Fuzzy feeling in head

My father is 86 and was dignosed with polyarteritis nodosa about one year ago.  He has lost some weight and has been on prednosone and a couple of rounds of procytox.  He is presently hospitalized.  His only real problem is a fuzzy feeling or foggy feeling in the head. His heart lungs kidneys bone marrow and pretty well everythong have checked out ok. A biopsy of an arm lesion or lump lead to the diagnosis.  He is in constant suffering from the feeling the head. The only relief is when he sleeps and BEFORE he raises his head off the pillow in the morning.  As soon as he sits up the foggy heavy head starts and he suffers all day.  My question is - is there a historical situation in a similar case where something has relieved such a problem?  Is the problem most likely polyarteritis or should any other tests be done.  He has had head mri.  Could this be a nerve in the neck causing the feeling, could it be a blocked artery, could it be an eye nerve or ear problem ---what should I do for him?  I feel like he could last anouther year or two and find it har5d to see him suffer minute to minute, hour to hour...the days are long and totally awful for him.  Is there any symtomatic relief that would work?  He has tried Gravol,
aspirin, respridal,codeine,ibuprofen, tylenol and probably afew
other things,all to no avail.  Would medical marijana help? I am desparate to help him.  Would he be advised to get off the prednizone and try organic products?  His doctors seem to be
unable to relieve this problem.  Incidently he is totally
of sound mind.  Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Tough to say without examination.  Certainly polyarteritis can cause the symptom you are describing, but there are many other diseases that are possible.  The head MRI is the most comprehensive imaging test to evaluate for any intracranial lesion - and would rule out most of the major neurological diseases.

It may be possible that a nerve in the cervical area can lead to the head symptoms - a pain management referral can be considered.  There are procedures like cervical trigger point injections that may be helpful.  

I would not advise going to organic products without consultation with your personal physician - many of these homeopathic medications do not have the appropriate clinical studies to back their use.

You may want to consider a referral to a neurologist or pain management specialist for further evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
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