Tracy
01-08-2006, 08:36 PM
I could use your thoughts and ideas for the following case:
Previous history: Longstanding bipolar disorder - treated with counseling and medications. Recent significant increase in stress. Strong family history of heart disease, but with regular stress tests negative.
Recently had several incidents when this 59 y.o. male was driving his car, and got to the destination but couldn't remember getting there, and a second recent incident when he was riding his motor scooter and couldn't remember getting there. Also with a recent fall or two - not sure the circumstances.
This event occurred on Sunday: He was fishing with his grandson in approx. hip deep water...grandson turned around just in time to see him go under the water - grandson able to get him by the arm and get him to shore. He was by that time conscious (no one seems to be quite sure if he lost consciousness before/when he went under the water). He told his grandson that his legs were numb and had him wrap him in his solar blanket - then grandson went for help.
At hospital - speech was affected...speech was clear, but he talked very slowly with a pause between each word. He couldn't remember his birthdate or the president. MRI and EKG were run and were negative. Carotid testing and a brain scan were done, with results pending as of last night. Yesterday, speech was normal, but he couldn't remember the incident the day before. Can remember things that happened before the incident, remembers family, etc. However, if asked a pointed question, for example "how much do you weigh?, How old are you?, What was your previous occupation?" he cannot answer these questions. He says he can "see" the answer, but cannot articulate it, which of course, has created a lot of frustration on his part.
I would like your ideas on what this could be. Initially, I was thinking stroke, given the language that was affected...but that doesn't fit with bilateral leg numbness and the previous incidents of loss of memory when he was driving. So then my mind goes to something like MS (but wouldn't some brain lesions show up on MRI?) or maybe some toxic build up of something in the body.
So far, as the tests have been negative, and the doctors don't know what's going on, they are saying it's due to the stress and the bipolar disorder, but I don't buy it.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Tracy
Previous history: Longstanding bipolar disorder - treated with counseling and medications. Recent significant increase in stress. Strong family history of heart disease, but with regular stress tests negative.
Recently had several incidents when this 59 y.o. male was driving his car, and got to the destination but couldn't remember getting there, and a second recent incident when he was riding his motor scooter and couldn't remember getting there. Also with a recent fall or two - not sure the circumstances.
This event occurred on Sunday: He was fishing with his grandson in approx. hip deep water...grandson turned around just in time to see him go under the water - grandson able to get him by the arm and get him to shore. He was by that time conscious (no one seems to be quite sure if he lost consciousness before/when he went under the water). He told his grandson that his legs were numb and had him wrap him in his solar blanket - then grandson went for help.
At hospital - speech was affected...speech was clear, but he talked very slowly with a pause between each word. He couldn't remember his birthdate or the president. MRI and EKG were run and were negative. Carotid testing and a brain scan were done, with results pending as of last night. Yesterday, speech was normal, but he couldn't remember the incident the day before. Can remember things that happened before the incident, remembers family, etc. However, if asked a pointed question, for example "how much do you weigh?, How old are you?, What was your previous occupation?" he cannot answer these questions. He says he can "see" the answer, but cannot articulate it, which of course, has created a lot of frustration on his part.
I would like your ideas on what this could be. Initially, I was thinking stroke, given the language that was affected...but that doesn't fit with bilateral leg numbness and the previous incidents of loss of memory when he was driving. So then my mind goes to something like MS (but wouldn't some brain lesions show up on MRI?) or maybe some toxic build up of something in the body.
So far, as the tests have been negative, and the doctors don't know what's going on, they are saying it's due to the stress and the bipolar disorder, but I don't buy it.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Tracy