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Suggest Treatment For Post Traumatic Brain Injury Syndrome
Question: I am diagnosed with PTBIS. I am73 years old and still working. Often, my hands will go into very painful spasms. The episodes last as long as 30 minutes! I have a recent complete physical and all my blood work is normal. Could this be caused by my brain injury? I'm in good shape for my age. What kind of Dr do I need to see?
Brief Answer:
Painful spasms differential diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I can understand your concern. PTBIS usually manifests as confusion, memory problem, disorientation, tingling sensation in limbs, headache, irritability, tinnitus. The hand muscle spasms are usually not found in PTBIS.
The persistence of such spams for 30 minutes is alarming. You should consult a good neurologist for complete examination of your neuromuscular system. The probable diagnosis of spams
- Calcium deficiency
- Seizure disorder
- Myopathy
- Panic attacks
- Cervical spine disease with cervical myelopathy
- Foramen magnum tumor
You need Some investigations like
- MRI brain and cervical spine
- NCV and EMG of upper limb
- Blood calcium level
These investigation will help you in reaching at some conclusion. If everything turns out to be normal, consider consulting psychiatrist for anxiety-panic attack. In panic attack, hyperventilation can cause hand muscle spasms.
Hope it will help. If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Painful spasms differential diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I can understand your concern. PTBIS usually manifests as confusion, memory problem, disorientation, tingling sensation in limbs, headache, irritability, tinnitus. The hand muscle spasms are usually not found in PTBIS.
The persistence of such spams for 30 minutes is alarming. You should consult a good neurologist for complete examination of your neuromuscular system. The probable diagnosis of spams
- Calcium deficiency
- Seizure disorder
- Myopathy
- Panic attacks
- Cervical spine disease with cervical myelopathy
- Foramen magnum tumor
You need Some investigations like
- MRI brain and cervical spine
- NCV and EMG of upper limb
- Blood calcium level
These investigation will help you in reaching at some conclusion. If everything turns out to be normal, consider consulting psychiatrist for anxiety-panic attack. In panic attack, hyperventilation can cause hand muscle spasms.
Hope it will help. If any doubt, do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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