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Can Clonus Symptoms Be Treated And Cured?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Feb 2017
Question: my husband,35, suddenly went stiff and unresponsive last night. It took several moments to get him to come around
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Needs a neurological evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon.

Your husband may have had what is referred to as a CLONIC seizure. This can be done any number of metabolic derangements, induced by drugs or either a prescription or non-prescription nature, infectious source, consequence of a recent or even remote head injury, may have been due to bleed within the brain itself though that often times is accompanied by other very dramatic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and extreme imbalance when trying to walk.

So, my suggestion is that you find a neurologist in your area or if you have none that you can see right away, visit either your primary doctor, or if that's not possible, get to an Urgent Care Center so they can begin to examine him and get a workup started. They will pull initial labs and urine to do all the toxicology testing that should be done and give him a requisition to get at least CT of the head if not an MRI.

He will then, need to be seen by a neurologist and set up for an EEG (electroencephalgogram). They may go for at least 2 studies if the first comes out negative. I would also hope that someone at some point orders an MRI with seizure protocol which means that they should do what are called FINE CUTS through his temporal lobes and that should be done with contrast XXXXXXX (Gadolinium). I'd recommend that his kidneys be screened for their health prior to using that XXXXXXX We typically request a creatinine and an Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. If above 60 then, he's good for the XXXXXXX If not, then, he needs to get those numbers up so that he is at the least risk for bad reaction to the XXXXXXX

I see that you're in the Cincy region. The University of XXXXXXX has an excellent neurology dept. with all sorts of specialists who would be perfect for your husband's situation if you don't have anyone closer that you feel will do a thorough workup of what happened. It could be something simple....but what I would guard against is for someone to say that it was probably just a one time phenomenon and not to worry about things....WITHOUT having done a pretty solid history, neurological evaluation, followed by appropriately indepth testing. Sometimes the obvious is the problem....sometimes you have to dig.

In the mean time and until he sees someone he should make sure he is GENEROUSLY HYDRATED, stay away from alcohol, illicit substances of ANY type, eat at least 3 square meals a day and don't skip meals, and also very important....start keeping what's called a SEIZURE DIARY or SEIZURE LOG. There are some already pre-made one that are on the internet which you could print out and fill out in case of necessity if another episode were to happen again then, take with you to your doctor or neurologist if it ends up that you have any data.

If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 28 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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Can Clonus Symptoms Be Treated And Cured?

Brief Answer: Needs a neurological evaluation Detailed Answer: Good afternoon. Your husband may have had what is referred to as a CLONIC seizure. This can be done any number of metabolic derangements, induced by drugs or either a prescription or non-prescription nature, infectious source, consequence of a recent or even remote head injury, may have been due to bleed within the brain itself though that often times is accompanied by other very dramatic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and extreme imbalance when trying to walk. So, my suggestion is that you find a neurologist in your area or if you have none that you can see right away, visit either your primary doctor, or if that's not possible, get to an Urgent Care Center so they can begin to examine him and get a workup started. They will pull initial labs and urine to do all the toxicology testing that should be done and give him a requisition to get at least CT of the head if not an MRI. He will then, need to be seen by a neurologist and set up for an EEG (electroencephalgogram). They may go for at least 2 studies if the first comes out negative. I would also hope that someone at some point orders an MRI with seizure protocol which means that they should do what are called FINE CUTS through his temporal lobes and that should be done with contrast XXXXXXX (Gadolinium). I'd recommend that his kidneys be screened for their health prior to using that XXXXXXX We typically request a creatinine and an Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. If above 60 then, he's good for the XXXXXXX If not, then, he needs to get those numbers up so that he is at the least risk for bad reaction to the XXXXXXX I see that you're in the Cincy region. The University of XXXXXXX has an excellent neurology dept. with all sorts of specialists who would be perfect for your husband's situation if you don't have anyone closer that you feel will do a thorough workup of what happened. It could be something simple....but what I would guard against is for someone to say that it was probably just a one time phenomenon and not to worry about things....WITHOUT having done a pretty solid history, neurological evaluation, followed by appropriately indepth testing. Sometimes the obvious is the problem....sometimes you have to dig. In the mean time and until he sees someone he should make sure he is GENEROUSLY HYDRATED, stay away from alcohol, illicit substances of ANY type, eat at least 3 square meals a day and don't skip meals, and also very important....start keeping what's called a SEIZURE DIARY or SEIZURE LOG. There are some already pre-made one that are on the internet which you could print out and fill out in case of necessity if another episode were to happen again then, take with you to your doctor or neurologist if it ends up that you have any data. If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 28 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.