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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Myriad of Symptoms - is it neurological? (Sorry it's so long)~
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Myriad of Symptoms - is it neurological? (Sorry it's so long)~
by Karen, Jan 26, 2001 12:00AM
Please help me. I apologize for the length of the post, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible. I don't know if I have a neurological problem or not, but I'm hoping you can help by at least offering me some advice or possible diagnosis I can try to follow up on with my doctor.
I am a thirty year old, otherwise fairly healthy woman. I try to work out a few times a week. I am not depressed although I tend to be anxious. I am 5'8" and approx. 130, although I have lost some weight since my problem started in November, 2000.
Since that time, I have been experiencing severe vertigo. (Yes, it is "true" vertigo wherein the room whirls around me.) It began during my sleep and at first only happened when I turned over in bed or when I first lay down. It gradually worsened to the point where I am never sure when it will occur. It does not seem to correlate to head position or movement, it just strikes out of the blue and lasts for up to a few hours (which feel like a lifetime, believe me). It is occasionally, but not always, accompanied by a high pitched humming/whistling tone in my ears.
In September 2000, I started having nausea intermittently for no reason. The nausea now seems to go hand in hand with the vertigo. The periods of vertigo seem to wax and wane. If I don't get 8+ hours of sleep it is markedly worse, to the point where after one restless night I could not walk down the hall to the washroom without falling repeatedly into the wall. It seems like even when the vertigo isn't "active", I feel vaguely disoriented.
Prior to the vertigo starting, I frequently had (and still have) unilateral headaches that start at the posterior and migrate forward and spread. They usually wake me up at night or are present in the morning when I wake up and last for several hours. They get worse when I move around, better if I hold my head very still. Tylenol does nothing for them that I notice, they seem to last the same amount of time whether I take the pills or not. I occasionally suffer from "silent" migraines as well: very alarming visual disturbances with no ensuing headache.
Other symptoms (which may or may not be related), include sleep disturbances. I have newly developed night terrors in which I occasionally actually get out of bed and let out blood curdling screams that do not wake me up (although they certainly wake everyone else up.) I also have recently developed sleep paralysis and night-time hallucinations -- either just when I'm falling asleep or just as I wake up.
Here's the kicker: In August 1999, after a bout of chickenpox, I came down with meningitis/encephalitis and was hospitalized. I am worried that what is happening now is some kind of residual problem stemming from that incident. I am also a melanoma survivor and in the back of my head I am always worried about recurrence and brain involvement.
I know you can't diagnose me over the internet, but I'd be interested to hear what tests (if any) you think might be appropriate. My primary physician gave me blood/urine tests which came out normal. I don't know what he tested for, one of the things was sed rate and it was low. I have not had an MRI since 1999 (while in hospital post-encephalitis/meningitis), in which the radiologist noted, as a postscript to the report that it showed "marked atrophy for her age group". I have no idea what this means or if this could possibly related to the problems I am having now. I don't want to spend all my time worrying about my health, or lack thereof. (I tend to worry, but let's face it -- I've drawn the short straw health-wise numerous times already and I'm only 30). My primary care physician seems to think it is a food allergy/intolerance, which I think is odd considering the amount of testing he's done. I've done some reading on that subject to follow his advice, but my symptoms don't seem to fit the food allergy pattern. Is it all in my head? I guess I don't think I'm totally crazy to want to rule out any organic problems first -- MS? Vitamin deficiency? What could it be? (I am also experiencing "air hunger" which I suspect IS actually anxiety related, I also have MVP and have had problems with shortness of breath on and off since childhood. My blood diastolic blood pressure is extremely low, so I am not stranger to dizzy spells although what I am having now is nothing like what I am used to. There is a world of difference between vertigo and dizziness.)
Thank you for any advice you can offer me. Sorry it's so long, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.
I am a thirty year old, otherwise fairly healthy woman. I try to work out a few times a week. I am not depressed although I tend to be anxious. I am 5'8" and approx. 130, although I have lost some weight since my problem started in November, 2000.
Since that time, I have been experiencing severe vertigo. (Yes, it is "true" vertigo wherein the room whirls around me.) It began during my sleep and at first only happened when I turned over in bed or when I first lay down. It gradually worsened to the point where I am never sure when it will occur. It does not seem to correlate to head position or movement, it just strikes out of the blue and lasts for up to a few hours (which feel like a lifetime, believe me). It is occasionally, but not always, accompanied by a high pitched humming/whistling tone in my ears.
In September 2000, I started having nausea intermittently for no reason. The nausea now seems to go hand in hand with the vertigo. The periods of vertigo seem to wax and wane. If I don't get 8+ hours of sleep it is markedly worse, to the point where after one restless night I could not walk down the hall to the washroom without falling repeatedly into the wall. It seems like even when the vertigo isn't "active", I feel vaguely disoriented.
