HomeAnswersNeurosurgeryheaviness of headWhy does my mother feel one side of her head to be heavier and has other symptoms?

My mother feels like one side of her head is heavier and has other symptoms. What can I do?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Sneha Kannan

Published At July 27, 2020
Reviewed AtJune 29, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My mother, aged 60 years is experiencing the following symptoms for around three months (please note that these were present before lockdown started and are not related to or developed in or due to lockdown). She feels as if her brain or the head is going on one side or heavier on one side. This happens sometimes and is random. She feels like her head or brain has gone in transient paresthesia (sleeping sort). This also happens sometimes and is random. Sometimes, when she gets to do some work, she suddenly feels that she cannot do it and sleeps with a slight headache. One day she got stunned for two to three seconds, and during this, she uttered junk or illogical words. I am concerned whether some clogging may have started (or such scenario). Her medical history has some problem (squeezing) with a heart valve, and she regularly takes medicines for it (for the last five years). She has less vitamin B12 absorption and has to take injections for it as required. Her present life is somewhat stressed (some family stress), and as a mother, she gets stressed. An MRI of the brain was done around seven months back (when there was a slight problem), and the doctor said it was completely fine. Please advise if something is serious and what I can do. Thanks and regards.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The initial symptoms you have mentioned are relatively nonspecific, except that she was stunned for few seconds and uttered some specific words. That is a symptom that may suggest a transient episode of seizures or TIA (transient ischemic attack) or reversible stroke-like effect in simple terms. If the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was done before that episode, it would be prudent to get a fresh MRI done and an MRI of the brain and neck angiography. I would like to know about the heart medicines she is taking. If the MRI is not showing a significant problem, then cardiac evaluation might also be required. Was there any problem related to the right hand, like weakness or face deviation on one side? Does she have episodes of blackouts? It is required to get her properly evaluated and examined thoroughly by a neurophysician so that further evaluation can be planned. But these are the possibilities which I have mentioned. An additional recommendation would be possible only after taking a detailed history from her and a physical examination.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Sometimes she gets blackouts (which she explains as seeing some black spots at times). She sometimes has some pain in her right arm with difficulty moving it backward, unlike the other. But no face deviation. Also, another point is that, at times, she feels a sensation of blood running or flowing out from her brain and senses the smell of blood. During this time, she does not feel like talking to anybody. She takes Metocard XL 12.5 mg once in the morning and Dytor plus 0.5 mg once in the morning for the heart valve problem. Due to COVID-19, we are unable to get her MRI and other tests done. So I request you, if there is something serious which can be developing, you can please prescribe something (medicines or other treatment) which she can take to hold her condition to the present situation preventing further damage, till the situation improves. We can get her MRI and other tests done after that. I am attaching two of her echo scan reports, cervical scan reports, and MRI scan reports, for your reference. If it is possible, I can send MRI scan videos too. Thanks and regards.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Blackouts are like a sudden loss of vision or dizziness, and the black spots are different. Painful arm movement may be due to the right shoulder issue. Is there any weakness of the right arm as compared to the left side? Not talking to anybody and abnormal sensations of smell may be psychological, but before stamping on that, we need to evaluate as she had a doubtful episode of seizure as discussed earlier; it may be a part of it. Valve issues can lead to clotting in the heart and may produce stroke-like symptoms, so I would like to see the echo report and preferably get a new one done concerning recent symptoms. So we will clarify upon receiving the latest reports. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your kind response.

I am uploading the report files (labeled respectively). Please see if these are sufficient for analysis. I request that due to COVID-19, we are unable to get her MRI and other tests done, so if you can please prescribe something (medicines or other treatment) which she can take to hold her condition to the present situation preventing further damage till we can get her MRI and other tests done. Thanks and regards.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), but these are pretty old reports, especially the echo scan. Were the blood thinners started for her? If not, we should start it, but considering other symptoms which are not pointing towards specific disorders, it is difficult to prescribe particular medicine. She would require a detailed evaluation. To start with, I may suggest a tablet of Aspirin 150 mg once a day. The rest of the medication can only be advised after evaluation as, without proper diagnosis, it might be counterproductive to prescribe her medicines especially considering the co-morbidities. Thank you. All the best, and I wish her a speedy recovery.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai
Dr. Solanki Chirag Natwarbhai

Neurosurgery

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