Suggest treatment for weakness and numbness in the left arm, face and tongue
Patient: Hello, my wife has been dealing with left leg pain and weakness for the past 15 years. Recently my wife developed left arm, face and tongue weakness and numbness. She was diagnosed with a 5mm Chiari malformation and was given steroids to relieve migraines. After seeing a neurosurgeon she was told she was ineligible for surgery and has been told that she may be making up the symptoms in her head. We don t believe that, basically her left leg, arm and now face experiences pain and weakness and we have no idea why. She was tested for MS but with no lesions and multiple side symptoms that was rules out. Any advice you can provide would be appreciated. Doctor: Hello!Thank you for asking on Healthcaremagic!I read carefully your question and understand your concern. Coming to this point, I would recommend performing a cervico-thoracic spine MRI study to exclude possible syringomyelia, which could cause her symptoms. This is a common complication of Chiary Malformation. Anyway, it would not explain the numbness in her face or tongue. Another option would be starting an antidepressant, especially considering the fact tha she suffered from migraines. These drugs can help improve both the migraine and her symptoms. Hope you will find this answer helfpul!Best wishes, Dr. Aida