after car wreck i keep passing out

[brainpain]

hi, a little history.a little over 2yrs ago i had a crainotomy for a 22mm pituitary tumor. i have had grandmal seizures for over 20yrs. i had a seizure and had a car wreck thanksgiving morning. i was rushed to er and my dilantin was low.i have never missed my meds. i had a knot the size of a baseball bat on my cheek, a dime size knot an black still. i have passed out 3 times after. the first time i got really dizzy and confused and passed out and woke wet with sweat. i passed out again but wasent sweaty. i passed out last nite i got dizzy and passed out ,when i woke i was dazed and had short memory loss. i wake after a min or 2, but im getting scared to be alone. what is going on? has the wreck made me start this? please help !!! im very worried, thanks brainpain

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

CT scan without contrast is sufficient as an initial investigation to detect brain pathology. If this scan picks up some abnormality in the brain then CT scan with contrast is ordered for better visualization of the lesion.
Since your initial scan was unremarkable the chances of brain pathology are less though cannot be ruled out completely.

Try doing some breathing exercises and see if they help with your symptoms.

Take care and good luck.

[brainpain]

i asked my doctor about my ct scan report. my doctor tells me everything is normal. i dident have any contrast during the ct scan. would the ct scan w/o contrast miss anything? i have a mri next month. im still getting dizzy and passing out , will this pass with time? i have an appt with my neurologist tuesday. thanks for your help.  

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

The symptoms that you have mentioned could also be due to panic attacks. The CT scan is a good investigation for diagnosis but an MRI is superior as far as visualization of soft tissues is concerned like brain.
TIA can be repeated. The chances are more if one has risk factors for stroke like obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes and hypertension.

We will have to wait for the results of neurological exam and MRI to come to a diagnosis.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[brainpain]

i had a ct scan while i was in the er. i was told everything was normal.i have an appt next week with a neuro. i have a mri next month for follow up for my pituitary. would the ct scan i had at the er (day of wreck) showed anything. can tia be treated? thanks for your help.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

It is difficult to give an opinion without a clinical exam and knowing the complete medical history.
Since you are suffering from neurological symptoms like dizziness, black outs, memory loss and confusion it is pertinent that undergo a complete neurological exam and tests like CT scan or MRI of head.

There is a possibility that these symptoms are due to TIA or transient ischemic attacks, however nothing can be said for sure without examination.

Please schedule an appointment with your neurologist as soon as possible.