Neuro questions? Please help...
 

My 46 year old mother awoke from her sleep last night mumbling and c/o pain on the left side of her face, numbness that started behind her left eye and went all the way to her left foot. She has been experiencing what she describes as "vertigo" spells (dizzy) but they do not last as long maybe 5 -10 seconds each but are reoccuring more frequently now. She c/o weakness, fatique and is sore on the entire left side of her body. She had a EKG & MRI done today both were normal. (MS & Stroke have been ruled out)
She also had labs drawn (TSH, CBC/diff, CMP, Insulin Blood, Sed. Rate) all of which were normal as well. She is on NO daily medications except for Tylenol as needed. She has been referred to a local Neurologists, any idea of what this could possibly be???

She does however drink several diet drinks & has for over 10 years. I have read that Aspartame can cause problems like this any suggestions??

Response to Cheese Grl
 

I thank God that your mother did not have a stroke, as I thought surely that's what you were going to say, as I read your opening remarks! My thoughts will be with you and your mother as you try and sort through the medical system for a dx. The neurologist should be able to advise you. You must have a medical background, and I can see that you will be a real help to your mother. I wish I could offer more substantive input as to what the problem might be. I have heard that Aspartame can be harmful but had never taken the time to learn any particulars. Don't they make some Spenda-based soft drinks now, such as Coke Zero, [?] that she might switch to? I should think that even fruit juice or sugars would be preferable if this problem HAS developed secondary to Aspartame, but I find it incredible that something still on the market has led to the type and severity of symptoms that your mother has. Please keep us updated on developments, and I feel that the expertise available in this forum will be of help and support to you. billie :grouphug:

Welcome to NT

My mom has had a stroke, with left-sided paralysis. She don't have pain, thank God, and never has had a lot of pain on that side from the stroke. she has numbness and tingling.

It's comforting to know she has all those "normals." That's the good news.

A good neurologist should give you the correct dx.

I'm thinking it could be bulges or herniations in her cervical spine, but you said her MRI was normal. (MRIs are a definitive diagnostic tool, but not 100 percent - they do micro slicing - not every inch of the neck. There's also mylograms that show more details)

Although bulges or herniations could cause her to be out of whack and be a little dizzy, that could be positional vertigo, meniere's disease or equalibrium problems (inner ear). she can have more than one dx. I have had pain behind my right eye from my neck injuries. I would have headaches on that side pretty bad. I also think my neck was causing a lot of my back pain, because the cervical epidurals X3 helped my back, a lot. I also had pain from the top of my head to my foot, on the right side... and when I would walk on concrete, I could feel the unpleasant impact of my foot to the top of my head. I also think my scalenes are causing some lack of oxygen to the brain issues. Not confirmed by a doctor, but when I drive too far and upset my arms and scalenes, I can't think straight that evening.

Did she have a brain MRI or myelogram yet. There could be some kind of occlusion some way that could cause all that.

It was also suspected that I might have unilateral MS (one-sided), which can happen, but my problems were caused by an auto accident.

Just my thoughts...

Keep us posted.

hi
in jan of this year ,i had symptoms simular to hers,,i had drank diet sodas for 15 years,,,i had terrible headaches and nerve issues,,i had a mri,and cat scans and was ruled out for MS,all bloodwork came back normal,,,,It was the aapartame,and it is the worst thing to withdrawel from,,,it took me 2 and a half months to get it out of my system,,google it and read up on it,,,some people can get relief in 2 to 4 weeks,,but i was drinking about 10 cans a day,,i was a sports player,,,,i feel confident,,this is whats going on,,,read about it on the internet,,,the down side is the withdrawel is long,,but its worth it,,,good luck,,i had a lot of dr;s that couldnt figure it out,,,,,,,,but its sounds like it to ,,,get her off that stuff,and encourage here that headaches are normal and tingling,,anf ringing of the ears,,nerve tremors,ect,ect,,google it,,,,pm ,me if you want,,and ill give you my cell number,,,,,,,,,,,,bobber

These may be longshots because I wouldn't expect the onset to be so sudden as in this case, but do have them check a B12 level on her (also methylmalonic acid and homocystiene... an elevation of either suggests B12 deficiency even with normal B12 levels). Low B12 (anything under 400 despite lab lows set at 150) can cause many neurological symptoms including what you describe. In rereading I see the vertigo/ dizzy spells have been coming on over a period of time... so do check this out. Had she been sleeping on her left side, do you know? When I was B12 deficient, I woke to half body numbess frequently...I couldn't move. I think I've seen this termed "pressure palsy"~ a type of neuropathy.

Here are symptoms I had~ have her read through them... some were mild and more of a nuisance, but if she sees additional symptoms that she's experienced definitely look this direction.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...ciencysymptoms
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/b12deficiency


For that matter, gluten sensitivity/celiac disease can cause neurological symptoms, too. Is there any family history of other autoimmune diseases? Does she have any gastrointestinal symptoms (gluten can effect nerves without GI problems, too, but GI problems are common in celiac disease). If so, more reason to look this way. There is a lot more in the gluten file linked at my signature about the diagnostics of this condition.
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com...ationsofgluten

Has she been tested for Lyme disease?

These are the three things I'm aware of that cause unusual neurological symptoms that stump our doctors.

Glad that the MRI and EKG were normal! Hope she finds answers soon.

P.S. Anyone with neurological mysteries should avoid msg and aspartame... I agree.

A really long shot
 

It's a long shot, but are you sure your Mom hasn't sustained any sort of injury? Sometimes what seems like a simple slip and fall is enough to cause a whiplash that can bruise the spine. For a person with a small canal and natural degeneration, even "sleeping funny" could cause a problem.The contusion can clear before an MRI is done but the damage to the nerves can persist.

In addition to the symptoms you listed, you might want to ask her if she's experiencing a burning sensation at the back of her head. Also check to see if one of her hands is swollen.

I can imagine how stressful the not knowing is. She's lucky to have a daughter like you watching out for her.

Good Luck

http://i489.photobucket.com/albums/r...untryShelf.jpg

Hello cheese girl, and welcome to NeuroTalk! It's so nice of you to do research for your mom's condition.

I have MS, and used to drink diet Coke every day. As soon as I heard about the problems with Aspartame, I quit. I sure don't want anything in my system that's going to cause more problems than I already have!

I wish your mom the best. Please keep us informed.