Hey all,
I've got issues going on and seeing as tho the doctors can't really figure it out, I thought I might run a few things by you guys and see if anyone has had anything similar happen to them.
First of all, you need to know that I DO NOT SLEEP. I mean, I sleep, but never a deep sleep and never for any longer than 4 hours at a time. I've been that way since my first daughter was born. She never slept through the night and then her sister was born...and on and on it went for about 7 years. Well, obviously my body got used to not sleeping, and I've been unable to get myself into a good healthy sleeping pattern since.
Secondly, I have migraines. And headaches. Sometimes, I'll have a headache for 2 weeks. I go to bed with it...wake up with it...etc. During those times, I am only able to survive because Advil exists.
Anyway, I've been living with those two symptoms for years. I wasn't that bothered by either of them..simply dealt with it. (Or suffered through it)
Well, on friday, something really crazy happened. The day started out normally. DF and I had some errands to run...so off we went. I dropped into work to visit the girls (I was just on vacation for 3 weeks) and when I walked into the store, I was blinded by the lights. Literally. I was seeing shooting flashes of light everywhere...and had to put my sunglasses on to walk around. I got out of there as quickly as I could..but the shooting flashes of light didn't stop. DF and I stopped at Walmart next and I had to hold his hand because I was still having vision problems. After a while (maybe 30 mins or so) the vision issues stopped....but by the time we got to the next place we were going, I was completely disoriented. I was having memory loss, confusion, unable to tell which things we had talked about and what things I had simply thought about during the car ride. It got so bad that DF said "I'm taking you home and putting you to bed". When we got home, I was still in a state of confusion, and having to ask things 5-6 times. Finally we decided to go to the hospital.
At the hospital, I had to use a list DF had made for me in order to tell the triage nurse what was wrong with me. Then, when I went to check in, I couldn't remember my address, telephone number, or my family doctor's name!!
After a long wait in the waiting room (2 hours) I finally saw a doctor. After taking a brief medical history. and reading my list of symptoms (LOL) he ordered a CT scan. Of course, that took another hour of waiting (during which I forgot what we were doing at the hospital and even which city I lived in!!) Anyway, CT scan came out normal. (Which is actually AWESOME..cause now I know I DONT have some sort of aneurysm or tumor waiting to kill me) The doctor told me I could wait around another while and see a neurologist, but because the CT scan came out fine, and I was prone to migraines...he thought it might just be an "Atypical migraine". And so, I agreed with him and went home.
I got a really good night's sleep that night, and the next morning, woke without any confusion. I still had a headache tho..and my neck was killing me. Even today, I'm still not up to par. My headache continues..and I'm still going around in a bit of a daze. I haven't experienced any memory loss tho...thankfully.
My mother has diagnosed me with exhaustion. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?? Has anyone (without Alzhiemers) ever experienced this sort of thing?
Mel
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hi Mel,
I have read your post listing your symptons and I too have had the exact same symptons you have had. I can remember one time that I went to pick up my children at the babysitter and couldn't even remember their names. I couldn't think, it was like an out of body experirence, my arm tingled and my face felt numb it was just so weird. I went to my dr about it he sent me for some tests and said it was the onset of a migrane. I have had it happen when I would go into a store and start seeing flashing lights and I would be walking and it was like the floor was coming out from beneath me. Now when it happens I try to get to my bed and lay down in a dark room. The Dr.'s haven't diagnosed anything more than it being a migrane. I empathize with you because it is just such a scary feeling. I go regularly, actually yearly to the optometrist and an opthamologist for eye exams and they have never diagnosed anything and they are aware of the symptoms as well.
yesterday i posted a msg after Dor1949, but today it's got removed for some reasons.
anyway, google the 'orthostatic intolerance' and see if the sympoms you have are similar to this one.
it's a good thing that aneurysm has been excluded. the other possible cause could be abnormal conductivity in the heart (or other heart problem). as a concequense of insufficient blood flow to the brain, you may experience migraine and restless sleep.
you have to see 2 specialists - neurologists and cardiologist.
I'm no doctor, so I'm not going to diagnose anything, just give you an advice like everyone else to go see a specialist.
