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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / December 2006neurologist full of it?
My "neurologist" this morning saw one of my "seizures" he said they were nothing more than nonepileptic fits and that the headaches associated with them were migraines. So he prescribed periactin, sorry for my mangling spelling, its an antihistimine, for bloody seizures? he can't stand the neurontin, though. Help someone?  SignatureJ. T. Laurie Watcher of the Seals, Flame of Tar Valon, The Amyrlin Seat > My "neurologist" this morning saw one of my "seizures" he said they were > nothing more than nonepileptic fits and that the headaches associated with > them were migraines. That must have been the December appointment that you had previously mentioned some time ago. How 'bout describing that seizure. Tell us how you felt inside yourself. Tell us what somebody looking at you would have seen. Describe the whole thing. > So he prescribed periactin, sorry for my mangling > spelling, its an antihistimine, for bloody seizures? he can't stand the > neurontin, though. Help someone? I don't know for sure about the spelling as there is a periactin. It's an antihistamine, and it's used to treat allergies. Is that the one you mean? You had said that they gave you gabapentin (Neurontin) as you were leaving the hospital. What was the dosage you were taking? i.e. pill size, 100mg, 300mg, 600mg etc and how many pills per day? Are you still taking them? What do you mean when you say "he can't stand the neurontin"? One problem in regard to people here looking at your situation is that everything has come in sort of piecemeal with a bit here and a bit there. I've also asked questions that were never answered. That really all needs to be pulled together starting with the symptoms that you originally described here. Some of them sounded as though they might have a neurological original and others did not. There's no reason that more than one unrelated thing can't be happening at a time. So how is that consolidated description going to get put together?<G> Sorry. I just now checked the newsgroup. My symptoms were inside I felt this kind of dropping/slipping sensation in my stomach, and I felt really shaky and close to tears. Anyone on the outside would have seen me go pale then collapse out of my chair an onto the floor. I felt this awful stabbing burning pain in my left temple as I fell, an I started shaking and crying. The neurologist did prescribe what you said, partials, and he said he doesn't like the neurontin, but I can't remember what for. He told my grandfather I was doing it all for attention and that got relayed to my grandmother who wasn't pleased. He said he, the neurologist that is, made ninety percent of his diagnos(ese?) without doing a single test. He seemed very arrogant. I've also noticed that if I'm in a silent room, I can hear the energy signatures of the electronic devices around me, and sometimes it scares me bad enough I have one. I had four the other night, and the medicine he gave me was awful. I take three three-hundred mg's of gabapentin a day, then the other doc I saw upped it to four because he said its a cross between migraines and peddimal, (I appologize for my spelling) seizures. Any other question that you need answered? Thank you for all your help. >> My "neurologist" this morning saw one of my "seizures" he said they were >> nothing more than nonepileptic fits and that the headaches associated [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > one unrelated thing can't be happening at a time. So how is that > consolidated description going to get put together?<G> > Sorry. I just now checked the newsgroup. My symptoms were inside I felt this > kind of dropping/slipping sensation in my stomach, and I felt really shaky > and close to tears. Anyone on the outside would have seen me go pale then > collapse out of my chair an onto the floor. I felt this awful stabbing > burning pain in my left temple as I fell, an I started shaking and crying. > The neurologist did prescribe what you said, partials, and he said he > doesn't like the neurontin, but I can't remember what for. **G* I sometimes wish Drs. (when they do it) would keep comments like above to themselves. Whether he likes it or not, unless he explained e.g. that it can have withdrawal effects if stopped promptly (like my Tegretol), comments like that don't add to your confidence about a pill that might work **perfectly well for your type. Have they ever referred you for an EEG or MRI to make sure it's not e.g. a Stroke or other things causing the symptoms? (The EEG is an ElectroEncephalogram that monitors electric signals during stimulation by lights flashing, sounds etc. and can find some types of erratic electric activity. *If the damage causing the symptoms is a Tiny blood clot etc. those need a Magnetic Resonance Image to find, as the blip might not occur while the EEG is being done, but will show up on the 3D X-ray type image the MRI produces. Not all hospitals have MRI machines, and a Neurologist is needed to interpret the results? Many sites now have EEG machines (even ambulances in some countries), and that type of test can be run fairly quickly, if they thought someone had a head injury from an auto crash for example. Those are often interpreted by the Technicians who run them? then the test and results go to the Dr. for further analysis... I'm starting to wonder if your Dr. knows how to do that... but that's just based on what we've been discussing so far. G. // He told my > grandfather I was doing it all for attention and that got relayed to my > grandmother who wasn't pleased. He said he, the neurologist that is, made > ninety percent of his diagnos(ese?) without doing a single test. He seemed > very arrogant. ***G.