Tingling and weakness in left arm and leg

by Mary Anne
(Singapore)

I'm a 28 yo female. I woke up to tingling in my left arm and leg with significant loss of strength in those limbs.

I was unable to bear any weight on left limbs. I fell down trying to arise from bed. But all symptoms resolved in 5 mins or so
leaving only minimal weakness in the left limbs. (wobbly feeling)

The same thing happened the next day upon waking. Same duration of 5 mins before spontaneous recovery.

The following mornings after that I'm experiencing the same tingling in left arm and leg
upon waking but with mild wobbliness. It's been 1 week. No complete loss of strength.

I never experienced any facial symptoms which leaves me to eliminate a mini-stroke
as a possible cause.

Short history: Suffered the same left sided limb weakness almost 3 years ago. I was reffered to a neuro, had nerve conduction test and results were insignificant.

4/5 muscle strength on left arm and leg. Doc seemed uninterested and told me to try to eat more.

Weakness never got better. Now with the flare ups I'm wondering if it's serious or should I
just ignore it since it seems to go away on it's own anyway.

My symptoms resolve so quickly that by the time I see a specialist, all symptoms are gone.
What could this be and what can I ask my doctor to do for me?

Hello Mary Anne,

Without doing a whole lot of tests, I'm afraid that I can't offer a possible diagnosis.

However, I personally think you should persue it since the weakness has remained for three years now.

You mention no pain or headaches which obviously is good.

You aren't on a high carbohydrate/ low fat diet by any chance? That is associated with certain serious neurological diseases. 60% of the brain is fat, and the nerves for conduction are coated with fat (called the myelin sheath). Loss of that sheath is very serious.

I would presume you've had blood tests so Pernicious Anemia (a B12 deficiency) would have been ruled out.

Prick yourself with a pin. Is there a difference right and left?

Do you know if any reflexes were increased?

I think a second opinion from another neurologist is in order. Ask for a brainscan.

Sorry I can't be more helpful. Keep in touch when you have some more information.

Dr B.