Whats going on up there?

[moniq118]

For the past few years I have had these attacks where first I gat a pain at the top of my head. these pains will come and go for a couple days. then I start feeling a bit foggy. Next is this shaky feel inmy whole body. and then I simply can't move. this last for maybe 2-6 minutes. I am completely aware of everything around me but just can't move or speak. when i come out of it I have different reactions. Sometimes I start smiling or sometimes I cry and have a burst of emotion. It takes me days to get back to normal. It feels like my brain isn't attached to the rest of my body. my speach isn't to good cause i stumble, studder, and have problems just getting words out my mouth. my head just doesn't feel clear and it is a bit scary because I have 3 kids to care for. these attacks come every few months and I need to know what should I do to go about finding a diagnoses. I just had one yesterday in class and I'm trying to get back to normal but I'm finding it had to do my everyday tasks. plaese help

[moniq118]

Thank u so much cause I just spent 2 nights in the hospital and I still feel realy weak. so weak that I'm having problems walking. My arms and legs feel like dead weight. It  is pretty fustrating to go through this cause its hard to explain this to people cause its so much happening. I have not been able to do anything since Monday and I am a single mom. My kids had to go with their grandma and miss school. I really apprieciate the advice and feedback. I'll will let you know of anything new.

[Taxgal2010]

OH, and dont drive until you have a full 3 days without another attack, they will sneak up on you in the middle of highway and you may not be able to pull over in time. It happened to me and I had to stop in the middle of 4 lane hwy. Was humiliating and unexpected. Just be safe and stay aware that you are not crazy and this is more rare than you realize so theres not a perfect solution for it yet.

[Taxgal2010]

the headache may mean your magnesium is low, which your potassium relies on the magnesium so it makes perfect sense. Magnesium is not checked in the basic bloodwork so ask for it in addition. If the headaches left, then your electrolytes are coming back to norm and its almost over.

[Taxgal2010]

CATAPLEXY!!!!! Not MS. If it was MS, you would notice alot more symptoms than this and Im not so sure they understand you are not just weak when it happens, you are unresponsive but alert. Yes sounds like MS, but thats not it. The attacks are lasting you anywhere from 3-10 days then magically disappear till it strikes again. The feelings afterwards are what is called "emotional flooding" found after the fight, flight or Freeze response of a cataplexy attack. It is a stress reaction to something that is not right in your body. First they will check for narcolepsy, then MRI for MS, Parkinson signs of early onset and Alzheimers traits on your brain and of course anything they may see. Start with the cheap tests cause I went through the expensive ones and they came out fine even though its clear somethings wrong as I have my attacks in the hospital and my doc got to witness one. There no response if people poke you or hurt you even if you wanted to yell you cannot until all the muscles come back. There is a condition of potassium leaving your muscles for too long that can cause this, hypokalemic periodic paralysis. You should FIRST see if your potassium is low during the week of your attacks and go from there with Cataplexy on your charts to discover the cause. Keep me posted!

Your anxiety will be high during these scary attacks so I had to get xanax to get me thru for just those days till they stopped. Its scary for the kids to see but you need them to know that you should be rolled to your side and watched for breathing trouble during the attack, you may not be able to swallow the spit and accidently breathe it in your lungs. Other than that, the attacks will not kill you, try to rest and drink some pedialyte right after as Im sure your mouth is dry and sticky afterwards and it makes you feel drained for few minutes till you recoop.

[koniwithak]

I have MS, and although my symptoms were not all the same, my best advice is to have yourself examined AT THE TIME  of these attacks, that way the doctors can see what is going on and get a good idea.  MRI's are the best means of diagnosing, and also spinal tap,but you must have one to where you can lie flat for several hours afterward....spinal headaches are no fun
Also,although doctors disagree that MS is "easy to diagnose" I have friends who have waited several years to get the diagnosis.  You mentioned 3 children and a "class" your life maybe a bit too full also???
I will pray that you will have answers soon.  It is so hard , waiting and wondering .  I mean, they figure it all out in 1 hr on television, right?  :o)

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
I can understand your discomfort. Your symptoms resemble those of Multiple sclerosis. It is a demyelinating disease that affects the nerves of brain and spinal cord leading to muscle weakness and stiffness, brain fog, lightheadedness, vertigo, speech and swallowing difficulties and many others. Please consult a neurologist and go for MRI of the brain and spine and lumbar puncture for diagnosis. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!