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1038794 tn?1252921652

Please Help Me. Balance disorder or a mini stroke?

Hi there.. I am a 29 year old female. I Gave birth to my 3rd child 8 weeks ago. I developed severe high blood pressure 2 days before giving birth and was put on labetalol after giving birth, my BP continued to rise average reading was 200/115 I was also given Nifedipine for 5 days ( was stopped due to breast feeding). Continued on labetalol 300mg 3times a day until baby was 4 weeks old as BP stabilized.

So 4 weeks of no problems...

Until Monday. Woke in morning felt fine, come early afternoon while hanging out washing my Right ear became muffled and i started to feel like i was going to fall over i also had a tingling feeling down the right side of my face and my speech seemed a little funny. I went to my GP straight away who took my BP which was raised again 160/96 he seemed very concerended as i was very unsteady and sent me to the hospital. The neurologists done a CTscan and MRI scan both came back clear. They also said my right ear is clear and blood tests all normal also. I got home tuesday tea time. and recieved a call from hospital as the proffesor wanted me to go back so he could examine me. I said i was unable to due to having baby and 2 other kids and i would come as a out patient. He advised if i got any worse to go back to GP.

things have stayed the same balance and ear wise until today when i was in the car (hubby driving) I kept having somersault feeling in my stomach like when u go fast over a dip in the road. When we got home i decided to hoover the house on doing so my ear got really bad again and my balance really bad again also. I have also developed the tingling in my face again. I did noticed yest i had a few sharp pains in the right side and left side of my head above my eyes in my forehead.

I am feeling terrible again. i feel so confused and spaced out like u get when you are on morphine ( only way i can explain it)....

i really think there something not quite right deep inside my right ear but the doctors had a look inside and said its clear. i go back to see Neurologist in 2 weeks time

Only other medical problems i have. Is a Thyroid Nodule which i am due to have surgery next week to removed as had 2 inconclusive biopsys.. All thyroid bloods are fine..

Can anyone help me figure out what might be wrong with me. I am feeling really down in the dumps at the moment i cant hold my baby without being seated incase i fall while holding him... I hope all this post makes sense i have read over it a few times. If there anything else you would like to know or i have missed please let me know.

Thanks for taking the time to read my problem
25 Responses
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Avatar universal
Yes, hit all the angles and possibilities; I totally agree with you.

You can ask about the antibiotic, but if you are not showing signs of infections (fever, chills, elevated wbc count, etc.)  I do not know if that would be wise on your GP's behalf to prescribe one.  If it is something viral, antibiotics will not work.  

I have heard of low TSH levels causing all kinds of havoc; there is a possibility too.  
Yes, be sure to post in the Thyroid Forum.  The pituitary gland controls ALOT; it is considered "the master gland."  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Thanks Londres Yes me too. I have said from the beginning to every doctor i have seen in the last 2 weeks that a course of antibiotics may help.. I still feel like that will mention again 2moro.. I just feel there no harm in trying...

I will update you with what doctor says 2moro... I will need to reschedule my Thyroid Surgery 2moro also....

Not sure if i mentioned but my thyroid bloods came back abnormal The thyroid doctor came to see me in neurology and said the Piturity gland in my brain has gave up as it not Producing any TSH now started to become supressed doing pregnancy but all Frees and totals Normal. she said that this wouldnt be causing my balance and ear problems though.. think i will post in thyroid forums about my abnormal bloods
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your BP and HR are great; so that is a good thing.

Take the emergent appointment; I am just concerned because now you are having problems with both ears.  

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1038794 tn?1252921652
Yes have a monitor..

BP 123/77
Pulse 71  Seems perfect....

I will prob have to wait over a week to get an appointment with GP so should i say i need to be seen and take an emergency appointment?

Zoe
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Avatar universal
I would inform the GP tomorrow; maybe he/she can bump the ENT appointment up as well.  Definitely keep the appointment with Neuro like it is.

