Myriad of Symptoms - is it neurological? (Sorry it's so long)~

[Karen]

Please help me.  I apologize for the length of the post, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.  I don't know if I have a neurological problem or not, but I'm hoping you can help by at least offering me some advice or possible diagnosis I can try to follow up on with my doctor.  

I am a thirty year old, otherwise fairly healthy woman. I try to work out a few times a week.  I am not depressed although I tend to be anxious.  I am 5'8" and approx. 130, although I have lost some weight since my problem started in November, 2000.

Since that time, I have been experiencing severe vertigo.  (Yes, it is "true" vertigo wherein the room whirls around me.)   It began during my sleep and at first only happened when I turned over in bed or when I first lay down.   It gradually worsened to the point where I am never sure when it will occur.   It does not seem to correlate to head position or movement, it just strikes out of the blue and lasts for up to a few hours (which feel like a lifetime, believe me).   It is occasionally, but not always, accompanied by a high pitched humming/whistling tone in my ears.  
In September 2000, I started having nausea intermittently for no reason.   The nausea now seems to go hand in hand with the vertigo.  The periods of vertigo seem to wax and wane.  If I don't get 8+ hours of sleep it is markedly worse, to the point where after one restless night I could not walk down the hall to the washroom without falling repeatedly into the wall. It seems like even when the vertigo isn't "active", I feel vaguely disoriented.  

Prior to the vertigo starting,  I frequently had (and still have) unilateral headaches that start at the posterior and migrate forward and spread.   They usually wake me up at night or are present in the morning when I wake up and last for several hours. They get worse when I move around, better if I hold my head very still.  Tylenol does nothing for them that I notice, they seem to last the same amount of time whether I take the pills or not.   I occasionally suffer from "silent" migraines as well:  very alarming visual disturbances with no ensuing headache.  

Other symptoms (which may or may not be related), include sleep disturbances.  I have newly developed night terrors in which I occasionally actually get out of bed and let out blood curdling screams that do not wake me up (although they certainly wake everyone else up.)   I also have recently developed sleep paralysis and night-time hallucinations -- either just when I'm falling asleep or just as I wake up.  

Here's the kicker:  In August 1999, after a bout of chickenpox, I came down with meningitis/encephalitis and was hospitalized.   I am worried that what is happening now is some kind of residual problem stemming from that incident.  I am also a melanoma survivor and in the back of my head I am always worried about recurrence and brain involvement.  

I know you can't diagnose me over the internet, but I'd be interested to hear what tests (if any) you think might be appropriate.   My primary physician gave me blood/urine tests which came out normal.   I don't know what he tested for, one of the things was sed rate and it was low.   I have not had an MRI since 1999 (while in hospital post-encephalitis/meningitis), in which the radiologist noted, as a postscript to the report that it showed "marked atrophy for her age group".   I have no idea what this means or if this could possibly related to the problems I am having now. I don't want to spend all my time worrying about my health, or lack thereof. (I tend to worry, but let's face it -- I've drawn the short straw health-wise numerous times already and I'm only 30).  My primary care physician seems to think it is a food allergy/intolerance, which I think is odd considering the amount of testing he's done.   I've done some reading on that subject to follow his advice, but my symptoms don't seem to fit the food allergy pattern.  Is it all in my head?  I guess I don't think I'm totally crazy to want to rule out any organic problems first -- MS?  Vitamin deficiency?  What could it be?   (I am also experiencing "air hunger" which I suspect IS actually anxiety related, I also have MVP and have had problems with shortness of breath on and off since childhood.  My blood diastolic blood pressure is extremely low, so I am not stranger to dizzy spells although what I am having now is nothing like what I am used to.   There is a world of difference between vertigo and dizziness.)  

Thank you for any advice you can offer me.   Sorry it's so long, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Karen:

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms.  True vertigo can be from different things such as labyrinthitis, Meniere syndrome, waxed filled ear canals, etc.  Together with the unilateral headaches and sleep disorders I think this should warrant a visit to the neurologist.  The fact that you had an encephalitis is also reason to see a neurologist.  I would think that he/she might order an MRI of the brain, do a couple of office visit tests on your vertigo, and some lab work.  Your symptoms can be anything from simple labryrinthitis with migraine variant, to seizure activity, or mass in the CP angle.  Let us know how things turn out, but be sure and see a neurologist.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[derek]

Karen,

I have had similar symptoms in the past, and still continue to have some symtpoms.  I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation (cerebellar tonsil herniation) and a posterior fossa arachnoid cyst.  I had surgery more than two years ago and improved dramatically, although I still experience episodic symptoms.  Please consult a neurologist and have them specifally look for the malformation or some mass at the base of the brain.  Hope this helps.

