Numb Legs - unable to walk

[LaLaFlottes]

Just wondering if anyone can shed any light.

My DDad is 75 and fit and reasonably healthy. He does have a family history of stroke. He goes to the gym 5 times a week and is active, not over weight and doesn't smoke.

He currently has covid and his legs went numb on Saturday afternoon and he was unable to walk at all. Ambulance was called, but he was regaining some feeling in his legs when they arrived and it was decided that he should contact his GP today but he's not heard back from his e-consult yet.

He was unable to walk, then able to walk but still with difficulty. Stairs were an issue. He's walking a bit more now and stairs are getting a bit easier.

He had this once before around a year ago and a doppler test was carried out by the GP and everything was deemed to be normal, no further action taken and it went away by itself.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? I'm a little worried it's mini strokes or something like that?

My parents are due to go on holiday in May and it's a bit of a worry that this could come on at any time.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks

Did they check for cauda equina? It would be unusual for a stroke to affect both legs and no other parts of the body. I would see if he could get an emergency consult (or pay for a private Ct) to try and see if it’s a back issue.

Guillan barre syndrome? , sorry probably spelt it wrong

It could be an issue with his spinal cord if both legs are affected sometimes viruses cause this. I would be seeking emergency help if the GP hasn’t called back. Doesn’t sound like a stroke of both legs are affected.

He needs urgent investigation.

Yes. Get it checked. Any possibilities of Cauda Equina needs prompt investigation

look in to transverse myelitis. Sounds like that to me x

Thank you all for your input. Really appreciate it and your suggestions sound very possible.

I will make sure he follows up as a matter of urgency tomorrow.

He seems to be improving but only little by little. Before he tested positive for covid on Wednesday last week, he was at the gym and right as rain.

I will report back with any updates but thank you all 😊

It could be Guillain Barré syndrome, which may occur following his Covid infection.

Can he bend his knees?

Thank you for your replies.

Yes he can bend his knees.

If he can bend his knees it’s unlikely to be GB syndrome.

l often get severe weakness after or during a viral infection. It’s just the way l am. Maybe your Df is the same?

Thank you - his GP has called this morning and he could have gone in for an appointment at midday today if he was testing negative but he's still positive. The Dr will come back to him apparently.

It's the same Dr that saw him when this happened before and he's said he will take it further this time to see what is causing it, so it seems like we should be getting some further investigations shortly.

Just a worry when it can come on so fast too.

Ask about possible spinal infection. Apparently that can be quite common after covid and can cause paralysis. I assume they’d need to do a lumbar to test the fluid?

Hope he’s feeling ok today and you’re alright too. It’s so stressful when people are ill and seemingly no solutions.

I had this when I had covid. Lost all feeling below the knees in both legs. Thankfully it returned to normal quickly and it was a random symptom of covid. However I have had a stroke in the past so I don't know if it's connected to that

Thanks so much @Ostryga I will tell him to ask that too. I think he's just worried and also frustrated that he's still testing positive as if he was negative he could have gone to see the Dr today.

I'm ok thanks - just concerned that it's happened before and I think put down to a one off, but now it's happened again, it's the thought of it happening more frequently or while they are on holiday etc that worries me.

@Holdontowhat that's interesting - thanks for sharing. Covid seems so random that it's hard to know if it's related to this or not! Glad you are better now though.