Left sided weakness.

[shannara73canada]

In april I had an episode, which felt like a pressure on the right side of my head between temple and ear, followed by MAJOR dizziness (spinning to the left).  I got up to walk and stumbled to my left.  Went to the ER and they said probable stroke, reflexes slow or absent on left side.  CT scan negative, all bloodwork negative, no clotting disorders, carotid scan negative, ECG negative, transcranial doppler negative.  Released on 1 aspirin a day. One week later had another episode.  In total I have had 19 episodes since April, working out to at least one per week.  I have continued left sided weakness, cannot heel or toe walk on left side.  Heel toe walk with eyes closed I sway and stumble.  When typing or writing I leave out letters (which I never used to do!!) Have problems when writing (word recognition), memory recall problems and some problems talking.
Had an EEG which was abnormal, showed slow waves in the right temporal area.  Had my MRI and it showed no structural problems (according to my neuro).  

He wrote me a letter saying since there is nothing structurally wrong there isn't much he can do, though he admits there is an obvious dysfunction.  He said the slow wave would account for the left sided weakness.  He suggested following up in the new year.  

I have residual dizziness, my left foot catches when I walk up stairs.  I also now have sciatic nerve pain but goign down the right side (not sure if that is related).  Never any headaches with episodes.

Do you have any idea in which direction I should look??  He ruled out stroke, MS by MRI.

THANKS

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

An MRA to look at the arteries in the back of your neck (vertebral arteries) may be helpful to see if there is a problem there as sometimes a clot or tear in that artery can produce similar symptoms. If this is really an epileptic problem, consider a more prolonged video-EEG monitoring in which you are admitted to an epilepsy unit for a few days until one of the spells occur.  Then they can look for any changes on the EEG during the events. MS may still be a possibility, depending on the exam or clinical history esp if you are a young woman. A spinal tap could be considered. Finally, a second opinion at a major academic or clinical hospital may be helpful so that someone gets a fresh look at your case. Good luck.

[puppyboy]

you have to post as a new question in order for a physician to read your concerns.  You've posted in the comment area and this is not monitored by the forum staff. Try posting around 8:30 -9:30 am EST.  This forum only allows 2 questions per day.  Good luck!

[wensherriff]

Hi, I am a 32 mother of 2 and new to this forum but not new to some pretty strange neuro probs. My story started about 3 years ago when my daughter was 9 months old. I had been feeling run down for about 2 months prior and had just come down with a really sore throat.  It was Christmas day and I had decided to self medicate with a few glasses of champagn which helped alot.  The next morning I got up feeling a bit hungover and put the kids in the bath.  When I when to lift out my daughter - it seemed as though the lights dimmed and I felt as if I might pass out.  I also felt like my left side lost strenghth and my lips felt like they were numb and swollen and I was shakey.  I freaked out and went to the ER - they told me it was a reaction to clarintyne and alcohol from the night before.  I was happy with this as I thought I was having a stroke.  However the next day I got these strange red lumps on my legs which felt bruised - I went to my gp and she told me this was called erythema nodum (red lumps) and was due to my sore throat being a strep infection which had gone through my system.  I went on antibiotics but the funny weakness continued for a couple of months.

Since then (Jan 2000) I have had about 6 of the initial severe symptoms of left side weakness and dizziness and nausea, but mostly I just feel like ****.  I have a lot of neck pain and when I went to the neuro to have a mri he found a small disc herniation at c5/c6 with a small spur growing inward towards my spinal cord.  The radiographer report said there was moderate stenosis of the cord with compression but the neuro dismissed this as overstated (who the hell to you believe).

I get dizzy and sick with blurry vision if I work or read with my head down or if I turn my head in certain directions which just recently meant I had to quit one of my jobs - very distressing.  I also have trouble sleeping as I tend to tremble a little bit when lying on my side and I keep waking up with a start as if I am having a head rush and my heart is beating out of my chest.  I also suffer from bad motion sickness all the time.  I have run the antidepressant gauntlet to no avail and I am 100% certain this is not anxiety or depression - not that these symptoms don't cause me anxiety and depression. The last neuro visit had me in tears as he said I will just have to live with it.  The only other things wrong with me is that I have had a thyroidectomy and am on thyroxine - never had any problems with that.  I also have pretty bad sinuses, including a cyst in my sphenoid sinus which needs surgery (the sinus disease was discovered when I went for the MRI).  

Well there you go - anyone got a clue, because I am at the end of my tether.  I don't look forward to much anymore - I cant travel, I cant play with my kids very well, it even makes me sick to read a book and I can't even look forward to going to bed as I don't sleep well.  The only thing I am good at is self pitty which has never been a part of my personality before but I just feel beaten and hopeless.

Wendy

[shannara73canada]

Even though I doubt the doctor reads this comment...maybe other people would see it...I am only 29 years old.  I have hypothyroidism, which is controlled very well.