medical mystery
 

Hi,

I've been having trouble getting diagnosed over the past 6 months. In January I started having episodes of dizziness and muscle weakness. It got so bad that my co-workers sent me home in a livery cab. I went to see a Neurologist who sent me to the ER. They ran tons of tests and found nothing. The Neuro did an MRI and found an opacified right sinus and 2 herniated discs. Did PT for the discs and antibiotics for the sinus. Since then I have seen that Neurologist, an Infectious Disease Dr., my new PCP who is an Oncologist/Hematologist as well, an ENT, a Rheumatologist, an Opthalmologist, my Gynocologist, a Psychiatrist and 2 Physiatrists. I've have 4 MRIs, a sleep deprived EEG, a pelvic sonogram, about 12 roudns of blood test and a CT Scan. The only thing that keeps coming out not normal is the right sinus opacification. Both Physiatrists agree that the herniation isn't severe enough to be causing my muscle weakness. The ENT and my PCP and my dentist (DMD) agree the sinus thing would not cause the dizziness, muscle weakness or the other neurological symptoms that have appeared in the meantims (short term memory problems, slurred speech, uncoordination, balance issues, trouble with small motor function (buttons, typing, dialing the phone). I've been on another round of antibiotics and steroids since then to no avail. My ENT and PCP want to surgically remove the sinus blockage and do some exploratory including taking a brain fluid sample so they will have stuff to run cultures and biopsies on. My PCP is also sending me to a new Neuro and my old Neuro sent me to a Cardiologist who I will see next week. Anybody recognze my symptoms or have any advice or comments?

Hi dizzy and Welcome to NeuroTalk. WOW, you have definitely been through the medical wringer. I'm sorry, but I just don't have any answers for you, as by your sx's, it could be alot of things.

Sadly, you may have to wait till the Dr's are done w/their testing, but demand answers. Are you taking any meds that could be causing problems? I just went through a bout w/vertigo and I thought I would lose my mind. *no comments*

I am glad you found us though, as you'll find NT to be an amazing, friendly place.
http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...mzfgbailft.gif

Welcome dizzie lizzy! What a fun username. Sorry that it actually describes your symptoms. :(

I hope someone can shed light on your questions and help you out. Very strange indeed.

Glad you found us! :Wave-Hello:

I have 3 herniated discs in my neck C5-6-7 It started out with server dizzieness episodes which would pass in 3-20 minutes. I have been living with it since 2002. Then I noticed my left pupil slightly larger than the right. They had a awnser for that too, the discs were pushing that way. Now over the past 6 months I have had mild confusion, slur a word here or there and a sharky feeling inside now the rightr pupil is larger than the left :confused: But everything seems to originate in my head/neck. If I lay down I feel better. However i HAVE BEEN TOLD WHEN A DISC IS HERNATED YOU HAVE TROUBLE FROM THAT POINT DOWN YOUR BODY, NOT UP. Well I guess I am the rare exception, dizzy is in your head, slurred words I assume come from your brain. So your not alone. I have been dealing with this for a long time and now with new symptoms after 4 neurologist I am looking for #5. They also told me to see a shrink, which I did. But suddenly changed thier minds when my pupils changed.
Well your not alone, ever need to talk. I am here:hug:

Hi dizzy!
 

I too have been a medical mystery since 1993. Was actually diagnosed with Systemic lupus but have a rare neuropathy that the doctor's can't seem to figure out what is going on. Just a miserable person here because they can't seem to figure out my problem.
The back though can do some really strange things though and I just recently had back surgery on 3 lower disk and may have to get 3 upper disk repaired. The surgery for me went well. My neurologist also told me that I did not need surgery on my disk and I later after suffering for two years decided to see an Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in the back. Actually went to two. One said I did not need surgery and the other one actually took the time to further investigate it. They did a CT Mylegram on my spine and found compressed nerves. So they did the surgery. Since that surgery things improved there but I have also an auto immune disorder that is not being diagnosed and am getting eat up with nerve damage. You may want to try and see the Orthopedic back specialist and request the CT Mylegram. Your answer might be there. They did MRI's CT Scans, Labs.. same like you and found nothing. The CT Mylegram actually showed an answer! Wishing you my best!:hug:

[QUOTE=DM;305789]Hi dizzy and Welcome to NeuroTalk. WOW, you have definitely been through the medical wringer. I'm sorry, but I just don't have any answers for you, as by your sx's, it could be alot of things.

Sadly, you may have to wait till the Dr's are done w/their testing, but demand answers. Are you taking any meds that could be causing problems? I just went through a bout w/vertigo and I thought I would lose my mind. *no comments*

I am glad you found us though, as you'll find NT to be an amazing, friendly place.

Thanks for your support. No meds. The only thing I am on since this happened is Meclizine (an antihistamine) for when the dizziness gets really bad so I don't fall down or hit things.

Thanks for the welcome. It's nice to be around nice people. :-)

Thanks I appreciate it. Sorry you're sick too.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind but I really don't think my discs are causing my other problems but rather the other way around. On Sunday I got really weak all of a sudden and realized that my neck hurt b/c the muscles weren't holding it up. I put my collar on and felt some relief. I knew I was ready to stand up when I noticed my head not resting on the collar anymore.

Update
 

Soooooooo....I am officially frustrated!:Bang-Head:

I went to the Cardiologist who is very nice and took me seriously. He did an EKG which is normal and ordered an ECG the results of which I will get today by phone. He also wants me to wear a halter.

Then I went to see another Neuro b/c all of my other Drs keep saying it's a Neuro problem and I need a 2nd opinion. That was fine with me since the last time I saw her she sent me to the Psychiatrist under suspicion of depression. Which Mind you I feel like I would have every right to BE if I actually were, but I am not. So I go in and for once I am actually having symptoms. I walk in and the office asst. can tell that I am "just not there". By the time we are walking to the exam room my leg weakness if visible. He asks why I am walking that way. Why do they ask that? Isn't the answer "b/c I can't walk any other way?" :mad: So he wont look at the CD of the MRIs and CT Scan that I brought at all and insists that the report is enough. But what if the person who wrote the report made a mistake!?!? Nobody will double check. After listening and examining (briefly) and looking through ALL of my paperwork (including my spreadsheet of my daily condition with all of the dr visits, tests, results and everything organized in one place) and after grilling me over and over on the various symptoms of depression ( even though the Psychiatrist has already SAID I am not depressed and my illness is not derived from my psyche) he suggests that I take.... drum roll please... Prozak!:eek:

I am so at the end of my rope that I don't even want to talk to another Dr. Any one who can relate? Any suggestions?