MayoClinic.org
Autoimmune encephalopathy anyone?
Searching for a diagnosis!!! I am looking for others who may be having similar experiences as I am. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto Thyroiditis for many many years now. I take levothyroxine, which seems to keep my thyroid in check. However, about 5 years ago I began having neurological symptoms; gait issues, off and on memory loss, concentration issues, tremors, seizure like episodes, stroke like symptoms, severe muscle cramping (dystonia?), word finding problems….the list goes on and on. These symptoms come and go, usually made worse by stress or being tired. All diagnostic tests I have had come back normal, eeg, emg, blood work including various antibody screenings, MRI's, cardio sonograms, EXCEPT for low but normal memory screening and very high TPO and TGab levels. I was given 1 5-day treatment of IV 1000 mg Solu-medrol which turned me into a brand new person!!! I felt great for several months but my symptoms are returning now. My current Neurologist has now referred me to a Neuro immunologist. This will be my 5th Neurologist in 5 years!! I am so nervous that I will be dismissed after I actually had something work for me. I have been dismissed by many many drs through this. All the things I have learned seem to point to Hashimoto Encephalopathy, HE, SREAT, AE….whatever you want to call it. BUT I have found many people in the medical field don't believe in this diagnosis! Any help, pointers, suggestions, or support out there? Is there anyone experiencing similar things?
I also had a difficult time getting diagnosed @tanap1 . I’m glad you’re seeing an neurologist immunologist. They knew right away what was going on with me. Take good articles with you and advocate for yourself! Go to a university medical center, if you can. Please let me know how things turn out for you
Yes Lioness you are correct. But I now know that this particular doctor has done this to others. How did she get her degrees? To me she sounds like a mental case or just a very hurtful person and enjoys it immensly. There is a spychiatric label for a person such as this. But then again I am still in Ocala. (Pardon my spelling as this is an I don't care that much today. ) I do like and care for Ocala but is it true that many of the rejects come here? My clue to them is: Do not hurt your patients, just send them off with a smile and prescriptions. Ocala is a beautiful place to live and I do enjoy Ocala.
@peach414144 Beautiful Ocala right where is it located anyhow ?Is it near the ocean? I've vacationed in FLA but can't remember where it's at
Thank you so much, Becky! I am glad you have finally received a diagnosis and hope you are getting helpful treatment. I actually am going through a university medical center. I have found the most help by going to Dr.s within the same network. At least, within the same network, each Dr has access to information from other Dr.s. They may not all agree with each other but is seems to lessen multiple repeat testing and things of that nature. In my situation, it seems the process of elimination is a huge part of finding a diagnosis. I am trying to remain hopeful the neuro immunologist will have some answers for me.
Peach, I am so sorry you had such an awful experience with your dr. I actually had my primary dr roll her eyes at me when I informed her my neurologist was referring me to the Mayo Clinic a year ago. I just about cried right there in the office. I definitely am in the market for a new primary. For now, I only use her office for routine blood work which I have about every 6 mos. Once I find someone I feel may care a bit, I will switch. Most of my medical concerns are being treated by specialists right now. Once I decide to FIRE her as my dr, she will probably be thrilled. I doubt she enjoys me as her patient as equally as I don't like her as my dr. (the eye roll kind of brought that idea home for me) Regardless, there is no excuse for poor care. We know our own bodies better than anyone, even Drs!! We deserve good medical care. Keep pushing for your own good health!! I'm going to! We owe that to ourselves. 8 )
YES I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING. I HAD A EXCELLENT GP SHE GAVE UP TO STUDY ANOTHER I MISS HER,STRUGGLING TO FIND ANOTHER YOU CAN TALK TO. NUMBER 3 COMING UP
@tanap1 I’m wondering if the doctors you see at the medical center might know of some good primary care doctors. Or the hospital in your area might have a list of names, also. Have you tried that?
Hello! I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis in Dec 2017. I started with faciobrachial dystonic seizures – my left arm and left face twitched. In 2 days it progressed to other types of seizures because the antibodies were attacking my brain. If you use facebook, please join the International Autoimmune Encephalitis Society page as the people are very helpful. If you don’t you can still get lots of info on their website with the same name. Different types of encephalitis affects different parts of the brain. Also keep in mind that there’s also Hashimotos encephalitits And I’m not sure if that’s the same as what you’ve been diagnosed with.
Hi Lioness, yes Ocala is about two hours travel north by car from Orlando (Disney Land) It is in the middle of the peninsula. Not close to the Atlantic ocean nor the gulf of Mexico. Very slight rolling hills (not flat land). The population density is growing quite fast. Much building being done. Seven gas stations opened in one month. (Five Wa Wa's and two Race Track gas stations.) More gas stations still opening. We have a small winter here for a few months but no snow or ice. Ocala is known for it's beautiful huge oak trees as well as the Florida trees. We are landlocked but have many lakes. (But still more women than men). We have many, many oldsters here. For now, peach
Dear Tanap1 yes, i agree. this is peach. We know doctors are still just people like us. But we deserve respect from the doctors just as we give them respect. I think they are overwhelmed with the amount of patients they need to see to follow the guidelines of the businesses that OWN them. But that does not give them the right to disrespect any patient. Oh well, just another day here on Earth. Peach
@peach414144 Sounds lovely . In Pa. we had no oceans close to me I lived in the Pittsburg area but went to Oceanside Md a lot . Pretty area.
Encephalitis…is this inflammation on the brain? What sort of medicine does one take for this?