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Original poster

Suddenly can't move legs

216 replies

Whitfloor · 18/09/2024 14:52

My friend had a general anaesthetic two days ago (her first) to correct a minor problem. She seemed fine. She's in her late thirties.

Two hours ago she felt very sick and became unable to stand. She became unresponsive. No raised temperature. An ambulance was called.

Waiting on a CT scan. She can't move her legs.

She was frightened about the possibility of having a reaction to the anaesthetic. Could this be a delayed reaction?

Reduced sensation in all four limbs. SATS fine throughout. Now perfectly clear mentally but passed out for a while in the ambulance.

What could be happening?

OP posts:
Anonymous2224 · 18/09/2024 21:01

Anonymous2224 · 18/09/2024 21:00

No but if it was so severe that she can’t move her legs or arms at all then it is likely it would affect the chest. She would also be very closely monitored in HDU/ICU in case it was GBS as the medical team would be very concerned about respiratory involvement. I assume if she isn’t in one of these areas then they have discounted GBS

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Of course this is all assumptions and speculation just as the suggestions that it could be GBS are. It’s probably best to let the medical team treating the patient do the diagnosing.

Anonymous2224 · 18/09/2024 21:00

Greybeardy · 18/09/2024 20:50

GBS does not usually start in the chest and not everyone who has GBS ends up needing ventilator support.

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No but if it was so severe that she can’t move her legs or arms at all then it is likely it would affect the chest. She would also be very closely monitored in HDU/ICU in case it was GBS as the medical team would be very concerned about respiratory involvement. I assume if she isn’t in one of these areas then they have discounted GBS

Greybeardy · 18/09/2024 20:50

Anonymous2224 · 18/09/2024 20:38

Guillain barre would affect the chest and she wouldn’t be able to breath. It wouldn’t just affect the lungs, unless she’s on a ventilator it’s unlikely

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GBS does not usually start in the chest and not everyone who has GBS ends up needing ventilator support.

Anonymous2224 · 18/09/2024 20:38

OhNoFloyd · 18/09/2024 17:19

Guillain Barre Syndrome - this is exactly what I was thinking. It's progressive and usually stems from an infection but surgery is one of the recognised causes.

Edited

Guillain barre would affect the chest and she wouldn’t be able to breath. It wouldn’t just affect the lungs, unless she’s on a ventilator it’s unlikely

Hairyfairy01 · 18/09/2024 20:33

Because before anyone can say it's psychological' / FND they have to be able to rule out all organic causes (which takes time).

Ohmycarrots · 18/09/2024 20:20

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 20:18

Symptoms of psychological disorders are very real. They are no less real than if they were symptoms from an underlying medical condition.

equally, the patient needs treatment for both the symptoms and the root cause.

Women are also much more likely to experience severe anxiety

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Exactly. My psychological symptoms can be downright terrifying.

I don't see why deciding its psychological is a bad thing.

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 20:18

OhMaria2 · 18/09/2024 20:11

Yes but women get hurt and suffer decades long consequences from this constant leap to say everything is psychological

Show quote history

Symptoms of psychological disorders are very real. They are no less real than if they were symptoms from an underlying medical condition.

equally, the patient needs treatment for both the symptoms and the root cause.

Women are also much more likely to experience severe anxiety

PoachesPeaches · 18/09/2024 20:18

PoachesPeaches · 18/09/2024 20:14

What surgery was it broadly? I.e. where?

Sorry I see you answered that. I hope your friend recovers. X

PoachesPeaches · 18/09/2024 20:14

What surgery was it broadly? I.e. where?

veritasverity · 18/09/2024 20:14

I take it they've checked her electrolytes?

OhMaria2 · 18/09/2024 20:11

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 20:02

People on this thread, desperate for it to be something sinister. It’s macabre.

The doctors have said it’s psychological, believe them

Yes but women get hurt and suffer decades long consequences from this constant leap to say everything is psychological

stayathomegardener · 18/09/2024 20:11

Having had GBS it comes on gradually as said by a previous poster.
It started immediately after a vaccination and crept up both arms and legs for a few days before I couldn't walk. I think that's pretty typical.
How worrying for you and your friend.

