Aa
vertigo, blurred vision, mood changes, groggy, loss of grip strength
I'm a 43 year old male 6"3" tall, 180 lb. I never smoked, non drinker. I have consumed a very healthy diet all my life, avoiding all junk food excess salt and sugar and have always exercise regularly.
My family history: My mother had cancer of the throat when she was young but is now 73 and very healthy. My grandmother on my fathers side had mouth cancer and died from it. No brain tumors in my family history that I know of. The one case of Alzheimer's in my family history from my mothers aunt.
Here are my symptoms:
Dizziness:
My most recent occurrence was when I was at a company luncheon with a dozen other coworkers sitting around the table at the restaurant. I began to feel dizzy and a bit "spaced" similar to being drunk or intoxicated with a sensation as if I was trying to balance my head on my shoulders. As I turned my head from side to side the dizziness and spaced feeling increased. This time it really concerned me because it was really extreme and noticeable. I had breakfast that morning consisting of a spinach omelet, small bowl of oatmeal. orange juice and I had a mid morning snack. So I ruled out low blood sugar.
Chronic but infrequent blurred vision:
I have also noticed a rapid change in my vision over the past few years. Upon waking up my distant and close vision is blurry and it appears to get a a little better as the day increases. What is very odd is that my blurred vision is sporadic and infrequent. For example right now my distant and close vision appears to be clear. However this time yesterday it was blurry.
Loss of grip strength in right hand:
Every once in a while I feel a weak sensation in my right hand to the point where I'm unable to make a fist. Even when I concentrate on trying to close my fingers and make a strong fist, I can't. It's as if my ability to make a fist is paralyzed. it lasts for about 5 min. or so and slowly subsides. I notice this happens only when I am sitting down. I am also right-handed. This could be unrelated as if perhaps I'm pressing on a nerve or something with my arm? Although I don't want to rule it out that It could be related.
Sluggish and groggy:
I often feel groggy and tired most of the day even after getting 6-8 hours of sleep.
Hard to mentally focus and concentrate:
I have a hard time retaining information. My mind tends to drift and wander when I listen to live, class lectures ore read books. The Information is hard for me to retain and I have to read things over and over before my brain understands and retains the information. Remembering peoples names is becoming harder to do.
Intense changes in mood:
Over a few years I've slowly noticed that I've become easily irritable, agitated, and little things can make me very angry. I've been feeling very despondent and depressed lately with infrequent deep depression with thoughts of hopelessness, despair and suicide.
I appreciate all your help.
My family history: My mother had cancer of the throat when she was young but is now 73 and very healthy. My grandmother on my fathers side had mouth cancer and died from it. No brain tumors in my family history that I know of. The one case of Alzheimer's in my family history from my mothers aunt.
Here are my symptoms:
Dizziness:
My most recent occurrence was when I was at a company luncheon with a dozen other coworkers sitting around the table at the restaurant. I began to feel dizzy and a bit "spaced" similar to being drunk or intoxicated with a sensation as if I was trying to balance my head on my shoulders. As I turned my head from side to side the dizziness and spaced feeling increased. This time it really concerned me because it was really extreme and noticeable. I had breakfast that morning consisting of a spinach omelet, small bowl of oatmeal. orange juice and I had a mid morning snack. So I ruled out low blood sugar.
Chronic but infrequent blurred vision:
I have also noticed a rapid change in my vision over the past few years. Upon waking up my distant and close vision is blurry and it appears to get a a little better as the day increases. What is very odd is that my blurred vision is sporadic and infrequent. For example right now my distant and close vision appears to be clear. However this time yesterday it was blurry.
Loss of grip strength in right hand:
Every once in a while I feel a weak sensation in my right hand to the point where I'm unable to make a fist. Even when I concentrate on trying to close my fingers and make a strong fist, I can't. It's as if my ability to make a fist is paralyzed. it lasts for about 5 min. or so and slowly subsides. I notice this happens only when I am sitting down. I am also right-handed. This could be unrelated as if perhaps I'm pressing on a nerve or something with my arm? Although I don't want to rule it out that It could be related.
