Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Confusion And Vertigo
Question: I am a 53 year old woman that has spent the last 3 years trying to find out what is going on. 3 years ago, I noticed I was falling, getting confused and just knew I wasn't myself. My neck also has bothered me but put it off to years of horse jumping and ballet. 2 years ago, I fell on a doorway threshold and I couldn't get up. I had to call for help. A week later, I had a bad but strange headache and was needing to throw up every time I moved in bed. I had bad Vertigo, no coordination, dizzy, blurry vision, no strength. I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get to my car. I was at a friends house. My voice has never been the same. It sounds like I have been yelling all night. My GP thought I had a Stroke. It mostly subsided in a week. I had an MRI and CT Scan. It came back showing I have Frontal Lobe Atrophy with significant tissue lost for a woman my age, and I have 4 bulging cervical disks and one is causing slight narrowing of my spinal cord. The only pain from that is on the left side behind my shoulder. I'm told thats normal. I guess as I have Scoliosis.
Sent to a Neurologist and was told it's nothing just mental illness and migraine headaches. Now, speech is slow, can't find the right words most of the time. Hate talking now. Get lost in places I know. Repeat myself. Sometimes I can't understand what someone is saying to me. I don't care about things like I did. Sunlight is very bright. My muscles feel like they are shrinking and sore. I have become reckless with money, like to flirt. I'm a Nail Artist and my hands shake. Not always. I can never remember the day or month. I sleep at odd hours and crave to be alone. I don't care how I look anymore. No balance and sometimes I identify items with the wrong name. I had the transvaginal mesh attached 3 years ago, what a blessing, but no longer works when I'm in bed.
Is this migraines? I am not an alarmist, but just wanted to know if going back to school is a waste of money. Learning is difficult, but I want to get a Nail Business going, but I have no drive. I have a son with Autism and care for a XXXXXXX mom. Am I crazy? I was told to go to Mayo Clinic, but I'm Canadian. I just want to know also is there pain medication other than Tylenol 3 and something for my speech and memory? I'm told to take Tylenol and stop feeling sorry for myself. I must have had this since birth. Why then would my body betray me like this now?
Sincerly
XXXXXXX C.
Sent to a Neurologist and was told it's nothing just mental illness and migraine headaches. Now, speech is slow, can't find the right words most of the time. Hate talking now. Get lost in places I know. Repeat myself. Sometimes I can't understand what someone is saying to me. I don't care about things like I did. Sunlight is very bright. My muscles feel like they are shrinking and sore. I have become reckless with money, like to flirt. I'm a Nail Artist and my hands shake. Not always. I can never remember the day or month. I sleep at odd hours and crave to be alone. I don't care how I look anymore. No balance and sometimes I identify items with the wrong name. I had the transvaginal mesh attached 3 years ago, what a blessing, but no longer works when I'm in bed.
Is this migraines? I am not an alarmist, but just wanted to know if going back to school is a waste of money. Learning is difficult, but I want to get a Nail Business going, but I have no drive. I have a son with Autism and care for a XXXXXXX mom. Am I crazy? I was told to go to Mayo Clinic, but I'm Canadian. I just want to know also is there pain medication other than Tylenol 3 and something for my speech and memory? I'm told to take Tylenol and stop feeling sorry for myself. I must have had this since birth. Why then would my body betray me like this now?
Sincerly
XXXXXXX C.
Brief Answer:
Related to decreased brain blood flow.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I understand your concern.
The main reason why you have these symptoms is because of a brain atrophy related to decreased blood flow to different parts of your brain. You have cervical spondylosis as revealed by your neck MRI. Two blood vessels ( Vertebral arteries) go to the brain through your cervical vertebrae. The blood flow in these is compromised due to the degenerative disease affecting the vertebrae. Your dizziness and vertigo are due to the same.
Your behavioral abnormalities are related to the frontal lobe atrophy which again is caused by decreased blood flow and possible multiple small lacunar infarcts.
Migraine is another condition affecting the blood vessels and the blood flow is compromised during the episodes. In a person with good brain blood flow such episodes may not produce any harm but in a person with marginal or compromised blood flow, they may lead to lacunar infarcts or even a stroke.
Your lack of drive, not bothering about your appearance and sleep disturbances are due to depression which may be related to the decreased blood flow to certain areas of your brain.
I have patients who are in similar situations like yourself. If you can find a good internist who thinks 'out of the box', he/she might have some advice for you.
My approach for a similar patient would be .
1. Try to control/ stop the migraine attack as with each attack, there is a risk of getting more lacunar infarcts and worsening of brain functions.
2. Try to improve the brain blood flow. In this certain natural substances have been found to help my patients.
3. Decrease depression by using a SSRI antidepressant.
Tylenol 3 is used for pain, not to improve speech and memory. Increasing brain blood flow improves you.
I hope you would also improve with these measures.
If you have any queries kindly ask me in follow up.
Best wishes,
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Related to decreased brain blood flow.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I understand your concern.
The main reason why you have these symptoms is because of a brain atrophy related to decreased blood flow to different parts of your brain. You have cervical spondylosis as revealed by your neck MRI. Two blood vessels ( Vertebral arteries) go to the brain through your cervical vertebrae. The blood flow in these is compromised due to the degenerative disease affecting the vertebrae. Your dizziness and vertigo are due to the same.
