About Layla Yeganeh Expertise I have researched and studied medicine, pharmacy, psychology and biology in college, through medical journals and research studies, I also have personal knowledge of the side effects, interactions and uses of many drugs for: antidepressants, alternative depression treatments, sleep aids, ADD, ADHD, psychiatric meds, weight loss, fibro, thyroid (Armour) versus synthetic, endocrinology, HRT, natural homeopathic drug interactions, toxicology, steroids, blood pressure, anxiety, birth control pills, Migraines, headaches, pain medications, TMJ, antibiotics, sinus and otolaryngoloy medications, as well as Immune therapy and allergy treatments, and many more. I would like to extend my knowledge and exerience to you, and offer advice so please don't hesitate to ask if you have a question. Every question is important, and no question is too difficult.
I am wondering if you get a neurological reaction to medication as a side affect are there any tests to prove such a thing.
My MRI's, CT's, EEG, all were clear but I am having Neurological symptoms.
Thanks
Terry
ANSWER: Your question is a little unclear.
Do you mean you are getting neurological symptoms (WHAT ARE THEY) from medication (WHAT IS THE MEDICATION)?
IF you could clarify what you mean, in more detail, I might be able to understand what you are asking, and I might be able to help you.
Thanks
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QUESTION: Hi, thanks for your reply and offer to help me out here with my question.
The medicine that I had was a Vistaril injection 50mg given into an IV in the ER.
I went to the ER with rib pain from over lifting while working in my yard.
The first thing that happened was I passed out asleep.
Then when I came around I was shivering and freezing and could not warm up.
Then I started jerking all over the table like a seizure.
I jerked for 3 days just like that (seizure-like),
then within the week I started getting muscle twitches,
migraines, vision blurriness, racy feeling inside, chest pain, hard to breath, chest pain with exertion, pain in my hands and arms and neck, left arm numbness, and bone pain.
These symptoms have never cleared up and are now getting worse.
I'd appreciate any opinions you could give me here.
Thanks
Terry
ANSWER: What do you do for an occupation and what were you doing outdoors? were you in anyway exposed to heavy metals, or poision etc?
This sounds terrible!
please let me know when this reaction started. because it may be due to sommething that happened before the MRO etc was conducted, and be more serious, and irrelatied.
Layla
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QUESTION: Hi Layla, I appreciate your time...thanks!
I am a professional window cleaner with my own business for over 30 years.
I was diagnosed with Costochondritis which was the cause of my rib pain and tightness, 3 years before that night.
We were off work for 4 days, having some family over for a picnic, fishing etc.
I didn't want to make the letter too long before, but what happened was...I was doing a lot of heavy yard work the week before this night. We were putting a garden shed together, digging and such.
But the night of the ER there wasn't anything wrong and I had a great day, just woke up with the rib tightness.
I wasn't around and heavy metals etc.
I was tested for all of those things by a Toxicologist who was trying to find out what happened too.
The only thing that I tested "positive" for was, Isocyanates...which the Toxicologist had no idea why because I am not around anything like that.
I never had any problems at all until that night at the ER, for 48 years I was extremely healthy.
This happened Sept 2004 and I am still suffering terribly and trying to find out something to help me get my life back.
I went to sleep with a great life, wife, business, and by the next day after the ER this is what happened to me.
Prior to this night my GP gave me some kind of muscle relaxer that didn't agree with me, so he gave me some Ativan for the muscle tightness in my chest and took me off the muscle relaxer. I had also taken baby aspirin that night.
At the ER the tightness began to lessen, so I told them I didn't need any injection I was starting to feel better.
They gave it to me anyway and the symptoms began right away.
1st passed out asleep (I tried to fight passing out, but I couldn't it was so strong)
2nd started shivering, with teeth chattering
3rd myoclonic jerking - seizure like episodes
within the week all the symptoms I told you about in my first letter happened and they have never stopped.
I was told by my Pharmacist that they should have never mixed the Vistaril with the Ativan or they should have lowered the dose.
I was also told that Vistaril should NEVER be given in an IV.
My Neurologist said that I had a rare reaction because they shot me in the IV or I had a rare reaction to the drug possibly because they gave me too much.
Another Neurologist I saw for another opinion said it had to have been a Paradoxical reaction, but he couldn't explain how the symptoms stayed for all this time.
He also said that it could be the cause of the problems with my kidneys and digestion within that week also.
