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Given Klacid And Clarintine, Blacked Out And Had Collapsed With Convulsions. Diagnosed Hashimoto Encephilopathy, Given Steroids

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Posted on Sun, 15 Sep 2013
Question: Patient is given for 5days Klacid + Clarintine. At the end of the course patient blacked out & collapsed with convulsions. Unaware of the side effects if the patient is diagnosed for epilepsy/Hashimoto Encephilopathy. Drugged with steroids and anticonvulsants. How to overcome and negate the effects of the medication the patient had developed such as involuntary movement of the leg ( similar to myclonic jerks). Is there an antidote to cure such a condition. Otherwise the patient has no known history of epilepsy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms would resolve on their own

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
It is unfortunate that an inappropriate diagnosis was made, and the patient was treated with anticonvultants and steroids, for presumed diagnosis of epilepsy and Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
This may have happened because convulsions are not common with the use of clarithromycin and loratidine, although other nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, disorientation, etc are common.
In any case, the patient would improve on own over a few days to weeks.
No antidote is needed as the medicines were given in therapeutic dose and not toxic dose (overdose).
So,there is no need to worry.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (55 minutes later)
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
After the fall in March 2012 patient was given phenytoin(300mg,once) for 4 weeks for the patient developed side effects, later chaged to deepakane chrono for 4 weeks (500 mg bid) which induced parkinsons, stopped immediately & replaced with keppra (1000mg tid), continued for 4 months with which pt.developed hyponatremia, medication was changed to topomax (200mg bid), after one month pt.developed myoclonic jerks in the left leg, ataxia&cognitive decline. EEG was repeated & showed diffuse XXXXXXX sloweness w/o assymmetry, no epileptiform discharges.Later prednesone therapy(100mg, 1td) was started with tapering the dose was given for 3 months. Topomax was tapered to 100mg bid. Still the patient continued to have these myclonic.jerks with which Imuran was introduced. Still the condition was the same. Imuran was tapered and removed. Carbamazapine was given for 10 days. Patient reacted. Pesently the patient is taking Apo-Gabapentin, 100mg, t.i.d which in future will be increased to 300mg, tid along with topomax 50mg bid.
We would like know your expert advice
Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you for providing details

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back with more details.

What is the working diagnosis of the treating neurologist there? The symptoms do not seem to be related to the side effects of the drugs initially mentioned. If an MRI of brain has been done, was it normal? Were thyroid antibodies elevated?

Otherwise, the treatment seems to be along correct lines.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 minutes later)
I have the reports, I will try to send the reports after , not sure whether they areafte3 the fall.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
MRI brain does not show any specific findings

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for sending the MRI brain report.

This is after the fall (March 2012) as the MRI is dated April 2012. Also, this does not mention any serious or significant findings.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6232 Questions

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Given Klacid And Clarintine, Blacked Out And Had Collapsed With Convulsions. Diagnosed Hashimoto Encephilopathy, Given Steroids

Brief Answer:
Symptoms would resolve on their own

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
It is unfortunate that an inappropriate diagnosis was made, and the patient was treated with anticonvultants and steroids, for presumed diagnosis of epilepsy and Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
This may have happened because convulsions are not common with the use of clarithromycin and loratidine, although other nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, disorientation, etc are common.
In any case, the patient would improve on own over a few days to weeks.
No antidote is needed as the medicines were given in therapeutic dose and not toxic dose (overdose).
So,there is no need to worry.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist