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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Paralysis
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Paralysis
by glecin, Sep 07, 2002 12:00AM
My wife had a sudden onset of paralysis over a two day period. The emergency room did an MRI and said that there was a blood accumulation in her spine. They did an angiogram and said it did not show any damage to blood vessels. She is paralyzed from T5 (about breast level) down and lost all bowel and bladder control. They said at that time that it should clear and she could probably walk in about 6 months. In Rehab they told us that the blood accumulation was at T5. Two months later she saw a neurosurgeon after another MRI. He ask for more blowup of spine area. He then told us that it could be inflamation of the spine. No medication has been prescribed. She takes Neurontin for burning sensation pain, vitron C, and senakot. She has been taking celexia and seroquil for about two years. They say she should have another MRI in about 6 months.
So far we cannot tell of any return of feeling or muscle control. She has burning pain sensation in her legs when she wakes up and lower intensity when she starts moving about.
Is this normal recovery? Should we get a second opinion and review of the MRI's? Is there any medication that should be considered for her?
So far we cannot tell of any return of feeling or muscle control. She has burning pain sensation in her legs when she wakes up and lower intensity when she starts moving about.
Is this normal recovery? Should we get a second opinion and review of the MRI's? Is there any medication that should be considered for her?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Sep 08, 2002 12:00AM
Get a second opinion. Spinal cord problems need to be evaluated throroughly and urgently as there is a tremendous amount at risk (walking, bowel/bladder control, etc...) If it is inflammation, she may need steroids or other immune mediating agents. Hard to say what it could be without personally reviewing the films, but there's a big difference between blood and inflammation and their respective treatment options. Consider a major academic or clinical center nearby and bring your films so they can take a look. You may even need repeat MRIs. Good luck.
I at one point also had inflammation of my spinal cord with loss of feeling from chest area down, it took me only to months before everything was in working order again. It started slow with burning in my limbs then mild movement, but once it started to come back it did not take long. I hope you have the same luck I did. Keep the faith