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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Movement disorder/sudden onset
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Movement disorder/sudden onset
by Janissa, Feb 03, 2002 12:00AM
Greetings -- I have been diagnosed with dystonia (cause and type unknown), but would like to list my symptoms here since I have mystified several doctors. Please note pre-existing conditions: mild non-shunt-dependent hydrocephalus; 2 arachnoid cysts; fibromyalgia.
1) Head tremors (bobbing)
2) Arm weakness and hand tremors
3) Whole-body spasms centered in lumbar spine area
4) Hip and knee spasms and frequent collapse
5) Lack of awareness of foot placement; foot drop
6) Rapidly increasing verbal and memory problems
7) Constant constipation
I am now mostly walker-dependent. These symptoms began about 2 months ago, with a sudden strong increase one month ago. I could not walk, thinking was disorganized, leg, head, and arm spasticity unresponsive to Cogentin or Valium.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email ***@****.
Thank you in advance
Emily
1) Head tremors (bobbing)
2) Arm weakness and hand tremors
3) Whole-body spasms centered in lumbar spine area
4) Hip and knee spasms and frequent collapse
5) Lack of awareness of foot placement; foot drop
6) Rapidly increasing verbal and memory problems
7) Constant constipation
I am now mostly walker-dependent. These symptoms began about 2 months ago, with a sudden strong increase one month ago. I could not walk, thinking was disorganized, leg, head, and arm spasticity unresponsive to Cogentin or Valium.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email ***@****.
Thank you in advance
Emily
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Feb 17, 2002 12:00AM
Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I'm not sure if all of them are related to one specific problem, but what stands out is your inability to walk and mental status changes with the history of "hydrocephalus." It would be important to know why you have hydrocephalus which can be a serious disorder in some cases. There is a disease in older patients (usually over 60) called normal pressure hydrocephalus which is characterized by urinary incontinence, mental decline, and gait instability. This is treated with meds such as diamox, shunting, or serial lumbar taps. Also, the location and size of the arachnoid cysts are important as they can be pushing on your brain if they are large enough which could explain some of your symptoms. These issues all need to be addressed with CT and possibly an MRI. Talk to your PCP about this and a neuro referral.
As for the head and hand tremors, these could represent benign essential tremors (familial and better with alcohol) or related to medications you are taking.
Foot drop and back spasms could be due to degenerative spine disease or a herniated disc.
Finally, I would personally have to examine you to confirm the presence of dystonia which doesn't exactly fit in with all of your symptoms unless you have some kind of neurodegenerative disease. Get a formal neuro exam at an academic or major clinical institution preferrably one with a movement disorders specialist. Best of luck.
As for the head and hand tremors, these could represent benign essential tremors (familial and better with alcohol) or related to medications you are taking.
Foot drop and back spasms could be due to degenerative spine disease or a herniated disc.
Finally, I would personally have to examine you to confirm the presence of dystonia which doesn't exactly fit in with all of your symptoms unless you have some kind of neurodegenerative disease. Get a formal neuro exam at an academic or major clinical institution preferrably one with a movement disorders specialist. Best of luck.
Carolyn
eloridas
At the moment the physical symptoms of whatever this is seem to have eased off, to make room perhaps for cognitive ones. I am having more and more difficulty finding the right words for things, speaking without stuttering, and so on. In addition to that I am extremely forgetful. I would chalk it up to stress or medication or anything else under normal circumstances, but this is persistent and far, far worse than anything similar I've ever encountered before.
Regarding meds: I take nothing for this. I take my bp meds and Klonopin for anxiety. I was taking SSRIs for depression and anxiety but side-effects forced me to stop taking them.
Please be aware that I will not be able to see the neurologist (a new one) until May. Until that time it appears that I am on my own. I do appreciate input, but it has not escaped my attention that the doctor(s) who answer questions on this forum has not answered mine. I am not sure if this is because it is mysterious or because I have not been sufficiently specific in my descriptions, or otherwise. In any case -- with great respect to the medical professional(s) who does supply information here in most cases -- I am getting used to unanswered questions and dismissal.
Again, my thanks to the laypersons who answered my post. Any information is valuable, no matter what the eventual outcome might be.
Warm regards,
Emily
Interestingly, since I've tapered off all meds except those for blood pressure (Avalide and clonidine), many of my problems have eased considerably or disappeared altogther. Although I still find myself with some memory problems, frequent headaches, and a very annoying constant tinnitus, my motor problems seem to have gone away completely. I feel much better than I have in a very long time. So I'm considering the fact that I may simply be extremely sensitive to medications, and that I'm probably better off without them. I take Tylenol prn for fibromyalgia pain and soreness, and that's it. There may be no huge mystery here at all; only a quirk of my physiology, that I have trouble with medications.
Thanks again,
Em