Posted on 04/21/2005 8:38:35 PM PDT by Empireoftheatom48
Can anyone help me. My 90 year old mother who has anxiety problems. Keeps having spells. She hears a noise like an electrical sound. "zusss zuuus" as she describes it and then she falls down. Last year she broke her hip because of this. The doctors don't seem to be treating this well. I think she may have a brain toumor. Does any one have an Idea?
Here's my advice:
1. Get a second opinion. Any physician worth his salt will not be offended.There are now medical doctors whose specialty is Gerontology ( the elderly). If you live near a Medical School, they may have such a specialist on the staff.
2. Has she been seen by a psychiatrist for screening. Often the elderly have anxiety mixed with depression.
However, having said that, she may also be on too many meds.
3. Try the internet for general information also.
Don't give up! Keep looking for more help and make sure you also talk with the doctors. There is nothing more helpful for anyone than a concerned family member who is acting as advocate.
Inner ear infection perhaps? I know there are some ear disorders that can cause one to hear things and have balance difficulties. Worth ruling out anyway...
Get her to a proper Dr and ensure she has anxiety disorder. After that there are plenty of medications to handle the problem. As people age they are not as active, which can effect the brain chemistry. The body produces many hormones and chemicals during physical activities (the runners high) which establish a certain balance. Even at my barely post pubescent age of 52 if I don't run as much during the week, I can get sluggish and irritable. (FWIW - I only run 15 miles a week, and not in the snow, I'm not one of them!)
Is she on Prozac or similar type anti-depressants for the anxiety? I ask because my sister and I won't take those types because we both hear what sounds like electrical currents. They hit out of the blue so they aren't a constant sound. It's quite disconcerting.
Hearing a noise and then falling down is not a panic attack. Your mother needs to see a neurologist.
I was going to post my advice, but after reading the thread, I highly recommend you read and reread posts 2-7.
Neurologist and second opinion. Don't try treating this yourself with supplements, etc. And don't assume that she has a brain tumor.
First, it could be middle ear problem. You get tinnitus then vertigo. Hard to treat.
Second, it could be an atypical seizure. we sometimes see this after a small stroke. You diagnose it by doing an MRI of the brain (make sure they check the cerebellum) and sometimes an EEG (Brain wave test). You start a small dose of anti seizure medicine and it goes away.
A GOOD neurologist with geriatric experience or a geriatric physician could help. Even your general doctor (GP or Internist) could do the tests while awaiting her neurology appointment.
Does she have any weakness in an arm or in her face when this happens?
Finally, check blood pressure, blood sugar, and listen to her neck. She could be having Transient Ischemic attacks-- tia's== mini strokes.
I agree. I have panic disorder and know many that do. I personally, and no one I know, has ever fallen down because of it. Sometimes you feel as though you may pass out because of the light-headed feeling you get from hyperventilation, but never do in actuality.
I would suggest a different doctor.
Sounds like Lhermittes sign. Could be cervical disk problem, MS, or other problem that causes an electrical like shock feeling to radiate from the back of the head, down the back, and into the legs. It can also be heard in the ears as an electrical buzzing sound.
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