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Original poster

My mum said she's a medical mystery.Help what shall I do?

22 replies

frazzledazzle · 23/08/2010 17:34

My mum has had some symptoms for a while now and they are getting more severe.

She can't walk straight and has poor balance.The neighbours think she's a drunk.She sometimes slurs her words and is very clumsy,also she is forgetful.She repeats herself and asks questions more than once.She has chronic shoulder/arm pain and is on medication because had urinary urgency and had accidents because of it.

Some days her smptoms are worse than others.I saw her last Tues and she seemed fine but on Thur she was slurring her words and said her eyes felt funny and she felt drunk.When I looked at her I noticed one eye was drifting outwards.On leaving my house she fell twice in the garden but after standing up she said she was fine and walked home I rang my dad to pick her up in the car on the route home and as he got to her she fell and now sports a huge shiner and badly bruised cheek.

My mum had an mri and I have been worried that the scan would show ms but she went to the docs today and he said the scan was clear.

So I said what happens now and she said nothing I'm a medical mystery your dad was right all along I'm just a clumsy bugger!

I'm very relieved the scan was clear obviously but I'm certain there is more to her symptoms than clumsyness.But if I say I think she needs more tests she'll poo poo it and my dad is a bury his head in the sand type.(He thinks my son with asd will grow out of it).

Help what should I do?

OP posts:
moaningminniewhingesagain · 23/08/2010 17:57

I would ask about carotid dopplers, scans to look at the blood flow in the neck. Some of the symptoms sound a bit like TIAs?

And I would request a referral to consultant physician to check out the symptoms further, it doesn't sound quite right to me. How old is she?

Original poster
frazzledazzle · 23/08/2010 18:28

She's 53

OP posts:
Flighttattendant · 23/08/2010 18:39

I second asking for a referral, neurology dept.

Poor thing being so worried, it must be very hard for you.

PawMum · 23/08/2010 18:43

god my mum has been like this since christmas. She had swine flu in december and just wasn't right. She had months off work. After loads of tests she was diagnosed with benign positional vertigo and today her mri came back clear also. She is also 53!! I think she is taking sturgeon? and that appears to be helping and she is slowly improving. they just think it is a post viral thing :(

moaningminniewhingesagain · 23/08/2010 18:53

53 is very young to be having these symptoms. I would definately press for further investigations. Am a nurse BTW.

Original poster
frazzledazzle · 23/08/2010 19:25

She's been to see a neurologist but reckons she doesn't have to go back,which doesn't sound right to me.Her memory is getting worse she doesn't retain information very well at all.

Her friend has been taking her to appointments btw and has been insistent that she goes in with her and helps to answer questions.

I really am worried but everyone else close to her is being rather blase about it all.

Do you think I should sit her down and tell her how bad she is? I don't want to frighten her though.Dad will just say she's fine don't worry,cos then he doesn't have to face up to things Sad

OP posts:
msrisotto · 23/08/2010 19:31

It really does sound neurological (though you mentioned urinary problems and sometimes urinary problems mimic dementia type symptoms so that could be a factor), second opinion time. It isn't right.

CaptainSquidBones · 23/08/2010 21:47

Normal pressure hydrocephalus? - although she is a bit young.

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 23/08/2010 21:50

That's what I was going to suggest Captain.

She's displaying the classic three symptoms.

Hope she gets to the bottom of it soon.

x

moragbellingham · 23/08/2010 22:13

I read yout thread frazzledazzle because of the title.
We have always joked about my mum being a medical mystery.
She's had a few TIAs and thanks to Captain and Iwish - I've just emailed my Dad to ask if NPH has ever been considered.

Just keep banging on about going back for more tests every time you see/talk to them. Hopefully they'll do something to keep you happy and/or quiet.

Does she drive?

Original poster
frazzledazzle · 24/08/2010 07:51

Would normal pressure hyrocephalus show up on an mri?

No Morag she doesn't drive.It's a good job as she definately shouldn't be driving in her condition.

OP posts:
Original poster
frazzledazzle · 24/08/2010 08:03

I've just googled NPH and the symptom tie in with my mum's.

It may be that the neurologist will contact her again but she has forgotten that she has to go back.

The other day she asked me if my ds1 only had a year left in primary.He's 6.

If she doesn't get another appointment I'll have to make sure she goes back to the GP.

Thanks for the suggestions Smile

OP posts:
Smash09 · 24/08/2010 08:23

I think she needs to be tested for parkinsons disease. Not all patients have a tremor in the early stages and it doesn't show up on MRI usually.

I'm so sorry your poor Mum is having these problems, what a nightmare Sad

Elsa123 · 24/08/2010 12:23

How distressing.

You say your mum is on medication? Have you checked the side effects of it? My aunt was on a medication and started to slur her words and her jaw slacked and she struggled to close it, then she couldn't swallow and it got worse and worse. She went to the doctor who referred her to hospital and they did not know what it was (medical mystery and all that) and basically told her that it didn't look good, sinister and all that. In a moment of common sense, she got a referral to a private consultant- he checked the meds she was on and there was a 1 in 50,000 chance of getting the problems she was having. The drugs were changed and she's now recovering. Worth looking at.

Original poster
frazzledazzle · 24/08/2010 12:45

My mum's friend has just phoned the hospital and they have said they are sending out another appointment for the neurologist to investigate further.

Regarding her medication the doc has said none it is responsible for her symptoms so who knows.All I do know is I'm worried sick Sad.

OP posts:
GeekOfTheWeek · 24/08/2010 12:50

Labrynthitis?

She definately needs further tests.

moragbellingham · 24/08/2010 14:42

My mum swears it's her meds (daily mail reader!), though she has been a variety.

IMO some GPs are not too hot on side-effects unless they have contact a specialised Medical Info dept for further advice.

nightcat · 24/08/2010 19:03

You really need to check out the meds as some can have neuro side effects; google a good start. Side effects can also build up, so she may have been taking something for a while and only recently developed these problems but they could still be the cause.
My mum developed neuro problems when on meds for IBS.

CaptainSquidBones · 27/08/2010 14:10

What are the meds?

Original poster
frazzledazzle · 07/09/2010 09:24

Well it turns out that there were some 'irregularities' on mums mri,it has taken 5 weeks for the results to come through!

My mums GP is terrible so it is possible he told her the mri was clear when it wasn't or my mum has just forgotten he told her there was something there.

She now has to go for a lumbar puncture soon,my parents really don't seem concerned my mum said it's "just routine" but she has heard it's a horrible procedure and is worried about that.

It's not looking good though is it?

OP posts:
feelingafailure · 07/09/2010 12:12

poor u.hope u dont mind me asking but how old is your mum.At least they are going to investigate.I am sure the end result will be fine just a progress of sorting out meds.

feelingafailure · 07/09/2010 12:13

sorry didnt see ur earlier post about ur mums age

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