Unexplained symptoms

[squeakypants]

Here are my symptoms: I suddenly get freezing cold from the inside moving outward. It is very painful. This often signals the onset of disorientation in which I lose periods of time from a few seconds to a prolonged period where my productivity does not equal the time that has elapsed. There is often an intense headache that feels as if I have a small Lincoln log wedged behind my left eye. My vision is very inconsistent throughout the day. I am losing my rightside peripheral vision and keep scraping and replacing tires. I zone out while teaching. Not only am I losing concentration and focus I am just "not there." No amount of wanting to be in the moment solves the problem. I cannot remember where I am in the music or I continue playing making something up in the key,  time signature and general melodic structure, but clearly not what is written on the page. I can and do get lost in an orchestral piece of music, which is scary as a professional orchestral musician. Usually, I can figure out where we are, but sometimes it takes longer than I wish and I always wonder what happened to me that I suddenly blipped out. Sometimes, I suddenly feel so dreadful that I must lay down. It wouldn't matter where I am. I am just compelled to immediately lay down. Often when the zoning out begins, I cannot remember the immediate past for up to a minute or two. I have difficulty finding nouns especially proper nouns when speaking. Other parts of my speech seem okay. When doing acaemic writing I note when rereading text that I skip over syllables or use words that begin with the same or similar sounds to the word I am planning to use. All of this is alarming. Very occasionally I say a random word or words in a very loud voice unlike the one to which I am accustomed. The word -- usually a single noun -- is totally unrelated to any discussion or activity that is going on. While infrequent, this has been very embarassing. After many, many medical tests I was told that I have partial complex seizures and seizure activity. Many of my symptoms don't seem to fit a typical seizure profile. I am so tired of saying to students, "I am sorry. Can we start over again from here?" All that is happening to me is stealing my confidence and making me fearful about the future viability of working as a classically trained professional musician. I am on Lamictal and Keppra. The first helped greatly in lessening the severity and frequency of the headache behind my left eye. The combination of the two have not stopped the zoning out, which continues with considerable frequency   and duration.  I think we have missed the underlying medical problem. What is wrong with me and where do I turn for adequate, helpful answers?

[applet2]

Hi Squeakypants,

At first I thought the same as PaulMD, and I assert that am *not* a doctor. My first thought was the same as PaulMD - either neurological and/or epilepsy related.

But - and not to scare you or anyone else here - but it's important you get it checked it out: has your doctor definitely checked it is NOT symptoms of brain cancer? Some of the symptoms you mention specifically getting very tired / losing words / severe headaches.  It 99% probably isn't because it's not that common, but it IS important to check early as possible just in case.  You must insist your doctor checks this out if they haven't already.

Lastly, has you experienced this a long time, or is it a recent development?

My best wishes go out to you and I hope it sorts out soon.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

From what you have posted, I believe that you may indeed have a complex neurological problem which may really be hard to pinpoint or diagnose.  This could be a beginning of demyelinating disorders sucha s multiple sclerosis or MS.  If you also have vascular problems such as hypertension, or have metabolic diseases such as diabetes or high cholesterol, then you may be experiencing small unnoticed strokes in the brain that just manifests like what you are experiencing.  Stress may also play a crucial role, since this may exaggerate any underlying neurologic problem.

I suggest yo take this to your doctor and possibly be referred to a neurologist to adequately assess the problem.

Wishing you all the best.  Take care and God bless.