Aa
Could this all be related to a virus I had in 2003? New Mom in desperate need of HELP.
I had a baby by emergency c-section on May 30th. My blood pressure started to spike around week 37 and I had borderline low amniotic fluid. They gave me a TON of pitocin but she would progress b/c her hand ended up being above her head. Therefore, c-section. She is 4 mos old tomorrow... and every day since the delivery I have been lightheaded/dizzy/brain fog. This is my problem that my Specialists can't figure out. I need help diagnosing what could be causing this constant state of dizziness/lightheadedness/brain fog. Also, I break out into a cold sweat any time I try to get going really anywhere. My main issue is trying to figure out what could be causing my dizziness but overall my health has been horrible since the baby.
I thought at first it was the pain meds (which I had never been on before). They had me on a ton in the hospital and then released me with Hydrocodone and 800mg of Ibuprofen. I quickly weaned off of them b/c I was nursing my daughter and hated for her to have these meds in her system. It was at my first 2 wk check up that I mentioned the feeling of being unsteady almost like I just got off a boat to my OB/GY. I told her I felt as though I was walking on clouds or had just gotten off a boat. Sometimes it feels like my head is too heavy for my neck. It is better in the mornings but still always there and gets worse as the day goes on. LONG LONG STORY short, she tested me to see if I was anemic and my levels were fine. She also tested my TSH (Thyroid Stim Hormone) and it was fine. She referred me back to my Neurologist.
Back in 2003 I was hospitilized for 5 nights with high fever and vomiting. Before this, I had never been sick a day in my life. It all started with a rash on my trunk mainly stomach area. The best they could come up with was it was a harsh virus. After this hospitilization I started having muscle spasms... like little worms in my legs primarily but all over. That is why I have a Neuro. He ran an MRI to look for MS lesions and found tiny non-specific white spots that looked like it could be from Migraines (which I have never had), Vasculitis, etc etc but didn't present like MS lesions. They have since stayed the same on subsequent MRIS in 2004, 2006 and now in 2008. He re-MRI'd me in July after my baby to explore the dizziness and my MRI was still the same. He has since ran an MRI on my spine and it is clear. All of these with contrast. He ran a ton of blood work searching for an answer for me and tested me for everything under the sun including autoimmune disorders. My ANA came back normal (always has every time it has been ran... even back in 2003). The only thing that flagged after 16 test tubes of blood was my PTT was slightly elevated. He referred me to a Hematologist after he repeated my blood work and my PTT was still elevated. The Hematologist suspected APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome). He tested me and then diagnosed me with APS even though I only had 1 elevated anticardiolipin IGA antibody. My IGG and IGM antibodies were normal. Also, my DRVVT was normal. Also, I have never had any miscarriages (carried 2 babies to term) or had any blood clots. Therefore, I sought a second opinion and the 2nd hematologist doesn't believe I have APS after re-running some labs. He said my IGA being elevated is non-specific and I probably have a mild form of von Willebrands disease type I (easy to bleed... easy to bruise... heavy periods... etc etc). Some Factor VIII labs have been abnormal. My first hematologist also suggested I have an MRA and MRV with contrast. This led to a CT Angiogram of my neck and head b/c the radiologist saw a decreased flow in my left jugular vein in my brain MRI. If he would have looked at my history and the MRIs from 2004, 2006 and 2008 my Neurologist noted this back in 2003 and figures it is congenital.
The CT Angiogram was clear.
I have seen a Rheumotologist in case she had any ideas regarding APS or my dizziness and she believes after reviewing my paperwork and records that I don't have APS either or any auto immune condition. She suggested rest... more sleep and naps. Well, this strategy hasn't helped either. Now that my daughter is sleeping better, I am getting a ton of rest at night.
My Neurologist prescribed Lexapro which has helped with my anxiety a ton but since starting I have noticed twitching (involuntary movements) and hazy vision at night. Like everything isn't as sharp and things seem to glow a tiny bit. I have also seen an Endocrinologist b/c my first hematologist discovered I have 7 nodules on my Thyroid which I am now having to monitor every 3 months. The largest is almost an inch so they are waiting and watching rather than doing a FNB. They suspect multinodular goiter. My grandmother had a goiter removed in her late 30s so I do have family history. The endocrinologist tested my Thyroid again and adrenal levels... but still doesn't think a Thyroid problem would cause my current condition. He believes this could be a secondary problem that came to light as a result of my search to figure out the dizziness.
I know this is the longest post in your history but I thought I would see if anyone on this forum has seen persistent dizziness, lightheadedness for 4 months with muscle twitches??? Any ideas on other tests or specialists I could try? I have 2 young children and I am determined to find the answer and get better. I feel the dizziness (never spins... I can drive and function overall) constantly. It is always there. I haven't felt normal since they wheeled me in for my c-section. I wonder if I have microclotting in my brain and really do have APS. I am nervous about MS appearing although I have yet to present with numbness, tingling or weakness.
