Strange spell need some advice

[sconesail]

Hi All,

I have been experiencing fainting/falling spells for about three years now. During a regular episode, I simply fall to the floor if standing, and sort fall over if I am in a chair. This occures 4-1O times a day. The only medicatios that have helped at all are Klonopin, IV Depakan- given for severe migraines. It is possible that these are drop attacks/petit mal rather than a severe fainting disorder. (Unfortunately, they have not been captured on an EEG. We are working on getting an ambulatory EEG.

Yesterday, I was over at a friend's house for the afternoon. We were sitting in her living room talking. I passed out, then had some dry heaves (not unusal for me}/ However, this time it was different. It felt like my stomach was simply jerking and my head kept moving around- sort of jerky movements- and I couldn't hold my head up, nor did I come out of it quickly. I think it lasted about thirty seconds. When I came to, I asked my friend what had happened. She told me and sort of demonstrated the head movements. I took an extra Klonopin ( I had some with me as it one of the medications I take for severe migraine.} I was a little confused for a few minutes and my friend's sister realized that something was wrong. So Kathryn explained what had happened. I had 4 more spells with dry heaving/ stomach jerking over the course of the day- but none with the odd head movements. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

It really kind of scared me. I did call my neurologist, but he won't be back in the office till Monday. I am going to take it easy this weekend and see what my neuro has to say on Monday. I am at home with my parents- both retired physicians. My mother had back surgery 2 months ago and is making a slow recovery. When I told my father about the episode- He said that as soon as we get my mother well enough, we would concentrate on getting me well- possibly going to the Mayo Clinic, Cleaveland Clinic, or Hopkins.

These fainting falling things are really taking over my life.

Has anyone here experienced anything like this? Also, if you have any information on specialists or places that deal with this, please let me know.

Thanks,
sconesail

 

[Endless]

Hi All,

When I told my father about the episode- He said that as soon as we get my mother well enough, we would concentrate on getting me well- possibly going to the Mayo Clinic, Cleaveland Clinic, or Hopkins.

Your father has an excellent idea about going to the Mayo clinic in MN, the cleaveland clinic, or Johns Hopkins. You will get the best care in the world at any of them. I'm sorry your father wants to wait, though. Is it possible for another relative to go with you to one of those medical centers, so you can go more quickly?

Even if we had seizures that are like yours they might not have the same cause or diagnosis. It's important for really good neurologists to take a look at you. Hopefully your regular neurologist can figure it out.

In the meantime, take heart. Figuring all this out and getting the right diagnosis is hard. It's like running a marathon. Rather daunting, but sooner or later you will cross the finish line. Keep your strength, and your faith that things will work out.

Hang in there.

 

[sconesail]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the advice and support.

I had several episodes of passing out, dry heaves, and the weird head movements yesterday. The first one occured in the car on the way back from the farmer's market. I do not drive at the moment, so my father was driving. He is a retired radiologist and a pretty good diagnostician. Once I came out of it, he said, "I think you are having gastric seizures." I am calling my neuro on Monday. I had about 1O similar episodes yesterday and have had 6 today.

I find that I am completely wiped out after these episodes. I also have severe migraine. Unfortunately, my pain level seems to go through the roof after these episodes and by 7pm last night, all I wanted to do was sleep.

Unfortunately, it would be very difficult to get one of my brothers or another relative to go with me to any of the- hopkins, cleaveland, or mayo. The main reason we are holding out now is due to my mother. She had extensive back surgery in May and still needs quite a lot of help- though she is getting better slowly. The plan is to get her a little better and then go.

You are right in that trying to figure this one out is like running a marathon. But, as you said, there is hope.

I have found that Klonopin helps some- which is good. So the only thing to do now is to wait until monday and see what happens.

Thanks so much for your support. I am really glad I found y'all.

Peace,
sconesail