Now I have been tested with a CYP2D6 genotype at Mayo Clinic and the results were, my body doesn't metabolize medication fast enough. I was told to avoid medicine if at all possible because it can build up in my system and literally become toxic. (that's what the doc told me)
Before that night I never had a problem with medicine in my life, I was able to take like Tylenol and not feel like I'm going to fall asleep from it. I had surgeries where I was given anesthesia and never had any problem.
What do you think about this mess?
I'd like any opinion you might have.
Thanks
Terry
Answer Before you read this post, I revised it several times after doing some more research for you. If this doesnt fit you can tell me more, I want to help you if I can. -Layla
Could you have Porphyria?
you can scroll down to the bottom of the page, where I mention more about the disease in detail, but briefly...
There are several types of porphyria, I think 7 in all. Some involve the skin turning blotchy or spotty, and some involve neurological symptoms as well. Some are genetic, some are not. It appears.
"Many signs and symptoms of porphyria are similar to those of other more common illnesses or diseases. This can make it difficult to know if you're having an attack of porphyria.
Acute porphyria
Often, an episode of acute porphyria begins with neurological symptoms of severe abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by vomiting or constipation. Muscle pain, confusion and disorientation also are common signs and symptoms of acute porphyria. In addition, the following may be signs and symptoms of acute porphyria:
Muscle tingling, numbness, weakness or paralysis
Seizures
Hallucinations
Cutaneous porphyria
There are several Types with different symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of cutaneous and neurocutaneous porphyria, such as itching, painful skin redness (erythema), skin swelling (edema) and blisters, usually appear within several minutes of sun exposure.
Red or Purple spots
Red urine, caused by increased levels of porphyrins, can be a sign of either type of porphyria.
"Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax) -- Antagonizes H1 receptors in periphery. May suppress histamine activity in subcortical region of CNS. Sedating, alternative to diphenhydramine.
Precautions Associated with clinical exacerbations of porphyria (may not be safe for porphyric patients); ECG abnormalities (alterations in T-waves) may occur; may cause drowsiness."
I would venture to say that yes of course you can get neurological symptoms from chemicals (ie drugs), as a side effect, perhaps your case illustrates exactally that.
It is documented in the literature.
The body just doesnt start attacking itself one day out of the blue. Its intuitivly logical that something would cause assult, be it a chemical, virus, becteria etc etc, to cause this sudden transformation.
I would say that anything at this point, in terms of tests and treatment would be experimental. Its up to you to find the experts that may help you. There may be some doctors that are interested in research, that may take speical interest in your case, please dont give up, keep probing.
To tell you the truth, I would be lying to you if I said I knew what was going on.
...It sounds chemical induced neurological damage, and some serious reaction your body had to chemicals/medications, as you said your liver enzymes, and genes not being able to metabolize the drugs or combination of drugs you were given in those few days.
But the main thing that is so upsetting is that this was an acute reaction, instant, as you say, like a poisoning exposure, but yet the effects have ben lasting, and for several years after the fact. That puzzles people, because you would think everything just goes away, but sometimes the body changes, its not that simple. Often times chemical exposure has lasting effects, espically if you continue to be exposed to them, or contiune to live in that environment, ie (a toxic home) a polluted river, etc.
I dont like that the toxicologist found the Isocyanates in your body, that's not good, or normal. Polyurathane compounds found in plastics or rubber, carpets, paint, wood glue etc. That could have triggered something.
You say you are in the window buissness for 30 years and I would assume there are occupational exposures to chemicals over time that may have put stress on your immune system, sensitizing you, maybe perhaps to this unfortunate drug reaction. (a hypothesis)
In terms of the MRI, I would periodically get tested, even though it has come back normal, to rule out something like a brain tumor. Even though it has not been the case so far.
I am wondering if you have looked into IVIG therapy. I know that its a shot in the dark, but sometimes, it resets the bodys immune system. The histamine reaction caused by the Vistaril you had was abnormal, but it does happen. This could be linked.
Vistaril, can block histamine and trigger seizures, and in your case, it seems as tho this happened.
Seizure meds such as tegretol might benefit, I know that you have probably tired them I would assume.
SOME QUESTIONS:
What symtoms are you having exactly right now, and what are you doing to comfort yourself, Are you currently taking any medications? is there ANYTHING that helps, and What makes you symptoms worse?... you mentioned exertion causing chest pain, I recall. Look at food, look at exercise, look at drugs, look at dental, look at environment, look at anything, and let me know.
Also, if you havent already, you may try going on long term antibiotic therapy, such as doxycycline for several months and see if that helps.
Please consider seeking the help of an immunologist, also since I am not a neurologist, or a toxicologist, or even a doctor it is not my area of expertise.
I can try to do my best to help you.
If I could take away your pain I would! I am very sorry this happened to you, and that I cant give you difinitive answers.
But there is also hope that you will get better and your symptoms will improve as time goes on, please watch for new symptoms, and never give up!
Take care,
Layla
histidine decarboxylase (a key enzyme for histamine biosynthesis) deficient antihistamines have varying immunomodulatory properties
Also, a parasitic Tape worm infection, if you have been exposed to contaminated soil or animals, dogs, larve. Cysts in body organs and also weight loss.
When investigating problems it never hurts to think outside the box!
Follow up again...
I just read that Vistaril can exastrabate PORPHYRIA it's a rare genetic disease that can effect the nervous systom, induced by medications, have you heard of this?,,, upon some web browsing I found the following info...
Overview
Porphyria is a condition that affects how heme is made and broken down by the body. Heme is the part of hemoglobin containing the iron atom that carries oxygen to the cells of the body.
What is going on in the body?
Hemoglobin is the main oxygen-carrying component of blood. Part of the hemoglobin molecule is a protein (the "globin"). The other part is heme, a molecule known as a porphyrin. This part is built to contain the iron atom that carries oxygen to the cells of the body. Heme is built (synthesized) from other porphyrins in a series of stages. The porphyrins are made in various places in the body. When one of the stages in heme construction goes awry, either because the body is missing a constructing tool (an enzyme) for genetic reasons, or due to a disruption of the pathway caused by a toxin, certain porphyrins build up to abnormal levels in the body. Porphyrias are classified by where in the body the excess porphyrins are made. They include:
erythropoietic, with extra production in the bone marrow
hepatic, with extra production in the liver
erythrohepatic, with extra production in the bone marrow and liver
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms vary, depending on the type of porphyria. Symptoms that may occur with most of the porphyrias include:
severe abdominal pain, sometimes mimicking acute appendicitis
chest pain
sensitivity to bright sunlight
muscle cramping and weakness
numbness and tingling of the legs and arms
Hepatic porphyria may cause these additional symptoms:
fever
vomiting
constipation
rapid heart beat
liver disease
psychiatric disturbances, such as depression or mania
leg pain
skin discoloration, itching, and blistering
changes in urine color to a red-brown
changes in tooth color
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FOR TESTING: http://www.porphyriafoundation.com/
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Urine test. If you have a form of acute porphyria, a urine test may reveal elevated levels of two substances: porphobilinogen and delta-aminolevulinic acids, as well as other porphyrins.
Blood test. If you have a form of cutaneous porphyria, a blood test may show an elevation in the level of porphyrins in the liquid part of your blood (plasma).
Stool sample test. Analysis of a stool sample may reveal elevated levels of some porphyrins that may not be detected in urine samples. This test may help your doctor determine your specific type of porphyria.
From wiki
"Acute porphyria"
The hepatic porphyrias primarily affect the nervous system, resulting in abdominal pain, vomiting, acute neuropathy, seizures and mental disturbances, including hallucinations, depression, anxiety and paranoia. Cardiac arrhythmias and tachycardia (fast heart rate) may develop as the autonomic nervous system is affected. Pain can be severe and can, in some cases, be both acute and chronic in nature. Constipation is frequently present, as the nervous system of the gut is affected, but diarrhea can also occur.
Given the many presentations and the relatively uncommon occurrence of porphyria the patient may initially be suspected to have other, unrelated conditions. For instance, the polyneuropathy of acute porphyria may be mistaken for Guillain-Barrι syndrome, and porphyria testing is commonly recommended in those scenarios.[4] Lupus erythematosus features photosensitivity, pain attacks and shares various other symptoms with porphyria.[5]
Not all porphyrias are genetic, and patients with liver disease who develop porphyria as a result of liver dysfunction may exhibit signs of their conditions, such as jaundice.
Attacks of the disease can be triggered by drugs (e.g. barbiturates, alcohol, sulfa drugs, oral contraceptives, sedatives and certain antibiotics), other chemicals and certain foods. Fasting can also trigger attacks.
Patients with hepatic porphyrias (PCT, AIP, HCP, VP) are at increased risk over their life for hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) and may require monitoring. Other typical risk factors for liver cancer need not be present, such as hepatitis B or C, iron overload or alcoholic cirrhosis."
