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What Could Have Caused Experienced Sudden Paralysis And What Should My Next Steps Be?
Question: About 4 hours ago, my father (70) experienced sudden paralysis below the waist. This persisted for roughly an hour, then gradually started to subside until he was able to walk effectively with a walker and without one with some assistance. My father tells me not aware of what caused this. He says this has happened in the past but it wasn't this bad, though I don't know how recently this occurred. My father has rheumatoid arthritis which he takes medication for but he told me this felt different. He described that while his legs were paralyzed, he felt no pain, just a lack of control and strength, repeating that his body felt like it was.
I'm seeing on my end that my full question is not displayed, ending at "...it was". Can you see anything beyond that? If not, I can send you the rest of my description.
Just in case: ...it was "gone". As he started to regain control in his legs, he described there being a little pain, but nothing serious. After some walking, he took a seat in a recliner and fell asleep, where I've been watching over him. He was drinking alcohol shortly before this occurred, but I'm not sure how much as I wasn't present. He told me it was about half a cup of beer and bourbon which is typical for him to drink once or twice a week, but he also had symptoms of being drunk, such as slurred speech, irritability, etc., and generally did not seem as lucid as he normally is.
...It was difficult to get straight answers to my questions, So I suspect he drank more than he said, unless he was having a unique reaction today for some reason. He's also had several back injuries, one about a year ago, and had surgery done on his lower spine about 4 years ago, though I don't remember the exact purpose of the surgery. Update: he just woke up about 30 minutes ago and was walking around with the walker, still showing signs of unbalance but had more control than before and seemed more lucid. He said his legs were hurting more than before. Now he's in bed sleeping. What could have caused this and what should my next steps be?
I'm seeing on my end that my full question is not displayed, ending at "...it was". Can you see anything beyond that? If not, I can send you the rest of my description.
Just in case: ...it was "gone". As he started to regain control in his legs, he described there being a little pain, but nothing serious. After some walking, he took a seat in a recliner and fell asleep, where I've been watching over him. He was drinking alcohol shortly before this occurred, but I'm not sure how much as I wasn't present. He told me it was about half a cup of beer and bourbon which is typical for him to drink once or twice a week, but he also had symptoms of being drunk, such as slurred speech, irritability, etc., and generally did not seem as lucid as he normally is.
...It was difficult to get straight answers to my questions, So I suspect he drank more than he said, unless he was having a unique reaction today for some reason. He's also had several back injuries, one about a year ago, and had surgery done on his lower spine about 4 years ago, though I don't remember the exact purpose of the surgery. Update: he just woke up about 30 minutes ago and was walking around with the walker, still showing signs of unbalance but had more control than before and seemed more lucid. He said his legs were hurting more than before. Now he's in bed sleeping. What could have caused this and what should my next steps be?
Brief Answer:
Cerebral ischemia to consider and evaluated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question about your father's health issues.
Since there was temporary paralysis of the legs and cognitive problems with speech issues, cerebral ischemia should be considered and evaluated further, before leaving the culprit on the alcohol.
The problems don't seem related to the previous spinal condition.
For this purpose, an evaluation by your father's Neurologist and imaging studies of the brain and neck together with cardiac function workup is necessary.
MRI of the brain, MRA of the neck vessels, and cardiac rhythm evaluation are more precisely necessary.
This way we can have a correct diagnosis and possible preventional measures.
Discuss with your father's Neurologist these issues.
Thanks.
Cerebral ischemia to consider and evaluated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question about your father's health issues.
Since there was temporary paralysis of the legs and cognitive problems with speech issues, cerebral ischemia should be considered and evaluated further, before leaving the culprit on the alcohol.
The problems don't seem related to the previous spinal condition.
For this purpose, an evaluation by your father's Neurologist and imaging studies of the brain and neck together with cardiac function workup is necessary.
MRI of the brain, MRA of the neck vessels, and cardiac rhythm evaluation are more precisely necessary.
This way we can have a correct diagnosis and possible preventional measures.
Discuss with your father's Neurologist these issues.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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