Sluggish and groggy:
I often feel groggy and tired most of the day even after getting 6-8 hours of sleep.
Hard to mentally focus and concentrate:
I have a hard time retaining information. My mind tends to drift and wander when I listen to live, class lectures ore read books. The Information is hard for me to retain and I have to read things over and over before my brain understands and retains the information. Remembering peoples names is becoming harder to do.
Intense changes in mood:
Over a few years I've slowly noticed that I've become easily irritable, agitated, and little things can make me very angry. I've been feeling very despondent and depressed lately with infrequent deep depression with thoughts of hopelessness, despair and suicide.
I appreciate all your help.
Thanks everyone for your help, I really appreciate it. If anyone else has any suggestions please don't hesitate to post it.
And I'm sorry you've had deal with so much loss recently. Grieving can really drain a person.
Well, since you are wondering about brain tumor, I think you should list your symptoms and ask the doctor if you couldn't get an MRI of your brain to rule it out. Also, what about getting your cortisol level checked?
And have you considered low iron and or ferritin as a possibility? Low iron can affect mood, cause extreme fatigue and dizziness as well as difficulty concentrating. (See private message) While you eat healthy, there are other reasons one can be iron deficient.
Do you ever feel light headed? Because I can get graying or whiting out of vision related to orthostatic tachycardia if I don't take precautions. Also, did the eye doctor ever suggest you might have dry eye? Because I have had blurring from time to time with that problem.
And have you considered low iron and or ferritin as a possibility? Low iron can affect mood, cause extreme fatigue and dizziness as well as difficulty concentrating. (See private message) While you eat healthy, there are other reasons one can be iron deficient.
Do you ever feel light headed? Because I can get graying or whiting out of vision related to orthostatic tachycardia if I don't take precautions. Also, did the eye doctor ever suggest you might have dry eye? Because I have had blurring from time to time with that problem.
You have listed all my symptoms and I have done a ton of research and tests with inconclusive or no answer. Have you had your blood checked? I would have them screen for autoimmune, Hep C, lupus, and you could possibly have pre-diabetes. Also, have you looked at bi-polar disorder? Manic episodes are not what is originally thought, so find a reputable site and check out your symptoms. The irritability is the key part that triggered why I would suggest.
I do not believe you have worms/parasites. If you think this, have your eyes checked and tell them so. They will tell you if they can see them. Diabetes is not just from not eating healthy foods. Skipping meals, etc. can lead to an onset. If you have the chance to take a course on Human Anatomy and Physiology it will explain in detail how everything interacts, especially how diabetes is caused (enlightening).
My daughter had severe excema and was sick all the time (before age 1). So, I switched my household to all non-toxic cleaners. Pretty much all of my problems went away. I just had someone come and clean my home with all of their cleaners, and my symptoms came back. So, I don't really understand it, but I will keep using the green cleaners. Plus, absolutely no bleach! i use Melaleuca, and their vitamins helped my eyesight. Just google them if you are interested, you should be able to find a rep to explain it. Or, there are many green cleaners in the grocery store. Seventh Generation is a good brand.
I do not believe you have worms/parasites. If you think this, have your eyes checked and tell them so. They will tell you if they can see them. Diabetes is not just from not eating healthy foods. Skipping meals, etc. can lead to an onset. If you have the chance to take a course on Human Anatomy and Physiology it will explain in detail how everything interacts, especially how diabetes is caused (enlightening).
My daughter had severe excema and was sick all the time (before age 1). So, I switched my household to all non-toxic cleaners. Pretty much all of my problems went away. I just had someone come and clean my home with all of their cleaners, and my symptoms came back. So, I don't really understand it, but I will keep using the green cleaners. Plus, absolutely no bleach! i use Melaleuca, and their vitamins helped my eyesight. Just google them if you are interested, you should be able to find a rep to explain it. Or, there are many green cleaners in the grocery store. Seventh Generation is a good brand.
