Severe Headache, Dizziness and more [Archive] - Beyond.ca - Car Forums

Doh

01-19-2009, 07:11 PM

Ok, after 19 weeks I thought I would put this out there and see if anyone else has had these symptoms.

My Wife, in September was rushed from work after a confrontation with a Co Worker, with sevre dizzines, barely conicess a 170+ heart rate stabbing pain in her left ear.

At the Hostpital it was diagnosed as BPPV and she was sent home with exercises to cope with Vertigo.

The dizziness stayed, the stabbing pain continued in the left ear and out the left eye. The left eye became very light sensitive. Every day she had sevre headaches.

Then came uncontrolable body shakes for about 1 month. Still with headaches and dizziness and light sensitivity.

They made an appointment for an MRI, and a ENT Specialist.

Then over X Mas the body shakes left and a Stutter started, all so slurring speach.

Now she has good days, and bad days. Bad usually after she exerts herself the day before. Headaches are still there, dizziness, stuttering on occation.

A CT scan revieled nothing. MRI revealled nothing aswell. So they are starting to look at being all in her mind.

At the same time a girl I work with has been off for 2 weeks with, get this Headaches and Dizziness.

chkolny541

01-19-2009, 07:17 PM

omg. this sounds brutal, ill be honest i read the first few sentences and thought "pfft women complain about everything, its prolly nothing" but wow she sounds like she really has some issues going on.

just search the web for these symptoms and get multiple opinions anywhere you can

TACO.VIDAL

01-19-2009, 07:18 PM

By confontation do you mean there was physical contact?

hash

01-19-2009, 07:26 PM

could be an atypical migraine.

i've also seen a weird case of HaNDL (Headache with Neurologic Deficits and cerebrospinal fluid Lymphocytosis) with similar symptoms.

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by TACO.VIDAL
By confontation do you mean there was physical contact? Verbal confrontation

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by hash
could be an atypical migraine.

i've also seen a weird case of HaNDL (Headache with Neurologic Deficits and cerebrospinal fluid Lymphocytosis) with similar symptoms.

She has grown up with Migranes, 3rd grade I think. She says that the headaches aren't migrane like and they are constant.

She had a good day today, but we just went out to get some supplies for my daughter homework and she vomitted twice on the way.

CUG

01-19-2009, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by Doh
Ok, after 19 weeks I thought I would put this out there and see if anyone else has had these symptoms.

My Wife, in September was rushed from work after a confrontation with a Co Worker, with sevre dizzines, barely conicess a 170+ heart rate stabbing pain in her left ear.

At the Hostpital it was diagnosed as BPPV and she was sent home with exercises to cope with Vertigo.

The dizziness stayed, the stabbing pain continued in the left ear and out the left eye. The left eye became very light sensitive. Every day she had sevre headaches.

Then came uncontrolable body shakes for about 1 month. Still with headaches and dizziness and light sensitivity.

They made an appointment for an MRI, and a ENT Specialist.

Then over X Mas the body shakes left and a Stutter started, all so slurring speach.

Now she has good days, and bad days. Bad usually after she exerts herself the day before. Headaches are still there, dizziness, stuttering on occation.

A CT scan revieled nothing. MRI revealled nothing aswell. So they are starting to look at being all in her mind.

At the same time a girl I work with has been off for 2 weeks with, get this Headaches and Dizziness. Sounds in some ways like a stroke. I'd get the doctors checking the head. Did the co-worker hit her in the head? Was there any bruising? This sounds somewhat like the onset of brain damage caused by blunt force. That is completely abnormal.

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:30 PM

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by CUG
Sounds in some ways like a stroke. I'd get the doctors checking the head. Did the co-worker hit her in the head? Was there any bruising? This sounds somewhat like the onset of brain damage caused by blunt force. That is completely abnormal.

No blunt force trauma, she had one about 2 years back but this confrontation was verbal only.

There has been many (well that I have heard about since this started) locally being diagnosed with BPPV, and now a co work of mine home with headaches and dizziness.

