What Causes Numbness, Loss Of Hearing And Vision Loss On One Side Of Body?

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014

Question: 6 years ago during active duty service I am a perfectly healthy female with no complications. Nov 2007 I am sitting in a chair and out of no where it feels as though someone has hit me on the side of the head, I fall to one side and no longer have feeling, hearing, vision in the entire left side of my body. This lasts nearly 20 minutes and I go to the ER on post where they refuse to see me as it is for civilians and I need to report to my troop medical clinic. Following this episode I am driving ( approx a week later ) suddenly I can not feel anything from the waist down on both sides of my body ( my partner helps me get pulled over and removes me from the vehicle ) I go to TMC and my doctor does Blood work ( normal ) MRI ( normal ) CT ( Normal ) He has suspected MS but testing can not confirm. I see a neuro doc who does in office tests and discovers left side has little to no feeling. but does have all function. I am then told it will be marked as seizures and treated as seizures so that my soon arriving deployment is not hindered. The files state I was given Gabipentin and aspirin. It also states concern of TIA. Years after getting out I suffer from night time paralysis of the legs. I am now 25 ( then 19 ) I have been through multiple sleep studies and other tests in which the VA has never diagnosed nor treated the issue. At 24 I was given a nerve conduction study inwhich I had no reaction or there was no nerve reaction in my leg arm and neck area. At 25 I began to have a snapping rubber band sensation in my neck that would go up one side of my head. This turned into severe neck pain which resulted in severe shoulder and neck pain. It feels as though my head is caving in on its self My balance is severely off and I get these sensations all over my body especially in the bottom of my foot that feel like I have been shocked or stung by a bee. During the neck shoulder head episodes My right eye botom bulges out and becomes very painful. I also began severe panic attacks and euphoria approx 3 years ago Again I do not have outside insurance so all care is done through the VA who has certainly not taken the time to listen nor help. What in the world is going on?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed assessment would help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I have noted your symptoms, and it is unfortunate that no proper diagnosis has been made even after more than six years, and therefore, no treatment could be started.

You have had multiple neurological episodes over time, affecting both central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral (nerves of hands and feet) nervous systems.

The most important conditions to exclude in your case would be vasculitis and collagen vascular diseases.

Blood tests such as ANA (anti nuclear antibody) profile, antiphospholipid antibody, c-ANCA (anti nucleophilic cytoplasmic antibody) and p-ANCA would help.

A nerve biopsy from the foot (aural nerve biopsy) would also help to confirm the diagnosis of vasculitis.

If confirmed, there are good medications to treat them.

As of now, for pain relief, you would benefit from medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin capsules.

I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.

Wishing you good health,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (32 minutes later)

Maybe you can make sense of this? I have had blood work at least once a year for the past 6 years and each one has had High WBC count and other various limits that were not right. How does one have a high WBC count for over 6 years? I know something is wrong I have been generally " unwell" it is a hard feeling to explain other than just feeling NOT WELL. I cant stress enough how bad I want to figure this out and be able to live a somewhat normal life.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestive of inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

High WBC counts are typically seen in an infection, however, as you mentioned, one can not have an infection that is going on for six years!

Other condition, where WBC count is raised is an inflammatory disease such as collagen vascular disease, vasculitis, etc. This possibility is more likely in your case.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (10 minutes later)

I appreciate your quick feedback. From the very little information I have found about my Gene Mutation vascular disorders are common with MTHFR Gene mutations. Do I seek help from a regular doctor to be tested for these? How painful and is it same day for the biopsy of nerves?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can consult an internist.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I agree that vascular disorders, more typically vasculitis needs to be ruled out in your case.

You can consult an internist (internal medicine specialist) for these blood tests.

Nerve biopsy is a 30-minute procedure and is done under local anaesthesia. It does not cause much pain. (I have done more than 200 nerve biopsies). Biopsy report from pathologist, however, may take 5-7 days to be ready.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj