I feel lost

[patientlywaiting]

I had a concussion in '99 that wrote me off for three months. In June'01 I had a severe attack- I lost peripheral vision in my left eye ,severe nausea, headache, completely bedridden for the rest of the day- for six months following that attack I had what was diagnosed as a transformed migraine- ct done in June showed an area of suspicion 15mm*6mm*10mm but the Dr. at that time said it was within normal limits. The headaches continued off and on and still do. Starting about Jan'03 I started having nausea accompanied dizzy spells even when sitting doing nothing. I asked my gp for an MRI-Mar'03 the Dr. confirmed the area of suspicion-limited to periventricular white matter-I have seen both the ct and mr scans-it is more predominant in the mr I can see why the ct Dr. read as normal at the time. I have had numbness in my left arm that worsened but now seems to have improved. My legs give out on me with no warning-left side most often. The dizziness is better with lorazepam but yikes-if I don't take it!! I am exhausted all the time- even before the lorazepam. A neurosurgeon read my Mr scan to rule out a brain tumor- said if brain tumor, extremely slow growing- possible MS. No one has given me a straight answer. My marriage has dissolved, I can't work, my life has been affected greatly and I just want to know why. Another MR scheduled for Oct-Taking Divalproex for headaches-seems to help somewhat. My short term memory has been affected as well. My numbness seems to be worse when active- my muscles in my left leg feel tight. Any suggestion on dx or alt testing would be appreciated.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

It is impossible for me to make an accurate clinical diagnosis over the internet. There are many reasons to have abnormalities on a MRI scan. It is possible that the concussion or the migraines could cause the abnormalities. A second opinion with a neurologist, at an academic center, who specializes in headaches or multiple sclerosis may be helpful.

[CyndyisMe]

You mention you had a concussion and a lot of head work ups. Did you have you neck examined? Many times trauma to the cervical spine can produce some of the symptoms you are having. The vestibular nerve, (which lies at the base of the skull, top of the cervical spine) is responsible for balance and compression of it can cause vertigo and dizziness. Compression of any of the cervical peripheral nerves (by disk bulging/herniation or subluxation of the vertebrae) can cause other of your symptoms. If you have not had a cervical spine MRI, I would suggest you start there. I would also suggest you see a regular MD/DO and not a chiropractor. Recently Medscape.com posted info about failed or worsened syptomology for cervical spine manipulation performed by chiropractors, resulting in the necessity for surgery to correct damage that was done from chiropractice manipulation there.

[patientlywaiting]

Thank you for the info. I didn't have in the info previously posted that I also had a complete ear examination, where the doctor felt my dizziness was something called recurrent vestibulopathy,Meneire's like but without the ear ringing. At this time it feels like I could go to 10 doctors and get 10 different dx's. You didn't take into consideration the brain lesions- well at least it didn't seem like it in your post. I was planning on asking for a spine MRI to rule out lesions on the spine anyway- sounds even more like a good idea after reading your post. What else can be done to help a cervical spine problem if you don't seek out a chiropractor? I have an Occupational Therapist who is coming here Friday- is it something she could give me exercises to help- if it is the problem?

[CyndyisMe]

Hi, sorry I didn't get right back to you.
For your cervical spine problems you can go to and Orthopedic doctor first. He can evaluate the condition of your spine and, if necessary, refer you to a neurologist or neurosurgeon.
The first thing to do, besides CT, MRI, Myelograms, xrays etc
is to get a good physical workup including bloodwork to exclude other reasons for your symptoms and/or for a better starting point from which the specialists can work. You mention that you
were tested for your dizziness and had a non-meniere's condition involving the vestibular nerve. Have you had complete auditory testing? They can test, not only for hearing loss but can help identify causes for some of your symptoms, they can test for nystagmus,and brain stem involvement (BSER). A good ENT doctor can direct you to a center and many have such facilities within their own practice.
The hardest part is trying to tie all of your symptoms together. Many people, myself included, would like to have "ONE" condition to tie all our symptoms to... when in fact, you may be dealing with more than one problem.  A complete bloodwork will at least rule out some possibilities and may point your physicians in the right direction as many conditions can be picked up by irregularities in blood test results. Good Luck!