The CT scan and MRI are both clear. We have been to Emergency 9 time since Sept, including X Mas day with the stuttering or headaches. They pump her full of Toridol and send her home.

badatusrnames

01-19-2009, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Doh
So they are starting to look at being all in her mind.

Don't let them be too dismissive of her condition... this all sound rather extreme to be "all just in her head." Although she may have anxiety that occurs when she feels symptoms oncoming that only make things worse.

Sounds like a brain tumor or stroke, but obviously the CT and MRI would rule those out. My dad had some symptoms similar to what you're describing, it ended up being a nerve in his neck that was being pinched/abraded (if that's possible?) because of arthritis in his neck.

Of course, beyond isn't a professional medical community. But good luck to her!

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:47 PM

Thanks Yes Beyond isn't but it does have people that have been through simular events.

When the family doctor said today "Well it is beyond my mind" "May it be in your head" today, I felt that I had to look for other avenues.

Her symtoms are very real, they make me feel so small that I cannot do anything to help. And she pretty much has to be "Next to dying" before she lets me take her to Emergency.

Oldskool

01-19-2009, 08:47 PM

Whats her diet like?

She might not be getting enough of a certain vitamin or she might be getting too much of something not good for her. I've heard of aspertame poisoning (although I don't know if its true or just an urban myth) but sometimes wierd medical problems come from not eating right.

My Uncle who suffered from severe migranes flew to see a specialist about his migranes and medical condition, they put him on a diet which mirrors "The Zone" Diet. He's feeling better. Now it all be in his head. But you can't argue with results.

Doh

01-19-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by Oldskool
Whats her diet like?

She might not be getting enough of a certain vitamin or she might be getting too much of something not good for her. I've heard of aspertame poisoning (although I don't know if its true or just an urban myth) but sometimes wierd medical problems come from not eating right.

My Uncle who suffered from severe migranes flew to see a specialist about his migranes and medical condition, they put him on a diet which mirrors "The Zone" Diet. He's feeling better. Now it all be in his head. But you can't argue with results.

She has actually taken a Diet and Nutriction course over the web. Her deit is far better than mine. I have never been ommitted into a hospital @ 42 yet.

I have been thinking that, take her to Rochestor MN about 6 hours away. It is the cutting edge forpeople from this area.

Oldskool

01-19-2009, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by Doh

She has actually taken a Diet and Nutriction course over the web. Her deit is far better than mine. I have never been ommitted into a hospital @ 42 yet.

I have been thinking that, take her to Rochestor MN about 6 hours away. It is the cutting edge forpeople from this area.

Maybe do some research on the Diet and Nutrition course she took. Alot of diets seem healthy, but in reality arn't that great for you. Does she eat alot of Tuna? Does she eat any dark meat? Does she eat any starchy foods (ex. potatoes)?

Doh

01-19-2009, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by Oldskool

Maybe do some research on the Diet and Nutrition course she took. Alot of diets seem healthy, but in reality arn't that great for you. Does she eat alot of Tuna? Does she eat any dark meat? Does she eat any starchy foods (ex. potatoes)?

Red Meat, Chicken, steamed veggies, fruit, pork, eggs, cheese, lots of water, green tea, coffee, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, salads tonight was corn meal muffins, beef pot roast, potatoes and corn (off the cob) Very little Fish. Her deit never changed when she got the symtoms. Yes I know that means little.

The verbal confrontation brought it to a head. And yes being stuck at home has kept her anxiety at a forfront (she wants to work) But even after waiting almost 4 months for a MRI, we were actually there waiting to get the scan and she had an attack.

We had been waiting for an answer for 4 months, so she should have been at ease and she acted like she was. An answer was better than not knowing.

She had a spell on X Mas morning, and all was well and good with gifts and stuff. She should have been at ease then too.

It doesn't add up to me. If it is anxiety, it's timing is all off.

Oldskool

01-19-2009, 09:13 PM

Has this always been the diet? or have you changed your eating habits in the last year? or since your wife has had these problems?