Keep taking the medications.    

What is your bp running?  Are you able to check it at home?
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Hi All. Just thought i would update.. My balance is much better today.. Still unsteady though... But the fullness in my Right ear is now happening in my Left ear also... I have been getting stabbing pains near the brow/temple area of my head ( Not constant) and in my right ear...

Should i go back to GP 2moro and let them know or wait till i go back to Neurologists on the 15th or tell ENT's in October???.

I am scared incase i end up completely deaf... This has been constant for 13 days now...

So sorry for annoying you all with these questions

Zoe
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Avatar universal
Zoe, I think that is a good plan; take the medications as ordered and see how you feel monday.  

I looked on a website that discusses Perilymphatic Fistula; www.dizziness-and-balance.com; type in perilymph fistula.  It involves extensive testing and is not frequently diagnosed.  The symptoms of this and Meniere's are similar.  Interestingly, this can develop during the delivery of a child.      
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1038794 tn?1252921652
they done a hearing test and i was having issues hearing low tones in right ear.. she looked in my ear with a microscope and said my ear drum thinner than normal. mostly diagnosed on symptoms... My blood pressure seems to have came down.. they done a 24 hour BP recording tho i to go back to Neurologist on the 15thjul for results..

Yes on the betahisine 16mg 3xday and  10mg stemitil 3xday...

I was looking on Net and a condition called Perilymphatic Fistula symptoms very similar to what i have.. Before all this happened i went for a cycle which i have never done for 20 years and lifted babys pram with baby in it the day before all this happened.. as i finding doing a lot seems to make symptoms worse...

Just feeling so stressed as struggling to look after baby. Hubbys mum came to help out from tuesday as hubby has to work but she needs to go home 2moro,,, will be ok over weekend but back to usual just me and kids on monday...

Wil maybe take pills as instructed and see how things are by monday and if no better go back to GP?

Zoe


Helpful - 0
152264 tn?1280354657
I agree with Londres, this does not sound like Meniere's. Something else is going on. And whatever it is, it's not something that you can just take some antibiotics and will be all better. Follow up with neurology and get a second opinion if they cannot figure things out. Sometimes it takes a long time to get to the bottom of neurological problems. You need to stay closely under a doctor's care and report any new symptoms, no matter how odd or unrelated they seem. Good luck to you--it really stinks having to deal with this when you have a new baby.
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Avatar universal
Yes, I was surprised the diagnosis was Meniere's because it goes in episodes not a 24/7 deal; the episodes can last up to 24 hours though.  Were you given vestibular testing and hearing tests while at the hospital? Or, was the diagnosis just based on symptoms?  

Are you taking Betahistine 3x/day?  Is your BP better/under control?  The elevated blood pressure readings you were having are concerning.  

If this is Meniere's, stay away from lots of salt and the caffeine.  

I would get a second opinion if none of this starts to sort out.    

Yes, by all means do another post in this forum and do one in the Neurology Forum.

Keep us posted.  All the best Zoe.  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Hi.. Yeah i have read up about it... They said episode last normally a couple of hours.. But i am like this 24/7 and have been for 11 days now.. Tho i have developed a constant humming sound in my ear worse when in a quiet room... never had that at the begining

I have took my meds last night this morning and now this afternoon and have had no relief either... Grrr trying not to stress now. Went to shop earlier and was getting funny looks from everyone they must have thought i was drunk was a horrible feeling...

Should i ask for a second opinion? I may start a new post in here and ask?

Zoe
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hmmm, not all the symptoms you were describing fit Meniere's to me, but I am not a physician either.  :)

Glad you got some answers.  

All the best Zoe!  









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1038794 tn?1252921652
Hi All got home from Hospital yesterday. Been Diagnosed with Menieres Disease and been put on Medication

I am so gutted as i am not allowed to drive and have had to give up breast feeding.

Will need to read up about the condition now...

Thanks ever so much again all

Zoe
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Avatar universal
Signals come from our brain via nerves that regulate our breathing, heart rate, etc. The Nervous System is extremely intricate.  I think what he is trying to say is your brain could be sending abnormal signals to the other parts of your body throwing things into a haywire of problems.  I would liken it to the wiring of a home or building; if the one wire is faulty, it can cause problems for the whole circuit.  I am just guessing what he meant.  You should always ask a physician to clarify what he/she means if you do not understand.  

Well, it is good ENT will see you and you getting another scan tomorrow.  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Hi all. Been back in hospital since friday they have let me home on a day pass have to go back in this evening.

They done another MRI scan and injected me with something so they could see blood vessels. The scan came back clear. My blood pressure is still sky high Higest reading yest afternoon was 200/137. They gonna get me back on Labetalol.

The doctor came round this morning to examine me again. He said something about the nervous system and brain nerves not sending right signals.. Not sure what he would mean by this. He said i will have another scan 2moro and that i will have some injection again. He also arranging for the ENT to come and see me also..

Anyone any ideas what he would mean by nervous system Brain nerves and signals??.

Thanks again

Zoe
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Yer. Been to GP. They sending me back into the Neurology Hospital Leaving in a hour. I will def keep you posted.

Speak soon.

Zoe
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Avatar universal
Yes, this is very difficult especially when you have little ones at home.  

If you have to be admitted, maybe you can pump the milk and send it home with your husband or family to give to the baby.  

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU HAVE TO WAIT DO NOT DISCHARGE YOURSELF.  Think of your little ones/your family.  They deserve a mommy who takes care of herself.  

Please keep us posted.  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Thanks. When i was at the doctors on weds he told me a story he had a man come in a month ago with tingling in his arm and he thought it was his neck.. The doctor sent him to Neuro and they done CT and MRI which both came back clear. They put it down to his neck.. Well 2 days later he has a massive stroke. So i think i better get this sorted and get well for my kids. I just so hate hospitals and you always left waiting for hours..

I discharged myself on tuesday because i had my MRI at 10am and was left till 4pm before anyone came to tell me anything. I am breastfeeding i hadnt seen my baby in 24 hours my boobs were so sore and i was so stressed...

Have accepted now that if i need to be addimted thats something i am gonna have to deal with...

Thanks again Londres
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Avatar universal
You are not a pain, lol.  You just want to sort out what is wrong with you.  No problem.
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Avatar universal
I was thinking something vascular as a probability.  I am just not sure if this is purely vascular, neuro or a combo of both.  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Thanks for replying. I am going over to Gps at 12pm Will tell them i need to be seen sooner... I dont know much about Neuro stuff. Do you have any ideas what it could be causing it? a Vein or something?

Thanks so much again. Sorry if i am being a pain

Zoe
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a inner ear problem, and I think the major problem you are having is not coming from the inner ear; could be something affecting the ear.  I still think it is a neurovascular problem.    

  
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1038794 tn?1252921652
Thankyou for both your replies.

I went for a afternoon nap and called the emergency doctors. Went along at 10pm last night. Again she checked my ear and it was clear, She advised to get intouch with Neurologist today. I totally broke down and was so upset, because i so really feel its a inner ear infection and that a course of antibiotics would help couldnt stop crying because i felt no one was listening to me and that i was feeling stressed about having to leave baby and kids to go back into hospital....

I have not gotten any worse since yesterday so i will wait till later before calling the GP to get in touch with Hospital. As i keep thinking it will get better...

Thank you again for your replies

Zoe
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Avatar universal
Agree with ENTMD, sounds Neurovascular.  As ENTMD suggested, I would try to get an appointment sooner to see the Neurologist.  

Definitely no ENT Situation I think.

Sounds like you had preeclampsia before this birth and it has not really resolved.  

You should also post in the Maternal and Child Community.  
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