Neurology forum updates

Neurology Forum

• Hole in the brain?
  by Tania (Posted Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:03 am)
  Thank you for your help. Daniel is taking carbamazepine for some time now. His behavior is more like normal too. The doctor never said he has epilepsy but that he has a condition (the abnormality of the waives in his brain) witch needs to be treated with Tegretol (carbamazepine). He is doing the treatment anyway and the headaches have stoped. Daniel is going for a check up in 2 weeks with his doctor. My sister doesn't have money to go to another doctor. she would have to travel too is well and she also have a daughter 7 years old and she is a lone parent. We just have to put our faith in this doctor and see how it goes. We will let you know of Daniel's progress. Thank you once more. Tania.
  
  

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• Chronic Small Vessel Ischemia
  by fire0023 (Posted Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:18 pm)
  Dr.:
  I just received MRI results of Chronis Small Vessel Ischemia (short history of vaque intermittent throbbing sensation in head for past week or so). Followup vist to DR. next week. Is there any treatment / relief for this. I am a 55 y.o. male w/ hx. of hypertension, high Trygly, cholest, on meds for this. What course of treatment can I expect. Thank you for your time.
  John
  
  

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• i need help for my sweet daughter
  by seckingur (Posted Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:57 pm)
  thank you very much Dear, when our doctor got a developing test for her last month, she was same as the age of the akran of her. NOw she has only problem about her head (she can't hold up her head very well to look at me when i call her over her).and she is sitting for only a few seconds herself. now her age is 8 months old. as parents of her we now see her very brainy.because she knows us and smiles to us and cries when anyone calls her out of the family. and our doctor did not tell us about any diagnosis,only said that we have to wait for her developing. i want you to tell us, are there any probability damage to her brain and her move capability at the future? and must we get her to the any other doctors or what must we do? and are there any tests for her that we have to get for her. Yours sincerely...
  note: when she was born her weight :4.150kgs and now:10 kgs
  
  

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• Being drugged without taking drugs
  by Dawkins (Posted Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:34 am)
  Hello.
  I think this question is related more closely to psychology than neurology, but I don't think it's inappropriate to ask this question here.
  
  While you read this, please remember that I have no understanding of paragraphs.
  
  It's a question I've asked most of my friends, but the answers varied greatly.
  Since my thirteenth birthday, I've been feeling like I'm disconnecting from reality.
  Shortly after my thirteenth birthday, I looked at a white wall in my living room and it was shifting around. One small section was moving around another. The worrying thing is that I feel like I'm getting more and more disconnected as time passes. Since then, many weird perceptual things have happened. I regularly see walls and grounds pulse, dislocate in three-dimensional waves, twist around, and move in wherever I look. This happens with objects as well, but the effects are much stronger with walls and grounds.
  
  A few days ago, I was walking to the subway. On my way, I looked at a the sewer cap (what's the large round metal cap called?) and concrete was melting into the sewers. I then looked at some roofs, and they very nearly seemed to be melting onto houses. The sewer effect happened with all the other sewer caps. The melting of the concrete really reminded me of galaxies. Everything I look at reminds me of the cosmos.
  
  I've always had extreme fascinations with physics (especially astrophysics and theoretical physics) and mathematics. I would daydream many hours every day, thinking of inventing a robotic world, a jet-powered plane, or just daydreaming about numbers. Once I turned 8, I was sent to a place where I didn't see my parents often. I was extremely stressed because I missed my mother. So stressed, in fact, that I cryed many hours every day for most of the year until I was 12. I stopped daydreaming during this time, but a few months after I got out of the place, I started daydreaming again. I'm not sure if this stress has affected me to a relevant degree, but I'll be safe. More recently though, I've been having a very weird, very nebulous life. As I previously stated, Things started melting and moving around. It gets much more weird than that though, because I've also been hearing music the entire time during some movies, thinking the sound in the movie deserved a low rating for being present so frequently, only to find out that music wasn't commonly played in the movie. Sometimes, I hear my mother scream at me, and it's so annoying that I scream very loudly like an idiot. It's very embarrasing when my father's in the house, because most of the time my mother isn't even in the house when I hear her. I can't even stand to hear fast or loud talking, or an accent even slightly similar to my mother's accent.
  
