Comments on: What happened to Mukasey?

By: Melissa, Los Angeles

Melissa, Los Angeles — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:15:26 +0000

@ Karen I would recommend you see another doctor as well. My friend had a stroke when he was a teenager (he's now in his early 30's). Luckily he didn't have any long term effects – he did have to relearn some skills though.

By: Donald

Donald — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:49:19 +0000

As strange as this may sound, the problem could be in how he was standing. The military ALWAYS warns its troops not to lock their knees while in formation (that is to push your knees all the way back to lock them). This causes restriction of blood flow that could lead to blacking out. I have personally seen this happen many times. Yes, it could be that simple.

By: Tim M

Tim M — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:48:52 +0000

Everything I know about neurology comes from being a patient, but I wonder about whether a complex partial seizure couldn't produce symptoms like that? A bunch of my friends with epilepsy interpreted the video that way, but we have only our own experiences to compare.

I'm not completely clear how one does a differential diagnosis to distinguish seizures from TIAs. I know from my own experience that one looks for evidence of bleeding or clotting in a brain scan, that one looks for carotid artery or heart issues, and that one looks for slowing or spiking in an EEG, and I think there's something about clotting enzymes? It would be interesting to hear a quick summary from a professional, though.

Happy Epilepsy Awareness Month, anyway!

By: bmh, rt(r)(ct)

bmh, rt(r)(ct) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:56:38 +0000

this reply is for karen who was told she was too young for a stroke.
get a second opinion from somebody that specializes in neuro...
i'm a board certified ct tech with 16 years experience and examine alot of patients with these types of symptoms. just 4 hours ago, we had a 57 year old female patient that came into the er unresponsive. on her ct head exam, she had a severe intracranial hemorrhage (possibly from a ruptured berry's aneurysm), and she passed away less than 2 hours later. her family's devastated.
take care and good luck.

By: peedee

peedee — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:43:38 +0000

Years ago I went numb on my LEFT side while writing a check at a supermarket. My whole left side (face, too) went numb and I collapsed on the floor. Within a few minutes I was ok enough to walk and get in the car and go to the hospital. I was checked for all kinds of things....(CAT scan, EKG, bloodwork, etc.).

Turned out to be Lyme disease but was not diagnosed at the time – and only much later. Symptoms worsened over time. In my case it has gotten into my neurological system. I did not get Bell's Palsy (facial paralysys and accompanying symptons) – as my fahter in law had with his undiagnosed Lyme disease. But, I know many who have had Bell's Palsy who had Lyme disease. It's fairly well known now that Bell's can be a symptom of Lyme disease.

People don't generally think of Lyme when someone passes out or faints, but I do now. Years after the original case, I still have a slight speech impediment as the Lyme apparently got into a part of the brain that antibotics cannot reach and eradicate completely.

Stroke always come to mind first, but when someone 'recovers' as quickly as he seemed to, I naturally now always think of the neurological system and the potential of having Lyme disease. Tests for it, unfortunately, are still not definitive enough to rule it in or out but if caught early, antibiotics usually clear it up quickly and successfully.

By: David

David — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:31:41 +0000

Neurocardiogenic Syncope

My brother had fainting episode in the past 48 hours and this is what Docs told him. He is fine and has been tested for everything. Maybe same happened to AG Mukasey.

By: Tom Dawson

Tom Dawson — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:07:44 +0000

Are physical exams of some sort part of the short list vetting process?

If not probably should be.

By: Bubba Gump

Bubba Gump — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:11:46 +0000

Any possibility he just locked his knees too long while standing? It was interesting that his legs did not buckle and fall. He appeared to have some sort of oxygen loss to the brain(slurred speach and droopy face) and fall forward a bit. We were taught in the military not to lock the knees as it would cause you to pass out.

By: Sterling

Sterling — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:28:51 +0000

I too thought what I was seeing on T.V. to be a TIA. I guess that's why I'm just an EMT and not a Dr.!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:06:20 +0000

Jonathan– I am not a doctor but I am willing to bet that the AG does have a medical problem but it will not be disclosed unless there is another major episode before January 20, 2009. The fact that we have a huge financial crisis going on and it is the end of a presidential administration, the powers that be may have chosen to down play his health issues for now. I am no expert but I do follow the news closely and it would not be the first time that info was not disclosed because of potential security (physical and cyber) risks to the country. Let's just all pray that the AG is really fine and will live out the rest of his life in good health.