Zigazigaaaaaah · 18/09/2024 20:05

Fraaahnces · 18/09/2024 17:16

Guillaume Barre Syndrome?

Yes this was my thought too. I hope your friend gets some answers soon. How horrid for them to imply it’s psychological

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 20:02

People on this thread, desperate for it to be something sinister. It’s macabre.

The doctors have said it’s psychological, believe them

lightsandtunnels · 18/09/2024 20:01

pissedpocket · 18/09/2024 17:51

Sounds like functional neurological disorder (fnd). It used to be thought as psychological (was called conversion disorder or hysteria in the past) but new research shows it's not. However the general public and a lot of the NHS aren't aware of this. It'll be a positive diagnosis via the hoover test if it is, not a diagnosis of exclusion of anything else. She's in the best place to be investigated and looked after. X

I thought exactly the same when I read the OP. This happened to someone I know, just out of the blue could not move their legs or stand up. FND was their diagnosis. Apparently it is more common in people who have had trauma and abuse as a youngster. But as PPs have said your friend will be monitored and hopefully medical experts will find out the cause.

Greybeardy · 18/09/2024 20:00

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 19:58

Well if you read what the Doctors have said- they believe it has a psychological root.

I was explaining to the OP how anxiety can cause the symptoms her friend is experiencing.

So calm down

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You’d be doing quite well to hyperventilate hard enough to maintain that whilst asleep! Carpopedal spasm due to hyperventilation isn’t due to ‘diverting blood’, it’s due to the effect that exhaling more carbon dioxide than usual has on calcium levels and a) it would be unusual to be able to fall asleep, as OP describes, whilst that anxious, b) breathing tends to normalise once sleeping it is anxiety related and another effects of hypocapnoea would improve.

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 19:58

OrwellianTimes · 18/09/2024 19:53

You’re a qualified clinician who’s seen the patient and assessed them in person I take it.

You can’t diagnose over the internet with 3rd party information.

Show quote history

Well if you read what the Doctors have said- they believe it has a psychological root.

I was explaining to the OP how anxiety can cause the symptoms her friend is experiencing.

So calm down

OrwellianTimes · 18/09/2024 19:53

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 19:49

It’s anxiety. An extreme anxiety attack.

When you’re breathing becomes irregular, the blood diverts from the limbs. This is also why she will have pins and needles. Arms and legs can spasm too.

Just because it is labelled psychological, doesn’t mean the symptoms aren’t real. They clearly are.

You’re a qualified clinician who’s seen the patient and assessed them in person I take it.

You can’t diagnose over the internet with 3rd party information.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 18/09/2024 19:51

I'm sure your friend will be glad you're posting her confidential medical information on an online forum

Twistybranch · 18/09/2024 19:49

It’s anxiety. An extreme anxiety attack.

When you’re breathing becomes irregular, the blood diverts from the limbs. This is also why she will have pins and needles. Arms and legs can spasm too.

Just because it is labelled psychological, doesn’t mean the symptoms aren’t real. They clearly are.

Greybeardy · 18/09/2024 19:43

Nat6999 · 18/09/2024 19:37

It could be a reaction to the gases they give you during anaesthetic, they deplete your B12 stores which can cause nerve damage.

They are very unlikely to have used nitrous for an ear day case procedure.

OP you’re just going to get a scatter gun selection of random opinions on here. The team looking after your friend will be able to make a much more sensible stab at a diagnosis based on the test results, examination findings, past medical history and history of the procedure etc.

Nat6999 · 18/09/2024 19:37

It could be a reaction to the gases they give you during anaesthetic, they deplete your B12 stores which can cause nerve damage.

MissMoneyFairy · 18/09/2024 19:16

I hope she gets the help she needs, maybe best not to keep posting without her consent.

Original poster
Whitfloor · 18/09/2024 19:11

The procedure was ear related.

Her bloods are fine.

I'm worried it's an autoimmune reaction that will cause her brain to swell and they're not going to be on it in time to give her steroids. Just because I have lost a family member that way, not for any more rational reason.

OP posts:
DyslexicPoster · 18/09/2024 17:53

Was she told to look out for any symptoms? I think if it's just limbs and not trunk hopefully it's not nerve damage from op but what would I know? I was told nerve damage is numbness and wetting myself by my Dr for spine issues