  I don't have a routine. My sleeping schedule is non-existent. sleeping at 6 AM is regular for me. Sleeping at 3 PM is regular for me. Sleeping at 11 PM is regular for me. Sleeping at 11 AM is regular for me. I don't go to school or meet others my age, partly because I absolutely hate other people, and partly because I don't have a routine. Back when I went to school, I missed half the days, and I arrived late most days. My friend got me a calendar, and it's been months since I got it. It's up on my wall and completely unchanged.
  
  My life is somewhat weird when I've recently woken up. However, maybe 15 hours after I've gotten up, I get quite tired. After an hour, I get extremely hot, and then I feel like I'm a different person. I often feel like a genius at this point (though I know that it's blatantly immodest to say that). However, there is some evidence to support that feeling. I can remember so much more than during the daytime. I can remember nearly everything I read. Spatial and numerical problems that take most people many minutes or even hours take me a few seconds to solve. I often have fun with my perceptual twisting. For instance, I sometimes punch the carpet with my hand and a large shockwave that moves along the carpet is created. I can feel like I'm flying around a colossal science-fiction structure away from earth, and I can feel very sad that it isn't reality and that other people can't see the extreme beauty that I see. Also, colours look very vibrant and can merge together. Unnoticeably shiny things become very obviously shiny, and things that I would not have noticed become obvious. Dreams can merge with reality and it's very hard to notice that something was only a dream. During the night, my imagination can get crazy. So many things rocket through my mind, and I can see very creepy and very weird things in my imagination. One of my friends tells me that I live in a world that others could only be in when they smoke a bit of cannabis and take a bit of LSD. Another friend tells me that they think it's related to my intelligence, and another says that it probably has to do with the fact that I haven't been in a socially rich world in a long time.
  
  Also, I can sometimes give myself chills on my back similar to the ones many men get when having sex with a very sexy woman or perhaps even when they see something that is visually amazing. I think many people can have this "chill" feeling when they listen to specific types of music. The difference is, I can do it at will. Just the thought of velvet makes chills of badness race through my body.
  
  I'm still wondering if posting this is a good idea because I really dislike the idea of being told that I just want to be special like all of the teen girls who say they have bipolar disorders.
  
  Please tell me what you think it might be. Why is this happening to me? Should I be worried? I actually find it quite interesting and, for a large part, would like to keep these abilities.
  
  I'm not sure if this helps, but, aside from a few bottles of beer and a few sips of wine, I've never had any drugs. I've never gotten drunk.
  
  Sorry about my poor grammar, I should be getting to bed very soon. I need to be extremely tired to sleep.
  ---
  Daniel
  Nearly 14.8 years old
  
  

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• Temperature changes
  by FeatherMe (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 5:54 pm)
  My forearms and hands and my calves and feet are cold and when I touch the rest of my body it seems like it is on fire. I just took my body temp and it was 96.6! My cold parts don't feel cold until I touch a hot part of my body. In fact, my palms are feeling on fire right now but the hot part of my body is still hotter yet. I don't sweat. I'm not sure that has anything to do with it. Autonomic neuropathy? BP = 92/55 Pulse 58 Many of these symptoms are recent, like within the past month or so. Could the addiction to opiates have masked these things?
  
  

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• What are some unusual symptoms of autnomic neuropathy?
  by FeatherMe (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:37 pm)
  The symptoms come and go but now with more frequency than before.
  
  

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• Pain and CIPA
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:58 am)
  

  How is it that pain management is still so primitive

  ?
  
  What do you mean by this?
  There are excellent treatments for pain available.
  
  CIPA is a genetic disorder which means that the situation is created during the development of the nervous system in the embryo. I cannot conceive of a drug which could recreate this situation.
  
  Hope that answers your question.
  
  

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• Epilepsy medication and long term memory
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:54 am)
  

  So my question is if the Lamictal I am taking is causing this. I am also worried if my recent dose increase will worsen the problem. I know the issue usually addressed is short term memory, but I want to see if the Lamictal is causing my detailed memory troubles it or if it may just be an unfortunate trait of mine.