Prior to the vertigo starting, I frequently had (and still have) unilateral headaches that start at the posterior and migrate forward and spread. They usually wake me up at night or are present in the morning when I wake up and last for several hours. They get worse when I move around, better if I hold my head very still. Tylenol does nothing for them that I notice, they seem to last the same amount of time whether I take the pills or not. I occasionally suffer from "silent" migraines as well: very alarming visual disturbances with no ensuing headache.
Other symptoms (which may or may not be related), include sleep disturbances. I have newly developed night terrors in which I occasionally actually get out of bed and let out blood curdling screams that do not wake me up (although they certainly wake everyone else up.) I also have recently developed sleep paralysis and night-time hallucinations -- either just when I'm falling asleep or just as I wake up.
Here's the kicker: In August 1999, after a bout of chickenpox, I came down with meningitis/encephalitis and was hospitalized. I am worried that what is happening now is some kind of residual problem stemming from that incident. I am also a melanoma survivor and in the back of my head I am always worried about recurrence and brain involvement.
I know you can't diagnose me over the internet, but I'd be interested to hear what tests (if any) you think might be appropriate. My primary physician gave me blood/urine tests which came out normal. I don't know what he tested for, one of the things was sed rate and it was low. I have not had an MRI since 1999 (while in hospital post-encephalitis/meningitis), in which the radiologist noted, as a postscript to the report that it showed "marked atrophy for her age group". I have no idea what this means or if this could possibly related to the problems I am having now. I don't want to spend all my time worrying about my health, or lack thereof. (I tend to worry, but let's face it -- I've drawn the short straw health-wise numerous times already and I'm only 30). My primary care physician seems to think it is a food allergy/intolerance, which I think is odd considering the amount of testing he's done. I've done some reading on that subject to follow his advice, but my symptoms don't seem to fit the food allergy pattern. Is it all in my head? I guess I don't think I'm totally crazy to want to rule out any organic problems first -- MS? Vitamin deficiency? What could it be? (I am also experiencing "air hunger" which I suspect IS actually anxiety related, I also have MVP and have had problems with shortness of breath on and off since childhood. My blood diastolic blood pressure is extremely low, so I am not stranger to dizzy spells although what I am having now is nothing like what I am used to. There is a world of difference between vertigo and dizziness.)
Thank you for any advice you can offer me. Sorry it's so long, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jan 26, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Karen:
I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. True vertigo can be from different things such as labyrinthitis, Meniere syndrome, waxed filled ear canals, etc. Together with the unilateral headaches and sleep disorders I think this should warrant a visit to the neurologist. The fact that you had an encephalitis is also reason to see a neurologist. I would think that he/she might order an MRI of the brain, do a couple of office visit tests on your vertigo, and some lab work. Your symptoms can be anything from simple labryrinthitis with migraine variant, to seizure activity, or mass in the CP angle. Let us know how things turn out, but be sure and see a neurologist.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
I am sorry to hear about your symptoms. True vertigo can be from different things such as labyrinthitis, Meniere syndrome, waxed filled ear canals, etc. Together with the unilateral headaches and sleep disorders I think this should warrant a visit to the neurologist. The fact that you had an encephalitis is also reason to see a neurologist. I would think that he/she might order an MRI of the brain, do a couple of office visit tests on your vertigo, and some lab work. Your symptoms can be anything from simple labryrinthitis with migraine variant, to seizure activity, or mass in the CP angle. Let us know how things turn out, but be sure and see a neurologist.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
I have had similar symptoms in the past, and still continue to have some symtpoms. I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation (cerebellar tonsil herniation) and a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst. I had surgery more than two years ago and improved dramatically, although I still experience episodic symptoms. Please consult a neurologist and have them specifally look for the malformation or some mass at the base of the brain. Hope this helps.
Osteopath that I visit a physical therapist that had done a lot of study in the treatment of veritgo. This may sound strange but...it seems there are crystals in the ear that SHOULD NOT
be in the ear canal. When they are they cause vertigo. Which I had at the time I visited him. He put special "goggles" over my eyes an induced the vertigo and watched my pupils. This told him what manipulations were needed. Which he then did. I could go on but just let me say my vertigo is gone and if it occurs again I will go back to him for a "tune up"! And this "cure" occured after I spent 4 days in my house carrying a bucket with me wherever I went because I was thowing up all the time. This is also after an MRI, blood tests, ear testing and a neurological exam. With this method...no drugs, no expensive testing...all natural! Just thought I'd pass this along. Maybe this would help you in some way...Not sure how this works but if you want to email me for more info help yourself...and GOD BLESS!
i am 18 by the way
Thanks again for all the good wishes and shared experiences!