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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sudden Inability To Move The Body In An Adolescent?

My 16 yr old son has had 2 episodes in 5 months where he loses the ability to move. He says it s like his body starts falling asleep, while he is walking, beginning with fingers and toes, but he stays awake. It lasts a couple hours and as he regains the use of his body he says it feels just like- when your arm is waking up after you have laid on it for a while. His fiends said he felt cold to the touch, but my son claimed he felt fine. He also has chest pains. I m thinking his Dr. is leaning towards severe depression, but I highly doubt it. He has had chest pains and weakness episodes long before he ever had to deal with anything stressful 7-8 yrs old.
posted on Sat, 3 Jun 2017
Twitter Wed, 5 Jul 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 5 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about your son and understood the concerns.
The commonest reason for laying listless, the attack starting from toes and fingers, chest pain and recovery within hours is a cyclical Hypokalemia in which the Serum Potassium level falls Below a critical level which us very important for muscular action. Hence the muscles appear as paralyzed.
The body moves Potassium out of body stores and the patient regains strength.
Please get the Serum Electrolytes checked now and during the attacks.
Give him oral electrolyte solution.
Coconut water, banana and other sources rich in potassium.
Take him to ER during attack for clinical evaluation, examination and investigations for proper diagnosis and management.
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What Causes Sudden Inability To Move The Body In An Adolescent?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history about your son and understood the concerns. The commonest reason for laying listless, the attack starting from toes and fingers, chest pain and recovery within hours is a cyclical Hypokalemia in which the Serum Potassium level falls Below a critical level which us very important for muscular action. Hence the muscles appear as paralyzed. The body moves Potassium out of body stores and the patient regains strength. Please get the Serum Electrolytes checked now and during the attacks. Give him oral electrolyte solution. Coconut water, banana and other sources rich in potassium. Take him to ER during attack for clinical evaluation, examination and investigations for proper diagnosis and management.