Psuedotumor

[jdansmith]

So my oldest daughter was diagnosed with a pseudotumor after 3 wks of severe headaches and blurred vision. she saw 3 different Dr. and a Emergency Room visit and all concurred she was having migraine headaches. Prior to the Emergency Room one of the Dr. had set her up for a MRI and the ER Dr. said it would be a waist of time and money and we should just let the medication work. Not satisfied we sought a 5th opinion and proceeded with the MRI, The 5th Dr scheduled a spinal tap to gauge the pressure in her skull.

Long story short she had stopped all activity, wore shades inside when she did get up and spent most of her time in her room with the blinds closed and the lights off laying down. This was not normal behavior, she walked a few miles ea. day and would swim every other day or so so we knew something was wrong. When the spinal tap was done the neurologist asked what medication was she on and the only thing she was taking was Solodyne, a tetracycline antibiotic for some skin issues. She had taken it before, last year with success. He said he was sure it had caused her issues and to stop it immediately and report it to her dermatologist and the FDA. He has seen problems with the drug before.

Her neurologist said he had never seen as much pressure/fluid as she had and put her on some diuretics and said further spinal taps would be needed and if that was not successful a shunt would be placed in her spine or brain. the kid is only 15.

Has anyone else heard of this or had any side effects from tetracycline antibiotics? I sure am glad we listened to our daughter and questioned the Doctors who treated her in the beginning. I just wish we had stopped the antibiotic sooner but we were reassured she would be fine on them. I'm one pissed off Dad and have never considered suing anyone but who knows if she will have any long term effects. She has responded well to the new meds and is getting back to her old self a little bit ea. day

Thoughts or opinions????


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pseudo ... ri/DS00851

[Dattebayo]

Tetracycline? Hell yes, there have been issues. The ambulance chaser ads right now are advertising for victims from it.

[szh]

It is clear that some people are more sensitive to a particular antibiotic than others. Sounds like your daughter fits into that category for sure, although Tetracycline allergies are probably quite rare - this particular medication has been around for decades!

For example, I have had Tetracycline for a skin condition and taken low dosages for three months without any adverse side-effects. This is commonly given for such situations - always good to have a competent family physician who knows all medical history for a person. For example, no matter what specialist I see, or what procedure I have done, I have a copy of the report and outcome sent to my physician. He has a comprehensive folder on me for multiple decades now and does check to see what issues may be contributing to a particular condition.

My wife does the same with her personal doctor.

BTW, I am allergic to Penicillin and Sulfa-based medication ... since childhood.

Some time back, after multiple times of taking Keflex (properly checked for reactions) without problems, the last time, I broke out in a bad red rash all over my body. My Doctor gave me a strong anti-histamine - injection(!) - and switched to another medication.

He also warned me that the next time I took Keflex, it could be fatal for me.

Which reminds me, I need to get a medic alert bracelet - penicillin is a common anti-biotic used by emergency response techs. For example, if I were to be in a car accident with an open wound. Would be silly if I survived such an event and then died due to the allergic shock of the medication given to prevent any infections from the injuries!

Z