Fainting, seizures, vomiting - help!

by Mimilly 19 Replies latest social physical

• 

  Scully

  Mimilly

  You may not have received the e-mail I sent you early this morning, so I'll paraphrase....

  Seizures accompanied by vomiting are an indication of elevated intracranial pressure. I agree with the folks here who recommended a referral to a neurologist ASAP. She needs to have a complete neurological workup, including CT scan, EEG, and possibly an MRI. Fainting is never "normal", especially not when accompanied by seizures and vomiting.

  There was a case in the Ottawa area recently of a young woman who had a tongue piercing a few months prior, and ended up with an abcess in her brain and bacterial encephalitis. The tongue is very vascular and the piercing allowed normal bacteria from her oral cavity to find their way to the brain - where the bacteria are 'abnormal' and dangerous - by way of the bloodstream. The initial symptoms were similar to your daughter's. I don't know if this is a possibility in your daughter's case, but if it is, do keep it in mind.

  Love, Scully
• 

  Jewel

  I agree-a neurologist ASAP. My family has a history of intracranial aneurysms. My brother had one that burst at which point the drs. decided it WAS hereditary (my father died of one.)

  Anyway, I was scheduled for an MRI pretty promptly, but the dr. told me to watch for dizzyness, vomiting, sudden head pain, or "black outs"

  My brother had emergency surgery and is, amazingly, fine. My MRI was negative (my husband says they checked my brain and didn't find anything.) But-nothing to mess with-don't let them put you off.

  Jewel
• 

  Xander

  Jewel and Scully seem to be on track with what I was thinking.

  Seizures accompanied by vomitting is suspicious. But, the numbness and clammy sweat? Sounds REALLY, REALLY like something in the nervous system.

  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

  I want to thank all of you for your concern and your ideas and experiences. I will be keeping a close eye on my daughter and will insist that she see a neurologist.

  I'll keep you all posted. (my worry is that it takes so bloody long to see a specialist)

  hugs to you all,
  Mimilly

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

  Martin Luther King
• 

  FriendlyFellaAL

  Mimilly,

  I was sitting here at my desk and thinking about you and your daughter this morning. Did you guys make it to that doctor's appointment yesterday? Hope everything is going well.

  Brian
• 

  cellomould

  Hi Mimilly,

  I am no doctor, but having maintained a pediatric cardiology database for three years, I know that a good deal of young adults have never been diagnosed with cardiac defects that are congenital. A couple of the tests that can be done are the echocardiogram (or ECHO...a stress ECHO would be especially useful.) and cath (using fluoroscopy). The first is non-invasive.

  If you see a cardiologist first, this doctor will be able to make the proper referrals to neurology, etc, as necessary. I am not sure that the converse would be as reliable.

  The fainting spells may be syncope. Cardiologists will know what cardiac and non-cardiac causes may be responsible.

  syncope
  Pronunciation: 'si[ng]-k&-(")pE, 'sin-
  Function: noun
  Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek synkopE, literally, cutting short, from synkoptein to cut short, from syn- + koptein to cut -- more at CAPON
  Date: circa 1550
  1 : loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain : FAINT

  http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

  Merriam Webster's online

  By the way, you live in Canada, don't you? So I guess I don't need to tell you how much these procedures cost. Let us know what happens, and good luck!

  cellomould
• 

  QUEENIE

  I also have seizures and see a neurologist because of my stroke in 96...I see a shrink and on mood swing meds due to being a JW for 40 years...quiet a few posters have made light of the fact that I must also take seizure meds / Ido not see it is funny at all NOT even when JWs have this physical problem...BUT then what can I expect out of abusive JWs anyway!!!! QUEENIE and Family
• 

  Wendy

  Hey Mimilly

  I have been wondering about her, thanks for the update. As I told you via email, i suspected hypoglycemia as well. The doctor is giving you this diagnosis, because it is the most obvious. With the gently pushing from you, the neuroligist is a good second avenue to take. Has she kept a diary of her food intake yet? This would be the best thing to do now, I know it is hard to do, but well worth it.

  ((((Hugs to you))))

  wendy
• 

  Georgiegirll

  Hey M

  Like my fellow post ee, I too have seizures. I have not had one in 4 yrs. Oddly enough after I left an abusive marriage, they seemed to disappear! Hmmmm. I do know that stress, sleep deprivation, alcohol, diet, among other things can trigger one. My seizures began in my late 20's and I would go years before having another one with or without medications. I decided with my neurologist to try going off meds since my life situations have changed to test my theory. That was 4 yrs ago. I have not had 1. Often a panic attack will simulate the early signs of a seizure or at least that's how it felt to me. I agree that she should see a neurologist and she should also evaluate what she can do to avoid things that can trigger one. My personal favorate was the good ole disco strobe light! I make sure I also get plenty of sleep. When I found the "internet" I was up for many many late hours and there I would sit having a grand mal seizure shortly after. Keep searching for Dr's as well as having her become active in her own health. I had one time a Dr refer to me as a psych case. The nurse said should we NOT intibate her then? I didn't know people could "fake" turning blue!........silly Dr! Even if it's not seizure, she needs medical attention and don't go back to the same Dr that goofed the 1st time.

  Jaynie
• 

  Mimilly

  As an update, Beth's bloodwork (quite extensive) has come back normal. She hasn't had any more of these episodes to date, but will still see a neurologist. She's eating better now, which is an improvment. Now if only I could get her to stop smoking...... oh well.

  Thank you all for your caring and ideas.

  hugs, Mimilly