undiagnosed and worried
 

Hi everyone!

I posted an introduction in the New Member Intro spot, but thought I'd come in here and share my story too. Maybe someone here can offer some insight.

Last week I went to the hospital after experiencing weird bright spots in my right eye. While I was waiting in the room for the doctor, my right side went completely numb - right down to my tongue. My words were coming out all mixed up, and my heart was racing.

They thought I was having a stroke. They performed a CT scan and did blood work - all good.

The next day I had to go back - I experienced numbness in my left cheek and left arm. Not as bad as the day before, but bad enough to freak me out.

Since then, I've been feeling tingly numbness in my hands on and off. I'm going for an EEG this Friday, and have an appointment for an MRI in a few months.

One of my doctors thinks I had a seizure. Another thinks it could be a type of complex migraine, enough though I didn't have any headache - just neck stiffness. That same doctor also mentioned MS as a possibility.

I'm in great health - 27 years old, physically active. I have three small kids, and that's what worries me about this most. My youngest is only 15 months old, and I'm really freaking out about what this could all mean for our family.

My mother thinks it is anxiety related. Both my mom and my brother suffer from strong anxiety attacks. I don't feel that it is, but I guess you never know. We have two distant relatives (a great aunt and a second cousin) who had epilepsy and fever induced seizures. No history of stroke, just heart attacks and cancer.

Waiting is hard - this community looks like a great place to meet people who can relate! :hug:

Hi Nodyma, :welcome_sign:

FWIW, migraine does not always involve a headache. This is sometimes called/referred to as "silent migraine".

Google: migraine without headache
Google: silent migraine

Whatever happened, they'll likely put you through a battery (ordeal) of tests, in order of likelihood, in order to rule things out.

In order to help the doctors help you (and something to do while you're waiting), start a journal. Record everything - symptoms, times, durations, triggers (if known/suspected - e.g. what you were doing just prior to the onset of anything) pain levels & descriptions (if applicable), anything that alleviates the symptoms.... Anything & everything you can think of. Even if it's unrelated, it can be deleted later, but better to have too much information than not enough. There are lists of adjectives for people with pain symptoms; you may need to find lists of adjectives to help describe your symptoms, whatever they are. Points for accuracy and objectivity. ;)

At the same time, try not to become obsessed or a hypochondriac. You may need to become a detective, but not make yourself crazy/worse while doing it. Hopefully, it may just be a one-off or, as you mentioned, anxiety.

Best wishes,

Doc

Hi
I read your post and yes this is a GREAT place to sit and wiat. it is horrible to go through what you are going through and the peole here can be very, very, very, helpful and understanding. It can bring you up just a little on those days that feel like you can't handle one more tiny staw - then it happens - "the staw that broke the camels back!" The people here are VERY knowledgable (not me) and that helps alot to. So many doctors give contrary information, it gets confusing and frustrating. I don't know anything about your condition - but I know about that difficulty in waiting to find out. just hold on tight, and come here to talk and learn. You will find it will help some.
Smiles and hugs, Blaine

Dr. Smith,

Thank you for the warm welcome. I have done some research on silent migraines, and many of the symptoms do sound the same as what I'm experiencing. The only thing that's making me think otherwise is that the symptoms have been lingering - not nearly as strong - for the last near week.

The journal is a really good idea, and I'm going to start keeping one now. Thank you so much for that recommendation.

I'm trying not to get too worked up about all of this - if I didn't have anxiety before, I'm definitely experiencing it to some degree now (though it isn't debilitating - more concern, I guess). I think I'll rest a little easier after Friday (the day of the EEG), but am aware that it could take a long time for some answers. I'm trying to lay low on the google - I think a person could really drive themselves crazy searching every possibility. I guess it's a fine line between being informed and worrying yourself sick, eh?

Thanks again for your response! :)

Thanks so much, Blaine. It's really reassuring to know that others are out there who've been here too. :hug:

Dr Smith is right - relying on Dr Google is a bad idea! :eek:

:eek: is right! Some of the things I found so far were really, really scary!

I want to be informed going to meet the docs, but I think until some of these tests are done, I'm going to try to stay away from the information cesspool that is google.

Does anyone know how EEG results are processed? Do you get the results immediately from the tech, or do they go to your doctor who then gives you the (hopefully good) news? I'm in Canada - not sure if that makes any difference.