Something to Bring to the Table

Specifically, the medical examiner’s table. As a disclaimer, I would like to state I know this is not a valid avenue to acquire medical advice. The physician I have seen up to this point is retired and I am switching to another facility of care, which will take awhile. However, I am trying to gather as much information as I can and believe this would be a good place to consult for some experience/perspective on this subject. I want to be informed so I can have options available I can choose from with the knowledge I acquired, as it’s getting fairly costly.

With that said, I have been seeing my previous physician for a disorder I’ve had progress in recent years; up to almost two years at this point, acutely. In summary, I have recurrent episodes of dizziness if I move too quickly or in a certain way my body cannot adjust to, which results in temporary blindness, sudden headaches, a state of confusion, numbness, and muscle convulsions throughout my body. I often cannot control my balance and either fall, try to hold onto something, or desperately try to control my movements until I slowly reach the ground. I have always been sensitive to motion, either when driving is involved, riding roller coasters, or playing/watching video games, but more so since I’ve developed this acutely in the last two years, whereas I have headaches, nausea, and malaise from motion sickness. I’ve also developed migraines for the first time in my life within the past couple of years.

Even though I have had this acutely in recent years, I remember one incident when I was younger (about 10 years ago) I had of what I mentioned previously during an episode. That time, I had punctured a large hole with my head in my family’s wall, which has thick drywall.

My previous physician and I have come to the conclusion of my current acute state due to stress from finishing college near the beginning of last year. It seems to have been the trigger, in a sense. In a nutshell, I was extremely stressed at that particular time due to unforeseen circumstances and that’s when my frequent episodes started. After a series of tests, she said it may be positional hypo-tension, but would need more testing in order to determine a diagnosis. She didn’t really have a plan of treatment, more of what I thought about treatment? Although she is retired now, I would love some insight on any knowledge of what I may have in order to generate some ideas and come into my appointment with my to-be physician with more information than I know now. I have done research on this and have some backing, although anything else I haven’t read or thought of about this would be great! I would like to be proactive about this instead of stagnant until my appointment, since this always concerns me health wise and makes me feel very vulnerable during every episode (embarrassing).

I want to add, I am otherwise healthy; I exercise regularly (cardio & weight training), eat fairly well, drink plenty of water, healthy BMI and have good blood pressure on the lower end of the spectrum (still good). I do have a low resting heart rate at about 50 bpm and it is quite difficult to draw out my blood due to small veins (not prominent). I have had my heart checked and it is healthy in terms of blood flow/oxygen levels, thus what I may have could be neurological. I have a history of ear problems, such as drainage and hearing. My episodes vary heavily on my stress levels, even though I control them fairly well. I would say the rate of occurrence may range anywhere from once a month to daily.

Lightheadedness and headaches are both very ubiquitous symptoms. Meaning it could be anything or nothing. You've had a cardiac workup so postural hypotension is unlikely. However you should have a neurological workup as well as an endocrine workup particularly for thyroid function.

While lightheadedness and headaches are common, muscle convulsions/contortions are not, unless if you're epileptic. I doubt it's nothing, and my physician agreed with that as well.

It's still early to rule out hypotension, since it is conditional upon a particular physical state and I was not afflicted during my heart examinations. I guess who knows until further testing.

Have you gone to an audiologist to check for an inner ear disturbance? My mother in law has Meniere's disease and your symptoms sound so similar.

It all has to do with the balance of fluids, sodium and potassium levels. My mother in law can usually prevent episodes by making sure she stays hydrated, limits her caffeine and sodium intake, (and chocolate). If she has an episode she has to lay very still in bed for a few days.

I haven't seen one, although I have had drainage problems and some hearing loss, along with ringing in my ears. I crave salt like no other, so perhaps that would be an area to cut down on. Thank you, that's something to take into consideration. I wonder how severe the disease can go for this condition, as I experience vertigo very frequently but muscle contortions depend on my stress levels. I did read this statement from NIH about Meniere's disease, "Some people with Ménière’s disease have vertigo so extreme that they lose their balance and fall. These episodes are called “drop attacks." However, I didn't see anything about how they affect muscles.

When you see a neurologist and they will take a history, do a physical, do studies including eegs mris etc. it can be determined if you have a seizure disorder or vestibular dysfunction or any other neurological issues..

I haven't seen one, although I have had drainage problems and some hearing loss, along with ringing in my ears. I crave salt like no other, so perhaps that would be an area to cut down on. Thank you, that's something to take into consideration. I wonder how severe the disease can go for this condition, as I experience vertigo very frequently but muscle contortions depend on my stress levels. I did read this statement from NIH about Meniere's disease, "Some people with Ménière’s disease have vertigo so extreme that they lose their balance and fall. These episodes are called “drop attacks." However, I didn't see anything about how they affect muscles.

i knew someone with Menieres and they kept needing to move out farther and farther into the country because they would have piercing pain from sounds that are normal in the city or suburbs - a whistle, a train, etc, the ring of a cellphone - certain pitches of them, etc.

i would go to an ear nose and throat specialist. Maybe you need tubes in your ears because of your drainage issues, which very well could improve hearing (my cousin could barely hear before he got his), and vertigo, and then the ENT person could refer you to a neurologist if your problem is not your actual ears or is bigger than your ears.

Also, dizziness and muscle aches could be the result of dehydration and headaches are definitely caused by that.

I would also cut all salty snacks like chips and increase my water intake. Then you can see if you crave salt because you also crave the other garbage in salty snacks or you actually are craving salt because you are low on certain minerals.

I also agree after ear nose and throat to see a neurologist and or cardiologist. But maybe the ENT could solve it also.

Also, I will add that my grandfather and cousin both have low blood pressure and it makes them pass out occasionally. It doesn't happen when they are running or doing any activity. It would be when they slow down/sit for awhile.