Hi doctoreen,
Thanks for the answers.
High Blood Pressure: NO. It is normal.
Symptoms from the mayo clinic and my response:
Peripheral neuropathy:
* Numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, arms, legs - NO
* Burning pain - NO
* Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain - NO
* Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch - NO
* Lack of coordination - NO
* Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected - NO
* Bowel or bladder problems if autonomic nerves are affected - NO
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
* Fatigue - YES SOMETIMES
* Sluggishness - YES SOMETIMES
* Increased sensitivity to cold - NO
* Constipation - YES SOMETIMES
* Pale, dry skin - NO
* A puffy face - NO
* Hoarse voice - NO
* An elevated blood cholesterol level - NO
* Unexplained weight gain - NO
* Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness - NO
* Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints - NO
* Muscle weakness - NO
* Brittle fingernails and hair - NO
* Depression - YES FREQUENTLY
Pseudotumor cerebri (Benign intracranial hypertension)
* Moderate to severe headaches that may originate behind your eyes, wake you from sleep and worsen with eye movement - NO
* Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat - NO
* Nausea, vomiting or dizziness - NO
* Blurred or dimmed vision - YES INFREQUENTLY
* Brief episodes of blindness, lasting only a few seconds and affecting one or both eyes - NO
* Difficulty seeing to the side - NO
* Double vision - NO
Brain Tumor
* New onset or change in pattern of headaches - NO
* Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe - NO
* Unexplained nausea or vomiting - NO
* Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision - YES. BLURRED VISION INFREQUENTLY.
* Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg - YES. INFREQUENT ABILITY TO MAKE A FIST IN RIGHT HAND.
* Difficulty with balance - NO
* Speech difficulties - NO
* Confusion in everyday matters - NO
* Personality or behavior changes - YES. MOOD SWINGS, DEPRESSION.
* Seizures, especially in someone who doesn't have a history of seizures - NO
* Hearing problems - NO
Alzheimer's disease
* Memory loss - NO
* Problems with abstract thinking - NO
* Difficulty finding the right word - NO
* Disorientation - NO
* Loss of judgment - NO
* Difficulty performing familiar tasks - NO
* Personality changes YES. MOOD SWINGS. DEPRESSION
Thanks for the answers.
High Blood Pressure: NO. It is normal.
Symptoms from the mayo clinic and my response:
Peripheral neuropathy:
* Numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, arms, legs - NO
* Burning pain - NO
* Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain - NO
* Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch - NO
* Lack of coordination - NO
* Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected - NO
* Bowel or bladder problems if autonomic nerves are affected - NO
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
* Fatigue - YES SOMETIMES
* Sluggishness - YES SOMETIMES
* Increased sensitivity to cold - NO
* Constipation - YES SOMETIMES
* Pale, dry skin - NO
* A puffy face - NO
* Hoarse voice - NO
* An elevated blood cholesterol level - NO
* Unexplained weight gain - NO
* Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness - NO
* Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints - NO
* Muscle weakness - NO
* Brittle fingernails and hair - NO
* Depression - YES FREQUENTLY
Pseudotumor cerebri (Benign intracranial hypertension)
* Moderate to severe headaches that may originate behind your eyes, wake you from sleep and worsen with eye movement - NO
* Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat - NO
* Nausea, vomiting or dizziness - NO
* Blurred or dimmed vision - YES INFREQUENTLY
* Brief episodes of blindness, lasting only a few seconds and affecting one or both eyes - NO
* Difficulty seeing to the side - NO
* Double vision - NO
Brain Tumor
* New onset or change in pattern of headaches - NO
* Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe - NO
* Unexplained nausea or vomiting - NO
* Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision - YES. BLURRED VISION INFREQUENTLY.
* Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg - YES. INFREQUENT ABILITY TO MAKE A FIST IN RIGHT HAND.
* Difficulty with balance - NO
* Speech difficulties - NO
* Confusion in everyday matters - NO
* Personality or behavior changes - YES. MOOD SWINGS, DEPRESSION.