Doh

01-19-2009, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by Oldskool
Has this always been the diet? or have you changed your eating habits in the last year? or since your wife has had these problems? Nope her diet has been very simular since I met het 20 years ago

At this point I am open to anything "Uncle Irv's Herbal Majic" and stuff like that.

Oldskool

01-19-2009, 09:37 PM

Well in case's like this you might want to try little tweeks,

For one, i would try to eliminate the coffee and green tea(if caffinated) Caffine is really bad for headaches/migranes due to constricting blood vessels in the head. If your wife uses artificial sweetener, switch to brown sugar, artificial sweetener contains aspertame which can be harmfull to some after prolonged use/large doses.

*edit* - Its also believed that having lots of magnesium, Riboflavin, and maintaining healthy calcium levels will help in combating migranes.

It might even be a mental thing. But what you should do in cases like that, is make these small tweeks, and make her believe that this is what is causing the problem, just reasure her that making a small change is the key to her feeling better. Make sure you keep a good attitude as well.

That's all I can really add to this post, best of luck to you and your wife, my wishes go out for a good turn of health.

*Another Edit* - You might also want to get blood work done, that should point out any vitamin deficiencies

HONDA_CALGARY

01-19-2009, 10:02 PM

Does she have a fever or chill?

Sounds like meningitis. When she was at the hospital, did they tap into her spinal cord to extract the fluid for testing? If she has an infection, the doctor can find out from the result of the test.

If the headache suddenly came on, it sounds like a bacterial infection.

It happened to me before. I had an emotional discussion with my fiance one night and went to bed. The next morning I got up with a headache just on one side of my head. I thought it was a migraine at first. But after 1 week I couldn't take the stabbing pain any more. I decided to go the emergency and spent 1 week in the hospital.

I don't mean to scare you but I'm kinda worried for her too. Best wishes!

Doh

01-19-2009, 10:04 PM

Blood work has bee done.

In the past Caffine or lack of has caused migranes.

Yes I have to look at the diferences from now to then. But she would get a migrane if she forgot her morning cup of or didn't have a Coke during the day.

Thanks for the wishes. I hate seeing her like this. But I have to say she is usually healthier than me or many others I have seen.

Doh

01-20-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by HONDA_CALGARY
Does she have a fever or chill?

Sounds like meningitis. When she was at the hospital, did they tap into her spinal cord to extract the fluid for testing? If she has an infection, the doctor can find out from the result of the test.

If the headache suddenly came on, it sounds like a bacterial infection.

It happened to me before. I had an emotional discussion with my fiance one night and went to bed. The next morning I got up with a headache just on one side of my head. I thought it was a migraine at first. But after 1 week I couldn't take the stabbing pain any more. I decided to go the emergency and spent 1 week in the hospital.

I don't mean to scare you but I'm kinda worried for her too. Best wishes!
Thanks, No they haven't taken any spinal fluid yet. It also seems to me to be an infection of some sort but no fever or chill.

FilthyMcNasty

01-20-2009, 09:52 AM

Try giving her placebo medication.

Doh

01-20-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by FilthyMcNasty
Try giving her placebo medication.
You mean like this? http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090120/acupuncture_review_090120/20090120?hub=TopStories

Speedy

01-20-2009, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by Doh
Blood work has bee done.

In the past Caffine or lack of has caused migranes.

Yes I have to look at the diferences from now to then. But she would get a migrane if she forgot her morning cup of or didn't have a Coke during the day.

Thanks for the wishes. I hate seeing her like this. But I have to say she is usually healthier than me or many others I have seen.

I am not one to usually support diagnosing through a forum but as long as your still seeking treatment through medical professionals I have a couple of ideas, I used to be in the medical field before I got a medical condition myself.

Do you know if she has high blood pressure? The migraine can be caused by high blood pressure and caffeine is a vasodialator (makes the blood vessels bigger and allows blood to flow easier) and will stop or prevent bad headaches.

