SLE & Transient Ischemic Attacks & Seizures

  I am in desperate need of info regarding SLE and its involvement (or
  > affect on) with the autonomic nervous system.
  I feel like I am not getting proper medical treatment and am ready to check into
  a hospital because I have been house-bound for 4 months, have been ordered not to drive
  by the docs, not to walk more than 2 houses from my own, and IF I am able to go out
  I have been ordered to stay in a wheelchair!
  I have had SLE for 8+ years and recently was Dx'd. With steroids my symptoms have improved
  > greatly except one major problem remains: I get horrible convulsions
  > that last 10-30 minutes (in 3 min. increments). One rheumatologist calls them
  > seizures even though I don't lose consciousness (another is convinced their violoent
  muscle spasms). However, each episode is preceeded by an elevated resting heart rate (140+),
  an abundance of adrenaline, and then these violent full-body convulsions.
  I also seem to be suffering from Transiet Ischemic Attacks ~ for me what happens is
  I will be going along just fine and all of a sudden I "lose my muscles." Most of the
  time I hit the floor, other times I grab hold of something. But it generally has the
  same result, which is if I keep trying to physically move I become psuedoparalyzed, i.e.,
  I FEEL like I cannot move. I try desperately to move, but it feels like my muscles are
  fully maxed (like as if you're lifing too much weight).
  >
  > My rheumatologist is testing me for Neurocardiogenic Syncope, but I can't help but
  wonder if this is getting off the beaten path. Any input?
  
  Incidently, you may find it helpful to know that my anticoagulant test
  > was boarderline, and my head MRI & CT scan, EEG, EKG,
  > ECHO were all "normal." I have been exercising regularly for 21 of my 33
  > years, I'm trim and otherwise "healthy."
  Thank you!!
Dear Tee,
Your symptoms are a bit confusing. The neurologic signs in patients with SLE can include seizures, TIA's and strokes. These symptoms are often attributed to thrombosis (blockage) of small vessels and tiny hemorrhages in the head. Another  mechanism could be the result of  emboli from inflammation of the heart valves or low platlets. The lesions produced in the brain from a stroke should be seen on MRI scan.  The seizures are secondary to the strokes.  A generalized seizure that causes shaking of all 4 arm/legs usually causes an alteration in consciousness. TIAs are "mini strokes" produced by the above mechanism, however, the symptoms resolve in less that 24 hrs. There are not any MRI changes that occur following one of these spells.  The symptoms you are descibing "feel like I cannot move" etc. are a bit unusual for a TIA. It does not sound as if you are having any symptoms that might be attributable to syncope other than "collapsing".  Occasionly, we do see patients (with similar symptoms to yours) that have an underlying phychiatric explanation for the symptoms.  The spells may occur "subconsciously". This is just one additional possibility. Drop attacks ( a type of seizure) can alos cause sudden loss of muscle tone. Perhaps a second EEG may be helpful.  I hope this helps. Good Luck.