Drug Reaction or Something Else?

[Kat2189]

I am having a bit of a deliemma here and I need a professional opinion. I don't care if you can't give me anything definite. I just need to be pointed in a direction and told to go.

Here's my whole situation.. . .

About 3 months ago, I awoke one day before work with chest pains and a headache. The headache I wasn't worried about much, but the chest pains were bad and my left arm was weak and my fingers tingled. So, I went into my family doctor and called into work. While I was waiting in the doctor's office to be called back, I had a searing, traveling pain up the left side of my neck and I had a headache that could have killed all seven of Snow White's little dwarves plus the little woodland creatures and Prince Charming. Anyways, along with this headache, my vision blurred out and I didn't realize that I was screaming in pain in the waiting area. I felt like I was gonna pass out. Needless to say, I didn't have to wait much longer. The doctor did the standard neurology exam. And everything checked out ok. I also had an EKG and was referred to a cardiologist where I had a number of different appointments and tests which turned out to be normal.

Knowing that my heart was fine, I went on. I kept going to work despite starting to get awful migranes. I am a telephone operator that does tech support for Bank of America. So, I chawked it up to the stress at work. However, the headaches have been getting more frequent and more intense. I stare at a computer all day and wear a telephone headset so this just wasn't working for me.

One day, I had had enough of the headaches and went back to my family doctor. While at the doctor, I requested a medication to help with the migranes. Which are more like Migrane-Tension Headaches since the symptoms mimic both types. I already have tried everything over-the-counter from Tylenol to Motrin to Alieve. Even Volteran. Anyway, I asked for Imitrex and the doctor recommended that I try Cephadyn. After I left the doctor, I immediately went to the pharmacy and filled the Cephadyn. I was to take one tablet every 4 hours or as needed for my headache. I got the prescription on Tuesday 8/10. Took one tablet on Tuesday and two over the course of the day Wednesday.

Thursday is when the crap hit the fan. I was at work. Head pounding like usual. I didn't want to take anything yet until it got unbearable. For most people, you'd be wanting to gouge your eyes out and ram your head in the wall. And believe me, don't think the THOUGHT hadn't crossed my mind. So, I was on the phone with a customer when I began feeling confused. It was like I was slow to understand what to do or what the customer was saying. After that call, I logged out and talked to my manager about it. When I was talking to him, I began to feel disoriented and I began to stutter. I was so scared. I didn't know what was happening. Then, I called my mother and told her to meet me at the ER.

When I met mom at the ER, she thought I was faking the speech thing; which I suppose is common, because you don't expect a 21 year old woman to be experiencing anything really wrong. Especially neurological. When she looked into my eyes and saw the fear, she knew something was wrong. I presented with stuttering, confusion, nausia, light and sound sensitivity. I also felt like I was walking in slow motion. Not dizzy or anything, but weak. Drained. The nurse immediately took me back as soon as I opened my mouth. The stutter tends to freak people out. I was admitted Thursday night.

The did lots of tests. Blood work, CT, MRI, Corotid Ultrasound. Everything looked normal. Except my blood pressure was a little high. I have normal blood pressure usually, but it was borderline-high when I was admitted and throughout my stay. I had lots of neurological exams. All of which were fine. I used to take Zoloft 100mg/day but the Dr. stopped that and also put me on a low dose asprin when I was there. He didn't give me much information to go on the whole time I was there. I did have an episode once when I was talking to my mom where I started having blurred vision, confusion, hot flashes, and right side droopiness. My blood pressure at the time was 178/94. They didn't do anything about it. That's about the time they did put me on the asprin. They also started me on Topomax for migraines.

The neurologist said that I needed a therapist not a neurologist. I don't agree with that. Something is wrong with me. I am still having headaches, and I still have the stutter with minimal confusion. I have done a ton of research since I have been home about serotonin and migraines. It just doesn't fit. I also have researched, brain anurysm, stroke and the side effects of Zoloft. These are the things which I have narrowed myself. I just want a professional opinion of where to go next.

[bigkev414]

I wonder if you have trouble with your neck? Have you ever had an X ray to see if there is damage or degeneration in that area? The pain, tingling and headache are familiar to me, and after years and years I finally found out that It originates in my neck and is caused by nerves being pinched because of damage/ deterioration of the vertabras. I have had these problems on the left side of my neck, centre of chest, left arm and hand together with headaches for over 40 - yes, 40 years!
Tell the doctor you are worried about a stroke or TIA and ask for a brain scan. That will show anything up. Also ask for an Xray of your cervical spine.
Now; regards the stammering and confusion, and also the headaches I had a very stressful accounting practice for years, and when I was under stress and tired (people all day, one after the other non stop) I  would sometimes 'blank' - kind of brain freeze and be unable to relate to where I was and what I was doing or saying for a few seconds or longer. Those episodes upset me for hours after and I also developed panic attacks which sent my BP' heart rate up and I just freaked out. Felt like I was maybe an actor on a stage in a play watching things happen around me but not actually part of it. As though the other people couldn't see me but I could see them.
Medical diagnosis - you need anti depressants and pschychiatric help (can't spell that, but you know what i mean). In other words, 'he's nuts.Next patient ...."
Most of it is  tension, and anxiety because the doctors can't be bothered. Try to arrange what i suggest and lets all know how you get on. Oh yeah....are you happy in your work? Do you have frequent breaks and stretch and walk around???

[misspiggy3]

I think that you had a stroke and they don't want to tell you that you did. You were having issues and they prescribed the wrong medication for you. Most likely, you may have had a light one to begin with. The medication just aggravated a pre-existing condition. You also may have had a seizure as well. Topamax is an anti-seizure medication as well as a migraine preventive. The neurologist is full of crap!!! Find another one who will listen to you. If you can't find a good one call 1-800-HEADACHE. You will get the Diamond Headache clinic in Chicago. They are the best in the country. Look them up on the internet if you want info. They will find out what is wrong with you and help you. You are way too young to be having those symptoms. You need to think about filing a law suit against your doctor for malpractice.

The only other thing I can think of is that you have Bell's Palsy. Do you have a cat? That is the only other think that even comes close to fitting your symptoms, but it usually doesn't cause headaches. Your neurologist is a total jerk! They do all have a God complex. I am not a professional, but I have seen enough doctors over the year that I could have paid for one of their education's. Good luck, hang in there, and keep me posted, please.