Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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

TeatimeForTheSoul · 18/09/2024 17:45

Unless the staff are psychologists calling it ‘psychological’ means ‘we don’t know’. Hope your friend gets some answers soon x

Geekylover · 18/09/2024 17:43

Depends what’s been done and sedation. She would have filled a consent form in outlining possible side effects

DadJoke · 18/09/2024 17:33

What was the minor problem? Was it spinal?

Filingmyshoes · 18/09/2024 17:24

Unlikely to be GBS (It’s Guillain Barre btw) - my son had it and it doesn’t happen straight away all at once. It is symmetrical so that matches, but is usually preceded by a day or so of weakness and/or pain. The paralysis progresses so isn’t instantaneous all four limbs straight away. It starts usually with pins and needles, then numbness, then paralysis of legs, then arms, then respiratory etc.

It’s vital to catch it early but it usually takes a few days before it’s at the stage you are talking about. It’s also very rare - 1:100,000.

KrisAkabusi · 18/09/2024 17:22

"Your friend" really needs to wait for medical advice, not the ill-informed speculation you'll get here.

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.

Fraaahnces · 18/09/2024 17:16

Guillaume Barre Syndrome?

Original poster
Whitfloor · 18/09/2024 17:15

CT scan clear.
Still waiting for blood work.
She's having bad pins and needles.
She can feel touch but she can't move legs at all, fingers just a fraction sometimes. When she falls asleep her body shivers and jerks.
The staff are beginning to suggest it's psychological...I really don't think so.

OP posts:
StudioCreate · 18/09/2024 16:35

It could be anything from a blood clot to a stroke/TIA. Hopefully a CT will identify and they can treat accordingly Flowers

Em308 · 18/09/2024 16:03

I hope your friend is ok. As you are asking for opinions of possible causes my thoughts would be along the lines of post operative stroke / TIA.

Frozenberries · 18/09/2024 15:47

Gosh that’s scary. I have no idea what could cause it but am interested to know if it’s linked to the anaesthetic. I really hope she is ok- how scary for her

bigdecisionsawait · 18/09/2024 15:45

Out of interest what procedure was it if you can say?

bigdecisionsawait · 18/09/2024 15:44

It could be any number of things - unwise to speculate. She is getting help and that's the main thing. I very much hope she is okay OP.

Original poster
Whitfloor · 18/09/2024 15:40

Making no apologies for the post.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 18/09/2024 14:55

Totally unreasonable and frightfully scary to be seeking answers on mumsnet. You'll be convinced she's dying within 4 messages.

She's under medical care now, let them assess and treat her.