Your behavioral abnormalities are related to the frontal lobe atrophy which again is caused by decreased blood flow and possible multiple small lacunar infarcts.
Migraine is another condition affecting the blood vessels and the blood flow is compromised during the episodes. In a person with good brain blood flow such episodes may not produce any harm but in a person with marginal or compromised blood flow, they may lead to lacunar infarcts or even a stroke.
Your lack of drive, not bothering about your appearance and sleep disturbances are due to depression which may be related to the decreased blood flow to certain areas of your brain.
I have patients who are in similar situations like yourself. If you can find a good internist who thinks 'out of the box', he/she might have some advice for you.
My approach for a similar patient would be .
1. Try to control/ stop the migraine attack as with each attack, there is a risk of getting more lacunar infarcts and worsening of brain functions.
2. Try to improve the brain blood flow. In this certain natural substances have been found to help my patients.
3. Decrease depression by using a SSRI antidepressant.
Tylenol 3 is used for pain, not to improve speech and memory. Increasing brain blood flow improves you.
I hope you would also improve with these measures.
If you have any queries kindly ask me in follow up.
Best wishes,
Dr. Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your answer. I didn't make clear I don't get migraines. That's what my Neurologist said I had. I had one in my life at the age of 14. I got a copy of my MRI and there are arrows pointing at my Frontal Lobe and an area near the centre of my left ear. Looks like small sack with nothing around it just black and dozens of small white dots and lines.
May I ask is my prognosis good? They are taking away my drivers licence, but my Neurologist said nothing to worry about if you would stop feeling sorry for yourself. He added he sees no need to see me again. Last night my son's best friend pet died and I laughed. I'm an animal lover. I normally cry but I didn't have any feelings. I'll steal food off a strangers plate at restaurants. I hear blood and heart beat in my head. No one will tell me what is going to happen. Is it going away why am I loosing my licence if this is nothing? I have to care for my family. Why was I put on a walker and walk like a drunk sailor? I know you can't answer most. But here it comes. Do I have a normal long life to live? No one will answer that.
Thank you so much for your kindness
Warmly XXXXXXX
Thank you for your answer. I didn't make clear I don't get migraines. That's what my Neurologist said I had. I had one in my life at the age of 14. I got a copy of my MRI and there are arrows pointing at my Frontal Lobe and an area near the centre of my left ear. Looks like small sack with nothing around it just black and dozens of small white dots and lines.
May I ask is my prognosis good? They are taking away my drivers licence, but my Neurologist said nothing to worry about if you would stop feeling sorry for yourself. He added he sees no need to see me again. Last night my son's best friend pet died and I laughed. I'm an animal lover. I normally cry but I didn't have any feelings. I'll steal food off a strangers plate at restaurants. I hear blood and heart beat in my head. No one will tell me what is going to happen. Is it going away why am I loosing my licence if this is nothing? I have to care for my family. Why was I put on a walker and walk like a drunk sailor? I know you can't answer most. But here it comes. Do I have a normal long life to live? No one will answer that.
Thank you so much for your kindness
Warmly XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You could try some things that helped my patients
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I note that in spite of all the difficulties, you have insight and are very coherent in you description of symptoms. Your vascular insults that your brain has had makes you behave in the way you are doing. This is from the malfunction of certain areas of your brain.
Since the neurologist is not able to help you, you could try what some of my patients have found benefit with. They have used Ginkgobiloba and omega 3 fatty acids and report that these have helped with better functioning of the brain.
You could read about these and if you feel that these might help you, they are available as OTC.
Wish you better health with good quality life.
You could try some things that helped my patients
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I note that in spite of all the difficulties, you have insight and are very coherent in you description of symptoms. Your vascular insults that your brain has had makes you behave in the way you are doing. This is from the malfunction of certain areas of your brain.
Since the neurologist is not able to help you, you could try what some of my patients have found benefit with. They have used Ginkgobiloba and omega 3 fatty acids and report that these have helped with better functioning of the brain.
You could read about these and if you feel that these might help you, they are available as OTC.
Wish you better health with good quality life.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you very much Sir. I take Omega already. I had a refural to see Dr. XXXXXXX Chow in Toronto Bayfield Clinic but she moved back to Hawaii. Waiting to see if her associate will see me. I'm told she specialized in Brain Demetias.
My Neurologist was angry I got fired from my job and when I asked him to explain Frontal Lobe he accused my mom and told to get out. At least I'm not insane.
Thank you again. Bless you and your family.
My Neurologist was angry I got fired from my job and when I asked him to explain Frontal Lobe he accused my mom and told to get out. At least I'm not insane.
Thank you again. Bless you and your family.
Brief Answer:
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you XXXXXXX
You could take Ginkgo along with Omega 3 fatty acid, if on searching the net you find that it would help you. When choosing the omega 3, choose a brand that does not contain omega 6 and is certified to be free of Mercury.
I hope Dr. Chow's associate will be able to help you.
Good luck and God bless you, your son and mother.
Thank you
Detailed Answer:
Thank you XXXXXXX
You could take Ginkgo along with Omega 3 fatty acid, if on searching the net you find that it would help you. When choosing the omega 3, choose a brand that does not contain omega 6 and is certified to be free of Mercury.
I hope Dr. Chow's associate will be able to help you.
Good luck and God bless you, your son and mother.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
