Help..scary thing happened | Arthritis Information

I feel like I am losing my mind. I have had RA since 2002 and currently I take enbrel, MTX, prednisone, salsalate and planquinil (sp?).

So last night I went out to dinner with my husband and I was looking down eating my dinner when I quickly looked up at the TV. I then felt what I can only describe as what seemed like somone was shaking my brain for a few seconds. I could feel like 5 quick sensations of this on the front left side of my head..above my eye and next to it.

I will say that I have been having problems with my right ear (plugging up) and yesterday I did have sinus pain by that eye area. I have chronic sinus problems and take Zyrtec D. I happen to call a good friend of mine who is an ER dr and he said he did not know what it was but nothing really bad was coming to mind.

I should add that I do have problems with vertigo and dizzines at times.

Does this sound familair to anyone? I burst into tears tonight and my sweet husband let me cry because I feel like it is just one thing after another since I got RA. I am constantly worried about other medical problems.

MJ- I would follow up with the ear/sinus problem what you described really sounds to me like an equillibrium problem of some sort. You have sinus cavities where you described the pain to be. I know that when I had an inner ear infection I could turn my head and my brain felt like it came a beat later

sometimes a good cry is all we need

Thank you for an understanding response. I feel like my Dr. is going to think I am nuts. I am still going to call him.MJ have you ever had migraine's or cluster headaches? I'm thinking perhaps the pain you are feeling is from that, rather than your sinus', and they can cause strange sensations, smells, visual disturbances, etc. Whatever it is, I hope you get it figured out and that it isn't anything serious.

I have not had a migraine but I have had the eye aura that people can get beforehand? My eye Dr. said it was from twitching of my ocular nerve.

I am terrified it is something serious so thanks for your kind words.

If you have had the eye aura, then that even makes me think that could be what is happening. I first developed the aura when I was pregnant, and I would see lightening bolts in my field of vision, but didn't get a headache. My doctor told me that does happen sometimes, and that times of hormonal fluctuation are (like my pregnancy) are often triggers. Later on I developed full blown migraines, but for an unrelated reason I was prescribed a beta-blocker, and after that the migraines are few and far between (months). One thing that will trigger them for me is a glass of red wine (you weren't drinking that at your dinner were you?).Let us know what the doctor says- hope it turns out to be nothing but it's always good to get things checked out. All the best to you. Yep, sounds familiar, I have many things that happen. Most recent in my peripheral points of vision I have this shiney crystal like half ring thing happening.

Enbrel helped my RA quite a bit but DID cause a host of other health problems including some neural probs.

I would definately talk to yoru DR.![QUOTE=jodejjr]Yep, sounds familiar, I have many things that happen. Most recent in my peripheral points of vision I have this shiney crystal like half ring thing happening.

Enbrel helped my RA quite a bit but DID cause a host of other health problems including some neural probs.

I would definately talk to yoru DR.![/QUOTE]

What type of neuro problems? My Dr. said he doesn't think it is the medicine.

MJ, I think the best advice throughout this thread has been to talk with your doctor about what you experienced. I don't think he will think you are nuts at all. As you can see, others have experienced unusual things that seem bizarre and difficult to explain to a doctor, but they are real, and your doctor will understand that.

In the meantime, take some time to document anything in a diary that you feel is out of the ordinary or worrisome. And also do some research on the internet. Check out side effects for any medications you are on, read up on migraines and their symptoms and triggers, etc. Then you will be ready to talk to the doctor and be able to ask questions.

Let us know what you find out! And I hope some of this discussion, and also what you were told by your ER doctor friend, has eased your panic a bit.

We're coming up on fall allergy season. I have sinus/ear issues and will frequently get dizzy/"space-out" spells when my allergies are aggravated or when I get an ear infection. If I get a sinus infection, my upper teeth will often hurt so gad that it feels like they all need root canals. I don't know what your other meds are, but if you're taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, etc) and you miss a dose (or are reducing the dose) you can experience some bizarre neurological symptoms (esp dizziness and strange sensations in the head and neck) as well. Paxil and Zoloft are the worst offenders.

Talk to your doc. If it turns out to be sinus/allergy, perhaps it's time to see an allergist or an ENT?

Best of luck! [QUOTE=Hillhoney]MJ, I think the best advice throughout this thread has been to talk with your doctor about what you experienced. I don't think he will think you are nuts at all. As you can see, others have experienced unusual things that seem bizarre and difficult to explain to a doctor, but they are real, and your doctor will understand that.

Let us know what you find out! And I hope some of this discussion, and also what you were told by your ER doctor friend, has eased your panic a bit.

[/QUOTE]

It has helped tremendously to hear from others. I called my Dr. today and spoke with his nurse. She does not think it is the medicine but does think it is either stress or ear related. She will talk to the Dr. and call me back. I think they may refer me to an ENT or an internal medicine Dr. I am looking for a new Internal medicine Dr. right now.

I do get extremely stressed out over my health. It just feels like it is one thing after another.