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Both legs and arm weakness

Posted , 5 users are following.

p40pjm
p40pjm

Started approx 3 years ago. Stood waiting for a coffee, I was unable to turn around, my left leg would not move, after 30 seconds I was able to move my left leg again and walk. There was no warning, no pain / numbness or tremor. Initially Dr's thought it was a TIA, however I now suffer from weakness in both legs and arms. I am now unable to walk without assistance. I have had MRI scans, lumber puncture, blood test and nerve studies, all come back normal. Am I the only one with this condition? 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • julie69228
    julie69228 p40pjm

    Posted

    Hi I'm also in the same situation as u...... Mine started just over 2 years ago I went to bed and in the morning I woke up feeling like I had slept on my leg and it had gone to sleep when I got up to go to the toilet I fell back on to the bed as my leg gave way anyway I made it downstairs to make a cuppa and within an hour both of my legs started to feel numb so I went straight to a&me where I was kept in for a week they did brain scans evoke potentials(where they do tests on your feet with like tapping) I couldn't stand that it was really uncomfortable lumbar puncture all of which came back with no results to confirm what it was.all that they have come up with is that I must have had a stroke in the night which I can't believe they just don't have any answers. I got discharged without knowing what it was all they have said is that it is a damaged nerve? So I am unable to work due to backache and with my legs begin numb one leg feels heavy and is partially numb but the other leg is really numb and my feet feel cold all the time I was really down at one point but what can u do.. U just have to get on with life and hope one day things will repair itself it has got easier but that's because I have got good family and friends that help me get through it. Hope this helps if only a little bit x Julie from Nottingham 
    • RJATWORK345
      RJATWORK345 julie69228

      Posted

      Sounds maybe something like MS or maybe some other demylenating desease.  Can they at least identify which nerve is damaged or at least general area where the damage is.  That doesnt quite add up either though cuz a single pinched bundle of nerves would have rather specific symptomatic regions.  Electrolyte imbalance sounds possible but i would not think symptoms would last years unchanged like you and p40pjm mentioned.  Sorry to impose I read a lot about different neurological disirders in my search to finds others who have had Tranverse Myelitis as I have.  I would incourage both of you to push for answers sooner rather then later.  Too many Doctors are ok with vague diagnosis or no diagnosis at all.  I have found later on that I really should have pushed for more answers and more information about things that have led to more issues because i didnt understand what was going to happen later on, or what could happen.  I know it is exausting being ignored or brushed off because the Doc just doesnt have the info they need to help you.  Beleive that you have a right to be treated with dignity and respect and this is your life.  Severly effected by some mystery nerve damage.  I would imagine you guys blame yourself sometimes or doubt that all of it is real.  If it is that severe I think you deserve the validation a specialist may provide even without a diagnosis.  I spent years going back and forth in my head about how bad is this really? am I just being weak?  Is it all in my head?  I should be able to get better!!!!!  You do not deserve all that extra weight and uncertanty.  I may be way off.  Not knowing is torture and for me i turned it all on myself questioning every bit of my character.  Maybe you guys dont feel this way but if you do, just know I don't doudt anything.  Your struggles sound scary and uncertain and you deserve the support of professionals who can back you and validate your hardship.  I have hope for you and I will certainly be thinking about you. 

      Sencerely RJ

  • katz31
    katz31 p40pjm

    Posted

    How are your potassium levels?

    When I had two episodes of low potassium

    I couldn't use my legs or arms, if I got up

    I would fall, in the end my husband had to

    Take me to the loo or upstairs on his back!

    Until the paramedics arrived I was useless!

    Ask your GP to test your levels it effects the

    Muscles including the heart so needs to be

    Treated asap, take care,

    Kate

    X

    • p40pjm
      p40pjm katz31

      Posted

      Hello katz31,

      Don't know what her potassium level is, hopefully tomorrow all will become clear. 

    • RJATWORK345
      RJATWORK345 katz31

      Posted

      Hi Katz

      I was just wondering how long each episode lasted from onset to recovery When your potassium was out of wack?

      Just curious

    • katz31
      katz31 RJATWORK345

      Posted

      Hi RJ,

      About a month before my collapses I noticed my legs were weak and thevomiting started. The night it happened I lost the use of my hands/arms but could still walk, the next morning I couldn't lift or feel my legs my poor hubby had to carry me around until I couldn't hold my own head up.

  • julie69228
    julie69228 p40pjm

    Posted

    Thank you that certainly is something to talk to my doctor about xx
  • p40pjm
    p40pjm

    Posted

    Thank you all for your replies. Tomorrow is a big day for both of us, my wife spent 7 nights in hospital in early Feb this year, having test after test and tomorrow we get to meet with the consultant. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

     

  • p40pjm
    p40pjm

    Posted

    Met with the consultant, he reviewed all the test results and said they were all normal. He suggested that all tests might have to be undertaken at a later date to do a comparision with the previous tests. So, at the moment my wife is booked to have another brain scan in 5 months and a visit to the consultant in 6 months....   
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