Having the conflict with the co-worker would have increased her blood pressure and could have brought on and TIA (transient ischemic attack) or a mini-stroke like a regular stroke but with out any permanent damage, from the symptoms she is having it is a area you may want to ask your doctor about especially if she has high blood pressure. A TIA wont show up in a CAT or MIR unless there has been damage done and if she not in your typical stroke risk group they may have ruled it out.

best of luck, please keep us informed.

Edit: Anything over 140/90 mm Hg for her blood pressure would be something to be concerned about just in case you did know it or checked it.

Doh

01-20-2009, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by Speedy

I am not one to usually support diagnosing through a forum but as long as your still seeking treatment through medical professionals I have a couple of ideas, I used to be in the medical field before I got a medical condition myself.

Do you know if she has high blood pressure? The migraine can be caused by high blood pressure and caffeine is a vasodialator (makes the blood vessels bigger and allows blood to flow easier) and will stop or prevent bad headaches.

Having the conflict with the co-worker would have increased her blood pressure and could have brought on and TIA (transient ischemic attack) or a mini-stroke like a regular stroke but with out any permanent damage, from the symptoms she is having it is a area you may want to ask your doctor about especially if she has high blood pressure. A TIA wont show up in a CAT or MIR unless there has been damage done and if she not in your typical stroke risk group they may have ruled it out.

best of luck, please keep us informed.

Edit: Anything over 140/90 mm Hg for her blood pressure would be something to be concerned about just in case you did know it or checked it.

Thanks for your input. I am not looking for a cure here, just sugestions.

First off, her blood persure has never been known to me as high. Her heart rate was taking by a co work (who used to be a trauma nurse in her country) Now a "Manger at a grocery store" welcome to Canada.

I am looking for quizs, to ask our family Doctor, like "What was her blood Pressure?"

I have witnessed her "Body Shakes" and her "Stuttering" I have seen that nothing has changed in her Enviroment" to creatate Anxiety"

Not 1 Doctor has seen all the signs, Maybe 2 or 3 symtoms at a time.

I did see the look on the paramedics face's on the intial call out which was like "We need to get her to care STAT" That was when the Trauma Nurse said she had a heart rate above 170.

I want to know if there are any other people going through some of her symtoms, without know what cuses them?

Oldskool

01-20-2009, 09:37 PM

You need a doctor like House.

Have you tried looking around Ontario or surrounding provinces/states for doctor's speciallizing in abnormal sicknesses? Maybe Toronto, Chicago, New York?

Doh

01-20-2009, 09:41 PM

Sorry to harsh, the "Maybe it is Physco Symantec "Card has been played on Us.

I have been there through her suffering to say it is "Physco Symantec"

There is something wrong which I would like some feed back on . Like blood pressure and HaDNL has taught me.

I don't know what to try next, or what question to ask next.

I am in need of help.

Doh

01-20-2009, 09:45 PM

Doh

01-20-2009, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by Speedy

I am not one to usually support diagnosing through a forum but as long as your still seeking treatment through medical professionals I have a couple of ideas, I used to be in the medical field before I got a medical condition myself.

Do you know if she has high blood pressure? The migraine can be caused by high blood pressure and caffeine is a vasodialator (makes the blood vessels bigger and allows blood to flow easier) and will stop or prevent bad headaches.

Having the conflict with the co-worker would have increased her blood pressure and could have brought on and TIA (transient ischemic attack) or a mini-stroke like a regular stroke but with out any permanent damage, from the symptoms she is having it is a area you may want to ask your doctor about especially if she has high blood pressure. A TIA wont show up in a CAT or MIR unless there has been damage done and if she not in your typical stroke risk group they may have ruled it out.

best of luck, please keep us informed.

Edit: Anything over 140/90 mm Hg for her blood pressure would be something to be concerned about just in case you did know it or checked it.

Her Migranes used to able to be traced back to weather she had her morning cup of coffee or not. If she had the Migrane would not happen, if she missed it she would have a Migrane that day.

Is that what you are suggesting?

Thanks again for your post. The Trauma Nurse did say it looked like a stroke at first.

Sorry I realize your first sentence. But from the bottom of my heart "Thank You"

Yes I will ask about the initial Blood Pressure, Heart Rate" Those are down in writing.

