Possible brain mets?

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject: Possible brain mets?

Hi Dr. Leo -
my history is invasive ductal carcinoma, 2 cm, with associated intermedicate DCIS, tumour grade and stage 2. I had WLE and total axillary removal Feb/Mar 2003, 3+/18 nodes, followed by 6 x FEC and 45 rads. Finished all treatment end Nov 03. Followup with breast surgeon March 04 and mammo clear. I also have chronic Cron's - since 1970, under control now with methotrexate.

Some 2 months ago I had acute erysipelas and was hospitalised; treated with erythmoycin and now clear. 10 days later I had a blackout and was unconscious for 30 mins until paramedics arrived and I was given oxygen. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and kept in for observation for 24 hrs. ecg was normal, BP 100/50 as it was with the erysipelas.

I saw my gastro last week and he thinks I may have had a transient ischemic attack (my mother died of strokes) and has advised me to stop smoking - I am seeing a nurse counsellor for this on 30 Dec but have already cut to 3 a day.

However, I happened to see a neighbour today, who is a GP in another town, and she was here when I had the blackout. She suggested I may have brain mets as I have no sense of smell or taste. The blackout resulted in injury to the occipital (sp?) and a boggy haematoma.

Is it possible that I may have brain mets? We only get 3 yrly mammos here in England from 50 yrs, and my tumour was not palpable, so it is possible I had it for some time before diagnosis.
I really do not know what to do next. I was discharged by my Oncologist in Feb 04 and am not due to see my breast surgeon for annual check up until March 05.
I would be grateful for any insight you may have.
Thank you for a wonderful site and all the effort you put in.
Liz.

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: Possible brain mets?

Hi Liz,
I know you wrote to Leo and I wouldn't begin to give advice on something I don't know anything about.
You said your onco discharged you this year? In the states, you see your onco every 3 months for the first couple of years and then every 6 months and after 5 years it goes to once a year. I'm sure there is some various to this, but that's in general. I can't believe that he just basically said you were on your own after a year. I'd call him and make an appt. or get an earlier appt. with your surgeon, or even get one with your PCP and any of them can order a MRI or CT Scan of your head. I don't know and haven't heard of some of the things you mentioned in your post, so again, I'm not suggesting that it does or doesn't sound like mets, but you can't just sit there and worry about it. Call those docs and get in with the 1st one you can. The waiting and wondering and worrying is a horrible thing.
Best wishes and please keep us posted
You're in my prayers
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Liz

Thanks for posting. I am thinking that the erysipela has nothing to do with the blackout. Could this have been a seizure ? Did they tell you what caused this blackout ? Did they do a head CT ?

best regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:22 am Post subject: brain mets?

Hi Dr Leo - thank you for such a prompt response.
The neurologist I saw in the ER and the Medical Admissions ward did some tests on my hands and vision and ordered an ecg, but no scan of my head and no follow-up appointment. I didn't realise then that my sense of taste and smell had disappeared as I didn't eat whilst in the hospital. I think I will ask my GP (PCP)'s wife - the nurse I am seeing about quitting smoking - if I should see him for a referral to a neurologist at the hospital. My GP can't order scans, it has to go through a consultant at the hospital. I don't know if I had a seizure as the power went out just before I blacked out and it was a few minutes until my husband could get a torch. I don't remember anything after I got up to get some candles - next recollection was being put in a wheelchair and having an oxygen mask, which was around 30 minutes after the fall. The only symptoms I have are extreme dizziness on standing up and the loss of taste/smell. I guess it was a tia, but with local spread of my bc I just wondered if it could be brain mets. Either way I need to know so I can get appropriate treatment.
Liz.

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Liz

Another thing: it's not too uncommon for people to have diminished taste and/or smell sensation after chemotherapy. But this can be a neurological symptom of somethin in the central nervous system as well. But it really sounds like it needs to be looked into.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2004 4:39 am Post subject: possible brain mets

Thank you Dr. Leo for your reply. I finished chemo in Aug 2003 and the loss of taste/smell only occurred after I had the blackout. I will get it checked out next week when my GP's surgery reopens after holidays.
Thank you again for your insights.
Liz.

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