What Do Episodes Of Weakness In The Left Arm Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 Answered on

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I keep getting episodes of loss of use/weakness of my left arm and hand and leg and loss of balance and coordination and slight droop to left side of mouth, slurring of speech and difficulty opening my left eye and sometimes actually blackout. Following these attacks I feel very tired and disorientated and have to lie down to recover. It takes a few hours for me to be able to use my hand and arm and be able to wiggle my toes and then feel not quite right. I am seeing a neurologist in January. I have had a lot of scans previously and nothing has shown up but these episodes are becoming increasingly worse and frequent, I can't identify what triggers them. I experienced one yesterday while undergoing a hysteroscopy as an outpatient, my blood pressure was quite high and I was taken to a ward to recover for the afternoon before being sent home. Your answer would be appreciated please

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
TIA and partial seizures to consider.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

First condition to consider in your case is transient ischemic attacks, a condition characterized by temporary impairment of blood flow to a part of brain.

MRI within 5 days of these episodes could give additional information about this condition.

Cardiac work up also is necessary in such cases to evaluate uncontrolled high blood pressure, any arythmia etc.

Another condition to consider, but less probable than first one, is partial seizures.

EEG and brain imaging such MRI are necessary to evaluate/exclude such condition.

Discuss with your Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Greetings.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad