Doc's, Need Advise On Ill Son

[McLovin]

I've had a few bouts with some fairly severe vertigo. Like so spinning I couldn't stand up.

Hopefully that's all your son has. Certainly he has some of the symptoms of it. But I think he has something else going on (either instead of vertigo, or in addition to it). You guys are taking it seriously, which is good.

[dewolf]

Thanks for your opinions guys. Looking at anything at this stage.
Bit of an update with not much success sadly. Unfortunatley son is still very dizzy when sitting with eyes open. Worse if he stands. So he was transported by ambulance to a specilaist medical imaging facilty and then back to hospital. Both CT and MRI today showed normal. Which is a positive I know. But, still no temp/fever, bp normal, ecg normal, blood work normal but still very pale. He is eating and drinking and when he's on the meds for the vertigo he's not to bad. Still wonky on his feet but at least he doesn't vomit.
Dr.s are stumped and of course I feel helpless.

[sketchers356]

Sorry that your son is so sick. I'm not a MD but it seems that you need more time to pass to see if this thing clears itself up. At least he is not getting worse. Infection makes a lot of sense.

[recycled sixtie]

Sorry to hear about your son Dewolf. I am not a medic. prof. Just 3 weeks ago I had dizziness and I could barely stand up. Wifey drove me to the doc. Doc thought I had inner ear infection. Got prescription and I took a half pill a day which seems to alleviate the symptoms. Doc thought it was a virus. Made me very dizzy, close to vomiting , upset stomach. It cleared up after a couple of days.

Keep an open mind about it. Doc said that inner ear infection with most people goes away but with some can last a long time. Meds apparently do alleviate the symptoms. I think that you have to have an open mind about it as it could be anything. Consider a second opinion from another doc too.

Hope it gets better. G.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Really sorry to hear they haven't figured it out. Have you consulted with specialists, maybe from outside of this particular hospital?

In the case of my brother in law, he was in a relatively small and rural hospital. They couldn't figure out the issue, I believe they also diagnosed it as a virus. On the morning of his brain surgery, they called to tell his fiance, "we figured it out, he has a sinus infection". Fiance replied, "well he's going in for brain surgery so I don't think so". All doctors and medical facilities are not created equal, if it doesn't feel right you may need to take matters into your own hands and bring in your own docs.

[trekkor]

Hoping for the best, Scott.

[Nathans_Dad]

Could be acute labyrinthitits, often times that is associated with viral infections. Goes away on its own.

[dewolf]

Update again. And again, thanks guys.

Son has found out that one of the schools he patrols was closed due to a measles outbreak. His dizziness and vomting has improved over the last 24hrs but now he has red spots on the inside of his lips. Could these be Kopliks spots associatted with the onset of mealses?

Sorry for all the questions Docs.

[pavulon]

Measles is a virus that can cause labyrinthitis leading to vertigo...this on top of a neg. head CT could well add up to an explanation for your son's situation. Good luck to you and please do keep us posted.

[cjannelli]

Every symptom you have described point to vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis. Lack of high fever, rash, upper respiratory congestion point away from measles. The rash to the lips are not koplik's spots(bluish white spots inside the cheeks near the rear molars.). That his vertigo is stimulated w/ position changes and movement is typical for vestibular neuritis. He's had an extensive workup. Tumor, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases have been ruled out.
I typically prescribe meclizine and if necessary steroids and valium. It is a self limited illness rarely leading to any chronic problems.
As a parent, it is gut wrenching to see your child ill. You're doing everything right! Give it a little more time and it should clear up.
Warmest Regards,
Chris J

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Measles is a virus that can cause labyrinthitis leading to vertigo...this on top of a neg. head CT could well add up to an explanation for your son's situation. Good luck to you and please do keep us posted.

Update to this. Viral blood test back today and positive for measles!! I guess those vaccinations don't always work. At least we know what it is.
And again, thanks guys for your time.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Update to this. Viral blood test back today and positive for measles!! I guess those vaccinations don't always work. At least we know what it is.
And again, thanks guys for your time.

That's great news! Step 1 towards getting him better is figuring out the issue, hopefully he'll be better shortly.