Thanks Tingles & Poll. No date for neuro yet. GP has given me his secretary’s phone number so that I can pester them. I have my father & step-mum staying this week, helping out with half-term & the kids, and I’ve not told them that anything is wrong, so I’m keeping phoning the neuro until next week. Step-mum gets very emotional when drunk (which is pretty much most nights!), and whilst I’ve been absolutely honest with the kids I’ve made a point of not being emotional or a drama-queen about it. This means that they know that I’ve not been well, but they’re not scared about it. I fear that drunken nana would destroy that!
I’m a woman of a certain age too, Tingles, but I had a chat with my GP this week, and whilst she says that my hair thinning rapidly (boo hoo!) is menopause, my neurological symptoms aren’t.
Poll, it’s my right leg that has been misbehaving. It always has if I’m honest. First time I had a bad fall was when I was 16. I go through phases where my right foot hits the floor on the outside edge rather than flat, & before I know it, my full weight is on it, it’s rolled over, and I’m on the floor in agony. Thankfully I’ve never hit a glass door, which sounds absolutely horrendous.
This time though, it started with tripping in August. The front of my shoe just seemed to keep catching the carpet at work. Then it felt like glass in the ball of my foot, then there was something wrapped around my big toe (although there wasn’t really). None of this really bothered me though. It wasn’t until a few weeks later, when I woke up with a numbness to my foot, that I started to worry.
Few days later my foot suddenly felt ice-cold, and the numbness and coldness spread up my leg, towards my body. It was deeply unpleasant & very, very wrong, so I went to GP. GP found reduced reflex in right knee and weakness in right quads, and referred me to neurologist.
It’s been a rollercoster since, with the leg symptoms coming and going (although never completely). Most days my leg has felt heavy, and I’ve had to buy lighter shoes! I had terrible fatigue in November/December, which hit me mentally as well as physically.
Everyday since start of Jan, I’ve felt a bit better though. I now feel great, not even limping! Still can’t wear heavy shoes, but I think even the numbness in my toes is disappearing. What I have noticed is that my leg and arm muscles seem to tire quickly. I’ve been doing lots of exercise classes, but they don’t seem to be helping. I’ve also lost some of my dexterity in my hands. Minor things though, so I’m happy.
Paula