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What Causes Numbness, Weakness And Tingling In Hands, Legs?
Question: Hello Dr,
My daughter, age 42, is scheduled for a D&C on February 11th. As a child, she was diagnosed with Wolf/Parkinson/White syndrome and, other than an irregular EKG pattern, has never had any adverse symptoms. She had to get cleared for D&C the surgery by her cardiologist who has been treating her for 18 years. He did an echocardiogram and told her she could go ahead with the surgery, but then told her the test showed that she has 3 "leaky" heart valves, which wasn't a problem and to follow up with him in 6 months. She has been experiencing numbness, weakness and tingling in her hand and legs on and off over the last 3 years, but it has gotten progressively worse over the last few months. She is able to function and go to work, but it is getting increasingly difficult for her. She has gone to a rheumatologist and is awaiting blood test results to rule out lupus, MS etc. Her cardiologist felt these symptoms were unrelated to the "leaky valves", but that doesn't make sense to me, so my daughter is going to seek a second opinion from another cardiologist in the area. In the meantime, can you tell me if these symptoms could be related to her heart condition?
Concerned mother, XXXXXXX Phillips
My daughter, age 42, is scheduled for a D&C on February 11th. As a child, she was diagnosed with Wolf/Parkinson/White syndrome and, other than an irregular EKG pattern, has never had any adverse symptoms. She had to get cleared for D&C the surgery by her cardiologist who has been treating her for 18 years. He did an echocardiogram and told her she could go ahead with the surgery, but then told her the test showed that she has 3 "leaky" heart valves, which wasn't a problem and to follow up with him in 6 months. She has been experiencing numbness, weakness and tingling in her hand and legs on and off over the last 3 years, but it has gotten progressively worse over the last few months. She is able to function and go to work, but it is getting increasingly difficult for her. She has gone to a rheumatologist and is awaiting blood test results to rule out lupus, MS etc. Her cardiologist felt these symptoms were unrelated to the "leaky valves", but that doesn't make sense to me, so my daughter is going to seek a second opinion from another cardiologist in the area. In the meantime, can you tell me if these symptoms could be related to her heart condition?
Concerned mother, XXXXXXX Phillips
Brief Answer:
She should proceed with the procedure
Detailed Answer:
Greetings. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern, madame.
Well, these symptoms may be related to the "leaky" valves, but only when they are in an advanced stage, so that the blood they "leak" has already affected and disturbed other organic system of the organism, mainly the lungs. As the information you provided is concerned, I may conclude that these "leaks" are only
mild or trivial, so that very little amounts of blood are "leaking" through the valves and no affects on the system are happening whatsoever. Shortness of breath and weakness may be symptoms of the impairment of the valvular function.
My opinion is that the above mentioned symptoms match better a disorder coming from the rheumatic system. As I can see, she has already been tested for such disorders, and a consult with a rheumatologist would be in order. If the rheumatic system is excluded as the origin of the symptoms, the most probable cause remains anxiety.
As far the as the procedure is concerned, my opinion also is that should go ahead and undergo the procedure. No counter indication is found from the Wolff-Parkinson-White or from the mild function impairment of the valves.
I hope I have been of help. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Good luck.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
She should proceed with the procedure
Detailed Answer:
Greetings. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern, madame.
Well, these symptoms may be related to the "leaky" valves, but only when they are in an advanced stage, so that the blood they "leak" has already affected and disturbed other organic system of the organism, mainly the lungs. As the information you provided is concerned, I may conclude that these "leaks" are only
mild or trivial, so that very little amounts of blood are "leaking" through the valves and no affects on the system are happening whatsoever. Shortness of breath and weakness may be symptoms of the impairment of the valvular function.
My opinion is that the above mentioned symptoms match better a disorder coming from the rheumatic system. As I can see, she has already been tested for such disorders, and a consult with a rheumatologist would be in order. If the rheumatic system is excluded as the origin of the symptoms, the most probable cause remains anxiety.
As far the as the procedure is concerned, my opinion also is that should go ahead and undergo the procedure. No counter indication is found from the Wolff-Parkinson-White or from the mild function impairment of the valves.
I hope I have been of help. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate the answer, if you do not.
Good luck.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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