  
  
  It could be either!
  
  In other words...what you are decribing could be due to underlying concentration issues (e.g. ADD / ADHD), the meds, or much less likely, but possible, residual epileptic activity.
  
  If the EEG is normal and there are no attacks then the treating neurologist will probably try and decide whether it is worth tryiong to switch meds to see if your symptoms continue...I stress that this would only be done if they think it is likely that the lamicatl is to blame....as I said it is possible but I would only consider changing it if there was a clear change after starting it or increasing the dose....of course you should change any meds unless your treating neurologist tells you too.
  
  let us know how it goes
  
  

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• few small foci in white matter on MRI
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:47 am)
  Firstly...the most important thing is to get a full neuro exam....I assume that this has been done so please forward the letter summarizing the signs on your examination.
  
  As far as the MRI goes...if the lesions were seen in the previous MRI and are just more prominent now then this is NOT evidence of dissemination in time (i.e. multiple attacks) in terms of MRI criteria.
  
  looking forward to hearing from you
  
  

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• unresolved facial and jaw pain
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:43 am)
  Can you describe the pain?
  
  Is it electric-shock-like?
  
  

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• Pituitary Macroadenoma
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:40 am)
  Good luck and let us know how it goes.
  
  

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• Cortical Irritation, what it means ?
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:39 am)
  It is a way of suggesting some borderline seizure activity on the EEG....it is really on ly relevent if you have had symptoms of seizures .....why did you have the EEG anyway?
  
  

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• Abnormal study
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:37 am)
  It is hard to understand the results the way they have been formtatted....could you scan the original page?
  
  IN any case I agree with you that given your symptoms in all fingers (even your little finger)and history of familial neuropathy it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to carpal tunnel.
  
  Please let us know how it goes on the 19th...good luck.
  
  

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• NEUROFIBRUMATASIS type-2
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:30 am)
  Could you please send the reports of any previous brain MRI's you have done and the pictures if possible.
  
  

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• From Minor to Extensive White Matter Demyelinating Disease
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:48 am)
  Well lupus (SLE) can certainly cause brain lesions in the white matter...in fact a number of rheumatological conditions such as SLE, Sjogrens syndrome, Behcets syn, must be excluded before a diagnosis of MS can be given...the same applies to infections such as Lyme disease, and vascular (blood vessel) problems
  
  In other words....MS is only diagnosed once other possible causes have been excluded, and there is evidence of dissemination in time (i.e. more than one separate attack) and space( more than one place inthe brain or spine)...this is why you are going to the various consults and why I recommend repeating the MRI of the brain 6 months after the last one.
  
  Hope that clears things up and keep us updated.
  
  

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• Random fibrillations, new in adult with CP
  by dpm86 (Posted Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:51 pm)
  Early 40s female with mild spastic diplegia, strabismus in one eye that could not be completely corrected, no problems with hearing, speech, cognition, seizures, etc. Very physically and emotionally healthy until recently, no hospitalizations except for CP and eye surgeries in childhood, not followed for these issues since then, last ER visit 20+ years ago for minor injury. Late last year, sudden onset of pain predominant irritable bowel syndrome, then a few months ago, muscle fibrillations-- not painful, not visible, not causing weakness, numbness, pins and needles, just sensation of crawling or brushing against skin, usually once or a few times briefly, stops, starts again minutes or hours later elsewhere seemingly at random. Originally occasional on abdomen, thighs, buttocks, lower back, thought temporary reaction to chronic abdominal pain and spasms, but in last 2-3 weeks, absent major abdominal discomfort, have escalated to more frequent and annoying, and also on lower legs, feet, arms, shoulders, upper back, but not face or neck. Normal routine exam with internist just prior to escalation, eating balanced, healthy diet, low caffeine, not on any meds or illegal substances, do not smoke or drink alcohol, exercise moderately. Chronic stress and sleep disturbances since IBS onset, but both improving while fibrillations were escalating. Aware this isn't an IBS symptom, but contacted MD to ask about possible related diagnosis, secondary complication, endocrine issue, etc. MD stated twitches were probably from CP, not medically serious, but if too annoying could prescribe anti-spasticity med. (not spasticity cramps!) Tend to be sensitive to side effects, some from this med may exacerbate sleep and GI issues, hesitate to take anything permanently unless origin of fibrillations and significant benefit of med are very clear. Why/how is this possibly from CP? Have never heard of ,read of, or known anyone with CP with similar fibrillations, CP does not progress, this is recent after 40+ years, including some areas of body minimally or not affected by CP originally. Any insight or possible alternative etiology to pursue appreciated.
  
