Posted by Solstice on August 3, 2011, at 3:55:08
In reply to Re: CT scan and withdrawal issues » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on August 2, 2011, at 18:33:45
> I mean, I'm glad someone is going to do at least a cursory look considering the strange symptoms I've had, some related to speech fluency.
Hi Fb...
A CT scan will identify most tumors, lesions, and hematomas (a leaking of blood). It will also show any changes to the skull that could put pressure on brain tissue. Your speech symptoms are probably what is prompting the CT. Before they look at less obvious causes, they likely want to rule out there being anything that's putting pressure on the left side of your brain - where your speech center is located.
I had a patient the other day - only 13 yrs old and very, very bright - but she loses speech and experiences right sided weakness for very brief periods, along with alarming visual disturbances and 'altered mental status.' Her symptoms were so similar to stroke that her parents were absolutely terrified. Kiddo was put through every test under the sun, including lumbar puncture - before a diagnosis could be made. It finally boiled down to vascular migraines. The increased vascular pressure on the left side of her brain causes both the right sided weakness and brief loss of speech, visual disturbance, etc. Very treatable - and not at all as serious as her symptoms initially implied.
My point is - that the fact testing has been ordered does not mean there is anything gravely wrong with you.
So a CT scan is harmless... and is just a part of the process in discovering the source of your speech symptoms.
The most important thing for you to know right now - is that worrying won't help you. Save your energy - and remind yourself to not worry until you KNOW there is something to worry about :-) Worrying about things that aren't fact just steals your energy unnecessarily. Until you know differently, have faith that your symptoms are a result of something that will easily be resolved.
Take good care.. and let us know how it goes
Solstice
poster:Solstice
thread:992553
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110728/msgs/992661.html