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I Have From Time To Time Very Sharp Pain In
Question: I have from time to time very sharp pain in one part of my head, started having issues with speech as I try to say the word and instead say the letter and then say the word. I feel that my mood has changed and I no longer feel happy. My left hand shakes sometimes for no reason. I also sometimes have issues with my lips pulling to left side of face and sometimes memory loss. What is happening to me
Brief Answer:
Neurological other causes need to be ruled out...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I carefully read your query and here is my advice:
-Many of the symptoms you are experiencing may be caused by depression or anxiety (headaches, shakiness, memory problems mostly due to lack of concentration, feeling unhappy, etc)
I would like to know a little more of your symptoms so I can make sure other causes of the symptoms are less likely and better assist you:
-Your age, please
-For how long have you had these symptoms?
-Are the issues with the speech only when you have the headache or even when you do not have a headache
-How often do you get headaches and which part of your head do they affect, how long do they last?
-Any weakness of your limbs or any numbness of the limbs?
-Any problem with the vision?
-When do you get the lips pulling (how often, is it every day?)
-For how long do you have these feelings of unhappiness and memory loss?
-Have you ever checked your thyroid function level (blood tests for thyroid)?
-Have you ever undergone any treatment for depression in the past and if yes, which ones and how was the effect?
Please let me know of the above to see if other causes of the symptoms (like brain-related issues) are less likely or not and then I will assist you with the most likely diagnosis and which further steps you should follow.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Neurological other causes need to be ruled out...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I carefully read your query and here is my advice:
-Many of the symptoms you are experiencing may be caused by depression or anxiety (headaches, shakiness, memory problems mostly due to lack of concentration, feeling unhappy, etc)
I would like to know a little more of your symptoms so I can make sure other causes of the symptoms are less likely and better assist you:
-Your age, please
-For how long have you had these symptoms?
-Are the issues with the speech only when you have the headache or even when you do not have a headache
-How often do you get headaches and which part of your head do they affect, how long do they last?
-Any weakness of your limbs or any numbness of the limbs?
-Any problem with the vision?
-When do you get the lips pulling (how often, is it every day?)
-For how long do you have these feelings of unhappiness and memory loss?
-Have you ever checked your thyroid function level (blood tests for thyroid)?
-Have you ever undergone any treatment for depression in the past and if yes, which ones and how was the effect?
Please let me know of the above to see if other causes of the symptoms (like brain-related issues) are less likely or not and then I will assist you with the most likely diagnosis and which further steps you should follow.
Waiting to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi,
I am 21. These symptoms started 2 weeks ago. This is nothing like I had before. I did have depression but I am now ok. I have issues with my left eye which goes blurry at least once a day. My speech issues happen when my head is and is not sore. It happens at random times. My left hand shakes at random times from time to time and lips pull as well. My bloods are normal and my concentration and memory is just getting worse. My fiance said we watched that film 5 weeks ago and I couldn't remember anything from it and watched it like for the first time. My head is very sharp pain which happens at the top left side of my head. It's not like migraine pain its specific spot which is a big as 3 fingers joined togther. No family illnesses and I never had issues with my brain.
I am 21. These symptoms started 2 weeks ago. This is nothing like I had before. I did have depression but I am now ok. I have issues with my left eye which goes blurry at least once a day. My speech issues happen when my head is and is not sore. It happens at random times. My left hand shakes at random times from time to time and lips pull as well. My bloods are normal and my concentration and memory is just getting worse. My fiance said we watched that film 5 weeks ago and I couldn't remember anything from it and watched it like for the first time. My head is very sharp pain which happens at the top left side of my head. It's not like migraine pain its specific spot which is a big as 3 fingers joined togther. No family illnesses and I never had issues with my brain.
Brief Answer:
Some check-ups and examinations may be needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thank you for the provided information.
The lip pulling, speech problems, and memory issues, if these have had an onset in the last 2 weeks it is best that you get a thorough examination. This should include a complete neurological examination as well.
I still believe some of your symptoms are related to depression and if you had depression previously this is even more likely but depression is a diagnosis of exclusion which means we have to first rule out other conditions.
You should have your doctor examine you to check the sensation, muscular strength, reflexes and tone, balance and cranial nerves to make sure that all the function of the nervous system is well (ruling our any brain mass or related conditions that might cause neurological symptoms).
You may need to have your thyroid checked as well as because problems with the thyroid can be very common in young women. Having a TSH and FT4 blood test is all that is needed.
To conclude:
- because you mention some neurological signs (lip pulling, speech, and vision changes) you will need a thorough neurological examination
- checking your thyroid is advisable as well
- if all come out normal then you might need to have treatment for depression (medications like SSRI are quite effective and well tolerated, citalopram or sertraline and counseling might be helpful as well).
N.B: in pregnant women (especially towards the end of the pregnancy) these symptoms might be alarming so if you are pregnant this is very important information for us to know.
I hope this answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Some check-ups and examinations may be needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thank you for the provided information.
The lip pulling, speech problems, and memory issues, if these have had an onset in the last 2 weeks it is best that you get a thorough examination. This should include a complete neurological examination as well.
I still believe some of your symptoms are related to depression and if you had depression previously this is even more likely but depression is a diagnosis of exclusion which means we have to first rule out other conditions.
You should have your doctor examine you to check the sensation, muscular strength, reflexes and tone, balance and cranial nerves to make sure that all the function of the nervous system is well (ruling our any brain mass or related conditions that might cause neurological symptoms).
You may need to have your thyroid checked as well as because problems with the thyroid can be very common in young women. Having a TSH and FT4 blood test is all that is needed.
To conclude:
- because you mention some neurological signs (lip pulling, speech, and vision changes) you will need a thorough neurological examination
- checking your thyroid is advisable as well
- if all come out normal then you might need to have treatment for depression (medications like SSRI are quite effective and well tolerated, citalopram or sertraline and counseling might be helpful as well).
N.B: in pregnant women (especially towards the end of the pregnancy) these symptoms might be alarming so if you are pregnant this is very important information for us to know.
I hope this answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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