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What Do Lightheadedness, Dizziness, Tinnitus And Cold Extremities Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Nov 2017
Question: I am doing research for my granddaughter who is 17 years old. She had tics as an infant, and was put on a monitor, but didn't have any during that period. Seem to fade away. 5th grade had some that were thought to be brought on by aniexty. She has been a runner in school since 6th grade and last year she started passing out after her runs. She has seen numerous doctors plus a pediatric cardiologist, who at this time was leaning to pots because those were actually her symptoms. In the last 2 months however, her symptoms have been different. She felt faint at school and before they got her to the office, she fell face down on the floor with no attempt to protect herself. Last week she was driving and heard ringing in her ears, pull over and phoned her mother, who had someone get to her until she could get there. They pulled in someone's yard and when she got out of the car passed out cold. She came to about 4 times but passing out again and staying out longer than normal. Her blood pressure was good (last 2 times before it would drop.) It was about 126/86, her hands and feet started curling and she was freezing, and eyes were twitching.
Once the ambulance arrived her mother said and IV and oxygen would generally pull her out. They did both and upon arrival at the hospital, she came to and recognized the nurse by name. However, prior to that she has about 3 hours memory lost. Her cardiologist said this is not symptoms of pot and they have scheduled her with a neurologist. What should be questions they have prepared to ask him?
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Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Rule out seizure disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic.

Two important concerns that need to be looked into given her symptoms are- cardiac problems and seizures.

I believe that she must have undergone work up for evaluation of cardiac status with the cardiologist.
POTS (Postural orthostatic hypotension syndrome) occurs due to autonomic dysfunction and characterized by dizziness, low blood pressure, tachycardia, fainting while standing and relieved by lying down. However, memory loss, curling of fingers/toes are not characteristic of POTS.

So, now the issue that needs to be looked into is seizure disorders which can present as sudden fainting, loss of muscle control and memory loss.

EEG to monitor brain activity and CT brain to rule out any underlying structural brain issues are warranted at this point.

During the visit with the Neurologist please make sure to explain her symptoms and discuss possible seizure disorder, need for EEG (Electroencephalogram) and CT brain.

Hope this answers your questions
Please feel free to address further questions here

Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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What Do Lightheadedness, Dizziness, Tinnitus And Cold Extremities Indicate?

Brief Answer: Rule out seizure disorder Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic. Two important concerns that need to be looked into given her symptoms are- cardiac problems and seizures. I believe that she must have undergone work up for evaluation of cardiac status with the cardiologist. POTS (Postural orthostatic hypotension syndrome) occurs due to autonomic dysfunction and characterized by dizziness, low blood pressure, tachycardia, fainting while standing and relieved by lying down. However, memory loss, curling of fingers/toes are not characteristic of POTS. So, now the issue that needs to be looked into is seizure disorders which can present as sudden fainting, loss of muscle control and memory loss. EEG to monitor brain activity and CT brain to rule out any underlying structural brain issues are warranted at this point. During the visit with the Neurologist please make sure to explain her symptoms and discuss possible seizure disorder, need for EEG (Electroencephalogram) and CT brain. Hope this answers your questions Please feel free to address further questions here Regards Dr.Lekshmi