* Seizures, especially in someone who doesn't have a history of seizures - NO
* Hearing problems - NO
Alzheimer's disease
* Memory loss - NO
* Problems with abstract thinking - NO
* Difficulty finding the right word - NO
* Disorientation - NO
* Loss of judgment - NO
* Difficulty performing familiar tasks - NO
* Personality changes YES. MOOD SWINGS. DEPRESSION
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
There are a few things you need to get investigated for: spinal nerve compression of cervical spinal nerves, high BP, peripheral neuropathy of diabetes and hypothyroidism, benign intracranial hypertension (quite possible and diagnosed by a spinal tap), and a space occupying lesion in brain like an aneurysm or a tumor (vomiting is not a diagnostic criteria) .
Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper investigations and referral. Take care!
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
There are a few things you need to get investigated for: spinal nerve compression of cervical spinal nerves, high BP, peripheral neuropathy of diabetes and hypothyroidism, benign intracranial hypertension (quite possible and diagnosed by a spinal tap), and a space occupying lesion in brain like an aneurysm or a tumor (vomiting is not a diagnostic criteria) .
Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper investigations and referral. Take care!
Thanks for the help so far.
To answer the questions and to clarify some of my statements:
Yes, I have thought of several causes for my symptoms including:
Parasitic/nematode infection (roundworms, tapeworms, and others):
I have done research on this and as larvae spread they can infect various organs including the eyes, brain, heart, lungs etc. and can cause muscular weakness, abdominal discomfort. As they migrate to other organs like the brain symptoms can include irritability and other brain/memory disturbances, decreased visual acuity as they infect the eyes. I have eaten sushi and sashimi (raw fish) before. I eat lots of raw vegetables so my thinking on that could be transmission from wild animal feces from farms onto the raw vegetables. I wash raw vegetables but I've never sterilize them (I'm not sure if there is away to do that anyway to raw vegetables). I'm not sure how likely that is though to catch a parasitic infection from raw vegetables. It sounds very likely but I'm not sure how probable it is.
Diabetes:
Although, I've never eaten a bad diet which is typical of causing diabetes so I doubt that is it.
Brain tumor.
Symptoms seem very close to that. The only symptom I don't have for brain tumor is nausea.
Early stage Alzheimer's:
I'm not sure when signs or symptoms start to occur. I'm still very young. It doesn't explain my decreased visual acuity though. My parents never had it. I have 1 uncle on my mom's side and he never had it. 2 uncles and 1 aunt on my dads side and they never had it.
Inner ear infection/inflammation:
Although vertigo matches, some of my symptoms don't match like my decreased visual acuity and mood changes. So it's very unlikely it is that.
As far as my B-12 is concerened I take allot of supplements so I'm not lacking in nutrients.
I have my eyes checked every year and the doctor says my eyes are normal for my age. I have a slight stigmatism in one eye but he doesn't feel I need to wear glasses yet.
I would like to have an MRI of my brain to for my comfort and peace of mind and to rule out any brain tumors.
As far as the depression and despondency. It could be situational. My brother passed away at 40 years old in 2001, my father passed away last year. I had to deal with all the loss and help my mom through it all. I lost my corporate job in 2005 and have been under employed (barley making it) ever since then. Although I've just changed careers so things are looking up in the employment area anyway.
I feel a bit helpless because I have this basket full of symptoms that I can't explain and I'm just afraid my doctor may not take the time to investigate or diagnose my symptoms.
To answer the questions and to clarify some of my statements:
Yes, I have thought of several causes for my symptoms including:
Parasitic/nematode infection (roundworms, tapeworms, and others):
I have done research on this and as larvae spread they can infect various organs including the eyes, brain, heart, lungs etc. and can cause muscular weakness, abdominal discomfort. As they migrate to other organs like the brain symptoms can include irritability and other brain/memory disturbances, decreased visual acuity as they infect the eyes. I have eaten sushi and sashimi (raw fish) before. I eat lots of raw vegetables so my thinking on that could be transmission from wild animal feces from farms onto the raw vegetables. I wash raw vegetables but I've never sterilize them (I'm not sure if there is away to do that anyway to raw vegetables). I'm not sure how likely that is though to catch a parasitic infection from raw vegetables. It sounds very likely but I'm not sure how probable it is.
