Migraines, fainting, confusion

Hi All,

Lately, I have had some confusion with the migraines. On Wednesday, I fainted and came too pretty confused, I did go to the ER after this event. I had a CT scan, which was normal, and normal labs. I am scared because the same thing has happened 5 times today. I don't know what to do. I don't know if there is anything that can be done to stop these episodes. I am tired and I am scared and I am out of ideas. I don't know if the migraines and fainting episodes are combining to produce these episodes. Maybe pain is ontributing. I am just not sure what to do. I have an appointment with my GP next week. (He is working with Dr. Grubb) I hope that he will have some ideas.

If you have any advice, i'd love it. Thanks.
Pain free days,
sailingm

Hi Sailingmuffin,

I saw a post today and thought of you - the one on POTS. I don't remember what the acronym stands for but Annas Mom posted it and a video. I don't know if you have any of the symptoms but the inability to remain upright made me think of you.

I don't have a lot of ideas...I know this is worrying though - I hope your GP has some ideas or some sort of test that they can do. The only thing that comes to mind is something cardiac...the confusion almost sounds stroke like...do they have any idea why you are fainting? I could throw out all sorts of theories but none may be helpful.

Keeping you in my thoughts....

sailing,

i think its time to head to some other neurologists. maybe dr. g. can give some more input, but there's nothing cardiac that's causing you to faint. some triggers in the vagus nerve may influence the baroceptors in your heart, but it's not rhythm. if it was, you would have had a pacemaker/defib in long, long, time ago. physiologically the heart could not take that many electrical faults and continue functioning well. leaving the reveal in longer than 12 months IMO is not going to help.

i think dr. g knew that there wasn't an electrophysiological problem--that's why he didn't do an EP study. just my thoughts, i'm not trying to be intrusive.

someone that knows autonomic dysfunction really, really well might be able to help. but first, i think some very, very detailing imaging of your entire spine and neck, and nerve function is going to be of more help.

good luck,
mgb.

Hi All,

Well, I think we found the culprit for the confusion problems- ambien. My neuro recently switched me because it doesn't lower blood pressure as much and I do not go into as deep a sleep. However, I faint more and am very confused when I come to. This has happened occaisionally, but never as much as it did this week. I am back on zanaflex and feel a lot better this morning. I don't know what I would have done without all of your help, support, and advice this week. Thanks.

I have seen about 20 neurologists in the past twelve years. I have probably seen every specialist my parents could think of. I know it must be really hard for both of them as they are physicians themselves. As such, they probably feel like like they should be able to fix me, but they can't. And yes, both are excellent physicians Dad-radiologist, Mom-pediatrician. Even though I have been in charge of the majority of my medical care from the time I was diagnosed with migraine, I am going to take some things over- mainly pain control.

I actually like the neurologist I see right now- so I will stick with him. We have already decided to look into seeing someone at the Cleaveland Clinic about the blood pressure issues. If not these, then Hopkins,. Dr. G. is great, but he is the only one in the practice- as far as I know he has committed the cardinal sin of not grooming a successor. It is hard to get in touch with him, but we are going for a second opinion- or as many as it takes. I am also going to get a second opinion on pain control-I know that I need one and it is time. I am going to talk to my internist about it. There is a new pain management doctor in town, so I will also look into seeing him. If not, then it is off to the University hospital.

So, yes, I agree it is time to make some changes. I will continue to work with my wonderful internist and neurologist, will look into a new pain doctor. I am also going to start the process for getting a service dog so I can have more independence. THanks

Pain free days,
sailingm

I saw the POTS links/ videos and they are very helpful. I am also going to send the links to my brothers. Thanks, Cheryl.

I just joined this forum because of a confusional migraine I had last week that scared the daylights out of my family and two small children. Have had migraines for 25 years and never anything like this. I was so sick I thought I had food poisoning and headed to the ER where the aura started. I became disoriented quickly to the point where I couldn't recognize my family and didn't know my name. I lost hours of memory. I was so delerious they did a spinal tap, MRI, CT, and EEG and finally knocked me out with heavy tranquilizers. I woke up still cognitively impaired and slept for days afterward and had migraine pain for days. My language and multitasking are still a little off after 6 days. Hunting around online they seem benign but so rare that they don't often get diagnosed. Guess I was lucky to have a keen neurologist up here in mid-Maine. Anyone else?

Hi sweetie just remembered I read about low blood pressure recently and thought of you, and meant to sent you this but I forgot, so sorry:
#
Low blood pressure from faulty brain signals (neurally
mediated hypotension). This disorder causes blood pressure to drop after standing for long periods, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fainting.

Neurally mediated hypotension mostly affects young people, and it seems to occur because of a miscommunication between the heart and the brain. When you stand for extended periods, your blood pressure falls as blood pools in your legs. Normally, your body then makes adjustments to normalize your blood pressure. But in people with neurally mediated hypotension, nerves in the heart's left ventricle actually signal the brain that blood pressure is too high, rather than too low, and so the brain lessens the heart rate, decreasing blood pressure even further. This causes more blood to pool in the legs and less blood to reach the brain, leading to lightheadedness and fainting.
# Low blood pressure due to nervous system damage (multiple system atrophy with orthostatic hypotension). Also called Shy-Drager syndrome, this rare disorder causes progressive damage to the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and digestion. Although this condition can be associated with muscle tremors, slowed movement, problems with coordination and speech, and incontinence, its main characteristic is severe orthostatic hypotension in combination with very high blood pressure when lying down. Multiple system atrophy can't be cured and usually proves fatal within seven to 10 years of diagnosis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-blood-pressure/ds00590/dsection=causes


Probably it's useless, but I thought maybe you can use any bit of info. Hugs, sweetie.

Risa