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Neurology (Expert Forum)
soft palate paralysis
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soft palate paralysis
by ozark, Jan 15, 2006 12:00AM
I have had 3 episodes in the past 2 years where suddenly i get a weak feeling over my entire body, lightheaded and at the same time my soft palate feels paralyzed. It feels as if it drops down to my tongue or my tongue goes up to my palate and i can't move it and feels as if i can't talk. It's very hard to describe and is scary. There's no tingling or numbness. 2 yrs ago i saw a neurologist after the first episode and he had no answer. mri of brain neg and neuro w/u neg. he thought i had either a migraine or anxiety attack. Another time i was just sitting forward at a gathering and i felt weak with the same tongue palate sensation. It lasted about 30 secs and went away.
Just recently it occured with 3 presyncopal episodes at work in which i was admitted. Neuro couldnt explain the sensation. I was diagnosed with vasovagal syndrome at this time due to dehydration and stress. the stress at this time was true since i just lost my 21yo son 2 months prior. i had a nuclear stress test and echo..all normal. My gp cant explain either. I do tend to have neck tension but no headaches. Has anyone ever had this sensation of the back of your throat being paralyzed and unable to move your tongue during an episode of generalized weakness? it goes away after 30 secs. Thank you for your time.
Just recently it occured with 3 presyncopal episodes at work in which i was admitted. Neuro couldnt explain the sensation. I was diagnosed with vasovagal syndrome at this time due to dehydration and stress. the stress at this time was true since i just lost my 21yo son 2 months prior. i had a nuclear stress test and echo..all normal. My gp cant explain either. I do tend to have neck tension but no headaches. Has anyone ever had this sensation of the back of your throat being paralyzed and unable to move your tongue during an episode of generalized weakness? it goes away after 30 secs. Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Jan 20, 2006 12:00AM
Its certainly unsual and I have not come across it. A temporary episode that lasts about 30 seconds, such as the above, could fit with a seizure - unless this episode was captured on the EEG while it was running, the EEG would be normal.
If an episode is triggerred by an emotion or event, then you may be describing catalepsy, a component of narcolepsy, a disorder of extreme sleepiness. You would also have daytime sleepiness, and perhaps hallucinations goign to sleep, a feeling of paralysis lying in bed.
Evaluation of your EKG and heart rhytm during these episodes is important also. Recording an episode with EEG, video, and a tilt table may reveal some answer - then a seizure and cardiac cause could be evlauted in the same test.
Good luck
If an episode is triggerred by an emotion or event, then you may be describing catalepsy, a component of narcolepsy, a disorder of extreme sleepiness. You would also have daytime sleepiness, and perhaps hallucinations goign to sleep, a feeling of paralysis lying in bed.
Evaluation of your EKG and heart rhytm during these episodes is important also. Recording an episode with EEG, video, and a tilt table may reveal some answer - then a seizure and cardiac cause could be evlauted in the same test.
Good luck
