What Causes Lightheadedness, Leg Numbness And Weakness In The Body?

Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016

Question: I am experiencing light headedness at times and have lost feeling in one leg and that ankle tends to go weak and I have fallen several times. I am concerned about what type of doctor i need to see since most have left our community and we have rather limited service using nurse practitioners. I have been twice and got very little help

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please see the discussion

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.
Your symptoms are due to temporary decrease in the blood flow to that part of the brain which controls the muscles of your leg which leads to weakness at that particular time. The leg regains its power when the blood flow is restored. This is medical terms is TIA ( Transient Ischemic Attack).This can be the fore runner of an impending stroke. You should ideally see a neurologist, but if non is available an internist or GP would be able to help you. Till you are able to see a doctor, you should adjust your blood pressure medication in such a way that it is in the normal range and the systolic BP does not fall below 110 any time. Continue your aspirin and add Clopidogrel ( Plavix) if you can get in the pharmacy. If not available, you may try using Ginkgobiloba, a herbal preparation which improves blood flow.
Best wishes,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (41 hours later)

I feel like i need to add more info. I have fallen several times and it is usually just walking across the floor and feeling like my foot is giving out with no notice. This same foot is not able to bend upward or even curl my toes but the other foot does. I can not even force it to bend upward but it bends downward just fine. I also have spasms randomly when I lay down at night that keeps me from falling asleep easily. I wake up several tie to go to the bathroom at night and must let my foot adjust before I start to walk. The bathroom problems are not just at night as there are times i do not make it to the bathroom before i start to urinate. Much of this seems to have become more pronounces wen I had hernia surgery last year and I am wondering if there is any connection .

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Due to TIA

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the input.
These transient weaknesses are again due to TIA and not related to your hernia surgery.
Hope you were able to get the medicine I had suggested earlier and are trying to get an appointment to the doctor.
Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar