Quixotic, or anyone, please help with some terms my dr used?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I had a follow up appointment with my doctor this morning, just to check how I was doing with the neurontin (I only take it once a day, before bed, to help me stay comfortable enough to sleep). I'm pretty happy with it, I've absolutely been sleeping better, which has helped my cognitive issues slightly.

I told him that we got seasons passes to a local amusement park, and that I'm kind of nervous about how I will do this summer in the heat. He laughed and said he's looking forward to how I do this summer, because he thinks it might give him some answers. He said "you don't like the upside down loop roller coasters, do you?" and I said that I do. He said that they might cause issues for me and to just be aware of that. Again he stressed to come see him, no appointment needed, if I have an issue.

I was telling him that I was lightheaded/ dizzy a bunch of times yesterday. Not like vertigo, but this was dizzy if I bent over, or got up too fast, etc. I think it was because my husbands elderly aunt was here (I "watch" her Mon-Wed while DH's cousin works for the next 3-4 weeks) and she was cold so I did not open the windows even though I was pretty warm. This is why he said he was looking forward to how I do over the summer LOL

Anyway, before we got into all that, we were talking and he suddenly asked me to cover my right eye and he looked in my left eye, but he didn't look in my right eye after. He said my eyes were "jumpy" and that was (indicating?caused by?) vertigo. I have not been feeling any vertigo at all lately, just the episodes of dizziness yesterday.

I had my 4 younger kids with me today (no DH, just the kids and I) so I wasn't getting as much info as I could have.

Here are a couple terms I'm hoping you guys can help me figure out what, if anything, they mean (these were told to the PA who was "transcribing" the exam/appointment):
1) the PA asked my pupil size, and the doctor said 3 over 4 (shoot, maybe he said 4 over 3?) What does that number mean?
2)The doctor said I have, and I can only write this the way it sounded when he said it, "downward naystaycious" (or maystaycious?) I know that is wrong, but any clue what it is supposed to be?

Thanks!
~Jess

[jensequitur]

Probably downward myoclonus, which is a movement disorder.  When it's in the eye, it's called nystagmus.

One night my eye started jumping around, and it looked like the room was spinning.  For weeks after that, whenever I looked closely at anything, it vibrated.

[lovemy6monkeys]

Hi Sarah,

I'm only taking it at night, which I gather is a bit unusual? I basically just take it so I can sleep more comfortably, otherwise I sleep for about 2 hours then wake up and toss and turn from being uncomfortable.

I only got up to 400mg (like I said, just the once at night) I feel that 300mg, or even 200 is enough to help me be comfortable. 400 is good for if I'm overly sore. I'm afraid if I go any higher then 400mg then I will not wake up if one of the kids needs me. DH is perfectly willing to wake up with the kids, he actually does for the older kids, but I want to be able to help if needed.

My doctor just gave me a new prescription of 300mg and a second one of 100mg, this way most the time I can take 300, but if I need to I can add another 200mg to it.
~Jess

[Sparkysarah]

I just wondered what dose you and others take of neurontin (I think it is the same as gabapentin which I take morning and night)

Sarah

[ashleyPT]

Hey there,

Nystagmus is definitely the word used when talking about bouncy eye movement.

There are many causes for nystagmus and they can be from the peripheral or central nervous system.  A common cause of peripheral nystagmus is BPPV which has been discussed on the forum a lot, and can be treated with positional repositioning exercises.  

There are patterns to the beat (how many bounces) and the direction that are more indicative of certain causes.  The patterns of your dizziness (changing position, closing eyes, turning head) can be very helpful in narrowing down the cause.

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thank you so much! (we were posting at the same time LOL)

The only medicine I take is the neurontin once a day, B12, and a birth control pill. I don't drink any alcohol, can't stand the smell much less the taste!, and no head injuries.

I guess either the case builds....or the mystery deepens :-)

Thank you for the info! And being able to figure out what my silly brain heard. I'm rather impressed by you!
~Jess

[lovemy6monkeys]

I consulted "the google" LOL

I think #2, what I was hearing was "nystagmus" that seems to make sense, right?

Are there other common causes of that? My doctor, after having an MRI that only found very subtle fuci on my brain (very, very subtle) he said he was 90% sure I don't have MS. But then he has also been stressing that he wants to see me when anything new arrives, or if the vertigo comes back, etc.

I'm a bit confused, because on one hand he is saying "not MS" but the other hand he gives the impression he is just looking for hard proof before he makes an MS diagnosis...
I'm over thinking things again and giving myself a headache LOL

~Jess

[Karen99]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003037.htm
ACQUIRED NYSTAGMUS

Inner ear disorders such as labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease can lead to acquired nystagmus. However, the most common cause is probably toxic -- certain drugs or medication, including Dilantin (an antiseizure medication), alcohol intoxication, or any sedating medicines can harm the labyrinth.

In young people, a common, serious cause of acquired nystagmus is head injury from motor vehicle accidents.

In older people, a common, serious cause is stroke (blood vessel blockage in the brain).

Any disease of the brain (such as multiple sclerosis or brain tumors) can cause nystagmus if the areas controlling eye movements are damaged.