compensate" for the bum signals---you can read about that here:

[url="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~boismier/Compensa.htm"]http://www-personal.umich.edu/~boismier/Compensa.htm[/url]

....."But the dizziness and balance problems are constant. I can't hardly stand this anymore."......

To understand what is going on and why...this is a good site to read:

[url="http://www.pneuro.com/publications/dizzy/index.html"]http://www.pneuro.com/publications/dizzy/index.html[/url]

And to read about the various aspects of this medical area---go here:

[url="http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/index.html"]http://www.tchain.com/otoneurology/disorders/index.html[/url]

Good Luck!!

I Robertson · 08-15-2003, 04:07 PM

Hi - I don't think that there is any-one here (except those who are either very laid back or lack an imagination) who have not worried that these dizzies and balance problems are a brain tumour - that totally includes me!! But panic not - as my doctor got bored telling me brain tumours do not present in this manner and are nearly always accompanied by some nuerological symptom or other - you would not be able to miss these signs and nor would you're doctor. My doctor also said that is dizzyness was caused by a tumour it would be one of the very last symptoms and certainly not that on its own - so be rest assured. If I were you I would not hesitate to return to the doctor and get your mind put at rest. Anxiety and fear over this ghastly problem is the absolute norm - we have all been there and done that!! Good Luck.

Tascha · 08-15-2003, 07:16 PM

Thank you so much for your replies.

I have read many sites that tell me dizziness is NOT part of a brain tumor....but today I found one that said it was the only symptom the woman had, and it ended up being a baseball sized tumor. GOD, that ruined my whole day!
If more of you can try to convince me that the isn't a brain tumor it will help me.
I just don't understand this. And I don't understand why it is so constant. It never lets up. I am now in a constant state of panic because of this dizziness.
I'm in the area where the the blackout happened. It really pushed me over the edge. It is bad enough that I have trouble with my balance, but to have me stumble around in the dark on top of it? URGH!
Thank you for listening

dizzyblonde1 · 08-16-2003, 04:09 AM

Hi Tascha, just want to reinforce what I Robertson said, I think pretty much all of us have at some point worried about brain tumours - I know it was my first thought when the world went spinning by and according to my Dr it's the first conclusion most people jump to.

You say you can't relate it to an ear problem because you have no pain or hearing loss. Again can I try to reassure you that this is entirely normal for many people with inner ear disorders. I had no pain, I had not had any cold/sore throat in the period before my dizzies started, and other than a slight "underwater" feeling, had no hearing loss!.

We tend to think of ear infections as being very painful, but this in fact is mostly middle ear infections as they can cause pressure changes within this area. Absence of pain therefore does not rule out inner ear probs. The inner ear also has two main components to it, one relating to hearing and one to balance. It is quite common for the balance centre to be affected and the area involved with hearing not to be.

You say you have had severe vertigo for about two weeks. Are you on any medication for this?. Most of us experience a couple of weeks of acute symptoms which is sounds like you have, before they settle a little bit. During this acute phase there are drugs available which depress the signals sent to your brain from the damaged area and ease the symptoms a little. You don't want to take them for too long as they can ultimately delay recovery, but if you are still struggling to walk around and feeling horribly nauseous then they might be a good option. Speak to your Dr about it.

Sorry you got caught in the power cut, must have made you feel dreadful. Is it all back now?

Overall, stop thinking of horrid things that could be wrong as anxiety can make you feel even worse. Inner ear problems make you feel quite ghastly and can be very debilitating for a while, but they are not a serious threat to your health.

Hope you feel a little reassured, xx