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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Dizziness / Strange symptoms
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Dizziness / Strange symptoms
by Rushe, Aug 11, 2006 12:00AM
Over the past few months I've had off and on dizziness. It's not like the room is spinning but more of a swimming or falling feeling. I had the same thing about a year ago which lasted about 3 months and then subsided. It feels more like a very bad brain fog (bad hangover). In addition to this, I've had a crawling like feeling on my left leg and sometimes the right, along with some tightness in my left are (feels like I just got done lifting weights and the muscle is tense). This feeling of crawling and tightness comes and goes. I've also had some strange visual abnormality. Whenever I try to read close up (hold something about 4 inches or less from my eyes), the text jumps and moves when I move my eyes to read. I've never noticed this before and do not know if it is linked to the dizziness, etc. My eyes seem fine from a distance.
I've had a general blood test done and the only abnormality was my white blood cell count was a bit on the high normal side.. I think this was due to the fact I was on prednisone because my doctor thought it was possibly an allergy causing the symptoms.
What could this possibly be? I had it last year and now it's back again.. Is MS a possibility or something similar.
Thanks for your help in advance.
I've had a general blood test done and the only abnormality was my white blood cell count was a bit on the high normal side.. I think this was due to the fact I was on prednisone because my doctor thought it was possibly an allergy causing the symptoms.
What could this possibly be? I had it last year and now it's back again.. Is MS a possibility or something similar.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Aug 11, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes. The symptoms of swimming/falling feeling is vertigo (a feeling of moving independent of the ground, for example room spinning, rocking on a boat, etc.) The visual symptoms that you describe is concerning for nystagmus (eye jerks that are the brain stems way of trying to realign your eyes). These eye jerks happen with different diseases from ear infections, medication side effects, and with some strokes and tumors in the back of the brain (cerebellum/brainstem).
Your symptoms of vertigo, nystagmus and alternating sensory symptoms in the legs is concerning for a structural process in cerebellum or brainstem. A tumor is possible, but you would not expect them to come and go. Demyelinating (such as multiple sclerosis[MS]) disease is also possible. Another possibility is basilar migraine headaches. A stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) is less likely, but also possible.
Given the symptoms you describe I would recommend an MRI of your Brain and cervical spine with contrast. You may also require an lumbar puncture (to evaluate for MS) and vestibular test (elctro-nystagmogram of ENG). You should seek out a neurologist that specializes in dizziness/vertigo (Oto-Neurologist). Neck physcial therapy can also be helpful with your symptoms if neck pathology is identifeid on exam.
I hope this has been helpful.
Your symptoms of vertigo, nystagmus and alternating sensory symptoms in the legs is concerning for a structural process in cerebellum or brainstem. A tumor is possible, but you would not expect them to come and go. Demyelinating (such as multiple sclerosis[MS]) disease is also possible. Another possibility is basilar migraine headaches. A stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) is less likely, but also possible.
Given the symptoms you describe I would recommend an MRI of your Brain and cervical spine with contrast. You may also require an lumbar puncture (to evaluate for MS) and vestibular test (elctro-nystagmogram of ENG). You should seek out a neurologist that specializes in dizziness/vertigo (Oto-Neurologist). Neck physcial therapy can also be helpful with your symptoms if neck pathology is identifeid on exam.
I hope this has been helpful.
Sue
I have been suffering for the past few months with off and on dizziness (swimming/falling feeling). It did subside for about a month and now it is back again. It does not seem to happen in one certain position either...it is scarey. I went to an ENT and he did some tests to rule out tumors and diagnosed me with severe TMJ. I have bruxism and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and hay fever. I have been a basket of nerves because I am just so convinced there is something very wrong with me with this dizziness, no one seems to think it is any more than TMJ. I was unaware that TMJ could do so many different things to you. I have also been getting black floating dots in my eyes, I wear contacts. My memory is failing and I am tired all the time, I find myself searching online for help because no one really seems to believe me.
I have been to my primary care physician, I undergo Chiropractic care and he said that my neck is not curved the way it is supposed to be, it is actually straight and starting to curve forward. I have seen the x-rays and this is true..he is trying to make the curve come back. I also have been undergoing bio kinetic treatment, this really seems to help!!
I guess I just wonder if it is possible for TMJ to be so debilitating? Or could it be more?? I know with my anxiety compounded, it is certainly not helping me! Any advice??