Fainting, seizures, vomiting - help!

by Mimilly 19 Replies latest social physical

  • Mimilly
    Mimilly

    My oldest daughter, Beth, had her second episode yesterday and I'm now officially worried and am looking for someone in the medical community or someone who recognizes these symptoms.

    Her very first seizure was a febrile seizure, due to a high temp when she was a year old. I doubt this has anything to do with the present stuff.

    A few months ago, she fainted at work and seizured on the stairs, was taken by ambulance to the ER. She came home looking beat up from banging her head on the stairs, with a mild concussion.

    Yesterday, when she went to get on the bus, she felt it coming on again, and while she was able to somehow ward of the 'seizure', she blacked out before she could pay her fare. Another rider helped her to her feet, where she said she could barely see anything,barely feel anything (prickles) and see only the floor in front of her and she sat down, feeling very queasy. She proceeded to throw up. After vomitting, she felt better. It left as fast as it came. Also, she broke out in a huge cold sweat. She has also been having chest pains.

    The family doc originally said she was a natural fainter. I don't believe this. I have seen and been in contact with fainters. They do not seizure or throw up like this. I believe it's a cardiac problem.

    I have made an appointment for Monday and am going to demand that she go for a barrage of tests. Does anyone recognize these symptoms and signs? If so, what tests do you know were taken for diagnosis, and what was the diagnosis in whoever it is you know?

    Your assistance and ideas are greatly appreciated in this.

    Thank you,
    Mimilly/Salem

  • ZazuWitts
    ZazuWitts

    Mimilly,

    Sorry, I don't have any answers for you. Just wanted you to know I share your concern. (((Hugs))) to you and Beth.

    I'm glad you are going to insist on further investigation, surely there is some clinical reason behind her latest incident.

  • Angharad
    Angharad

    Hi Mimilly

    I've no suggestions either but and agree I dont think it sounds like something that can be brushed off as fainting. You should definately demand more tests.

    Hope everything works out for you and Beth.

  • patio34
    patio34

    Hi Salem,

    Just wanted to add my concern for you and Beth. Keep us informed of what is diagnosed, okay? That is if you have time.

    Best regards,
    Pat

  • Kismet
    Kismet

    Mimilly:

    I am sorry to hear about your daughter. There wasn't enough information provided in your post and it is difficult to determine without an examination.

    However these sites:

    . http://www.medtronic.com/reveal/seizures/cause.html
    . http://www.medtronic.com/reveal/seizures/eval.html

    should be able to help you determine some of the other causes. You know her best and something there may help you determine a potential cause.

    Regardless, I would definitely be getting a second or third opinion on it. Just being a fainter doesn't wash IMO.

    Good luck and best wishes.

    Kismet

    PS - we'll have to compare notes one day about your EMT days

  • teenyuck
    teenyuck

    Mimilly,

    I have epilepsy....I too have seizures.

    She needs to see a neurologist. A neurologist is trained to recognize the signs of epilepsy...there are many forms and the names have changed over the years to make it sound less forboding.

    The Epilepsy Foundation, at http://www.efa.org/, can help you find answers.

    If left untreated by seizure meds, your daughter is at serious risk. Uncontrolled seizures can lead to death.

    PLEASE look at the Epilepsy foundation website and get an emergency appointment with a neurologist. The EFA, above, can help you locate a neurologist in your area. If a referral is required by insurance, demand that your daughters primary care doctor give you one. If he refuses and she is determined to have epilepsy, it is MALPRACTICE.

    I had my first seizure 15 years ago. My husband somehow roused me and took me to the emergency room...they said I had a bad dream...go home.

    1 hour later I had three grand-mal seizures in a row. He called the paramedics who saved my life. They took me to the same ER and the same doc said "Oh, perhaps she IS having seizures." One week later they decided that there is no known cause for my adult onset epilepsy. No tumor, no anuerism, nothing.

    I have been on meds for the last 15 years. However, I am alive.

    Please get her help.
    Regards,
    Tina

  • teenyuck
    teenyuck

    As a secondary post....I have to say that going back to the same primary care doc who said she is a 'fainter' is troublesome.

    Fainting is rare. Much less rare is losing conscienceness due do a seizure.

    She should be on seizure meds immediately.

  • Mimilly
    Mimilly

    Puffs... I'm not sure it's epilepsy. That she has chest pains, breaks into a clammy sweat, and vomits - leads me to believe this is something else. I certainly will not rule out epilepsy - but the research I've done so far indicates something cardiac that is interferring with her circulation. There are many causes for a seizure - even migraines. It is the other symptoms and signs that are bothering me, like feeling numbness, chest pain, clammy sweat and vomitting. The reason I'm taking her to our family doc is that the doc knows I have EMT training and will order the tests. I can get into see her quickly, whereas with a new doc it will take some time. I'm very pushy when it comes to caring for my girls. Beth will see specialists until we find out what's going on. The top on my list are cardiac and like you mentioned, neurologist.

    Thanks to all of you for your concern, and Puffs - let me know if you experience any of these other things I've mentioned, since you have epilepsy.

    hugs,
    Mimilly

    Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent, about things that matter.
    Martin Luther King

  • Xander
    Xander

    she was a natural fainter

    !! And what, pray tell, is that exact medical term for this condition?

    I have epilepsy....I too have seizures.
    She needs to see a neurologist

    That's exactly what I thought. Have her see a neuroligist.

    That she has chest pains, breaks into a clammy sweat, and vomits

    Hmmm...maybe...

    The symptoms also seem similar to what various poisons cause. Kinda weird, but...?? Is the house being worked on, such that there would be unusual new chemicals laying around? Eat any seafood lately?

    Anything that would be classified as a neurotoxin would have pretty much those exact symptoms.

    Xander F
    (Unseen Apostate Directorate of North America - Ohio order)

    A fanatic is one who, upon losing sight of his goals, redoubles his efforts.
    --George Santayana

  • Mimilly
    Mimilly

    Actually, there are 'natural fainters', although that is not what I would diagnose them as. Think of those who pass out at the sight of blood. Let's face it - there are lots of reasons from biological to chemical - phychological for passing out.

    However, after yesterday, I am conviced beyond a reasonable doubt that this is NOT the case, and doubted it to begin with.

    No, there's no renovations going on. She smokes, and that can't be helping. But even when she just sits, her legs will go numb even though she is a very active girl. So you can see why I'm thinking towards circulation.

    keep the ideas coming... I sincerely appreciate them,
    Mimilly

    Our lives begin to end, the day we become silent, about things that matter.
    Martin Luther King

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