DH - strange turn

As some people get older, blood can take a tad longer to get to the brain. In the Outpatient Clinic I worked in, (I'm a recently retired Cardiac Physiologist) it was often reported by patients they could feel wobbly getting up, and not *with it " for a few seconds.
Basically, the" plumbing " from the Heart to the Head can fur up a bit, causing few seconds of vagueness or a wobble. I do know of folk being asleep getting up and dashing to the loo to pass out, same story.
Just keep an eye on him and get him to not rush at anything.

This is exactly what happened to my husband. He had three of these ‘moments’ and was referred to the neurologist at our local hospital. The diagnosis was late onset epilepsy. We said we had never heard of anyone haveing it but she said it wasn’t uncommon in elderly people. She prescribed him anti epilepsy medication but the day after seeing the consultant and before he had started this medication he had two massive fits . One after the other . He is now on the medication but has Alzheimer’s so life is very difficult now as you can imagine.

I have seen this in people I know, the doctor in one case said it was Petie Mal, lucky it didnt turn onto grand mal and the other one is waiting diagnoses. I would definitely go back to the doctor.

I would suggest it might be some type of seizure. Did they do an EEG?

I would check your DH's fields of vision with your fingers.
Get you GP to do the usual neurological examination if not already done so.
You could ask for a referal to a neurological consultant.

We saw the GP today because a month ago when we were out to lunch he suddenly closed his eyes and was not "with it", this lasted about two minutes. Absolutely fine afterwards

This used to happen to someone I know. About once a month or more, for about 5 years

Turned out it was low blood pressure.
Due to some tablets he was on.

People around him just got used to it.
There would be a conversation. He would go out of it,. Then back in and all fine again,.

He had Parkinsons[dont know if that made any difference to anything].

As others have said, ask for a neurological examination. My husband started having these 'episodes' in his late 60s and the diagnosis was late onset epilepsy. It took a while to find a medication which he could tolerate, and which stopped the episodes, but they got there in the end. Just one more tablet to add to the pill box .

In the meantime, I would advise keeping a record of when an episode happens, how long it lasts, is he still aware of his surroundings, can he talk to you etc. The consultant found my records very helpful in making the diagnosis. Good luck.

fancythat

^We saw the GP today because a month ago when we were out to lunch he suddenly closed his eyes and was not "with it", this lasted about two minutes. Absolutely fine afterwards^

This used to happen to someone I know. About once a month or more, for about 5 years

Turned out it was low blood pressure.
Due to some tablets he was on.

People around him just got used to it.
There would be a conversation. He would go out of it,. Then back in and all fine again,.

He had Parkinsons[dont know if that made any difference to anything].

He never had a stroke or tia.

Check his. Blood pressure at home morning and evening . Get reliable monitor from Amazon .. I think it’s called omiron ..

As many others have suggested I’d ask for a referral for a neuro exam, I’ve a relative who had a few spells like this and was later diagnosed as having had TIAs.

I think Visgirl gave a good explanation and with her job probably knows more than us.

My dad had a couple of dos like that, but his eyes did roll for a few seconds, frightened the life out of me.
Could he be having a sugar low? Mind you I think that would last longer, tbh.

Perhaps ask his GP if there might be thyroid trouble?

DH has also had a couple of episodes like this. It’s happened just as he takes the first bite of food at a meal and lasted for a few seconds. Very weird but disturbing to witness.
He’s had a lot of tests, blood pressure, MRI, ECG, blood tests and waiting for the neurologist appointment, but all are normal so far. He’s fit and well other than that and the last time it happened was last September.
We are concerned as he has been advised not to drive by the GP (understandable) but if they can’t find what’s wrong what happens when he has to re-new his driving licence in July?
Would he need to disclose this?

My dad had low blood pressure, not diabetic, and when he was about 80 developed issues of suddenly passing out. He’d fall down and black out for a couple of minutes. He’d suddenly say to mum that he was going down. He saw the doctor who checked him out and said there was nothing wrong. He was even told he could continue to drive. He lived to be 96.

I get these spells - I have worked out that it is my blood sugars. If I have skipped breakfast, and if I eat quickly, or late lunch.

You said you were out for lunch? Had he actually eaten much, and had he eaten breakfast?
Often we do eat lightly or not at all if we know we are going out.

Jansue

DH has also had a couple of episodes like this. It’s happened just as he takes the first bite of food at a meal and lasted for a few seconds. Very weird but disturbing to witness.
He’s had a lot of tests, blood pressure, MRI, ECG, blood tests and waiting for the neurologist appointment, but all are normal so far. He’s fit and well other than that and the last time it happened was last September.
We are concerned as he has been advised not to drive by the GP (understandable) but if they can’t find what’s wrong what happens when he has to re-new his driving licence in July?
Would he need to disclose this?

Yes, he would need to disclose this. What would happen if he had a ‘turn’ while driving?

FoghornLeghorn

Jansue

DH has also had a couple of episodes like this. It’s happened just as he takes the first bite of food at a meal and lasted for a few seconds. Very weird but disturbing to witness.
He’s had a lot of tests, blood pressure, MRI, ECG, blood tests and waiting for the neurologist appointment, but all are normal so far. He’s fit and well other than that and the last time it happened was last September.
We are concerned as he has been advised not to drive by the GP (understandable) but if they can’t find what’s wrong what happens when he has to re-new his driving licence in July?
Would he need to disclose this?

Yes, he would need to disclose this. What would happen if he had a ‘turn’ while driving?

If a GP advises not to drive it's not optional, and you have to disclose it or you risk being prosecuted. I hope he's not driving as his insurance won't be valid (another offence). I hope you find out what's wrong soon and he gets the appropriate treatment.

The link gives further information.

Medical conditions, disabilities and driving: Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability - GOV.UK share.google/Hn8M06hMETmowOSfl

The consultant told my DH to surrender his licence. The consultant has to advise DVLA, so better that DH did it voluntarily. Once the episodes were controlled by meds, he got his licence back. Sadly, that took several years, by which time he had lost confidence. He won't bother renewing it when it expires in Sept. As others have said, his insurance will be invalid and yes he will have to declare it on renewal.

The only solution is to go back to your GP and ask if a full head CT or MRI can be arranged because you are worried. This will probably mean being referred to a neuro specialist. Better safe than sorry.
And definitely no driving as others have said would add no using DIY equipment or going on ladders, and safer to use a shower than a bath.

Read up on plant sterols instead of statins, I think statins are an awful drug.