This article might be of interest to peruse........[url]http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26350414/wid/11915773/[/url]
Hope you feel better soon :)
Up until 10 years ago, I too had migraines 3 weeks out of every month. I kept accurate charts and realized that fluctuating hormones were the main (but not all of the) culprits. I convinced my family doctor and gynecologist to do a total hysterectomy/oophorectomy (both ovaries too). After 6 weeks, my doctor put me on the Estraderm patch which I wear constantly...without Progesterone. They (normally) want to simulate your cycle, but, with me it was the hormone changes that triggered the migraine. I was desperate, some migraines lasted 14 days; if I was at a mall, I would see the auras, get vertigo and literally start staggering like a drunk. When the headache started, I was so nauseated and totally losing my balance, pain in the back of my neck and over left eye was unbearable...I had to lie down...could not function at all. I feel that I missed out on part of my life, lying in bed in the dark, suffering. As I took other medications, doctors were reluctant to try Imitrex....which did affect me rather badly, but, then tried Maxaalt which melts on your tongue instantly and I had no side effects from that. Within about a year my migraines slowed down to two or three a year and as I headed into my fifties have almost totally disappeared (this happens with age). Unfortunately, I am diabetic and now using insulin....but, the week I had to be in hospital to determine how much insulin I should be taking, I had the worst headache of my life....flat on my back for a week; after my body got used to the insulin, I was fine and that was 3 years ago and haven't had a migraine since. Anyway, my point is there are so many triggers for migraine, you have to find yours....sometimes I just felt like the floor was moving and I couldn't even think properly. And, as my eldest son has sleep apnea, I went to a sleep clinic and discovered that I too get a fraction of REM sleep one needs....lots of migraines when I woke up in the morning. Anyway, I've been migraine free 3 years now at 59 so there is hope if you find a doctor that is diligent.
Wow...lots of responses!!! I know I really should've stayed to see the neurologist...I was just in such a mess that I just wanted to get the hell home and into my own bed. The doctor that I spoke to told me not to hesitate and to come on back if I felt like doing so.
I just had an eye appointment in June, everything was fine. As for the other things....they are definite possibilities. Emotionally, I am feeling fine! I am happier than I've been in years!
Funny you should mention pre-menopause Joanna. I was wondering about that myself. My periods have been regular my whole life...since I was 12 years old, they were 28 days apart..whether I was on BC pills or not. Anyway, in July, I bled for 22 days out of the month! The doctor changed my BC prescription and this month the bleeding has been back to normal. I have an appointment with a gyenocologist in October (earliest available) so hopefully I'll get some answers as far as that is concerned.
Meanwhile, here I am...4 days later with the same migraine and "hazy" feeling. No memory loss since friday, but I go back to work tomorrow and I'm frightened of the effect those lights might have on me!
Thanks for listening girls, I'll keep you posted.
Mel - please go to the neurologist, etc and for all the tests they suggest. These symptoms are too radical to just write off. There is some reason they happened and you need to find out for certain what the cause was. I used to get severe migraines & I still have insomnia. As bad as my migraines were, and they went on for years, nothing was ever like what you described. There are meds for migraines that are better than Advil. Some are even a preventiive for the first signs of a migraine. Please see everyone the medical system will send you to.
I agree with everyone who suggested that you should see the neurologist, dentist, eye doctors, and...... gynecologist (pre menopause/hormone changes can start in your 30's) until you get an accurate diagnosis. It may be as "simple" as being stressed out and exhausted, as your mother says, or something more complicated. In the meantime, have you recently changed your sleeping pillows? A pillow without the proper support can cause neck pain, and even be uncomfortable enough to disturb your sleep.
I agree ..see neurologist and optomistrist/opthomologist first then Dentist. Also forgot to ask if there is any new stresses in your life. That can trigger migraines as well.
TMJ syndrome can also produce excessive neck/ shoulder pain.
Seek out all avenues to get to the bottom of it.
Mel, I suffered from severe migraines before I had my kids. It would be triggered by bright lights, a glare off a car, strobe lights in a club, a flashlight pointed in my face, even a doctors check up where he shines that light in my eyes.
It was also triggered by stress. I used to say that if I [I]think[/I] to much I would get a migraine. I would get the migraine after the event though, almost as a relief of the stress. So after planning my wedding, the first day of honeymoon I had one, lasted two days. Or if I skipped work, called in sick, and went away on holiday for a long weekend with my dh, then I would suffer one of those days with a migraine :rolleyes: . I got one after my sons first birthday party. Too much thinking lol.
The other trigger is preservatives in food. I have learnt to stay away from processed food, as much as is possible, there are exceptions, but preservatives or chemicals triggered it too.
My migraines caused sight blindness. Bright little spots in front of my eyes. Wherever I looked it would be white, nothing. I had periferral vision (on the sides of my eyes). Once this started, it would last for about 5 minutes, and then a pause where the vision would come back, but I knew I had about 10 minutes to get home to bed, because the headache and nausea would hit full force.
My brain felt like it was fried, I couldn't think, couldn't talk properly, words eluded me. My neurons didn't connect.
I took prescribed migraine tablets when a migraine started, it doesn't prevent, but helps with sleep and the pain. I would hope to be asleep before the excruciating pain came. I would sleep a good 2-3 hours. Upon waking, I would be woozy, feel weak, have neck pain and pale as a ghost. No sudden movement or my head would explode. Tea and dry bread to help with the stomach, and I would be on recovery until bedtime.