* It's too bad he doesn't get paid Amateur Psychologist's Salary, if that's the practice he wants to choose. He's paid to be a Neurologist-- that requires he Interpret MRIs and EEGs... If he hasn't run either of those (my comment below), he should be Paid less for what he's doing. But I don't print his checks for him. / I've also noticed that if I'm in a silent room, I can hear > the energy signatures of the electronic devices around me, and sometimes it > scares me bad enough I have one. I had four the other night, and the > medicine he gave me was awful. I take three three-hundred mg's of gabapentin > a day, then the other doc I saw upped it to four because he said its a cross > between migraines and peddimal, (I apologize for my spelling) seizures. **G* If you do any searches look under Petit Mal Seizure (French for Small Illness) -- it can affect one part only of the brain sometimes, and is one of the few? that doesn't often end in full loss of consciousness. I think it's also one of the harder types to diagnose because of it's fleeting nature? but others here might have comments on whether that's true vs. e.g. a Grand Mal or Complex Partial type szr. You could try search with correct spelling of Petit mal and see if Google or ?? turns up more info. About 3-4? wks ago I published a list of websites I used, here. If you don't see them, shorten this message and reply here- I'll see if I can cut and paste a new message thread with sites I use most often (I have them set under favorites on my machine, so don't have them 'with me' when I post here-- part of wonders of technology... ) G./ > Any other question that you need answered? > Thank you for all your help. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > one unrelated thing can't be happening at a time. So how is that > > consolidated description going to get put together?<G> He said he doesn't need to run any of those tests to know that what mine is is a damned psychological problem. They ran an MRI on my back to see how badly hurt I was but none on my head. And he said no EEG was necessary. He just said neurontin wasn't very good but the periactine is making me hungry and flushed, and sometimes causes two or three miniature little seizures a day and then four or five at night. He's thoroughly off his rocker. >> Sorry. I just now checked the newsgroup. My symptoms were inside I felt >> this [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > above to themselves. Whether he likes it or not, unless he explained > snipped. I think http://efa.org has a Medications Glossary, that produces a one page summary about a particular pill (neurontin I think, like you had, is the correct spelling). That shouldn't be a whole lot different from what your Pharmacy should have given you when it was first filled. How hard is it to get a referral to change Neurologists? Can you get that via a Family Dr. or some other route? Since Neuro-1 doesn't believe in Med. tests etc. there's no *useful Medical Information you'd need **forwarded to Neuro-2, as most of the rest of us here would have to do. (Many countries have specific forms, to be signed by patient, that okays Doctor 2 getting files forwarded from Dr. 1. In your case Dr. 1 has nothing of use? since I doubt he keeps notes as he's always right.. :-< It also keeps Licencing people away, if there's no written trail to follow.. ) /G. > He said he doesn't need to run any of those tests to know that what mine is > is a damned psychological problem. They ran an MRI on my back to see how [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > above to themselves. Whether he likes it or not, unless he explained > > snipped. the neurontin partially controls the seizures, but not entirely. So I'm trying to find one that will, or a combination that will, but neurooff-his-rocker thinks he's perfectly right, so dr.2 will have nada from dr.1 > I think http://efa.org has a Medications Glossary, that produces a > one page summary about a particular pill (neurontin I think, like you [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] >> > above to themselves. Whether he likes it or not, unless he explained >> > snipped. > Sorry. I just now checked the newsgroup. My symptoms were inside I felt this > kind of dropping/slipping sensation in my stomach, and I felt really shaky > and close to tears. Anyone on the outside would have seen me go pale then > collapse out of my chair an onto the floor. I felt this awful stabbing > burning pain in my left temple as I fell, an I started shaking and crying. How typical, would you say, was that seizure compared to the others that you have had? > The neurologist did prescribe what you said, partials, and he said he > doesn't like the neurontin, but I can't remember what for. He told my > grandfather I was doing it all for attention and that got relayed to my > grandmother who wasn't pleased. Is that the same grandmother who taught you to knit? > He said he, the neurologist that is, made > ninety percent of his diagnos(ese?) without doing a single test. He seemed > very arrogant. What was he saying that in response to? Was someone there with you? your grandfather? You've previously had tests at the hospital and he naturally would have had access to those results. > I've also noticed that if I'm in a silent room, I can hear > the energy signatures of the electronic devices around me, and sometimes it > scares me bad enough I have one. I had four the other night, and the > medicine he gave me was awful. He prescribed a medication that is most commonly used for allergy problems. Seems a bit strange for a neurologist to be doing that instead of your general practitioner. But leaving that part aside, do you have any sort of allergy problems such as itching skin, sneezing, sinus problems or breathing problems? I'm attempting to figure out his reason for doing that. > I take three three-hundred mg's of gabapentin > a day, then the other doc I saw upped it to four because he said its a cross > between migraines and peddimal, (I appologize for my