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I Am A 55 Year Old Male. I Suffered A
Question: I am a 55 year old male. I suffered a hemorrhagic right XXXXXXX ganglia stroke when I was 46. I have left side weakness. I have been diagnosed with neuropathy. They do not know why yet.I have numbness and tingling down my right arm and leg going to my hand and foot. Its worse when I lie down. My neurologist thinks it is due to narrowing of the spinal canal and my neuro surgeon say no that its worsening of my neuropathy. What else could this be? Its now on the right side of my chest, my right cheek, right leg and foot as well as right arm and hand. I dont know if it is mt left side too because its my strok affected side. It seems to be spreading. What could it be?
Brief Answer:
Consider repeating brain scans...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details provided and if I have to choose between the two as more likely than I consider neuropathy. Spine narrowing and nerve compression cause localised symptoms. You report symptoms on the entire right side. So unless there are multiple areas of compression on the spine, cervical canal narrowing and c4-c5 compression doesn't explain all the symptoms.
However, I would also consider repeating brain scan to check for structures on the left brain area. You can discuss with your treating doctor and see if they share my views.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Consider repeating brain scans...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through the details provided and if I have to choose between the two as more likely than I consider neuropathy. Spine narrowing and nerve compression cause localised symptoms. You report symptoms on the entire right side. So unless there are multiple areas of compression on the spine, cervical canal narrowing and c4-c5 compression doesn't explain all the symptoms.
However, I would also consider repeating brain scan to check for structures on the left brain area. You can discuss with your treating doctor and see if they share my views.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You mentioned redo brain scan. Likely a good idea and by the way I have a neurostimulator implant for bladder incontinance so a brain mri is the only kind I can get. You mentioned the scan for possible left side brain issues. What would those be?
One more question: I sm told due to my massive stroke and the following brain surgery to remove a lime-sized blood clot, that my odds of dementia are 9 to 10 times higher than those that have not. What predictive tests can I get to help me prepare for that possibility and how do I get them? I heard there is a protein test. EpoE ptotein that if elevated points to higher possibilities?
One more question: I sm told due to my massive stroke and the following brain surgery to remove a lime-sized blood clot, that my odds of dementia are 9 to 10 times higher than those that have not. What predictive tests can I get to help me prepare for that possibility and how do I get them? I heard there is a protein test. EpoE ptotein that if elevated points to higher possibilities?
I’m also curious about the good bad snd the ugly that could b causing my neuropathy that they describe as severe. I think autoimmune is ruled out. I am not an alcoholic I don’t do drugs and have had no chemotherapy. What other conditions or diseases could it be?
Brief Answer:
Vascular defects and demyelinating conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Numbness and tingling sensation as you report are wide spread on the right side - face / cheek, right arm, hand, chest and right legs. Hence my suggestion to look higher up in the brain. I would want to rule out vascular defects on the left brain as well as demyelinating conditions. The Brain MRI will let us know if you have any of those symptoms.
Besides autoimmune, alcohol and medications, some nutrient deficiencies, as well as metabolic disturbances, are few other causes of neuropathy. Perhaps your doctors can also check on these parameters. These factors are correctable.
As far as dementia is concerned, yes an old stroke is a risk factor for dementia. Unless the stroke was quite large extensively damaging brain, I think you should do fine in future. And yes there are some protein markes that can be used to predict the chances of dementia. But those are beyond my expertise. A dementia expert (subspecialization of neurology) would know more about it.
I hope this information suffices. Let me know if you need any more information.
Regards
Vascular defects and demyelinating conditions.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Numbness and tingling sensation as you report are wide spread on the right side - face / cheek, right arm, hand, chest and right legs. Hence my suggestion to look higher up in the brain. I would want to rule out vascular defects on the left brain as well as demyelinating conditions. The Brain MRI will let us know if you have any of those symptoms.
Besides autoimmune, alcohol and medications, some nutrient deficiencies, as well as metabolic disturbances, are few other causes of neuropathy. Perhaps your doctors can also check on these parameters. These factors are correctable.
As far as dementia is concerned, yes an old stroke is a risk factor for dementia. Unless the stroke was quite large extensively damaging brain, I think you should do fine in future. And yes there are some protein markes that can be used to predict the chances of dementia. But those are beyond my expertise. A dementia expert (subspecialization of neurology) would know more about it.
I hope this information suffices. Let me know if you need any more information.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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