I hope this helps. Since I have had my children, the migraines have become less and less. But I am living a less stressful life now.
Sleep deprivation would probably be a trigger for your migraine too.
Oh I forgot to mention, I went to a migraine clinic too. They mentioned the grinding of my back teeth could cause it too, basically from stress, or at night when asleep. So you have to consciously check daily and release your bottom jaw all the time, keep those back teeth from touching. Or get a plate to wear at night.
what about sleep apnea? sleep apnea is thought to have brought on heart problems with my friend's father. It was not until his heart attack that he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. "they" now suspect he had sleep apnea for the past 30 years or so.
Since being treated for sleep apnea, he has never felt better, has more energy than he has ever remembered having and has had a clean bill of health (except for the sleep apnea).
I would have waited for the neurologist my self. A trip to the ophthalmologist would be a good idea too. Once they rule out any of your symtpoms the dentist would be next. Your symptoms are common to many disorders,
When you get the all clear I would suggest a talk with your GP for some blood tests for adrenal fatique ( common in women) and about your sleep habits. You may need your internal sleep clock reset with a change of habits and maybe medications.Today’s go-go, technology-saturated culture entices us to overrule our bodies’ organic sleep signals. We ignore the natural energy shift that occurs after dinner so we can watch a favorite TV show or call a friend. We sleep with an illuminated clock radio by our beds or fall asleep with the radio on — all of which can lead to sleepless nights or poor quality sleep. Little sleep makes any stress more prominent. Just my rant. :) I do not see getting up for young children every 4 hours has anything to do with your symtoms. I think we all experienced the 4 hour scheule at some point.
I don't have much helpful to add but the stiff neck got my attention. If you (or anyone) ever has a bad headache and stiff neck, especially if it goes away when you lie down (tell tale sign), it's a sign of brain hemorrhage. the CAT scan should have spotted that but just in case, the feeling better when lying down is something to pay attention to.
It's also nothing to be dismissed if it only lasts a day or so. my brother had such a headache when he was in his mid 20's. Doctor said migraine and sent him home and he was okay the next day. Flash forward 3 years and he has another one. This time someone he worked with scared him enough to get to emerg. diagnosis, hemorrhage and worse, signs it had happened before. The issue is the stats show only 30% of people make it to the hospital alive when there is a hemorrhage so he was just incredibly lucky to survive two. Needless to say, headaches (with stiff necks) scare the crap out of me now (I still will run and lie down just to see if goes away or stays) so I wouldn't rest until a neurologist found out what is causing your symptoms. That confusion thing would also make me wonder because I have not heard of that being a symptom of migraines before.
You may have a problem with migraines, yes, light frequency can cause problems, birth control pills can cause problems, etc. and so on, but you need to find out what it is. MY SIL gets extreme migraines anytime the weather changes, she can tell you the second the air pressure changes she is so sensitive and it's a big deal here in Calgary where chinooks happen as a lot of people have that sensitivity.
Also....are you aware if you clench or grind your teeth? Do you ever have jaw pain up into the ear?
What triggers your migraines? Food, hormones, blood pressure? If noner of these, have your dentist check out your TMJ. Very relateable to migraines. Easy to treat.
since you are probably checking everything out - go to the optometrist.
They get a really good look inside your eye/head. What the hay! What will you lose? $70 for the checkup. I'd pay it for a calm mind.
Good to hear the catscan was fine. I would have stayed to talk to the neurologist. I'm there anyway & feel like poop.
I like watching Mystery Diagnosis. It's probablyb something no one would suspect. Food allergy or somehing.
So the neck pain is new, as of today? Do you remember if they asked you if you had neck pain when you were at the hospital? I'm not saying it's meningitis, but neck pain is one of the symptoms, and a lot of the other stuff could be related to that also.
I'm not a medical professional, but thought I'd add that in case it helps. At any rate, my advice is please do not hesitate to go back to the hospital if you feel you should, especially if you have developed new symptoms since last there or if your existing symptoms continue or worsen.
I hope you feel better soon!
Mel...
I get hormonal migranes - while they're not nearly as severe as yours - they aren't fun. So I believe I have an inkling of an understanding of what you go through!
After reading your story, however, one thing jumps out at me. The lights at your work. You mentioned that you started seeing migrane auras (flashes of light) when you were in Bowring (where you work)... and that you hadn't been there in a while because of holidays. If I were you, I'd look into the possibility that you're reacting to what ever lighting they have in the store. If this truely is the cause, it may be a blessing that you've taking a long break from work because it means that you were fresh and "healthy" when you entered the store, making your immediate reaction all that more pronounced.
Definitely consider this posibility - I've heard about kids who have severe ADHD in classrooms with florescent lighting who, when they're out of that environment, are fine.
I'm VERY glad to hear that the CT scan was good... what a relief for you and your family!!
Good luck with this!
Vickie