spelling) seizures. Your spelling may be intended for "petit mal", but I'm not clear on a couple of things. What time of day do you take these gabapentin pills? and who is this "other doc"? i.e. What roll does he play in your medical care? > Any other question that you need answered? > Thank you for all your help. Somebody needs to put together a consolidated history of these problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) sorry. He the neurologist gave me those pills to "get rid of your migraines" but I don't have migraines! It was fairly typical. No worse or anything. The gabapentin isn't at any set time, really, because I take it when I get up, usually round nine, then again at three or four, then the next two pills at bedtime, sometimes around ten. I'll type up a consolidated list and post it at some point. >> Sorry. I just now checked the newsgroup. My symptoms were inside I felt >> this kind of dropping/slipping sensation in my stomach, and I felt really [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. I had > mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) In trying to help, questions need to be asked because none of us are there to see and hear for ourselves. But if the questions that would help us evaluate your situation don't get answered, then there's no point in asking them in the first place. There were other questions there that simply got ignored and that has been a repeated pattern. I'll just simply give up eventually and might already be at that point as I've got plenty to do at home as it is. btw: I misspelled "role" and used "roll" instead, so don't feel alone. :) > sorry. He the neurologist gave me those pills to "get rid of your migraines" > but I don't have migraines! [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] >> since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. I had >> mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) No, its ot the one who taught me to knit. yes my grandfather was there. yes he would have had access to those results. > In trying to help, questions need to be asked because none of us are there > to see and hear for ourselves. But if the questions that would help us [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] >>> since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. I had >>> mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) Thanks - and "who is this "other doc"? i.e. What roll does he play in your medical care?". btw: I've had doctors prescribe AED's for me based only upon the symptoms I've reported as there was nothing showing on my EEG nor on a CT-scan. The first one prescribed Tegretol and it didn't help, so I stopped it. The second doctor, both were GP's, prescribed the Neurontin/gabapentin that I still take today although it came a long ways from getting the whole job done. > No, its ot the one who taught me to knit. yes my grandfather was there. yes > he would have had access to those results. [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] >>>> since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. I had >>>> mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got an appointment with him through someone else. he is a surgeon, but he does know a bit about seizures, so he decided to up my gabapentin to 1200 milligrams a day to keep those away. Did I miss anything? :) > Thanks - and "who is this "other doc"? i.e. What roll does he play in your > medical care?". [quoted text clipped - 71 lines] >>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. >>>>> I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) > ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got an > appointment with him through someone else. What does your medical insurance think about that arrangement? or is that guy giving you a freebie? > he is a surgeon, but he does know > a bit about seizures, so he decided to up my gabapentin to 1200 milligrams a > day to keep those away. So you've got a surgeon playing the role of neurologist and a neurologist in the acting role of allergist. That's cute. Must be some kind of mid-life identity crisis. :) > Did I miss anything? :) Strange you should mention <G> "But leaving that part aside, do you have any sort of allergy problems such as itching skin, sneezing, sinus problems or breathing problems? I'm attempting to figure out his reason for doing that. >> Thanks - and "who is this "other doc"? i.e. What roll does he play in your >> medical care?". [quoted text clipped - 71 lines] >>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of posts. >>>>>> I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) whoa, whoa, maybe I misworded something. The surgeon isn't quite acting neurologist, but he does know a bit about neurology, and did neurosurgery. He's upped my gabapentin until I can see a real neurologist. No, I don't have any sort of allergy symptoms. Nice comment about the midlife identity crisis. The neurologist could be outwitted by a large jar of marshmallow fluff. >> ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got an >> appointment with him through someone else. [quoted text clipped - 91 lines] >>>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of >>>>>>> posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) > whoa, whoa, maybe I misworded something. No. It was fine and I understood you perfectly. I was just curious as to how that surgeon was going to be paid for his services. > The surgeon isn't quite acting > neurologist, but he does know a bit about neurology, and did neurosurgery. > He's upped my gabapentin until I can see a real neurologist. So whose office does the pharmacy call when it's prescription renewal time? > No, I don't > have any sort of allergy symptoms. What's the purpose of the albuterol then? > Nice comment about the midlife identity > crisis. The neurologist could be outwitted by a large jar of marshmallow > fluff. The one I used to have could give him some competition in that area. After he discovered that the old "here is a prescription, see me in 3 months" wasn't getting the job done, he finally referred me to an epileptologist who really didn't do anything that the neurologist couldn't have done himself. That was after jerking me around for well over a year and keeping me in total misery. I don't forget such things quickly. >>> ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got an >>> appointment with him through someone else. [quoted text clipped - 88 lines] >>>>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of >>>>>>>> posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) The surgeon did a free consult because I am a friend of a friend of his. >> whoa, whoa, maybe I misworded something. