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Hi My Sister Is 65 Years Old And 5 Years
Question: Hi my sister is 65 years old and 5 years ago she was diagnosed with a Meningioma brain tumor behind her right eye. Testing was done to confirm at XXXXXXX Hospital. The doctor wanted to keep his eye on it every 6 months. My sister has not had it checked since then. Our Family question: We are seeing a major personality change in her. She is more aggressive. Responds to little things and blows them out of context. She is texting to many family members aggressive texts and goes on and on how bad we are, then she puts herself on a pedestal. This past year we have lost a sister in law and a beautiful niece and a sister. Emotions in the family over all are running high. I personally have stood by my sister the past 4 years. Trying to convince everyone it must be the tumor. She absolutely argues with everyone. She has now started to attack me. I have tried to read things on meningioma tumors. However I would like to know if this is normal behavior for the location of this tumor? I begged her to go get an MRI and I got 10 texts which were all mean and attacking. My sister and her daughter and son were close. The past 4 years she is not allowed to see her grandchildren and barely any communication with her daughter. All very concern. In the process she has been diagnosed with Colitis. She is constantly have bowel issues. Her doctor wants her to de-stress but how can she when agitated all the time? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Counseling is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I understand your apprehension, especially with the losses in the family. Meningiomas are non-cancerous brain tumors which occur both in adults and children. Due to my knowledge on the subject I would like to guide you in this regard. I would need to ask for a few details:
* How long ago has the diagnosis of meningioma been made?
* How long has her aggressiveness appeared?
* When was the last MRI done?
The answers to the above queries would determine whether an MRI needs to be repeated. However, irrespective of whether the meningioma is contributory a psychiatric evaluation is essential. Based on the evaluation she might be given medicines like escitalopram or fluoxetine which might be of help. She also needs cognitive behavioral therapy from a clinical psychologist. It is possible that the stress of a brain tumor and/or perception of threat to life might be freaking her out. She would definitely need to be guided about how to deal with the stressors. De-stressing her is very important (also for her colitis). The entire family needs to be supportive and you need to convince her for the above.
A gastroenterologist consultation is also essential. I need to know whether a colonoscopy has been done. Depending on the severity a colonoscopy might be essential. Supportive treatment needs to be administered based on the findings. Medication is likely to be required. Steroids might be needed. Steroids will also help in case the meningioma is causing inflammatory encroachment of the brain.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Counseling is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I understand your apprehension, especially with the losses in the family. Meningiomas are non-cancerous brain tumors which occur both in adults and children. Due to my knowledge on the subject I would like to guide you in this regard. I would need to ask for a few details:
* How long ago has the diagnosis of meningioma been made?
* How long has her aggressiveness appeared?
* When was the last MRI done?
The answers to the above queries would determine whether an MRI needs to be repeated. However, irrespective of whether the meningioma is contributory a psychiatric evaluation is essential. Based on the evaluation she might be given medicines like escitalopram or fluoxetine which might be of help. She also needs cognitive behavioral therapy from a clinical psychologist. It is possible that the stress of a brain tumor and/or perception of threat to life might be freaking her out. She would definitely need to be guided about how to deal with the stressors. De-stressing her is very important (also for her colitis). The entire family needs to be supportive and you need to convince her for the above.
A gastroenterologist consultation is also essential. I need to know whether a colonoscopy has been done. Depending on the severity a colonoscopy might be essential. Supportive treatment needs to be administered based on the findings. Medication is likely to be required. Steroids might be needed. Steroids will also help in case the meningioma is causing inflammatory encroachment of the brain.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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