posted
I just got off the phone with my brother-in-law.
His leg is numb and he has some pain in it too. He may have taken some pain killers.
He has no control of the leg (from knee and down). He can't walk on it. He reports it is numb and cold too.
It happened y.day. He could feel it coming on over a few hours.
He's not able to sleep and is obviously very tired. His voice is slurred and his responses are slow.
His mouth is so dry he has trouble speaking even though he is drinking water. I think he may have swollen glands too, though I didn't ask, but he sounded a bit that way.
He has no fever or says he has no other symptoms.
He's been under a lot of stress lately. And a few days ago he had serious angry outbursts.
He's 45 and generally speaking I'd say his health is not good. He's got a few extra pounds, like most people, without being overweight.
Could this have anything to do with Lyme disease?
Michael
-------------------- I'm not an MD. The above is IMO and in my experience as well as from health related books.
I've had symptoms consistent with neurological Lyme disease since 1986. Was diagnosed with Lyme in 2004. Am feeling better now than ever before. Posts: 702 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2004
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
it could BE MANY MANY MANY different things- I would have him go to a doctor right away and get evaluated for all the usual suspects- and TBDs but it could be many things with those symptoms including complications of diabetes- many adults don't realize they have it!!! If he has a thorough Differential Diagnosis he should be worked up for TBDs including
Babesiosis Ehrlichiosis- both kinds HME & HGE and Lyme disease
and if they are left with NO answers he should go BACK to TBDs and re-examine the issue with a skilled LLMD, Lyme treating physician. But as for now i would send him to either the ER, a Doc-in-the-Box or his Family Doctor and get him worked up and evaluated asap. it sounds like he is unwell, whatever the cause.
Bestest wishes, Sarah O.
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I think he should be evaluated asap. Slurred speech is never a good thing, especially when it comes on fast.
Blood clot and stroke come to mind as things I would want to rule out right away! If it were me a trip the emergency room seems reasonable if he can't see his doctor right away.
Rule the really scary stuff out first, then get a blood draw at IGeneX for Lyme if nothing else is found and he is still not well.
Hope he's doing ok. Keep us posted!
~webmeg
Posts: 257 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
I have to agree with Sarah and webmeg. I think he needs to get to a doctor NOW to get all the possibilities ruled out.
Although it could be lyme, there are just too many other things it could also be and these symptoms sound like they should have immediate medical attention.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
I agree with everyone else, he needs to see a doctor as soon as possible or even go to the ER. Having a leg go numb like that all of a sudden and not being able to walk on it, etc., isn't a good thing whatsoever.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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D Bergy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9984
posted
Likely stroke, possibly more than one. Get to the hospital.
You don't mess with those symptoms.
D Bergy
Stroke Warning Signs
If you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait. Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical services. Get to a hospital right away!
The American Stroke Association wants you to learn the warning signs of stroke:
* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body * Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding * Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes * Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination * Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Posts: 2919 | From Minnesota | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I talked to him again this morning. His symptoms are even worse now.
For some reason he won't answer, he's refusing to go to the ER and wants noone to help him.
He's always been a little stubborn in this regard.
I told him about the possibility of stroke this morning (thanks guys!) and it seemed to shake him a bit.
He said he would call an ambulance in 30min.
Again, thanks for all your advice. I know this may be unrelated to Lyme, so extra thanks...
Michael
-------------------- I'm not an MD. The above is IMO and in my experience as well as from health related books.
I've had symptoms consistent with neurological Lyme disease since 1986. Was diagnosed with Lyme in 2004. Am feeling better now than ever before. Posts: 702 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Here's the last update on my brother-in-law's condition. It will also be the last post on this as his condition has nothing to do with Lyme disease.
He finally went to the ER y.day morning.
It was quickly verified that circulation to his leg had been blocked off by a blood clot. In fact, he now reveals that the first symptoms of weakness in the leg started four days ago.
Last night they removed blood clots in her main vessels. They were unable to remove clots in the smaller vessels which they are treating with heparin.
I saw him last night. I have never seen such a sickening looking foot. It was ice cold, dark, gray and yellow.
As of this morning his condition worsened. His leg had swollen, another clot was found, he has kidney damage (from the heparin or early gangrene, i don't know) and he's being treated with abx.
Dr's have decided next course of action is to give him hyperbaric ox treatment. He's in the process of being transferred to another hospital.
On top of this it was discovered that he has withdrawel symptoms from alcohol abuse. So he's also undergoing a detox program just to top it off.
This is not a total surprice to us, as we always suspected this on and off. Though he's such a good liar that we never knew for sure...and perhaps nor did we want to believe or accept it, as irrational as that may sound.
His alcoholism probably also explains why he didn't want to go to the ER in the first place, as he might have been afraid getting stuck in the ER and possibly being admitted, which would mean zero access to alcohol.
Thanks for you kind advice all.
This post is now closed.
If you want to respond to any of this, please send me a PM.
Michael
-------------------- I'm not an MD. The above is IMO and in my experience as well as from health related books.
I've had symptoms consistent with neurological Lyme disease since 1986. Was diagnosed with Lyme in 2004. Am feeling better now than ever before. Posts: 702 | From NY | Registered: Jul 2004
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