When Our Doctor said "Ok Are you sure this is not in your Head"

Sorry I flipped out.

Speedy

01-20-2009, 11:48 PM

I understand your frustration, best thing you can do is try to write it all down on paper in chronological order and take it too your doctor if your not happy with your doctors response see another doctor. they are overworked and just people too they make mistakes.

With out knowing that much about the whole situation I would do some more reading tho on TIA's or mini-strokes and possibly hypertension....feel free to PM me with any specific questions and I will try to help you out as best as I can.

Kritafo

01-21-2009, 12:27 AM

what about Bells Palsy.

Doh

01-21-2009, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by Kritafo
what about Bells Palsy.

There are no signs of paralysis, Facial or otherwise.

Kritafo

01-21-2009, 04:24 PM

For some reason I thought I read she did, sorry.

When I was 16 I use to get really dizzy and faint it went on for years... years. Dr.'s told my parents I faked it, it was in my head etc. I had MRI's, CT scan, over nights to watch brain waves, heart test, everything imaginable. When I was 25 I was pregnant with our first child, the moment I got pregnant it stopped. My neurologist here in town said it must have been the hormone change. Took me off of seizure meds, they were treating me like an epilepsy patient.

Anyhow...best of luck, please never doubt your wife. You should make a visit to a Naturopath just see what they say, and make sure she has had a recent eye exam.

89coupe

01-21-2009, 04:42 PM

Have you had her B12 levels checked?

Does she also feel naucious?
Tired or fatigued?
Muscle cramps?

1997GSR

01-21-2009, 04:58 PM

its teh aids

Doh

01-21-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by 89coupe
Have you had her B12 levels checked?

Does she also feel naucious?
Tired or fatigued?
Muscle cramps?

naucious "yes"

Tired or fatigued?
Muscle cramps? "No"

Blood tests on 3 of her 8 trips to Emergency.

89coupe

01-21-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by Doh

naucious "yes"

Tired or fatigued?
Muscle cramps? "No"

Blood tests on 3 of her 8 trips to Emergency.

You might want to have her Thyroid checked.

Doh

01-21-2009, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by Speedy
I understand your frustration, best thing you can do is try to write it all down on paper in chronological order and take it too your doctor if your not happy with your doctors response see another doctor. they are overworked and just people too they make mistakes.

With out knowing that much about the whole situation I would do some more reading tho on TIA's or mini-strokes and possibly hypertension....feel free to PM me with any specific questions and I will try to help you out as best as I can. Your PM seems to be turned off.

She does say it has been over 140/90 many times though. And she is usually has low blood pressure, and she has been on 6-12 Ac andC's (genaric 222's) during this. They have testsed for toxiciedity of 222's during this.

Wouldn't the "A" thin out her blood?

Davetronz

01-21-2009, 09:38 PM

Honestly, upon reading all of this I was thinking it might be meningitis, either viral or bacterial. I have a buddy who is going through a lot of the similar symptoms minus the slurred speech and stuttering... The doctors (and he went to many) had many different ideas... The diagnoses that seemed to make the most sense symptom wise were meningitis or a heart related issue... They still don't know whats up with him either.

r3ccOs

01-21-2009, 10:57 PM

I've seen similar symptoms occur, however not in such late development for an issue called

ARNOLD CHIARI MALFORMATION

http://neurosurgerydallas.com/2_1_3_3.html

aych

01-21-2009, 11:01 PM

i think it sounds like mild recurring strokes...

xrayvsn

01-21-2009, 11:26 PM

A young woman with varied neurological symptoms, and no one has brought up the possibility of white matter disease (MS being the most widely known and common)? I would think she should get a referral to a neurologist, instead of blind shots in the dark by the Beyond.ca medical experts and their "let's Google the symptoms and see what wrongdiagnosis.com comes up with". ;)

Speedy, some of your posts are not entirely accurate, though I understand that you mean well and want to help. The best thing for the OP is to try to get a specialist referral, and have someone be able to review all of the tests done to date, and do a full history, neurological and physical workup. Additional testing including possible CSF analysis should be at the discretion of the doctor.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you guys should stop doctor shopping, go to your GP and strongly request neurologist referral.

