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What Causes Severe Leg Weakness Post Child Delivery With Normal CT Scan And MRI?
Question: Hi I have very strange symptoms since 7 months pregnant, have continued for 14months now. While pregnant and afterwards, the days before my period I had severe leg weakness. this worsened with breadtfeeding and improved when i stopped. Symptoms now go away completely until days before my period or become worse with tiredness or stress. neurologist thought it looked like cataplexy (I looked it up and this is exactly the weird weakness I am referring to) but EEG plus other factors showed this was not the case. Neck mri , ct scan and bloods all negative. Other symptoms that sometimes occur simultaneously are migraine, nosebleeds and nausea. Contraceptive pill has lessened symptoms but still there. I would like to know cause as I would like to try for another baby next year and want to know what effect it will have as this is undoubtedly hormonal. I have pcos and close family history of astrocytoma on top of brain stem and pituitary although this did not concern gp or.neurologist.
Brief Answer:
Some suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
The MRI and CT scans are negative and EEG is negative as well, major diseases have been ruled out. Migraine with Cataplexy is possible. During pregnancy and during periods, lots of hormonal changes occur and there is peaking of estrogen hormone. This may reduce the threshold of migraine/seizures. Hormonal changes and fluctuations are part of pregnancy and menstural cycle.
Highly emotional situations can precipitate Cataplexy. But usually the symptoms last only for few minutes.
Stay calm. Relax and do not think in mind that you may develop cataplexy. Try music therapy or meditation. Sleep well for atleast 7 hours a day continously at night.
Regards
Binu
Some suggestions
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
The MRI and CT scans are negative and EEG is negative as well, major diseases have been ruled out. Migraine with Cataplexy is possible. During pregnancy and during periods, lots of hormonal changes occur and there is peaking of estrogen hormone. This may reduce the threshold of migraine/seizures. Hormonal changes and fluctuations are part of pregnancy and menstural cycle.
Highly emotional situations can precipitate Cataplexy. But usually the symptoms last only for few minutes.
Stay calm. Relax and do not think in mind that you may develop cataplexy. Try music therapy or meditation. Sleep well for atleast 7 hours a day continously at night.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, the neurologist told me it was not cataplexy he ruled it out, what is your alternative diagnosis please and what is likely to happen if I have another baby, would it be worse than before?
Brief Answer:
PERIODIC PARALYSIS
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
If major disorders have been ruled out by investigations, an unusual cause of such weakness is "Periodic Paralysis". It may be worth doing a serum potassium, magnesium and calcium levels during such an episode to rule out this cause.
You may also do a baseline serum calcium, Thyroid functions, Potassium and magnesium levels.
Regards
Binu
PERIODIC PARALYSIS
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
If major disorders have been ruled out by investigations, an unusual cause of such weakness is "Periodic Paralysis". It may be worth doing a serum potassium, magnesium and calcium levels during such an episode to rule out this cause.
You may also do a baseline serum calcium, Thyroid functions, Potassium and magnesium levels.
Regards
Binu
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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