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What Causes Paraplegia,seizures,chronic Join Pains And Migraines?

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Posted on Thu, 8 May 2014
Question: Hi, I got lots of small symptoms, and some bigger ones, this has been ongoing for 3 years. I don't want to be told to see a doctor, as I have. I'd like an opinion. I'm female 25yo Below waist paralysis - no spinal injury or trauma. Numbness in legs. Seizures involving loss of consciousness - 1 10 min EEG negative for epileptic activity Chronic pain in various muscles and joints. Arms feeling like lead, really heavy and achy. Migraines triggered by light and fatigue. 4+ a week Constant pain in face just above left eye. Disabling fatigue. Alternating between constipated and loose bowels. Loss of bladder control (have had spc fitted) Teeth crumbling and had to all be removed. Blisters appearing 1-2 times a month on tip of fingers. Constant nausea, and sickness. Double vision Tinnitus High heart rate
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Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (5 hours later)
Brief Answer: I need details for a better diagnosis. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern. Reading your symptoms my mind gives three differential diagnosis: 1. Multiple Sclerosis 2. Vasculitis 3. Lyme's Disease I need to know following details to help you better: 1. Since how long are you suffering from Paraplegia? 2. How did it started? Did it developed spontaneously or gradually? 3. Do you have sensory loss there (means do you feel temperature)? 4. Any history of fever preceding to onset of paraplegia? 5. Any frequent reddening of eyes and itching? 6. Attach your all investigations. I need these details as differential diagnosis would based on duration of Paraplegia. This is my best opinion for you based on available details. Answer the questions that i have asked preferably in point wise manner. If you any have further query, please ask me. Stay Healthy Dr Anshul Varshney, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (3 hours later)
The paralysis has been for nearly three years it started after a seizure, initially it was waist down, then after a few months after another seizure it included both arms which improved over about a week, leaving waist down. Symptoms started gradually, tinnitus first several months before the pain in my eye and constant double vision. I had unexplained falls, which were diagnosed as a seizure when witnessed. The seizure that caused paralysis was not long after the eye pain started. My bowel trouble started about this time. The rest of my symptoms started with in the three years since the paralysis started. Arms heavy - recent I noticed this last month, some days are ok, others are like I am resistance training with a high weight. Migraines - started 2 years ago, frequency crept up and have become a serious problem the last 6 months. Fatigue - The last 8-10 months has hit me hard Bladder - problems worsened about 2 years ago, spc fitted 2 months ago. Teeth, started 6 months ago, dentist removed a couple of teeth, then another a month later, and three more three months ago. Last month it was decided to remove all. Blisters - I think this started not long after the paralysis. Nausea - three years, worsened lately as accompanies migraine. High heart rate has been picked up in the last couple of months. I have altered sensation on my legs, I can't feel a light touch or a pin prick. Although when I had an infection in my toe I felt the pain from that, and the throbbing when it swelled with fluid. As far as I remember I was not ill or had a fever when this started. My eyes are not red bloodshot or itchy. The pain is like someone has stabbed with a knife, but gone over the eyeball but into the eye socket, the eyeball and bone don't hurt but further back. If that is explained right. I haven't had many tests, I have had routine blood tests done numerous times over the past three years, not sure what they were looking for, but I don't think anything showed up, I wasn't told anything or treated for anything. I have had an MRI which was normal, and a short EEG which didn't show epileptic activity. I have had a ECG which was fine. The medication I'm currently on: Gabapentin Naproxen Tramadol Paracetamol Codeine Domperidone Cyclazine Lansoprozol
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (21 hours later)
Brief Answer: Detail Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. In such condition, i would keep your diagnosis as : 1. Multiple Sclerosis 2. Vasculitis. A seizure with paraplegia - In Developing Countries we first keep diagnosis of TB Meningitis or Tuberculoma with TB Spine. You are so young to be bedridden (i suppose you are since you have paraplegia, if i am wrong, please do correct me and mention, if you can walk off and on). I would advise you to get following investigations done: 1. Hemogram with ESR, CRP 2. MRI whole spine 3. ANA 4. Vitamin B12 levels. 5. CSF examination for Oligoclonal Bands. See, MRI spine is always required and is indicated in Paraplegia. There has to be a cause. However, most of the times we can make a clinical diagnosis by simply examining the patient. But we have that limitation here. So, would like to see your investigations and also the prescription of your doctor so that i can see his examination findings. In case, your paraplegia is intermittent only, please do let me know. If you have any further query, please ask me. Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 hour later)
Thank you doctor. My doctor has diagnosed functional neurological disorder. So to see you thinking multipul sclerosis, does put my mind at rest, as I was thinking he had missed something. My paralysis is constant, and hasn't changed in a couple of years now. I'm unable to stand or walk. Can I ask you to explain the tests 1,3,5 to me, I know if I show my doctor he would understand, but I'd like to know too. Your suggestion for B12, has convinced me I need to get that tested, as a friend suggested it too. Also I'd like to know if you consider every symptom I have to be from the condition, or are some symptoms unrelated. Many thanks for your time and knowledge.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Detail Follows. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. I also keep the Functional Paralysis in my differential diagnosis, but since this often offends patients online, we don't put this diagnosis in first instance. A clinical examination can clearly identify that this is a functional Paralysis or not. Since i can not examine you, i can not give you a clinical diagnosis of Functional Paralysis. Also, we keep the diagnosis of functional paralysis, when we have ruled out the causes. I was constantly asking that is your paralysis persistent or intermittent, to rule out this only. 1,3,5 i have asked to rule out the causes of Paralysis like Vitamin B12 Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis. I can give you a certain diagnosis that it is Functional or not by a single 2 minute clinical examination, but that is not possible. So, i would advise you to take a second opinion from another doctor in your area and share my opinion with him/her. If you have any further query, please ask me, else you may please close the discussion and rate it!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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What Causes Paraplegia,seizures,chronic Join Pains And Migraines?

Brief Answer: I need details for a better diagnosis. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern. Reading your symptoms my mind gives three differential diagnosis: 1. Multiple Sclerosis 2. Vasculitis 3. Lyme's Disease I need to know following details to help you better: 1. Since how long are you suffering from Paraplegia? 2. How did it started? Did it developed spontaneously or gradually? 3. Do you have sensory loss there (means do you feel temperature)? 4. Any history of fever preceding to onset of paraplegia? 5. Any frequent reddening of eyes and itching? 6. Attach your all investigations. I need these details as differential diagnosis would based on duration of Paraplegia. This is my best opinion for you based on available details. Answer the questions that i have asked preferably in point wise manner. If you any have further query, please ask me. Stay Healthy Dr Anshul Varshney, MD