Still battling the unknown

[bucks1]

I was a very active 67 yr old female.  On Oct 30, 2010 I awoke and tried to get out of bed and became very dizzy. After a few moments the dizziness past and I went on with my day.  I have not been dizzy since.  On 11/19/11 I took an musinex DM xstrength and several hours after taking the pill I went to the ER with very strange symptoms.  The ER thought it was a reaction to meds.  Since that time I have spent 5 days int he hosptial and still have no answers what is wrong with me.  I have been tested for diabetes(do not have), my throid was test (normal), No MS, No mini strokes, No epilepsy, had a normal EEG, MRI/MRA, ultrasound of my cardiotic arteries, stress test, CT scan, Bone scan and tons of blood work.  This is not menapause - I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago.  I have been retired for 5 years. I eat healthy and was walking 3 times a week and the other 2 days I worked out at Curves.  I have never been dizzy and I am not depressed.  I have been to see a neuro who had no answers for me.

It began with strange sensations in my head which traveled through my body, I am chilled, I have weakness in my arms and legs,  When i read or watch TV the symptoms in my head begin.  I have severe ringing in my ears.  I am exhausted.

I was treated for EBV and I was feeling better and now I am feeling just as bad as I did when I was admitted into the hosptial.  

I now have a pain in my neck that travels to the middle of my head.  It does not bother as much during the day but it makes sleep impossible.

I need some answers - I am beginning to lose my mind.

I do have an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic next Tues but I am afraid he is going to tell me that there is nothing wrong w/ me and I have to live with they problems and I am not sure I can do that.  I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!

HELP!!

[alsky]

look into  chronic fatigue syndrome

[bucks1]

ok, been awhile since I have posted but I have had to wait to see the ENT and urologist.  My ears still ring but I have been told that I do not have an inner ear infection or problem. Also, bladder, kidneys are fine.  I have been put back on a hormonal creme and told that my reoccuring UTI's are not part of my symptoms.

I have been feeling better but every time I read the symptoms begin and I still have an ache in the back of head and neck.  Thinking of seeing an optomoligist just to make sure there is not something going on beyond what the eye doct can see.  

Not sure what else to try - ideas?

[bbxx]

Along with all the other suggestions I would also research cipros side effects--and I dont mean the list they give the patients. Look up neurological ones. Just another option.

[bucks1]

I had an EEG done and it was normal.  I was told by another neuro that I was not having seizures.  During my assessment with the neuro at CC I explained all my symptoms to him.  He is having me tested for miagraines and inner ear.  Should I call and ask about these complex partial seizures?

Thanks so much for all of your help!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi! If you stare into space, then possibility of complex partial seizures should be looked into. EEG of brain should be done. Please discuss with your treating doctor. Take care!

[bucks1]

He prescribed Nortriptylene, which I got filled last night.  Will let you know if that helps too.

[Londres70]

In my opinion, it sounds like a possible problem with your inner ear.  Hopefully, the ENT Specialist will do vestibular testing, etc. to rule that possibility.  The constant UTIs is definitely another situation.  

May I ask what meds you're taking to "increase the serontonin?"

This doctor from CC sounds like he's got you going in the right direction.  

[bucks1]

went to CC today. wonderful doct.  I am scheduling an appt with ENT and urologist for my UTI and he also has me on meds to increase my seritona.  

Crossing my fingers we are on the right track and I can get my life back :)

[bucks1]

ALSO FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN MY BODY STARTS TO BEGIN THESE SYMPTOMS THAT I STARE INTO SPACE AND THEN THE SENSATIONS BEGIN.  MY HUSBAND ALWAYS KNOWS WHEN THE SYMPTOMS ARE GOING TO BEGIN BECAUSE HE HAS OBSERVED ME.  

AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELAVENT OR NOT ANY INFORMATION IS APPRECIATED.

[bucks1]

forgot to mention that I wake everyday w/ dry mouth.  Not sure if this means anything but I am trying to list all of my symptoms

[bucks1]

Had another very bad day.  I actually slept which is unusual because I have not slept an entire night since 1/1/11.  But I woke feeling the swirling sensations in my head began and I can actual feel this sensation moving thru my body.  My ears ring and burn, my chest tightens but there is no pain (it feels like a pulse point because I feel my heart pound) my arms and legs are very weak and I don't have the strength to talk.  

This lasted about 2 hours - then I become very chilled and I will shake - then I am feeling better but I am weak and then I can function.

I have been taking cipro for my UTI and my GP asked that I not take the meds for EBV until today after I am done taking the meds for the UTI.  

I have decided not to begin the meds because any time I take medication now, including aspirin or tylenal, my body reacts to it.  It never did before 11/19/10 when all of this began.  

My appt at the CC is today - I am seeing Dr Getter a neuro. I am hopeful we find out what is going on w/ me.  

I have never experienced any of these symptoms until 11/19/10.

[bucks1]

Thank you so much for your response.  Any time I mention my ears I have been told that it is a symptom and not the cause of my symptoms.  I need help. I cannot sleep.  Any time I try to lay on my side my ears just ring and my head sensations start.  I try to sleep on my back and then my neck and head start to ache.  

I do plan to have my estrogen etc checked as that approach to my symptoms has not explored.

[bucks1]

THE MRI/MRA SHOWED THAT MY SINUS AND EAR CANALS WERE ALL OPEN AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF INFECTION OR PROBLEM.  WHEN I MENTION MY EARS THE NEURO AND GP ALL STATE THAT MY EARS ARE SYPTOM AND NOT THE CAUSE OF MY SYMPTOMS.

ANY SUGGESTIONS TO GET SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY EARS?

[liyswanl]

middle ear infections can cause that kind of dizziness

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Consult an ENT to rule out ear related causes. Blood pressure monitoring, tilt table test, EKG, heart echo, ambulatory blood pressure recording are all required to rule out postural hypotension. Get FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone level checked, especially since you had hysterectomy about 5 yrs back. Get adrenal gland function assessed. Rest everything has probably been looked into such as cervical nerve compression, anemia, diabetes, thyroid, hypoglycemia etc. Take care!

[bucks1]

Forgot to mention that I constantly battle a UTI and have been prescribed Cipro.  I only take it when the UTI is really bad and it is really bad right now.  The last time I had the UTI was right after Thanksgiving.

Not sure if the UTI has anything else to do w/ my symptoms or if it is possibly a side effect from the antibotics.  I am only on the meds until the UTI is gone but I always have them on hand.

Any info is greatly appreciated.