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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Constipation, Urinary Incontinence And Hypertension
Question: Hello doctor.
I am a 33, female, obese (at check up 3 months ago 603.8lbs), non insulin dependent diabetic with limited mobility (due to my weight, shortness of breath and pain). I also suffer from hypertension, sever chronic constipation (currently I am usually unable to move my bowels for 9 days or more), occasional bowel incontinence when my bowels do move, urinary incontinence, shortness of breath when mobilizing and pain in knees, hips and back.
On Saturday morning (day 11 of no bowel movements) I felt a possible bowel movement coming on. After about 40 minutes of unsuccessful, vigorous straining my vision became blurry and my whole left side started to at first tingle, then went completely limp and numb. I called for my partner and with a lot of assistance I was able to transfer from the toilet onto the walker first and then to a recliner. I was unable to use my whole left side during those transfers. As I have had episodes like this before that resolved after a while and was told it is due to the vigorous straining I didn't worry much.
Now, today I still have trouble moving my left side, though it isn't numb anymore but feels more like pins and needles. I can stand up with assistance (more than is usually required) but have a lot of trouble walking (hard time holding on to my walker with my left hand and my left leg drags). My partner also says that I am slightly slurring my words today.
So I am worried that this was something different than the other episodes I have had. Could I have had a stroke? And if so, can there still be something done about it after two days have passed?
I appreciate any answer and advice, thank you.
I am a 33, female, obese (at check up 3 months ago 603.8lbs), non insulin dependent diabetic with limited mobility (due to my weight, shortness of breath and pain). I also suffer from hypertension, sever chronic constipation (currently I am usually unable to move my bowels for 9 days or more), occasional bowel incontinence when my bowels do move, urinary incontinence, shortness of breath when mobilizing and pain in knees, hips and back.
On Saturday morning (day 11 of no bowel movements) I felt a possible bowel movement coming on. After about 40 minutes of unsuccessful, vigorous straining my vision became blurry and my whole left side started to at first tingle, then went completely limp and numb. I called for my partner and with a lot of assistance I was able to transfer from the toilet onto the walker first and then to a recliner. I was unable to use my whole left side during those transfers. As I have had episodes like this before that resolved after a while and was told it is due to the vigorous straining I didn't worry much.
Now, today I still have trouble moving my left side, though it isn't numb anymore but feels more like pins and needles. I can stand up with assistance (more than is usually required) but have a lot of trouble walking (hard time holding on to my walker with my left hand and my left leg drags). My partner also says that I am slightly slurring my words today.
So I am worried that this was something different than the other episodes I have had. Could I have had a stroke? And if so, can there still be something done about it after two days have passed?
I appreciate any answer and advice, thank you.
Brief Answer:
With persistence of symptoms, please go to the hospital for evaluation!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this persistence of symptoms that you have reported. It is true that you might have had similar episode in the pas but this one is clearly different. The fact that you are still unable to move your leg and your speech is slurring 2days after the incidence means we ned to look further. As you have rightly suspected, stroke is one of the possibilities but would need a further examination and testing to be able to understand what the exact cause of these symptoms is.
Stroke when managed early has the best results. However, I am not sure that you would suffer from any severe damage if this were to be stroke because the symptoms are mild. The best course of action would be to get fully evaluated at this time. When the exact cause is identified, a treatment plan would be established. There is always something that can be done even two days after a stroke to help you. At least, to help your regain your muscle strength that is vital in displacing yourself around the home is a plus.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
With persistence of symptoms, please go to the hospital for evaluation!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this persistence of symptoms that you have reported. It is true that you might have had similar episode in the pas but this one is clearly different. The fact that you are still unable to move your leg and your speech is slurring 2days after the incidence means we ned to look further. As you have rightly suspected, stroke is one of the possibilities but would need a further examination and testing to be able to understand what the exact cause of these symptoms is.
Stroke when managed early has the best results. However, I am not sure that you would suffer from any severe damage if this were to be stroke because the symptoms are mild. The best course of action would be to get fully evaluated at this time. When the exact cause is identified, a treatment plan would be established. There is always something that can be done even two days after a stroke to help you. At least, to help your regain your muscle strength that is vital in displacing yourself around the home is a plus.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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