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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Sleep problems/post myelogram
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Sleep problems/post myelogram
by Tracie__0, Jan 03, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Sir,
My father had a myelogram done on 11/20/98 and a water-based dye was used. He has myelopathy of the spine at C4 and C5. Unfortunately, during the procedure the dye was leaked into his brain and he passed out for a few moments. Because of the extent of the compression on his spinal cord it was very difficult for them to get the dye back down past the C4, C5 area. Afterwards he was kept on his back for 2 hours while they did CT,s.
Since having the myelogram, my father has been unable to sleep nights, this is also accompanied by a variety of other symptoms such as mental confusion (foggyness) and an inability to focus thoughts. He will often say he has a "terrible feeling" in his head. He is also unable to focus his thoughts. During the last 2 weeks he has been experiencing trembling and shortness of breath so bad that his neurosurgeon cancelled his surgery and had a MRI done of his head. (which was normal) Other symptoms of concern, are that he has had a loss of appetite and about a 20 pound weight loss and he has cold sweats and sometimes when he goes from a room thats light to room thats dark and he closes his eyes he see flickering lights.
His neurosurgeon and the Doctor which performed the procedure both believe that his symptoms are not related to the myelogram but rather to anxiety towards the upcoming procedure. He went to see a pyschiatrist as recommended who told him he symptoms are not related to anxiety but to the procedure. (His wife is a neurologist and he consulted her.) He was placed on Xanax .25mg every 6 hours but the medication has not alleviated any of the symptoms.
Is there anything else which can be done for my father? Prior to the procedurehe was in perfect health with no mental problems. He is 58 years old and teaches high-school.
Thankyou in advance for any help you might be able to give. Tracie
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Thanks for the question. Sorry to hear about your Father. Well, this is a tough one. It is hard to imagine that with a water based dye that you should develop the types of problems discussed here. Some people will often start with dye in the skull base so that the dye goes to the brain so that is not uncommon. Seizures have been reported but that does not sound like the case here. The MRI being normal rules out stroke or mass lesion as a problem. It is possible that your Father could have developed a meningitis at the time of his procedure but it has been over 2 months so it would seem fairly unlikely that that would be the case but he could always have a spinal tap to look at the spinal fliud to make sure it is okay. An EEG could be done to rule out an subclinical seizures although again that is less likely. With his weight loss and cold sweats other types of problems should be evaluated to make sure he does not have an underlying malignancy (cancer). If you wish a referral to CCF for a second opinion call 216 444 5559. good luck
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