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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Headaches and numbness
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Headaches and numbness
by angelicdevil, Oct 13, 2005 12:00AM
Hi there :0)
Some background - nonDX'd symptoms for 6 years following what is suspected Neuro-Behcets. (Classic symptoms + unDX'd seizures, memory loss, headaches, arthritis, IBD)
Been bounced from specialist to specialist with continuing invasive testing and many different opinions, Im no longer willing to be refered to any new specialists but my long term gastro doc for fear of being labelled as one doc once did as a 'retard' when I submit to invasive tests or 'careless and risky' when I refuse them. Very bad experiences.
Recently suffered a sudden severe headache at the base of skull w/left sided facial numbness, visual disturbance, stiff neck. Prescribed increased dosage of my regular painkiller (codydramol) and naratriptan. Naratriptan very sucessful with my typical migraines, no effect on this. Pain resolved itself within 4 weeks.
A second sudden severe headache, same symptoms + numbness and loss of control in my right arm. ER suspected Subarachnoid hemorrhage - CT scan clear so released. Now 6wks on and no resolution.
GP is baffled. Prescribed amitriptyline, no luck so far but GP is keeping on top of the situation.
If the neuro-behcet's possibility is true, is this connected? I have for some time suffered for non pernicious B12 anaemia (due to IBD) but injection treatment was only short term - could this be connected to this worsening? Would it be appropriate to request this checked? Is there anything I can do myself to relieve numbness without resorting to strong drugs?
Thank you for any advice you can give, your time is appreciated. :0)
Some background - nonDX'd symptoms for 6 years following what is suspected Neuro-Behcets. (Classic symptoms + unDX'd seizures, memory loss, headaches, arthritis, IBD)
Been bounced from specialist to specialist with continuing invasive testing and many different opinions, Im no longer willing to be refered to any new specialists but my long term gastro doc for fear of being labelled as one doc once did as a 'retard' when I submit to invasive tests or 'careless and risky' when I refuse them. Very bad experiences.
Recently suffered a sudden severe headache at the base of skull w/left sided facial numbness, visual disturbance, stiff neck. Prescribed increased dosage of my regular painkiller (codydramol) and naratriptan. Naratriptan very sucessful with my typical migraines, no effect on this. Pain resolved itself within 4 weeks.
A second sudden severe headache, same symptoms + numbness and loss of control in my right arm. ER suspected Subarachnoid hemorrhage - CT scan clear so released. Now 6wks on and no resolution.
GP is baffled. Prescribed amitriptyline, no luck so far but GP is keeping on top of the situation.
If the neuro-behcet's possibility is true, is this connected? I have for some time suffered for non pernicious B12 anaemia (due to IBD) but injection treatment was only short term - could this be connected to this worsening? Would it be appropriate to request this checked? Is there anything I can do myself to relieve numbness without resorting to strong drugs?
Thank you for any advice you can give, your time is appreciated. :0)
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Oct 20, 2005 12:00AM
I'm not sure how you were diagnosed withBehcets - it is difficult to diagnose, and very rare, so keep an open mind about your diagnosis
With your recent headaches, symptoms in the left and right, and stiff neck you should have a thorough evaluation of the brainstem and its surroundings including MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis to look for signs of inflammmation or growths, and an MR angiogram of the brainstem and neck tolook for any vascular disease. It is unlikely to be related to B12.
Good luck
With your recent headaches, symptoms in the left and right, and stiff neck you should have a thorough evaluation of the brainstem and its surroundings including MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis to look for signs of inflammmation or growths, and an MR angiogram of the brainstem and neck tolook for any vascular disease. It is unlikely to be related to B12.
Good luck
No Im afraid I dont get any facial spasms. I do have spasms and uncontrollable movements in my feet, particularly my right leg but I dont think that theyre connected to my headache.
Good luck! - Sarah
My GP is being careful and hedging his bets at the moment as a lot of inflammatory type diseases run in my family like chron's.
Frog - would a malformation like that show in a CT scan or an MRI? Its been years since I had an MRI but there were no congenital malformations shown at the time.
Ive spoken to my mother and it turns out she has the same sort of migraines, even with the paralysis on her left hand side. She was given a triptan drug to try and control them and then she suddenly had a stroke. I only have a vague memory of this.
Ive been prescribed naratriptan recently for my migraines.
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO
WHEN THAT HAPPEND I COULDNT "TALK"I WAS SO SCARED
I WAS TRYING TO TELL MY MOM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND I COULDN'T
THIS HAPPEND WITH NO REASON WHEN I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO EMERGENCY THEY TOLD ME A MEDICINE THAT I WAS TAKING CAUSED IT BUT I DONT THINK SO. MY REGULAR DOCTOR SAID IT COULDN'T BE THAT MEDICINE THAT CAUSED IT.I LEFT MY HOUSE AT 8 :50PM SOMETHING THAT DAY.THEY HELPED ME ON EMERGENCIES THE NEXT DAY AROUND 6:30AM. THEY TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO GO TO EMERGENCIES AGAIN. AND IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES MORE BUT I DIDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL.THAT MEDICATION THEY TOLD ME THAT CAUSE IT I WAS NOT TAKING IT NO MORE. AND IT STILL HAPPENED AGAIN.
AND IT IS STILL IS HAPPENING LIKE ONCE EVERY 6 OR 7 MONTHS BUT KNOW MY RIGHT CHEEK GETS NUMB TOO.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS..........I HAD A ACCIDENT IN 2003 IN THE SNOW COULD THAT BE IT.....
it will be extremely difficult to think that all three nerves will confabulate at the same time to give you such symptoms,
making a neurological explanation improbable, your symptoms may be caused by substances that act locally, like novocaine for
example, for this reason you should pay close attntion to what you ingest before the episodes, for example shellfish, tamalitos, alcapurrias picantes etc.
Now, if your symptoms are more selective, for example taste not involved, then a more detailed neurological evaluation may be of
great value, best wishes,
barinas