Mom had a different neurologist on call this time and he has a totally
different idea of what might be causing these attacks. He thinks Mom
might be having seizures and these are an extended post-ectal (I'm sure
I've spelled that wrong) period. Basically the period after the
seizure. He has taken her off her SSRI's since they can lower the
seizure threshold and added an anti-seizure med. This is now the third
theory of what is causing this.  She has had 7 episodes. Two were
bonifide strokes which showed up on MRI's.  The other 5 showed nothing
of strokes but do show vascular disease in the brain.  First we were
told these were TIA's. Then we were told that TIA's resolve in 30
minutes not 3-5 days like Mom's do and that it was a blockage of the
Central Cerebral Artery in the brain. Angioplasty to that vessel was
suggested but too risky for someone of her age and health.  That was
the last time. Now this time seizures.  Interestingly enough, Mom has
always had a UTI whenever this has happened. Early on they told us that
the abx for the UTI caused diarrhea which caused dehydration which can
cause a TIA or stroke.  But guess what?  The abx they are using and the
flagyl they are using to prevent the diarrhea also lowers the seizure
threshold!  So that's 4 meds that can induce seizures! And in someone
with renal insufficiency these types of seizures as a reaction to the
meds are greater.

In the nursing home, Mom isn't monitored 24/7.  She could have a
seizure and no one even know it. When I was feeding her on Saturday, I
noticed her body jerking like someone was giving her a giant shake. It
happened 4-5 times and her eyes were rolling back in her lids when it
happend. I recogizied that as a partial seizure and told the nurse
about it. She kinda downplayed it but did call the neuro and he agreed
with me. Mom had an EEG yesterday and an MRI today so I'm hoping to get
the results later when I go in.

Mom can't move or talk.  Her muscles are very very rigid. Sometimes she
can respond by shaking her head and sometimes not. This started last
Thursday and Usually she's improving by now but not this time.  They
did a swollowing test today and are seeing if they can do ok with a
soft diet. She starting not swollowing well yesteday so they might have
to put in a feeding tube.  Oh boy. I wish I had my sister here with me.

Diane W