HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Fainting Spells With Dizziness, Migraine, Fatigue And Tremors In The Hands?

Posted on Tue, 9 Aug 2016

Question: Hi Doctor. I went to a Rheumatologist thinking that maybe I have lupus. My level was high for ANA auto immune disease but not high enough to be lupus. XXXXXXX recommended a Neurologist and a infectious disease doctor. I am having fainting spells, along with dizziness constantly. I suffer from migraines constantly. I believe I might have MS. I don't know though. This started over a year ago and happens every once in a while. I am extremely fatigued, Sometimes a small amount of shaking in my hands. I got ill when I was 16. I was exposed through close contact with a man that transmitted some virus or bacteria. It is increasing getting worse. My fist symptoms were extreme sweating, foul smelling breath and overall dryness of everything. Fatigue set in and wasn't capable to do the things I once was. Now I'm on disability and desperate to find out what I have. I have been diagnosed with HHV-6 HHV-2. I have been studying about things like mycoplasma infections and those types of bacteria. I have been diagnosed with EBV in the past but not found any other blood tests that say I have it.

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Differential Diagnosis of disease and approach

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.

I can understand your concern. The fainting, dizziness could be due to

: Ear disease - The vestibular system in ear controls balance. Disease or damage of it can cause such symptoms.It can get damaged due to throat/ear infection.
Consult ENT doctor to rule it out. He will do dynamic visual acuity, spine-occular reflex test to know about it.

: Cerebellar disease - It is part of brain which contributes maximum in maintaining balance. It can get damaged by infection, trauma, tumor, cyst, alcohol.
Disease of cerebellum usually presents as drunken walk, imbalance, tremors in hand, into-ordination. Consult neurologist for it. It can be ruled out by MRI brain.

: Low haemoglobin - It is a common cause of dizziness/vertigo/fatigue in women. It is required to carry oxygen in every body organ. So low Hb can cause poor stamina, vertigo, fatigue.
It can be checked by getting Haemoglobin level done.

: Severe Migraine or headache can cause all these symptoms. It can be suspected if symptoms appear after headache and not before. Consult neurologist for it.

: Psychiatric illness like Depression or Anxiety-panic disorder - It can be suspected if all organic or above causes have been ruled out. It usually presents in stress condition and manifests as sweating in palms and soles, dry mouth, palpitation, tingling in all limbs, fear in case of anxiety. Depression manifests as loss of interest, lack of sleep, lack of appetite, social withdrawal.
Consult Psychiatrist to confirm it.

You can correlate your features and suspect accordingly. Consult doctor accordingly. Do let me know about consultation and investigation. Only then I can tell you the treatment.

Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (53 minutes later)

What about the possibilities of MS or some other disease or auto-immune disease

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Multiple Sclerosis and auto-immune disease

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, welcome back.

I got your point. We can suspect MS. It can cause damage to cerebellum and presents with such features. I have mentioned it also that cerebellar damage can present with such features. MS can be ruled out by MRI of brain.

Auto-immune diseases are unlikely as your immune markers are not high. Your age is near 40 years, while autoimmune disease usually affects 20-30 years age group. Your symptoms are not typical of auto-immune. Thats why I was suspecting it.

Hope you will understand my point. If any doubt, do let me know. Thanks.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 days later)

Do you know a good lab that can test for Mycoplasma Infection Disease. I guess it can be a tricky one to determine active or dormant and the correct treatment there on out. The only one that is the most reliable is in Japan from a doctor by the name of Kazuhiro Matsuda. Very knowledgeable Doctor in the area. But the blood test would have to be sent there which adds additional problems and costs.

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (47 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Mycoplasma tests

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, welcome back.

Sorry for late reply. Mycoplasma is tested by

: Mycoplasma PCR,
: Mycoplasma culture
: Ureaplasma culture

You can check it on
: Lab test online
: CDC website

These sites have provided details of tests and also provide facility. You can contact and get it done.

Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, do let me know.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (35 hours later)

Could trauma to the head cause this cerebellar damage?

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (48 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Trauma as cause of cerebellar damage

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, welcome back.

Trauma can cause cerebellar damage. To damage cerebellum, trauma must be severe. There would be past history of significant head trauma which caused loss of consciousness, vomiting, headache and admission in ICU. If such history is present, you can suspect it.

To confirm it, you can get MRI brain done. It will show gliosis, cyst in cerebellum if old injury.

Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, let me know.

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D