Originally posted by r3ccOs
I've seen similar symptoms occur, however not in such late development for an issue called

ARNOLD CHIARI MALFORMATION

http://neurosurgerydallas.com/2_1_3_3.html

You realize, doctor r3ccos, that an MRI would rule that out - I assume you did read the link you posted, right? My deepest apologies if in your own clinical experience you are able to diagnose these by history alone.

Doh

01-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by xrayvsn
A young woman with varied neurological symptoms, and no one has brought up the possibility of white matter disease (MS being the most widely known and common)? I would think she should get a referral to a neurologist, instead of blind shots in the dark by the Beyond.ca medical experts and their "let's Google the symptoms and see what wrongdiagnosis.com comes up with". ;)

Speedy, some of your posts are not entirely accurate, though I understand that you mean well and want to help. The best thing for the OP is to try to get a specialist referral, and have someone be able to review all of the tests done to date, and do a full history, neurological and physical workup. Additional testing including possible CSF analysis should be at the discretion of the doctor.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you guys should stop doctor shopping, go to your GP and strongly request neurologist referral.

Yes we finnaly got a referral on Mondays Doctor's Appointment, and now just playing the waiting game again, like the MRI.

We raced an 9.4" snow storm to drive the 420 km trip to get the MRI, thinking "Atleast we will finally know what is going on". With no luck.

M.S. has been brought up early. First diagnoses were Tumour, MS, or Stroke. and yes I have done some research (Just for our own knowledge, not to play some VOODO medicine)

The puzzling part would be 1 day in Sept fine, 1-3 weeks (if it was BPPV initially) later So far advanced?

The Doctors have seemed to rule it out after the MRI. But have never asked if it is in her family.? Which it is, on both sides.

I am on here not to practice medicine, but to be more aware of what I should be asking Medical Doctors. The one thing I do know is she will be in Mental Hosptital, if this goes on for years or more. She is having trouble not working, driving, or going places.

I do appretiate the suggestions and look into all of them, not as a way of curing her myself, just a way of knowing some possibilities.

Thanks

xrayvsn

01-22-2009, 07:46 PM

To be honest, you aren't going to get any more here than you would by googling her symptoms, since this is probably exactly what people posting so far have done. The other posts will be based on wild guesses based on what they personally experienced, what is popular in the news around here (meningitis), or what their friends/loved ones have experienced.

As far as I am aware, no one here is a neurologist - even if they claim to have been "in the medical field". You have every right to educate yourself on the possibilities, but no one here is qualified to render a diagnosis.

If you want something to ask the doctor, maybe you can review the MRI results and ask if they did diffusion-weighted imaging (which can show signs of ischemia even if it is reversible like with a TIA). Were there any white matter abnormalities on the MRI? How did they rule out MS? A normal MRI doesn't necessarily exclude this, since it can be a clinical diagnosis initially.

I hope the neurologist will have more insight to your wife's condition, and that she gets better.

Doh

01-28-2009, 06:50 PM

Originally posted by xrayvsn
To be honest, you aren't going to get any more here than you would by googling her symptoms, since this is probably exactly what people posting so far have done. The other posts will be based on wild guesses based on what they personally experienced, what is popular in the news around here (meningitis), or what their friends/loved ones have experienced.

As far as I am aware, no one here is a neurologist - even if they claim to have been "in the medical field". You have every right to educate yourself on the possibilities, but no one here is qualified to render a diagnosis.

If you want something to ask the doctor, maybe you can review the MRI results and ask if they did diffusion-weighted imaging (which can show signs of ischemia even if it is reversible like with a TIA). Were there any white matter abnormalities on the MRI? How did they rule out MS? A normal MRI doesn't necessarily exclude this, since it can be a clinical diagnosis initially.

I hope the neurologist will have more insight to your wife's condition, and that she gets better. Thanks for your help with ending this thread.