Man who drank 10l of water a day says thirst was sign of brain tumour
A man has revealed how his constant thirst, which caused him to drink 10 litres of water a day for two years, was actually a sign of a brain tumour.
Doctors initially suspected Jonathan Plummer, 41, from Falmouth, Cornwall had diabetes, but appointments with his GP and a kidney specialist resulted in inconclusive test results.
It wasn't until a routine eye test revealed a mass, that the postman was referred to Derriford Hospital for an MRI scan, and following the results was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
The tumour was on his pituitary gland, which impacts water retention.
After his diagnosis Plummer underwent 30 rounds of intense radiotherapy.
Now cancer-free, Jonathan remains on life-long medication, but he is keen to share his story to raise awareness.
“I felt a constant thirst that I couldn’t quench and got to the point where I was passing as much water as I was drinking," he explains of the symptom.
"It was an awful time which caused me to miss days of work at a time and experience extreme fatigue."
Read more: Dad who died from brain tumour wrote cards for his twins for next 30 years, Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read
Speaking about his diagnosis, Plummer describes feeling "devastated" about the news.
"The tumour was growing on my pituitary gland, which was causing my need to drink water all the time," he explains.
Plummer says doctors also discovered many other "spots" on his brain.
"An operation wasn’t an option so I was placed on steroids to help with the pressure of the tumour in my brain,” he says.
Having been diagnosed with a germ cell tumour in 2002, Plummer underwent steroid therapy which caused him to gain four stone - going from 12st (76kg) to 18st (114kg).
“I was always very active and played rugby and cricket weekly which is something I have never been able to return to," he says of this impact the tumour has had on his life.
"I took up running and swimming as non-contact exercise and have now regained control of my weight.”
Read more: Man shares unusual brain tumour signs including strange behaviour and loss of smell, Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read
Plummer is doing a sponsored skydive for Brain Tumour Research and has so far raised £380 ahead of the Jump For Hope at Perranporth Airfield in Cornwall.
"I have suffered from the devastating effects of Brain Tumours but was one of the fortunate very few to survive but still live with the affects," Plummer reveals on his JustGiving page.
"Brain Tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer and just 12% survive beyond five years. These terrible statistics, along with devastating stories of loved ones affected by brain tumours, mean that it is important that we work together to #FundTheFight and help raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research.
"By taking on this Jump for Hope, I will be doing exactly that," he adds.
Watch: Man grew 18 inches after having a brain tumour removed
Commenting on Plummer's fundraising efforts Mel Tiley, community development manager at the charity, says: “We’re grateful to Jonathan for sharing his story and it’s wonderful to hear how he has found positivity after his brain tumour diagnosis.
“His story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age.
"We’re determined to change this but it’s only by working together that we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.”
Read more: Dad put his tiredness down to long Covid but instead it was a brain tumour growing for 10 years, Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read
What are brain tumours?
A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that 'multiplies' in an abnormal, uncontrollable way, according to the NHS. There are different 'grades', including one and two that are low grade, and three and four that are high grade.
The two main types of brain tumours are non-cancerous (benign), which are low grade and grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous (malignant), meanwhile, are high grade and either start in the brain (primary tumours) or spread into the brain from elsewhere (secondary). These are more likely to grow back after treatment.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?
The symptoms of a brain tumour will depend upon which part of the brain is affected, according to Brain Tumour Research.
The most common symptoms are caused by an increase in pressure in the skull prompted by the growth of a tumour in the brain.
Other likely symptoms, which may initially come and go, can include one or more of the following:
Headaches
Eye and vision-related problems (such as squinting and double-vision)
Continuing nausea, vomiting
Extreme or sudden drowsiness
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss
Unexplained twitches of the face or limbs
Seizures (fits or faints)
Appearing to be lost in a deep daydream for a short while
Confusion
Loss of balance
Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, especially if progressive and leading to paralysis
Numbness or weakness in a part of the face, so that the muscles drop slightly
Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, resulting in stumbling or lack of co-ordination
Changes in personality or behaviour
Impaired memory or mental ability, which may be very subtle to begin with
Changes in senses, including smell
Problems with speech, writing or drawing
Loss of concentration or difficulty in concentrating
Changes in sleep patterns
Brain tumour treatments
According to the NHS brain tumour treatment will depend on:
the type of tumour
where it is in your brain
how big it is and how far it's spread
how abnormal the cells are
your overall health and fitness
Treatments for brain tumours include:
steroids
medicines to help with symptoms
surgery
radiotherapy
chemotherapy
Additional reporting SWNS.
