Neurological Disorder

Hi,

I was hoping to put my episodes behind me as the medicine Keppra seemed to make the symptoms go away. But I went to the gym last week and again went into a near fainting experience. My husband was with me and by massaging my feet and back I start reviving. Before he begins the massage,
I feel this strange feeling coming on for about 5 minutes. I get a strange taste in my mouth, tingling in my legs and arms, and I see a round light. Then I can't move for about 5 or10 minutes and get a really bad headache. I am tired for the rest of the day. Luckily I get advanced warning before the attacks so I don't fall down and get hurt.

I am getting a 24 hour EEG in 2 weeks and wonder if they'll find I have some horrible neurological disease. It's really frightening. Right now I feel fatigued and am trying not to exert myself too much

If anyone reads this an has similar symptoms please write.

Thanks,
Beth

Partial Simple Seizures

I have been taking the anti-seizure drug Keppra for 1 week and have not had any episodes. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Beth

Seizure Disorder

Well, I am still not well but there is some hope. I went to the neurologist for an EEG and there was some "suspicious" activity. The doctor suggested a 24 hour EEG to see if he would discover anything further. In the meantime I am on an anti-seizure drug Keppra.

I have done more research and think my symptoms are indicative of partial simple seizures.
I even read about a disorder called abodominal epilepsy that might just be it. Whoever thought I would hope I have epilepsy? But at least there is medication that controls it and people would not think it is just psychosymatic.

Is Caffine a Trigger?

I have stopped drinking coffee in the morning which has helped somewhat. I still take florinef twice a day and am drinking a lot of fluids. I have had one episode this week while I was alone in the house and one last week where I went to the hospital yet again.

They do nothing but give me blood tests in the hospital but I end up going because it really feels like I am dying.

I had a brain scan this week to see if it is seizures and I'll know by Thursday. I got the results of my sonogram from the gastrointestinologist and it said I have a fatty liver, I don't drink except for wine when I go to a restaurant and I have stopped drinking even that since August.

In January, I go to an electrophysiologist to test the electrical firing of my heart.

Life is indeed a mystery.

Beth

Is this a vicious cycle?

I went to a new cardiologist on Monday whon said that my symptoms were vaso-vagal but that the tingling was not. He hypothosized that maybe I was hyperventilating which caused the tingling and felt my symptoms were stress related. He also told me to take fluronef twice a day instead of just once and also prescribed a new medication which constricts blood vessels.

At first I felt defensive that he was suggesting that my illness might be psychosomatic but on further reflextion, I realized how frightened I am of having these episodes, so maybe I am making them worse by focusing in my symptoms.

I took the new medicine on Monday afternoon and it made me feel really lousy. My husband convinced me yo stop taking it. However, I did double the dosage of fluronef to .2mg. Tuesday morning I took the medicine and felt alright but really scared of recurring symptoms so I called my daughter to take my mind off it. It seemed to do the trick and I was able to shopping by myself later in the day. Again I was nervous and kept trying to relax. Today , I am feeling good and went to get a pedicure. No problem, but I am still skittish. I plan to go food shopping again later but am eating and drinking plenty of fluids first. I also am eating high salt foods like pretzels as recommended by all the doctors I have seen so far.

Between the medicine, change in diet, and relaxation techniques there might still be a life after vaso-vagal syncope.

Beth

Mornings are the Worst

I wake up feeling fine but around 9:00 I start feeling ill. I feel tingly and walking around seems to help somewhat.. My huband rubs my legs and I seem to recover. It recurs over a few hours and by 1:00 I seem to feel normal.

Friday, I went to an internist, who had no answers, but referred me to another cardiologist for further testing. The mystery continues.

Beth

Still a Mystery

I am taking a new medicine. In fact I am taking two new medicines- one for my stomach and one to raise my blood pressure. Are they working? I'm not sure but my heartburn is gone.
I felt slightly ill yesterday. The symptoms typically begin in the morning, so I' m not sure about today.

My daughter scheduled an appointment with an internist for today. I'm not even 60 and my children seem to be taking over. She believes that none of the specialists will be able to uncover the mystery. I hope someone finds out soon. It has been three months of illness.

Beth