Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Good morning group. I need a medical consultation. Sam has spent the last two days in bed, as he has been too dizzy to get up--the usual bp readings etc. Then this morning he did get to the toilet--the aide was here--and she called me when he started trembling, quite violently, with a duration of 3-4 minutes. His eyes were just straight ahead, and of course, he did not respond to our voices. Then he gradually came out of it, and we got him back to bed via the wheel chair. He has had very brief trembling episodes in the past, but nothing like today. The aide suggested a seizure, and I just don't know--could it be a ministroke==a TIA? I have a call in to the neurologist, whom we saw two weeks ago, and he said he couldn't do anything except treat the symptoms, which he does. And I can't get any kind of timetable out of the Dr..--but Sam feels very low, of course. Sam does not want to go to the hospital for any tests, of course, and I do go along with his wishes. We just had a call from the neurologist--he said it was a convulsive syncope--not a stroke or seizure--said the blood pressure drops so low etc. Any ideas or similar experiences out there? Thanks so much. Everyone is very responsive to my concerns. Lou Reynolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Lou, I think the doctor is right ;-) - convulsive syncope. The problem is that the act of urinating or emptying bowels (especially is accompanied by straining) causes blood pressure to fall. If Sam's pressure was already low, this probably pushed him over the edge into a faint (syncope). I don't remember what he's taking for blood pressure meds -- can you remind us? Perhaps it's time to add more medication (in consultation with the doctor, of course). Or, is it possible to increase his salt intake? Is he consuming at least 2 liters of water a day? I know it is hard -- Rob is battling the low bp now too, and the oppressive heat doesn't help. Even though we have a/c he seems worse when the heat and humidity is so bad outside. Hang in there, Carol & Rob in steamy Lexington, MA trembling > Good morning group. I need a medical consultation. Sam has spent the last > two days in bed, as he has been too dizzy to get up--the usual bp readings > etc. Then this morning he did get to the toilet--the aide was here--and > she called me when he started trembling, quite violently, with a duration > of 3-4 minutes. His eyes were just straight ahead, and of course, he did > not respond to our voices. Then he gradually came out of it, and we got > him back to bed via the wheel chair. He has had very brief trembling > episodes in the past, but nothing like today. The aide suggested a > seizure, and I just don't know--could it be a ministroke==a TIA? I have a > call in to the neurologist, whom we saw two weeks ago, and he said he > couldn't do anything except treat the symptoms, which he does. And I can't > get any kind of timetable out of the Dr..--but Sam feels very low, of > course. Sam does not want to go to the hospital for any tests, of course, > and I do go along with his wishes. > > We just had a call from the neurologist--he said it was a convulsive > syncope--not a stroke or seizure--said the blood pressure drops so low etc. > > Any ideas or similar experiences out there? Thanks so much. Everyone is > very responsive to my concerns. Lou Reynolds > > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Hi lou, I found the best solution to this problem was tu put a small stool (6 " to8 " high) under Gwen's feet whenever she was on the commode. This kept the blood from pooling in her legs. (The knees should always be slightly higher than the hips when the patient is sitting!) Don Summers, President SDS/MSA Support Group The SDS/MSA Support Group is a Non Profit corporation devoted to reaching and assisting the Patients, Caregivers, Family Members and Physicians who are dealing with Shy-Drager Syndrome (Also known as Multiple System Atrophy). Our mission is to educate and support these people by establishing a never-ending circle of information between all involved. This has become known as the " Circle of Hope " ! I can be reached at the toll free number or via e-mail at Don.Summers@... The SDSMSA Support Group also sponsors the e-mail list, shydrager with the assistance of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Your financial assistance is always needed and greatly appreciated! Contributions may be mailed to: The SDS/MSA Support Group 2004 Lane Austin TX 78728 All contributions will be acknowledged and are tax deductible. Subject: trembling > Good morning group. I need a medical consultation. Sam has spent the last > two days in bed, as he has been too dizzy to get up--the usual bp readings > etc. Then this morning he did get to the toilet--the aide was here--and > she called me when he started trembling, quite violently, with a duration > of 3-4 minutes. His eyes were just straight ahead, and of course, he did > not respond to our voices. Then he gradually came out of it, and we got > him back to bed via the wheel chair. He has had very brief trembling > episodes in the past, but nothing like today. The aide suggested a > seizure, and I just don't know--could it be a ministroke==a TIA? I have a > call in to the neurologist, whom we saw two weeks ago, and he said he > couldn't do anything except treat the symptoms, which he does. And I can't > get any kind of timetable out of the Dr..--but Sam feels very low, of > course. Sam does not want to go to the hospital for any tests, of course, > and I do go along with his wishes. > > We just had a call from the neurologist--he said it was a convulsive > syncope--not a stroke or seizure--said the blood pressure drops so low etc. > > Any ideas or similar experiences out there? Thanks so much. Everyone is > very responsive to my concerns. Lou Reynolds > > > If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may > unsubscribe by sending a blank email to > > shydrager-unsubscribe > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2002 Report Share Posted August 11, 2002 Hi! Yes this sounds like what happens to my dad. He is in a care-facility and the staff has been complaining that he has seizures. He trembles and has also fainted and been out for a few minutes. They insisted that he get an EEG but because of slow service at the hospital we have not received the results. Meanwhile the care-facility put him on an anti-seizure medication. I do not like him to take medication if he doesn't need it . I think that his body is dealing with enough already. His neurologist has not been consulted, he was on holiday during the time when this happened. From what I have read on this site other people have had similar experiences and were told that these were not seizures but results of BP dropping. According to the staff my dad has not had many " seizures " since he is on the medication... but it may be because he also received medication for an infection and the weather has cooled down some. We should receive the EEG results soon, we have lodged a complaint with the hospital. I will post the information on this site. I hope that you are having a good day! Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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