Suddenly can't move legs

[Whitfloor]

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?

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.

Making no apologies for the post.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Guillaume Barre Syndrome?

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.

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

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.

What was the minor problem? Was it spinal?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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