What Causes Lightheadedness, Imbalance And Weakness In The Legs?

Posted on Mon, 19 Dec 2016

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 Answered on

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Been in hospital and still don't know. Lightheadedness, stumbling, legs give out, fainting, and while in hospital, I could not control left legs, jerking and went to my whole body a couple times, could not stand.
Ruled out heart disease, did angiogram, mri of brain, chest x rays, etc. My major symptoms are tired all the time sleep 10-14 hours, out of breath, do have mild copd, times when I don't know where I'm, disorientated.
Most major problem is standing and legs give out or fear of falling, which I did, when I went in to hospital, which thought was a heart attack as was having chest pain, which has been ongoing for some time 6 weeks, is why Doctors thought heart disease.

Mri was clean, doctors thought blood clots at first, it was negative and chest xrays were also negative. Doc's thought after angiogram that perhaps I had a reaction to to the contrast. Never before as I'm a 13 year lung cancer Nonsmall and had contrast many many times

I'm, 66, 5'7" 150 lbs and active, still working

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get EEG done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Seizures should be taken in consideration in your case, since there were jerks in left leg and in the body afterwards.

Since MRI resulted clear, and cardiac work up too, hypoxia caused by COPD should be considered too.

In conclusion, get an EEG done to evaluate/exclude seizures.

If seizures will be excluded, discuss with a Pulmonologist about exacerbated COPD.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

Thanks will take advice
Just a short while ago my right leg started the jerking as I had a tray on my lap with coffee and it went all over. Lasted 30 seconds. How soon should I follow up and is it critical like asap. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In my opinion,no need to rush to ER.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

In my opinion, yours is not a case to rush to ER, since you have been already to a hospital.

If EEG could be done in following days, it is okay to wait few days.

If there is a delay of weeks or months, you should be present at your ER to get examined.

Hope I helped you.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (44 minutes later)

Thanks, very much appreciated

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Glad I helped you.

Feel free to discuss with us about your health issues in the future.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T