Off-and-on right sided weakness

For the past several weeks, I've been experiencing on-and-off weakness on the right side of my body. It started as a feeling of "heaviness" around my right eye and the right side of my mouth, and then after a couple weeks began to include weakness in my right arm and leg. It comes and goes seemingly randomly. Like one day I'll have it, and the next day I won't. I was checked out by an ER doctor, who told me it was fibrositis, and suggested taking ibuprofen. But he also discounted the weakness in my leg as being part of it. He told me all my neurological signs were okay (equal grip in both hands, equal leg strength, and all that), which I didn't dispute, as I'd done all those tests to myself and came to the same conclusion. It doesn't SEEM like anything brain-related, but it could be. I mean thus far there's no numbness or loss of feeling, just weakness, and maybe a very slight feeling of "clumsiness". Should I really continue to pursue this, or just let it go? So far it hasn't really interfered with my daily life, but it is quite annoying and worrisome.

[Sara Khan]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Episodic weakness or sensation of weakness, which completely resolves, can be seen in a few neurological conditions, including Transient ischemic attacks ( TIA) ( or "mini strokes") , seizures and rarely with migraine headaches. These are sometimes very difficult to diagnose as by the time one seeks medical attention, the symptoms have already resolved. I am not aware of your past medical history, however if you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, history of smoking or alcohol use, you could be at risk of TIAs. Similarly if you have a history of headaches, or have headaches with these symptoms of weakness, you should be evaluated for a possible diagnosis of complicated migraine. Seizures rarely may present with out the classic "jerking" symptoms, and may just result in transient heaviness.

I would suggest that you see a neurologist for a full neurological assessment, soon. Where these symptoms may not mean anything, it is best to rule out serious neurological conditions. Here I have described a few differentials, but strongly feel that a formal neurological assessment is warranted.

I hope this answers your questions. Thank you for using this forum