Diabetes:
Although, I've never eaten a bad diet which is typical of causing diabetes so I doubt that is it.
Brain tumor.
Symptoms seem very close to that. The only symptom I don't have for brain tumor is nausea.
Early stage Alzheimer's:
I'm not sure when signs or symptoms start to occur. I'm still very young. It doesn't explain my decreased visual acuity though. My parents never had it. I have 1 uncle on my mom's side and he never had it. 2 uncles and 1 aunt on my dads side and they never had it.
Inner ear infection/inflammation:
Although vertigo matches, some of my symptoms don't match like my decreased visual acuity and mood changes. So it's very unlikely it is that.
As far as my B-12 is concerened I take allot of supplements so I'm not lacking in nutrients.
I have my eyes checked every year and the doctor says my eyes are normal for my age. I have a slight stigmatism in one eye but he doesn't feel I need to wear glasses yet.
I would like to have an MRI of my brain to for my comfort and peace of mind and to rule out any brain tumors.
As far as the depression and despondency. It could be situational. My brother passed away at 40 years old in 2001, my father passed away last year. I had to deal with all the loss and help my mom through it all. I lost my corporate job in 2005 and have been under employed (barley making it) ever since then. Although I've just changed careers so things are looking up in the employment area anyway.
I feel a bit helpless because I have this basket full of symptoms that I can't explain and I'm just afraid my doctor may not take the time to investigate or diagnose my symptoms.
Hi,Please could you be more specific about how much time elapsed after eating spinach snack and experiencing your dizziness symptoms.Did you prepare spinach omelet yourself?Did you noticed something unusual about color of spinach leaves?
Sounds like you are thinking of a number of possibilities and I think you should get tested to see if you are on the right track. You'd likely need a referral from a primary care doctor to a neurologist. An MRI of the brain is hopefully what a neurologist would order for one thing. They could check for brain tumors, etc. Regarding your sitting and change in grip strength, they could test about that too. They may want to conduct an EMG on your affected arm & hand.
And they might want to ask some cognitive questions to help in trying to rule out Alzheimer's which you mention. You may even want to get your vitamin B 12 level measured. B 12 is thought to help with memory and if that is low, the deficiency would definitely need a correction.
Also, you might look into getting an ear, nose, & throat specialist to order VNG and other vestibular testing regarding your dizziness that increases with head turning.
With mood, you may want to make sure your thyroid function is normal, as if this is off, it can definitely adversely affect your mood. Also you may want to get cortisol tested, because depression and abnormal levels of that hormone can go together.
I hope you will go to an opthamologist too about your visual changes, so he/she can evaluate that situation more thoroughly than a neurologist would typically do.
Do not give up- it is good you are seeking help! If you are feeling suicidal right now, please call 9-1-1 or your emergency telephone number. And if you would like to know the Comforter of the depressed, private message me and I'd be glad to share about Him.
And they might want to ask some cognitive questions to help in trying to rule out Alzheimer's which you mention. You may even want to get your vitamin B 12 level measured. B 12 is thought to help with memory and if that is low, the deficiency would definitely need a correction.
Also, you might look into getting an ear, nose, & throat specialist to order VNG and other vestibular testing regarding your dizziness that increases with head turning.
With mood, you may want to make sure your thyroid function is normal, as if this is off, it can definitely adversely affect your mood. Also you may want to get cortisol tested, because depression and abnormal levels of that hormone can go together.
I hope you will go to an opthamologist too about your visual changes, so he/she can evaluate that situation more thoroughly than a neurologist would typically do.
Do not give up- it is good you are seeking help! If you are feeling suicidal right now, please call 9-1-1 or your emergency telephone number. And if you would like to know the Comforter of the depressed, private message me and I'd be glad to share about Him.
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