TomServo92

As a bit of background, my wife and I work for the same company but we're in different buildings a couple of miles apart.

Friday morning I started getting these garbled instant messages from her and I couldn't make out what she was trying to say so I called her up. She told that she was trying to call her doctor because she had a severe headache on the right side of her head, she couldn't open her right eye, and she forgot how to use a phone book. I jumped in my car and headed over to her building. I found that she couldn't respond to things like "What is my name?" or "Where are you?" so I was afraid she was having a stroke. We called an ambulance and rushed her to ER where they did an immediate catscan but it didn't show any indications of stroke. She started feeling better and we thought maybe it was just a migraine (she has them occasionally) and then she became nearly unresponsive. She coudln't open her eyes or talk but she could squeeze my hand in response to a question. She developed a severe twitch in right arm and leg. She was admitted and they ordered an MRI but again, no indication of a stroke, seizure, or other neurological problem. The neurologist basically said he couldn't find anything and he thought it was either medication or stress. Her symptoms gradually disappeared and by Sunday afternoon, she was back to normal other than some tingling and numbness in her right hand and foot. Even though we didn't have a definitive diagnosis, the hospital discharged her because she was doing OK.

We visited her regular doctor and he reviewed the hospital records and he believes she had a complicated migraine that was set off by the birth control pills she takes. We're supposed to have a follow up with the neurologist to review this theory to see if he agrees. Until then, she's not cleared to return to work.

This whole thing has me worried since the doctors so far haven't agreed on a diagnosis and I'm afraid it may be something serious that they missed. Since Friday I've gotten very little sleep and I'm mentally and physically exhausted.

Has anyone on TMS ever heard of anything like this?

freebass55

Scary...make sure they test for Lyme disease. I am no doctor, but have seen this(Lyme Disease). You know, people do react differently to all medication. That could be what it is. Let us know how things turn out.

After reading your post again...It really disturbs me that a hospital will discharge her without finding out what caused the problem.

Let me say again, I am no doctor. I am just making a suggestion. Hope everything turns out well.

TomServo92

They ruled out any type of infection as well (not that I'm trusting much of what they say at this point).

freebass55

Good to hear. Keep on top of those guys.

MY05GT

Good luck, hope you find out whats wrong and that everything is okay. My wife had something similar happen before I picked up my Mustangs ( I remember what a difficult time I had trying to catch up to the ambulance in the Focus ). She had some similar symptoms, but she was unaware as it came on, just became lass coherant and then non responsive and passed out. We suspect hers was related to blood pressure as EMS could not get a BP at first and when they did, it was very low. They released her the next day with no idea why this happened. It was VERY scary. She has been okay since then. Hope your situation works out as well.

Mike McRann

Not a Doctor, I'm an Emergency Medical Technician for an ambulance service w/ almost 22 years in the field.

Any other medical history such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart conditions to name a few?
From the initial description of the problem it sounded like either a stroke or symptomatic hypertenstion (high blood pressure with symptoms such as headache, blurred vision or ringing in ears).
Then when you mention that the symptoms resolved themselves on their own makes it sound like she may have had a TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mini-stroke.

If she had a TIA then she may be at a higher risk for a stroke in the future. Of course the symptoms could be caused by other things other then those I described, like a reaction to medications or a migraine.
Hopefully the doctors will agree on a diagnosis and solve the problems your wife had.

Mike McRann

I'm happy that your wife is feeling better. But in the future if you ever have to call an ambulance and they transport using lights and sirens please don't try and keep up with them, just take your time getting to the hospital as it's going to take time for the staff to admit, find the problem and start treatment.

The paramedics have the history of the patient, current complaint and medications so the hospital can start treatment before you arrive.

You need to remember that we (drivers of emergency vehicles) can drive over the speed limit and go through red lights (after stopping to make sure it's safe to cross) while other vehicles are not allowed to do those things.

If you follow the ambulance at high speed and run red lights you're asking for a ticket at the very least, and an accident is possible as well.

When I worked in the 911 system here I always made sure to tell the family 'if we leave w/ lights and sirens DON'T try and follow us'.

And believe me lots of people did just that, and yes, I did see people get stopped by the police for trying to keep up with us.

TomServo92

No history of the things you mentioned and the neurologist ruled out a TIA.

Mike McRann

That's good that they ruled out storke or TIA.
When I responded to your post I was just thinking of the things we see in the field and what we can check for on exam. But we're not doctors and can't diagnose a problem, we just assess the patient and report our observations to the hospital.

I hope that they can find the cause and cure the problem
Good Luck

Lalo

Very scary indeed.
Glad to see that your wife is doing better.
I hope they find the cause, and hope it isnt serious.

TomServo92

The final diagnosis was complex migraine. She's been feeling fine since she was released from the hospital with no more symptoms or residual effects. She'll be able to return to work on Monday. I'm relieved that it wasn't something more serious.

JessicaRabbitt

Glad everything turned out ok...

Side note to all regarding following an ambulance. Generally, it is a definite no no. Rarely, you can get a police escort, and they run behind you with lights and sirens as well, but this is in extreme cases, and only when the patient is critical enough that a family member needs to be close by. (I have done this once...)

If the patient is not critical, but they are still going lights and sirens, and you are the most immediate family member they CAN and sometimes DO put you in the front seat. If its a minor, they will allow you to ride in the back. IF you are allowed this prviledge, make sure you are QUIET, dont get in the way, and listen carefully to the EMTs. I have been allowed to both ride in the front and the back of buses, and it can be overwhelming. I have lots of medical experience, and so it was easy for me to understand what was going on, and know my place. The EMTs will place a known adult in the back with a child to try and keep the child calm, and less traumatized. A familiar face to a child who is hurt and scared, can sometimes make a huge difference in providing effective treatment.

My $.05.

freebass55

Good news, Mark. Did they say what the chances are of her getting something like that again?

TomServo92

Her doctor thinks that a contributing factor is birth control pills. He believes that if she stays on them, there is a risk it could happen again. I guess we'll be exploring alternate methods.

JessicaRabbitt

Mark, you actually have several options. You do need to find out if it is the estrogen, or the progesterone that is making her sick. It is VERY possible to develop allergies to these hormones, especially if she has been taking them for a long period of time. Once you find the culprit, you can go on from there. There are lots of options that have lower doses of either hormone, or only contain one or the other.

I had to do a lot of research on this stuff, and have tried just about everything, PM me if she has questions, or wants a girls view on some of the stuff out there.

MY05GT

Glad everything appears to be going well, it can be REAL scary at the time. I also wanted to clarify a couple things. The ambulance was not going with lights and sirens, I just got a late start following ( had to make sure my son was OK heading over to my brothers house ) and had to close the gap before I left familiar roads. I did not know how to get to the hospital so I had to follow them. Had they been going fast using lights and sirens, they would have been too far away by the time I got started and the poor little Focus would not have been able to keep up anyhow.

TomServo92

She's only been taking for about six months. I didn't get the impression from the doctor that it was an allergy. He indicated that any type of hormonal birth control has the potential of intensifying a migraine headache. His recommendation was was to use an alternate BC method.