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What Causes Weakness In Left Arm And Leg?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014
Question: Had been hyperthyroid from past 18 months now reached normal range. Age 38, male. Recently from past 45 days slurring has started which is no continous and from past 2 days i feel weekness in right arm and leg particulary in fingers of both hands and legs. My calcium levels are with in the limits but my vitamin D is below range. Should i consult neurologist.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
May be a minor stroke or peripheral neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Weakness in left arm and leg can be due to causes like muscles getting weak because of some toxins or a minor stroke that is purely motor. The weakness in fingers of both hands and feet can be due to peripheral neuropathy which can be due to some toxin, medicine, diabetes, etc. Hyperthyroidism induced myopathy can also be a cause. I don't mean to scare you. These are just probabilities that need to be ruled out.

A consultation with a neurologist can be undertaken. A neurologist will be able to do neurological examination on you. A few tests should be run like routine blood work and a CT scan. An MRI can also be done depending on the results of examination by neurologist and the results of the tests.

Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (14 hours later)
As per your advise consulted neurologist who advised petril .25mg 1~0~1, Inderal 10mg 1~0~1, umicobal forte 0~1~0, uprise d3 60000 1 a weak.

Had consulted orthopedician and GP who both diagnosied this due to lack of vitamin d and calcium. They suggested me few blood tests and the reports are like this
T3 ~ 1.43 ng/ml
T4 ~ 9.93 ng/dl
Tsh ~ 1.71 mciu/ml
Intact parathyroid hormone ~ 30.4 pg/ml
Total calcium ~ 9.1 mg/dl
Ionic calcium ~ 4.2mg/dl
Alkaline phosphatase ~ 70.0 u/l
Vit d2 ~ 3.59 ng/ml
Vit d3 ~ 24.28 ng/ml
Vit d total ~ 27.87 ng/ml

When these reports were shown to neurologist he has diagnised the problem due to computer usage and smoking and advised the above medicines for 2 weeks.
If the problem still persists then he will suggest some tests like scan of nerves and ct.

Now my concern is all about the slurring occasionaly and dryness/irritation on tongue which all the 3 docs are saying is a symptom due to low vit d.

Kindly advise me the use of the above medication for my diseases and is the slurring realy a minor issue and not a major one as suggesting.

Should i consult an other doc of diff domain.

Kindly advise.

Thanks and regards
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Slurring can have many causes

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Slurring can have many causes. Some are mild while others can be serious. We are moving one step at a time, which is good. You should stick to what the neurologist is saying. Take the supplements for 2 weeks. And go for further tests if the issues do not improve.

For now you do not need to consult another specialist.

Regards.

Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 days later)
Hello doc,
Sorry for pesturing you need bit of information on the above medication and its uses as my current status is unexplainable.
Inderal is used to treat high blood presssure, heart pain, abnormal heart pressure and few neurological problems.

Petril is used for epilepsy.

As far as i am concerned i don't have any of these problems and the above medicines iam using from past 4~5 days that too only once against advise which is twice a day. I am facing too many problems like feeling of dull, sober and my slurring/missing alphabets comes ones in a while and kind of heavyness in right hand still exists.

My questions are if we are using inderal are there any chances of me getting bp and what is neurologist trying to analyze by gvng these medication should i continue or all these dull and sober sensations normal side effects of the medication.

Normaly iam not comfortable with these brain teaser medicines.

Kindly diagnise my conditions and let me know if you are feeling it is a minor stroke or just some nerve problems.

Symptoms
1) Irritation at the tip of the tongue and occasional slurring.
2) slight Heavyness/pulling in right hand.
3) Dull/sluggish/lethargic feeling.
4) weakness

Thanks and regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (29 hours later)
Brief Answer:
These are side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

The symptoms that you have described in your query are side effects of the medicines inderal and petril. It seems that your doctor is trying to avoid any spike of blood pressure and also trying to control anxiety. This seemingly is not helping you. Thus I would suggest that you discuss with your doctor about it. He may switch you to another medicine or discontinue these medicines. Blood pressure is not behind all strokes. There may be other causes. You need to check your blood pressure again to see if it is lowered.

I hope your vitamin B12 levels were checked and neurologist came to a probable diagnosis after your examination and testing. Examination is a must to conclude a diagnosis.

Take care

Dr Vaishalee


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Vaishalee Punj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 3262 Questions

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What Causes Weakness In Left Arm And Leg?

Brief Answer: May be a minor stroke or peripheral neuropathy Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. Weakness in left arm and leg can be due to causes like muscles getting weak because of some toxins or a minor stroke that is purely motor. The weakness in fingers of both hands and feet can be due to peripheral neuropathy which can be due to some toxin, medicine, diabetes, etc. Hyperthyroidism induced myopathy can also be a cause. I don't mean to scare you. These are just probabilities that need to be ruled out. A consultation with a neurologist can be undertaken. A neurologist will be able to do neurological examination on you. A few tests should be run like routine blood work and a CT scan. An MRI can also be done depending on the results of examination by neurologist and the results of the tests. Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further. Dr Vaishalee