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > So whose office does the pharmacy call when it's prescription renewal > time? Right now I doubt they'll call anyone, but they call Dr. Vecil in San Antonio. He's the neurosurgeon that actually prescribed the gabapentin> >> No, I don't have any sort of allergy symptoms. > > What's the purpose of the albuterol then? The albuterol was for the cough after I eat. Its acid reflux but no one ever thought to consider that as a possibility. It was my pcp being an idiot, as usual.> >> Nice comment about the midlife identity crisis. The neurologist could be >> outwitted by a large jar of marshmallow fluff. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > himself. That was after jerking me around for well over a year and keeping > me in total misery. I don't forget such things quickly. Me neither. Damned idiot. Would love to bend him over his exam table and give him a firm, smart kick up the a.s with my grandpa's size 13. And no petrolium jelly to help!> >>>> ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got >>>> an appointment with him through someone else. [quoted text clipped - 90 lines] >>>>>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of >>>>>>>>> posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) > The surgeon did a free consult because I am a friend of a friend of his. Then he would appear to be the long sought for local who can help get things on the right track for you vis-a-vis your seizure situation. I assume that was the main purpose of your visit to him and that things either have been or will be set in motion under his guidance. >>> whoa, whoa, maybe I misworded something. >> No. It was fine and I understood you perfectly. I was just curious as to [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Right now I doubt they'll call anyone, but they call Dr. Vecil in San > Antonio. He's the neurosurgeon that actually prescribed the gabapentin> >>> No, I don't have any sort of allergy symptoms. >> What's the purpose of the albuterol then? > The albuterol was for the cough after I eat. Its acid reflux but no one ever > thought to consider that as a possibility. It was my pcp being an idiot, as > usual.> Too much, too fast? >>> Nice comment about the midlife identity crisis. The neurologist could be >>> outwitted by a large jar of marshmallow fluff. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> himself. That was after jerking me around for well over a year and keeping >> me in total misery. I don't forget such things quickly. > Me neither. Damned idiot. Would love to bend him over his exam table and > give him a firm, smart kick up the a.s with my grandpa's size 13. And no > petrolium jelly to help!> You really don't want to talk like that in _this newsgroup_. Nuff said. >>>>> ok. The other doctor is a friend of a friend who knew somebody, I got >>>>> an appointment with him through someone else. [quoted text clipped - 90 lines] >>>>>>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of >>>>>>>>>> posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! >> The surgeon did a free consult because I am a friend of a friend of his. > [quoted text clipped - 137 lines] >>>>>>>>>>> problems since day one. It's all mostly here in your series of >>>>>>>>>>> posts. I had mentioned that in my post. <hint> :-) > correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up here > so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! >>> The surgeon did a free consult because I am a friend of a friend of his. >> Then he would appear to be the long sought for local who can help get >> things on the right track for you vis-a-vis your seizure situation. I >> assume that was the main purpose of your visit to him and that things >> either have been or will be set in motion under his guidance. That's great! So unless I misunderstand, your seizure situation is under control because of the gabapentin, or probably can be controlled by fine-tuning the dosage, and you're probably going to be seeing a different neurologist. What's remaining is to get that back injury healed and I wish you all the best with that for a quick recovery. well, we're at the halfway point. Just have to get the headaches and seizures both under control, I'm now on 25mg of topamax and 1200mg of gabapentin daily. Not sure how it'll work, but the topamax is "to control the migraines". Ha! If the dimwit only knew! Thanks for your consideration. And whatever people say about me, I'm not as suicidal as it might seem. Yes I am depressed, but I've had a lot in my life in the past year. I los... wel... no. You wouldn't care. I'll hush up. >> correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up >> here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > neurologist. What's remaining is to get that back injury healed and I wish > you all the best with that for a quick recovery. >>> correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up >>> here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > the migraines". > Ha! If the dimwit only knew! Topomax is often used in the treatment for migraines, so some confusion might have arisen from that connection. In your