Chemical taste with Migraine

[01crackerjack]

I was diagnoised with Lyme disease in June 2007. Since that time I have been plagued with a variety of symptoms including severe migraines, fever, stiff neck, tingling in face, tingling in hands, insomnia,and a weird chemical taste in my mouth. I have had CT and MRI, with clear results. Cant find anything. I have been very sick for 4 weeks, but am now slowly getting better with symptoms subsiding. I am scheduled for a spinal tap this week to rule out Menengitis. If I am getting better daily, supposing I have had bacterial menegitis from the Lyme, would the tap still show that up? No doctor has been able to explain the chemical taste in my mouth. I cannot drink a carbonated beverage at all. I am wondering if the spinal tap is worth the test. Can it lie dormant and resurface again? I was told it could.

[minnu111]

Hi I was wondering if you've learned anyting more about the horrible aftertaste after carbonated beverages. About 6 months ago I noticed  I couldn't  drink pop anymore without it tasting like a horrible chemical; in addition and I'm not sure the ginger that is served with sushi has the same horrible aftertaste. Someone asked me if I was pregnant but I'm not matter of fact I'm actually having problems in that department and will be starting fertility drugs.  What is going on.... incidentally I have lived with migraines for years very very bad migraines that last up to a week at times.  

[01crackerjack]

The only Meds I am using right now are Amitripline & Ambien as needed. Again, I am getting better daily, fever is gone, headaches still coming and going at times. The stiff neck is getting better. A neurologist ordered the spinal tap. I am wondering if he is correct in his statement that Menengitis can subside and reoccur later? I've never heard of that before. And Yes, the carbonated beverages still taste flat.Horrible actually. I have had severe Migraines with this illness. When the Migraine eases, I have been left with just terrible headaches daily. Visited the ER one Sunday with the migraine, received a shot of Demerol, went back a few hours later and received morphine. Nothing eased the migraine except time.

[needanswers54]

Hi!  I see that you mention that you have migraines.  Is there any chance that you are taking Depakote?  It can give a definite metallic taste or sour taste in your mouth to practically everything.  If it does, you should probably tell your doctor.  It is a know side-effect of the medication.

Good luck!

[LifesAHeadache]

Is the fever going down?  You need to ask some questions before you have a spinal tap or LP.  I think if it was bacterial - it would have gotten a lot worse in four weeks.  Also, how stiff is your neck, if you can touch your chin to you chest, even if your neck is a little stiff - if you can do this then its points away from the menengitis.  Ask if they are testing for other things and what type of doctor speciality requested it.  Who are the they?

[noops01]

Hi,

Yes the spinal tap will show if you are suffering from meningitis.Fever and stiff neck are very suggestive of meningitis.
Are you taking any medication? Some medications can cause chemical taste in the mouth and so can illness.

[LifesAHeadache]

Sorry I don't know what would cause all of this but Lyme disease and now a fever doesn't sound like Migraine.  Don't think I am diminishing your pain.  I know your head hurts, I just don't think it is migraine.  Does carbonated beverages all taste flat?  There are actually C02 cells in the body that if filled will make corbonated beverages taste horrible to people who love them.   The medicine is called DIAMOX, it is used to slow the production of cerebral spinal fluid.  Those who cannot drain CSF can get horrible headaches - they use the drug and it keeps the pressure down thereby easing the headache.  Totally healthy people use this drug for its CSF action when climbing to high altitudes.  It keeps them from getting those awful headaches.  But they all complain because then soda tastes horrible.  I am not suggesting that is your problem but the action of the drug may be simulating some illness that a specialist would know about.  Have you gone to an infection disease control specialist?  Where is Dr House when you need him.  Hopes this helps if only a little.