SO scared of a brain tumor! Please help!!?

I'm 17 years old and I'm so scared of a brain tumor. I've been having headaches since June, so I got a CT scan last July -- everything's normal. I also have my blood tested every month for hyper/hypothyroidism (it fluxuates.) In December, my numbers were up again and my medication has been increased. Keep in mind that I also have tight muscles in my neck, so I'm sure that could be contributing to my headaches. I also have slightly blurry vision at times, but I had eye surgery when I was 6 (maybe I just need contacts?) Lately, I've gotten these really bad dizzy spells -- they hit me at random times and sometimes I feel like I'm going to pass out or like I can't see right. I'm also extremely tired. Finally, I have acid reflux and I have not yet started the medication for it -- that starts tomorrow. I know I've gotten all of these tests and everything, I guess I'm just really nervous and need some reassurance. Should I really be worried? Thanks for all the help!

I also have slight trouble swallowing -- I'm able to swallow if I take food down with water, but this could also be a complication of my acid reflux/neck problems.

Ok, if you do have a tumor, the thyroid problem would mean its on your pituitary. Most people have pituitary tumors and don't even know it. They are almost always benign (not cancerous). If it is growing, that might be causing some of your problems (headaches, dizziness). Has the Dr. tested your cortisol? If that is low it would explain your dizziness and would point to a pituitary problem. At that point you would need a pituitary MRI. Its about the size of a pea so a CT would not show much. Don't worry yourself to death. It is treatable if this is what you have. Also, the tight muscles in your neck is probably caused by your headaches, or the other way around. If you are too stressed out you will get headaches. And headaches will stress you out also.

It sounds like you are suffering from migraines. Go see a neurologist. Good luck!

Sounds like your number one problem is Stress and Anxiety. Fix that and your other problems will go away...

Dear Emily,

No, you should not be worried but do something about your problems. How much do you excercise?What about gymnastics -the only way to get your muscle balance better like the abdominal muscles in shape to support your body and ease the burden of the neck muscles. How much do you weigh? If you are overweight that will increase your acid reflux problems and if you are in bad physical shape it will increase your fatigue and dizziness. How much do you sleep? lack of sleep is the most common cause of fatigue in teenagers.
What is your diet like -healthy balanced diet with enough vegetables, fiber, fish will do a lot to improve your well being.
If you had eye surgery as a kid you might have problems with aligning your eyes -which makes your vision blurry etc. and the strain might increase your headaches -this is not dangerous, just annoying. An ophthalmologist should be able to help you.
How are your moods? Are you depressed? This would be a very common cause of exacerbating your type of symptoms.

Brain tumors are extremely rare in 17 year olds -maybe one in 100 000 of 17 year olds gets a tumor per year.
The most common symptom is epileptic fit and IF headache it is almost always together with other symptoms like balance difficulties, double vision in a person who has never had eye operations or eye problems, swallowing difficulties etc. BUT with the symptoms progressing and headaches worst in morning before you get up from bed.

Pituitary tumors are even more rare. As the pituitary controls our hormones the symptoms usually comes from hormone problems. However, thyroid problems alone as such are almost never caused by the pituitary as most thyroid problems come from the thyroid itself like inflammation=thyroiditis or iodine deficiency or...

Take cheer and get help for your symptoms but do not worry.Worrying will not add one inch to your life in any way.
And take these answers with a pinch of salt-I for example , know only what you wrote about.If you came to my office I would have a zillion more questions before I could have a good idea what you are suffering of. The above was written according to what is most commonly seen.
All the best!