  

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• Headaches after childbirth
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Sun Aug 03, 2008 7:46 am)
  I would strongly advise getting a full neurological examination as soon as possible including examination of the optic fundi...this means that someone looks into your eyes using a machine called an ophthalmoscope to check for signs of raised pressure in the head.
  
  Checking the pupils with a regular flashlight is important, but actually looking at the back of the eyes (the retina) is critical for proper assessment of anyone with headache, especially after childbirth.
  
  
  Please get this done and let us know how it goes.
  
  

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• Temporary Memory Loss
  by neurocurious (Posted Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:54 pm)
  No. I'm talking about something that happens everyday. Almost every time I fall asleep, even if it's for only a few minutes, I wake up out of a dream and don't know where I am. At this point I know I'm awake and not dreaming, but unless I open my eyes and look around, I have no sense of where I am.
  
  

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• Autonomic Neuropathy
  by FeatherMe (Posted Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:32 am)
  Is difficulty swallowing pills, having them get caught in my throat and then coughing them up, and choking while swallowing water part of autonomic neuropathy?
  
  FeatherMe
  
  

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• Headaches in a call center
  by RichardBlank (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:46 pm)
  MG
  
  Thank you for your reply.
  
  I will take your suggestion into consideration. On a lighter side,it may be because we get hung up on for a living...
  
  
  
  Richard
  
  
  
  .
  
  

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• Survival After Stroke
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:56 am)
  What do the rehab doctors say about his response to rehab?
  
  

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• scar pain
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:54 am)
  Is the area consistently painful...either to touch or spontaneously?
  Are there any severe shooting, tingling or burning pains that affect your function?
  
  Has anyone checked for evidence of sensory nerve damage in the area?
  
  

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• Please help-headaches!!
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:51 am)
  How many pain meds do you take a week...which ones and what dose?
  
  PLease forward us the results of your neurological examination....did they look in your eyes?
  
  

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• PLEASE HELP...Blastomycosis meningitis
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:47 am)
  This sort of meningitis is quite rare in people who are perfectly healthy...it is commener in people with an immune deficiency problem...has this question been investigated?
  
  

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• Erratic blood pressure, near syncope,bradycardia
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:30 am)
  It very much sounds like a vaso-vagal fainting spell which could be due to an autonomic problem, although it is also very common in "normal" individuals without any neurological problem...any meds that lower BP could trigger this as well.
  
  

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• Psilocybin + TOPAMAX
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:27 am)
  As far as I understand, psilocyban has not been approved in terms of safety in any case so I would not recommend taking it under any circumstances, irrespective of whether there is an interaction with topamax.
  
  

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• ear and jaw pain, also nodule
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:19 am)
  Please explain exactly what the ENT doctors ahve told you about the nodule...what is it exactly?
  
  

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• Twitching Problems
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:18 am)
  Please get a neurological examination from a doctor proficient in neurology and let us know what they find.
  
  all the best
  
  

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• muscular imbalance
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:28 am)
  If your GP is condfident about performing a neuro exam then this is fine too...but you should get examined.
  
  Let us know what is found.
  
  

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• Pain, swelling, warmth, in elbow..knots on forearm and palm
  by MG (Admin) (Posted Tue Jul 22, 2008 6:27 am)
  Have you seen a rheumatologist / done tests for the various types of rheumatological conditions (ANA, ESR, CRP, ANTI RO LA, C/p- ANCA, RF, APLA)? If not I think the first doctor to see (after your GP) should be a rheumatologist.
  
  Let us know how it goes.
  
  

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