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What Causes Dizzy Spells, Headache, Stiff Neck, Hypertension, Nausea And Loose Stool?
Question: Hi. I get "spells" that will last 1 week to an extended period of time. During these spells these symptoms will happen in varying degrees of severity: I get a squeezing headache across the temples and all around the top of my head (like i have a bowl on my head that someone is squeezing). I get severe dizzyness to the point that I can only lay in bed to make it stop. I get a stiff neck difficult to move my head side to side. Tenderness/soreness behind the ears also. This stiffness will extend down spine to shoulderblades. My eyesight will become blurry. Seems like there is a film across the eye that won't wipe out. My eyes become glassy and feel swollen even though they aren't. I get nauscious with this also not to the point of vomiting. I am exhausted during this time but will only sleep 2-3 hrs at a time. Feels like my heart will beat really hard and fast. I have loose stool most of the time even when I am not experiencing a "spell" This has been going on for almost 2 years. Right now I just started the 4th week of one of these spells. My dr doesn't seem to have an answer what this is or why it happens. A medrol steriod pack helps the first 2 days then symptoms come back. Any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Spells
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to note your condition. There is an uncommon medical problem called Pheochromocytoma in which such spells can occur. It is essentially an overactive state of the adrenal gland's inner part although sometimes it comes from other parts of the body. It results in episodes of headache, high blood pressure and nausea, chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath. There is a simple blood test to screen for this called plasma free metanephrines. It does not require any fasting and so it can be done at any time of the day.
Spells
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to note your condition. There is an uncommon medical problem called Pheochromocytoma in which such spells can occur. It is essentially an overactive state of the adrenal gland's inner part although sometimes it comes from other parts of the body. It results in episodes of headache, high blood pressure and nausea, chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath. There is a simple blood test to screen for this called plasma free metanephrines. It does not require any fasting and so it can be done at any time of the day.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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