Suddenly can't move legs

Obviously it’s not possible to diagnose anything but a young member of my family lost the use of their legs suddenly a year ago (no warning, no illnesses etc). They were diagnosed as having a functional neurological disorder. It was explained to me by one expert as a problem with your software rather than your hardware - basically, neurological messages your brain would usually send to your legs misfire and don’t hit the target. It’s a nervous system issue not a structural issue in other words. It seemed poorly diagnosed and understood (took us ages to get the diagnosis - the local DGH were clueless). Just something to consider if none of the tests your friend has prove another explanation. Some explain it as a psychosomatic issue - having done a lot of research I think that’s bullshit and a way of professionals inexperiences in the issue explaining away something when they can’t find a logical cause on a scan. It’s not about MH. Though there is an interplay between biological, psychological and environmental factors. Some information below.

btw my family member is recovering slowly with physio and has started to walk again. It’s been a long road and a battle to get appropriate physio etc.

www.sth.nhs.uk/services/a-z-of-services?id=115&page=293

You sound like a lovely and very worried friend. I hope it's nothing too serious, our bodies can react oddily to illness, operations, immune reactions and stress. My DH had a sort of neurological reaction to extreme stress around a decade ago, it mimicked stroke symptoms, he went onto make a full recovery. Wishing your friend the best of health.

No, you’re stating with full authority What It Is when you don’t know.

Psychological is one suggestion on the table but there are many things that had to be ruled out first.

Also it wouldn’t exactly be the first time “it’s psychological” has been used incorrectly. I was told heavy periods and subsequent exhaustion was psychological until I measured my blood loss, took it to another GP who said “woah that’s not right”, sent me for tests and found that I have adenomyosis, bicornate uterus, and was severely anemic.

Can you say more about the new research on fnd please? How new? And if it's recognised as having a physiological basis (presumably it is, if no longer seen as psychological), then is there anything specific known about this?

Potential causes

1. Delayed Anesthetic Reaction:

1. Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (Guillain-Barré Syndrome):

1. Transverse Myelitis:

1. Conversion Disorder:

1. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM):

Normal CT though. Im with psychological on this one…

I remember a post ages ago that mentioned similar symptoms and Cauda Equina. Which can apparently be postoperative and needs urgent medical attention but other than I remember nothing about it, worth an ask?

What a worrying time. I hope there's a diagnosis soon.

Why don’t you think it is psychological? Psychosomatic symptoms are much more common than some of the other diagnoses being suggested on here. It doesn’t make those symptoms any less real - they are absolutely experienced in a physical way.

I think people still feel there’s a shame or stigma attached to a psychological cause, which makes them resist it. People are much more willing to accept a diagnosis with a physical cause and think any suggestion of a psychological cause must mean their symptoms are being ignored or dismissed. That’s not the case at all and any diagnosis will be based on the symptoms and tests, whether a physical or psychological cause. One isn’t more valid than the other.

My goodness op I didn't want to read and run, I hope your poor friend gets some answers and makes a swift recovery and I hope you have some support with you too

Medical professionals understanding of FND is surprisingly poor. There is an FND charity that can help.

Anything with functional in the name is psychological. It means the patient is experiencing symptoms which have no known medical cause. Having positive symptoms doesn’t change that. It just means that, as with most psychological diagnoses, there a collection of symptoms which many patients share.

Your friend, or someone advocating for her, must insist on seeing a neuro consult. FND is a convenient diagnosis, and for some, is not considered a diagnosis at all. GBS is a possibility, as are plenty of other things - time is of the essence to ensure no further damage or normality is not resumed. Do not accept it is psychological until everything else is investigated by a neuro team.

How is she doing now ?.

Hope your friend feels better soon. she is in the right place. Hope the doctors find some answers.

Causing leg weakness?!

Vestibulocochlear Nerve, Glossopharyngeal Nerve ?? Don't think any of the others would be the cause.

Because they say everything is when you're a woman. Then you don't get help whilst your condition worsens/ runs your life.

If a patient has had a TIA, it won't necessarily show up on a CT scan.

Strokes won't always show up on a CT scan done within a few hours of the symptoms, either.

I have a family member who has had two strokes. On both occasions the area of damage left by the stroke did not show up on either of the CT scans carried out within a couple of hours of arriving at the rapid assessment stroke ward. However, three or four weeks later damage done by both strokes could be clearly seen on an MRI scan.

One of the reasons a CT scan is carried out quickly following presentation with symptoms that are suggestive of a TIA or stroke is to ascertain whether the patient has had a brain bleed due to the rupture of a blood vessel rather than an ischemic stroke due to a blood clot, as in some cases a brain bleed can be repaired by surgery.

Which nerve?

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak?

or a Nerve Compression

Christ some people are being awful to the OP.
People use Mumsnet for all kinds of crap. Have a heart and at least be nice. Jeez

id be thinking Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) or GBS