Random neurological symptoms, anyone have similar symptoms?

Posted by lynmal725 @lynmal725, Jun 4, 2023

My daughter started having vocal cord spasms 2 months ago (these occur every 36-48hrs), then 1 month ago started with these tremor/spasms in various limbs, 3-4 times an hour. 1 week ago she started getting strabismus in her eyes during her breathing attacks. And a few days ago, she started randomly falling over (4-5 times per day). We've been the neurologist 6 weeks ago, and the ER twice since then. The neurologist says it her MRI and EEG were clean (before the tremors and falling started), and doesn't want a follow up appointment. I take her to the ER qith the new symptoms and they call the Neurologist who says its an ENT issue so they send us home with no tests. But I am not so sure. Very frustrated with the situation, because nobody can seem to tell me what is going on. Has anyone had symptoms similar to these that have had a diagnosis?

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@lynmal725 how old is she?
That sounds like a nightmare for sure. I’m not a doctor, but I do believe that those symptoms are not something to be brushed off, and ignored! Sounds like a case of, “well we don’t see it on the tests, so it doesn’t exist”.

If there are other specialists ie. neurologists, ENT, around who can fit her into their schedule, I would go.

Best wishes to you all

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I am not a doctor but I have experienced similar symptoms. Look up functional neurological disorder. I went through all the testing, a week long hospital stay, and many different doctors. Make sure they do extensive blood work to rule out all other autoimmune issues. I would also request a second opinion. Have they ruled out Tourette’s syndrome? I experience migraine associated vertigo, involuntary movements, and non epileptic seizures.
Best of luck,
Kat

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Not these symptoms but a similar situation. The falling could be an ENT issue I suppose but it could be a lot of other things. Do you have access to another neurologist? What does the PCP say? Modern medicine seems to rely so much on evidence from tests and imaging, both of which miss things and also don't put separate symptoms together. We found a functional medicine doctor to be very helpful because they look at the whole picture. But maybe the PCP can help?

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Has she been seen by an ENT?

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I hope you can read my posted photo of the various neurological specialists that are available to your daughter. Depending on her age look for a children hospital or a large metropolitan teaching hospital for answers. Do not give up and be your daughters best health advocate. If she is of legal age of consent get a document from her notarized showing you can still speak for her health concerns and communicate with her health team. Again only if she is of legal age.

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@lynmal725
We are not medical professionals on Mayo Clinic Connect. We can provide you with support and suggestions. I agree with other members who have posted here. How old is your daughter? Your daughter’s age could be a factor in what medical specialty to seek out. As others here have written, I’d suggest going back to your daughter’s primary care provider or pediatrician and ask for referral(s) to a clinic or medical practice that will provide her with comprehensive and overall examination. All of the symptoms you describe seem to me to be related to peripheral and central nervous systems (brain and other nerves in the body that lead to and from the brain). This may not be one system such as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) but may be a disorder that affects multiple systems within the nervous system. A neurologist is the most obvious place to start but you’ve already done that.

Would you like a consult for your daughter at Mayo Clinic? Your daughter’s doctor can refer her or you can request an appointment with this link:
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
How is your daughter today? And how are you taking care of yourself as you search for answers for your daughter?

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@katcollins

I am not a doctor but I have experienced similar symptoms. Look up functional neurological disorder. I went through all the testing, a week long hospital stay, and many different doctors. Make sure they do extensive blood work to rule out all other autoimmune issues. I would also request a second opinion. Have they ruled out Tourette’s syndrome? I experience migraine associated vertigo, involuntary movements, and non epileptic seizures.
Best of luck,
Kat

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Thank you. I am hoping to get a second opinion. The neurologist keeps brushing it off. They have not suggested anything, other than VCD. I will look up functional neruological disorder. Thank you for the info.

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@naturegirl5

@lynmal725
We are not medical professionals on Mayo Clinic Connect. We can provide you with support and suggestions. I agree with other members who have posted here. How old is your daughter? Your daughter’s age could be a factor in what medical specialty to seek out. As others here have written, I’d suggest going back to your daughter’s primary care provider or pediatrician and ask for referral(s) to a clinic or medical practice that will provide her with comprehensive and overall examination. All of the symptoms you describe seem to me to be related to peripheral and central nervous systems (brain and other nerves in the body that lead to and from the brain). This may not be one system such as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) but may be a disorder that affects multiple systems within the nervous system. A neurologist is the most obvious place to start but you’ve already done that.

Would you like a consult for your daughter at Mayo Clinic? Your daughter’s doctor can refer her or you can request an appointment with this link:
http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
How is your daughter today? And how are you taking care of yourself as you search for answers for your daughter?

Jump to this post

I have been to the pediatrician, a neurologist, and ENT and an immunology doctor. She is 15. My insurance does not cover the Mayo Clinic, and my options are limited. The pediatrician thought it was a neurololgical issue as well. But they didn't want to see her after her initial visit, because her MRI was clear. It is hard because she was this healthy active teenager, and now she has a hard time doing her normal activities.

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@jenatsky

I hope you can read my posted photo of the various neurological specialists that are available to your daughter. Depending on her age look for a children hospital or a large metropolitan teaching hospital for answers. Do not give up and be your daughters best health advocate. If she is of legal age of consent get a document from her notarized showing you can still speak for her health concerns and communicate with her health team. Again only if she is of legal age.

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Thank you. The ENT recommended a neurophsychologist and wrote the referral. But neuropsych said they cannot see her until she has an underlying diagnosis.

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@lynmal725

I have been to the pediatrician, a neurologist, and ENT and an immunology doctor. She is 15. My insurance does not cover the Mayo Clinic, and my options are limited. The pediatrician thought it was a neurololgical issue as well. But they didn't want to see her after her initial visit, because her MRI was clear. It is hard because she was this healthy active teenager, and now she has a hard time doing her normal activities.

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@lynmal725 How incredibly frustrating!! Imaging with MRI is a good starting place to look for or rule out any diseases or disorders that the neurologist was considering. It’s reassuring that the MRI showed no evidence of disease however that doesn’t make the symptoms any less real. Since Mayo Clinic isn’t covered by your insurance does your pediatrician have other suggestions of where your daughter can be seen where there are multiple specialities who collaborate with one another? This is why I initially suggested Mayo Clinic.

If a family member of mine was experiencing the symptoms you describe with your daughter I would continue going back to the pediatrician and advocate for more options.

Are you in the U.S.? If so, may I ask what state you are located in?

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