case, it would be to supplement the gabapentin and that doesn't surprise me. I've found in my own case that it was of minimal effectiveness, and extremely costly in the process ro boot, although I still have to take it. Sounds like your T is a starting dose and will gradually be increased while monitoring for effectiveness and side-effects. > Thanks for your consideration. And whatever people say about me, I'm not as > suicidal as it might seem. Yes I am depressed, but I've had a lot in my life > in the past year. I los... wel... no. You wouldn't care. I'll hush up. Whatever. I'm just as confused as you are. :-) Speaking of Topamax, I took the first dose last night. Now what I don't understand is that medications with a potential for disorientation and dizziness or fainting are dangerous, so why give them? Its logical to try things, but then at least warn me of the side effects, don't make me look them up on my own, then when I take it act surprised when it makes the whole problem of the "migraines" worse. God, people these days... >>>> correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up >>>> here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Whatever. I'm just as confused as you are. :-) >>>>> correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred up >>>>> here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > understand is that medications with a potential for disorientation and > dizziness or fainting are dangerous, so why give them? You already know the answer to that question. They are given to solve a problem that you would like solved. If there were any medications that solved the same problem for you and didn't have the potential for those side-effects, then that's what you would be given. Unfortunately, there is no such thing, so you are getting the one with potential side-effects. They are usually quite rare. The FDA requires that certain ones be listed even though your chances are almost nonexistent. > Its logical to try > things, but then at least warn me of the side effects, don't make me look > them up on my own, then when I take it act surprised when it makes the whole Your prescription came with a packet insert that details all those possible side-effects. There's no excuse for not being aware of them before you swallowed the first pill. > problem of the "migraines" worse. > God, people these days... You _don't have_ migraines. Remember? At least that's what you've been telling us here. You previously said "sorry. He the neurologist gave me those pills "to get rid of your migraines" but I don't have migraines! You've now said in a different post elsewhere: > The neurologist could be outwitted by a jar of marshmallow fluff. He at > first gave me an antihystamine for my "migraines" and said my seizures were > fake. But then the medicine made me too hungry so we switched. Now I'm > having hot flashes and awful headaches and the medication doesn't do a > damned thing. I'm getting sick of this! Advice? Stop taking the medications and call the doctor! I was given the impression that your new surgeon doctor has prescribed the Topomax and that your previous neurologist was out of the picture now. None of this is making much sense! no no no no. I should have been clearer. The marshmallow fluff neurologist is giving me the stuff to control the "migraines" and I didn't know medications come with a package insert. My grandmother has a nice tendancy not to read those to me but then get spissed when I'm a bit disoriented, or the room tilts, or whatever. I called him but he said give it about a week to get into my system and its should start workng. I'm at my wit's end. maybe come next month it'll all be sorted out. I thank you for what you've done. No mater how I may seem, I'm not as stupid as I look. >>>>>> correct. he badgered my family into getting my insurance transferred >>>>>> up here so I can get a doc up here. Thank god! [quoted text clipped - 73 lines] > > None of this is making much sense! > no no no no. I should have been clearer. The marshmallow fluff neurologist > is giving me the stuff to control the "migraines" and I didn't know [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > maybe come next month it'll all be sorted out. I thank you for what you've > done. No mater how I may seem, I'm not as stupid as I look. *** Several of the medications can take 1-3 weeks to reach therapeutic levels in our blood. If you're near the pharmacy you can ask them for another printout for the pill names you use. Those are handy as some things can conflict with certain of the pills (e.g. grapefruit juice and (my) tegretol, cough syrups which contain alcohol, etc. ). Another place that can give an interim page is U.S. Ep. Foundation, within http://efa.org there's a pill glossary, you enter the pill name and 'go' or 'search' button behind it. You get a one-page writeup on what the pill is used for, how to use it and what to use with it (often food or juice) and what to avoid with it. If the page has pictures etc. there will be a "printable version" tab at the bottom. Click that, then print the page that comes up. I found those as accurate as what I had from my Pharmacy with the ~3 types of pills I've used over last 8 years. (It was there I found about grapefruit and tegretol conflict.) /G. > >> Speaking of Topamax, I took the first dose last night. Now what I don't > >> understand is that medications with a potential for disorientation and > >> dizziness or fainting are dangerous, so why give them? Other poster (partials? I removed the longer content.. :-< ) --> > > You already know the answer to that question. They are given to solve a > > problem that you would like solved. If there were any medications that [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Topomax and that your previous neurologist was out of the picture now. > > None of this is making much sense!
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