[Ronisundiagnosed]

Do not rule out Herpes Virus. The chicken pox and encephalitis means your body carries a herpes virus. I have all your symptoms plus and the only thing that works is massive doses of accyclovyr.

[Greg]

Hi Karen! FYI...I have experienced sporadic veritgo on and off for the past 3 years. As you know it is the most nightmarish experience you can have ever had. It was at the suggestion of my
Osteopath that I visit a physical therapist that had done a lot of study in the treatment of veritgo. This may sound strange but...it seems there are crystals in the ear that SHOULD NOT
be in the ear canal. When they are they cause vertigo. Which I had at the time I visited him. He put special "goggles" over my eyes an induced the vertigo and watched my pupils. This told him what manipulations were needed. Which he then did. I could go on but just let me say my vertigo is gone and if it occurs again I will go back to him for a "tune up"! And this "cure" occured after I spent 4 days in my house carrying a bucket with me wherever I went because I was thowing up all the time. This is also after an MRI, blood tests, ear testing and a neurological exam. With this method...no drugs, no expensive testing...all natural! Just thought I'd pass this along. Maybe this would help you in some way...Not sure how this works but if you want to email me for more info help yourself...and GOD BLESS!

[Rob]

ive had vertigo since june of 2000. it wasnt only vertigo, it was also a bunch of different weird body sensations. it felt like the room was spinning and it felt like i was falling. i still have it, although it has gotten a lot better. this happened after a terrifying incident i had on a lengthy flight back from japan. the plane dropped a lot and i thought it was curtains. then, about 2 weeks later i smoked some marijuana and got a severe panic attack, lasting about 7 hours. ever since, i have been feeling odd sensations. things have gotten a lot better, but whenever i lie down, the room still spins around and feels like its falling, along with objects in the room. i have become so sick of it, because everything is always "in motion" and nothing is ever still. sometimes, in fact, most of the time, when i walk or stand it feels like im weightless/or that the floor is moving up and down. this used to scare me, but now its just plain annoying. it seems like its endless, and i have no idea when it will end. i have had a physician check me out, along with a neurologist and an MRI. they all came back normal, so i have no idea what is causing this, maybe its my panic disorder that i have. so anyways, i feel your pain.
i am 18 by the way

[Karen]

Hi all, thanks for all your advice and stories.   It always helps to know that other people have similar symptoms.   Ninety percent of the time I feel like I'm a complete basket case, otherwise.   Went to the Otology/Neurotolgy dr. yesterday (after waiting 8 weeks to see him!). I was having a "good" day yesterday, no vertigo or headache.   Figures, right?  He did the test with the goggles and couldn't trigger the vertigo. (Kind of like when your car makes terrible sounds until you take it to the shop and then it won't make the sound for the mechanic, so he says it's fine.) He says it isn't the positional type of vertigo but could be something to do with scar tissue from the meningitis or Menieres.  I have to go in for some more tests which hopefully will provide a diagnosis.   I think the test I have next is called a Electronystagmography.   He didn't seem to think an MRI was necessary.  I guess we'll see what happens with the ENG.   I was kind of disappointed that he couldn't pin-point exatly what it was.  I guess I live in a fantasy world wherein I was hoping he'd be able to twist my head a few times and make it go away just like magic, or at least give me some kind of pill to take when it happens.   No such luck, so I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Thanks again for all the good wishes and shared experiences!

[Cher]

Do you have any gas, oil or coal burning appliances in your home?

[doreen]

I am a 49 year old woman who has had this ongoing problem for 25 years. It started by a trip overseas and lasted about 3 weeks. This came on every 5 years or so. My husband and i went on a trip in Jan.2000 south. I got severe spinning on the way home and have suffered every since. This is the worst and longest it has ever lasted. I had an MRI in June 2000. They also were looking for MS but nothing showed up. I have since seen 3 nerologists with 2 saying i have silent migraines. I also have tried all the antivert pills and beta blockers. These seem to make the spinning worse. I have been better lately but still have 4 to 5 days a month real bad. I have returned to work on a part time basis but it is very hard although i am determined to fight this. I have high blood pressure that is now under control. I get extreme fatigued and have vomiting with these spells. I can not turn my head and have to hold on when i walk anywhere. I know this is very frustrating and can only hope someday it will be gone for good or a miracle pill comes out. Good luck to you