As you can see I have been to many specialists with no answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for reading the longest post ever! Could this be related to the epidural possibly... it was a combined epidural? I am also doing acupuncture in case this would help and taking Chinese Herbs.
Lara
Frisco, TX
I thought at first it was the pain meds (which I had never been on before). They had me on a ton in the hospital and then released me with Hydrocodone and 800mg of Ibuprofen. I quickly weaned off of them b/c I was nursing my daughter and hated for her to have these meds in her system. It was at my first 2 wk check up that I mentioned the feeling of being unsteady almost like I just got off a boat to my OB/GY. I told her I felt as though I was walking on clouds or had just gotten off a boat. Sometimes it feels like my head is too heavy for my neck. It is better in the mornings but still always there and gets worse as the day goes on. LONG LONG STORY short, she tested me to see if I was anemic and my levels were fine. She also tested my TSH (Thyroid Stim Hormone) and it was fine. She referred me back to my Neurologist.
Back in 2003 I was hospitilized for 5 nights with high fever and vomiting. Before this, I had never been sick a day in my life. It all started with a rash on my trunk mainly stomach area. The best they could come up with was it was a harsh virus. After this hospitilization I started having muscle spasms... like little worms in my legs primarily but all over. That is why I have a Neuro. He ran an MRI to look for MS lesions and found tiny non-specific white spots that looked like it could be from Migraines (which I have never had), Vasculitis, etc etc but didn't present like MS lesions. They have since stayed the same on subsequent MRIS in 2004, 2006 and now in 2008. He re-MRI'd me in July after my baby to explore the dizziness and my MRI was still the same. He has since ran an MRI on my spine and it is clear. All of these with contrast. He ran a ton of blood work searching for an answer for me and tested me for everything under the sun including autoimmune disorders. My ANA came back normal (always has every time it has been ran... even back in 2003). The only thing that flagged after 16 test tubes of blood was my PTT was slightly elevated. He referred me to a Hematologist after he repeated my blood work and my PTT was still elevated. The Hematologist suspected APS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome). He tested me and then diagnosed me with APS even though I only had 1 elevated anticardiolipin IGA antibody. My IGG and IGM antibodies were normal. Also, my DRVVT was normal. Also, I have never had any miscarriages (carried 2 babies to term) or had any blood clots. Therefore, I sought a second opinion and the 2nd hematologist doesn't believe I have APS after re-running some labs. He said my IGA being elevated is non-specific and I probably have a mild form of von Willebrands disease type I (easy to bleed... easy to bruise... heavy periods... etc etc). Some Factor VIII labs have been abnormal. My first hematologist also suggested I have an MRA and MRV with contrast. This led to a CT Angiogram of my neck and head b/c the radiologist saw a decreased flow in my left jugular vein in my brain MRI. If he would have looked at my history and the MRIs from 2004, 2006 and 2008 my Neurologist noted this back in 2003 and figures it is congenital.
The CT Angiogram was clear.
I have seen a Rheumotologist in case she had any ideas regarding APS or my dizziness and she believes after reviewing my paperwork and records that I don't have APS either or any auto immune condition. She suggested rest... more sleep and naps. Well, this strategy hasn't helped either. Now that my daughter is sleeping better, I am getting a ton of rest at night.
My Neurologist prescribed Lexapro which has helped with my anxiety a ton but since starting I have noticed twitching (involuntary movements) and hazy vision at night. Like everything isn't as sharp and things seem to glow a tiny bit. I have also seen an Endocrinologist b/c my first hematologist discovered I have 7 nodules on my Thyroid which I am now having to monitor every 3 months. The largest is almost an inch so they are waiting and watching rather than doing a FNB. They suspect multinodular goiter. My grandmother had a goiter removed in her late 30s so I do have family history. The endocrinologist tested my Thyroid again and adrenal levels... but still doesn't think a Thyroid problem would cause my current condition. He believes this could be a secondary problem that came to light as a result of my search to figure out the dizziness.
I know this is the longest post in your history but I thought I would see if anyone on this forum has seen persistent dizziness, lightheadedness for 4 months with muscle twitches??? Any ideas on other tests or specialists I could try? I have 2 young children and I am determined to find the answer and get better. I feel the dizziness (never spins... I can drive and function overall) constantly. It is always there. I haven't felt normal since they wheeled me in for my c-section. I wonder if I have microclotting in my brain and really do have APS. I am nervous about MS appearing although I have yet to present with numbness, tingling or weakness.
As you can see I have been to many specialists with no answers. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for reading the longest post ever! Could this be related to the epidural possibly... it was a combined epidural? I am also doing acupuncture in case this would help and taking Chinese Herbs.
Lara
Frisco, TX
I did go to an ENT (Forgot to throw that in) and he ruled out inner ear problems with an ENG. It was completely normal and he said he was "Confident" it was not inner ear but rather neurological. He wanted me to do vestibular therapy and continue to follow-up with my neuro re: MS. That was his idea. Not what I wanted to hear. I was praying it was related to my ear.
Lara
Lara
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