Arachnoid Cyst in my brain *UPDATE*

[beast rider]

In Feb this year I went to work and started to violently throw up, a few days later I started to get very dizzy and unsteady on my feet.

At the time I was originally diagnosed with a stomach bug and when this didn't go away after a week I was diagnosed with Vertigo, given tablets and sent on my not so jolly way.

This went on for four weeks until i decided I needed a new GP as my old one didn't seem to care that I was vomiting daily and had lost over a stone in weight, they even told me that as I was only being sick once a day it was ok for me to go back to driving a bus.

Anyway my new GP sent me for various blood tests and other bodily fluid tests over the next few months with nothing coming back, eventually I was referred to a gastroenterologist who stuck a camera down my throat and decided that this wasn't a gastro problem, he then passed me onto neurology.

Now onto the most recent event

Last Monday 27th oct I was sent for an MRI of my head, on Wed 29th I get a phone call from the Head neurologists secretary asking me to come back to the hospital Thurs 30th at 9am to meet with the Dr. This of course made me panic a bit and I can quite honestly say I broke down for a while thinking that I has a huge brain tumor and that I would drop dead at any moment.

Thursday morning I sat In this Dr's office while he poked and prodded, checking various reflexes when he finished we sat down and he showed me the MRI images. The area that concerned him most was between the cerebrum and the cerebellum where there is a large "growth". I was told to him it looked like a cyst and not cancerous but more tests were needed, he was having a meeting with the neuro team at Kings college hospital to discus my case more because the growth is quite large and is pressing on my cerebellum which is causing the nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Friday 31st I get a phone call asking me to go back to Darent Valley hospital for a CT body scan "just to make sure they weren't going to miss anything" and on Fri afternoon I get a call asking me to go and meet the surgeon today (monday 3rd Nov) at 4pm.

Over the weekend i have done some research and from what I can gather if it is just a cyst it is most likely to be an Arachnoid cyst which is quite common but does require brain surgery to drain or remove it, because of the surgery I have been instructed to surrender my license to the DVLA and I'm not likely to get it back within 6 months, as a bus driver with no driving license it looks like I'm likely to lose my job through this as well.

Im going to update this post as and when if anyone is interested, but its more as a release for myself.

Thanks for reading and any advice or experience will be gratefully received.

[Tungtvann]

That's really rough, sorry to hear about that. Hopefully it's something easily treatable and they can get it sorted for you soon. Regardless, I imagine it's no easy thing to deal with. Will you receive any support if you're not able to work?

Good luck and get well soon.

[Nash GT]

Sorry to hear fella, shame about having to surrender the license and possibly loosing the job.

would it be worth talking to your employer about sick leave rather than loosing the job?

good luck and all the best.
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Suzuki GSF600N

[bugeye_bob]

Good luck with it all,
It must be a scary time for you and your family.

[Ste]

At least it's not bad aids.

At this point it's probably not entirely their remit but Headway should/might be able to offer you help/advice/support.

Voluntarily surrendering your license is better than having it revoked so that's the thing to do. I would have thought it'll be longer than six months until you're eligible to get it back but that's something to worry about when you reach that point.

[beast rider]

[mjn51]

Tough news, but at least they have found it.
GWS

[Nash GT]

[Ste]

I'm guessing here but would it be better for future employment prospects if you were to resign as opposed to being dismissed?

[Nash GT]

[beast rider]

[Nash GT]

yeah fella that was exactly my point, I would explore every other avenue first.

Which I get a feeling is what you want to do, one thing I agree with is Volunteering the license to the DVLA and even then I would triple check with the consultant that is absolutely necessary before running off to the DVLA
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Suzuki GSF600N

[Ste]

Do you know what the situation would be for being rehired at a later date after being medically dismissed?

[Nash GT]

very uphill indeed, hence I'm advising him to do as much research as possible before packing it all in, including an in depth chat with his employers about his options.

OP will loose out on all his legacy wage pack, terms and conditions if he resigns and reapplies once fit for work again
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Suzuki GSF600N

[beast rider]

NashGT:Dr's have said " No driving and surrender license"

Ste:as soon as my contract is terminated I have to start again from the bottom, I will admit that I hate my job but the money is good and it suits my needs with child care and such.

[Nash GT]

Fair enough on the license, I certainly best to surrender than to be revoked.

As for the Job 100% understand and agree, hence my advice/views/recommendations
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Suzuki GSF600N

[lihp]

Would you be able to regain the license to drive a commercial vehicle again?

Or is that going to take longer than the 6 months?
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covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[Nash GT]

[Ste]

It'd be six months for group one license entitlements, group two is two years after treatment and that's if there's nothing that could impair driving.

[chris-red]

Don't have any advice my Good luck and GWS
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
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[Nash GT]

[Llama-Farmer]

Sorry to hear about that.


Are you a union member? It could be worth talking to a representative who may be able to help you in terms of employment issues.

They could be the difference between getting you on long-term sick leave until you get your licence back, and losing your job.
Even if you're not a union member, would be worth trying to speak to a rep, they may still be able to advise you or give you some direction, even if they don't act directly on your behalf.


Hope it gets sorted for you quickly though and you're back feeling better soon.
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[Rogerborg]

I hope every heath professional who fobbed you off is thoroughly bloody proud of themselves.

All the best.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[instigator]

[beast rider]

Im planning on going in to work tomorrow and sit down with my boss and union rep to discuss what happens next, I want to get todays meeting with the neurosurgeon out the way before I tell my work what is going on.