Brief Answer:
Needs full neurological and/or endocrinological workup

Detailed Answer:
Sorry that your friend is in such a poor condition of ambulation. She clearly requires a solid examination by a neurologist to try and determine what if any effect this "virus" had on either the brain or the spinal cord. If in fact a virus is to blame for her condition I very much doubt it directly attacked her muscles.

Also, pregnant women can have several complications following birth which can affect or even destroy their ability to walk or walk well. One is referred to as a SVT or Sagittal Venous Thrombosis. This is the equivalent of a stroke which could be a cause of inability to walk and if severe enough can even cause death if not detected in time. Another significant complication following pregnancy is referred to SHEEHAN's SYNDROME where there is a hemorrhagic event involving the pituitary gland which results in global loss of pituitary function and this is clearly affect a person's ability to ambulate at least indirectly by affecting her thyroid gland. The fact, you mention she had 3 transfusions of blood tells me that for some reason this patient lost a pretty sizable quantity of blood. She did not receive the transfusions due to phosphorous or sodium deficiencies.

She could also have been suffering from some type of hemorrhagic shock or complication involving the spinal cord at the level of the lumbar cord which would clearly affect leg function.

You also mentioned that her SODIUM levels were extremely low. You'd have to give me numbers but very low sodium levels in a person can cause a condition known as Central Pontine Myelinolysis and this can also be fatal if not treated aggressively but if not severe enough to cause a patient's full blown demise then, at least ambulation can be dramatically affected as well as other brainstem functions.

I hope this addresses your concerns and that you'll keep me in mind for future questions regarding these or other neurological/medical issues. Feel free to upload images if you'd like.

Otherwise, I'd appreciate your rating this interaction with a HIGH STAR SCORE and look forward to a few words of feedback. In addition, I'd appreciate your CLOSING THIS QUERY if you're satisfied with my response.

Write to me any time at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional comments, concerns, or to provide status updates if you'd like which I would love to receive from you to see just what has been discovered.

Many thanks for using this service to ask your questions. Be well.

This consult request has taken a total of 20 minutes of time to read, research, and respond.

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Brief Answer:
I hope your friend returns to good health soon

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your return message.

Your friend may wish to check with County Social Services if she is in need of medical assistance but due to finances cannot afford private insurance. Under such circumstances she is likely eligible for either State or Federal aid programs if she lives in the United States so all it takes is a phone call to get the ball rolling. Aside from the medical checkup and testing that I mentioned there is also simpler forms of gauging her strength and ability to function in the legs if she were to simply see either a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist. They tend to charge much less than standard medical services and perhaps with a good physical therapy program directed at trying to get her up and walking with the assistance of devices, pool therapy, etc. she would be able to get some answers as well.

I hope your friend returns to good health soon.

I hope this addresses your concerns and that you and your friend will keep me in mind for future questions regarding these or other neurological/medical issues. I'll keep a watch for your friend's possible correspondence on this network. She can reach me always at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi


If there are no further comments or concerns may I ask for your rating of this interaction with a HIGH STAR SCORE along with a few words of feedback. In addition, I'd appreciate your CLOSING THIS QUERY if you're satisfied with my responses.

Feel free to provide status updates if you'd like once something has been discovered.

Many thanks for using this service to ask your questions. Be well.

This consult request has taken a total of 30 minutes of time to read, research, and respond.

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