Dizziness and Leg Weakness: Neurological Symptoms - Neurology

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Dizziness, leg numbness, and tremors?


Hello, doctor.
Today, I felt like the floor was shaking while standing on one leg, which I didn't experience last night or before.
The leg I was standing on also felt particularly shaky.
Sometimes, I experience numbness and slight weakness in both legs and feet, but it doesn't affect my ability to walk.
Could this be related to dizziness? I also received an injection for a sebaceous cyst from a dermatologist and have been taking indomethacin capsules; is there a connection between the two? Could this be a sign of cerebellar atrophy? Additionally, I would like to ask another question: is it normal for my index fingers to sometimes not accurately touch when my eyes are closed (usually it happens on the first attempt, but I can do it on the second)?

Bei, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/06/07

Dr. Jiang Junyi reply Neurology


Dear Ms.
Bei,
You mentioned that "when standing on one leg, I always feel like the floor is shaking, but this was not the case last night or before, and the leg I stand on is particularly shaky.
Sometimes my legs and feet feel numb and slightly weak, but it does not affect my ability to walk...
cerebellar atrophy." Cerebellar atrophy is a chronic progressive disease characterized by the degeneration and atrophy of the cerebellum, spinal cord, and brainstem.
The cerebellum is a crucial structure in the central nervous system, and any lesions in it typically result in motor and balance disorders.
Your symptoms do not appear to be progressive.
It may be necessary to first consider conditions such as anemia, autonomic dysfunction, or inner ear imbalance, which could be contributing to your physical symptoms.
Thank you for your inquiry, and feel free to discuss any related issues further!
Wishing you good health and peace,
Dr.
Jiang Junyi, Taoyuan Medical Center

Reply Date: 2022/06/07

More Info


Dizziness and leg weakness can be concerning symptoms, especially when they occur together. Based on your description, it seems that you are experiencing a combination of dizziness, leg weakness, and some sensory disturbances like tingling and numbness. These symptoms can indeed be related to neurological issues, and understanding their potential causes is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Firstly, the sensation of the floor moving while standing on one leg could indicate a problem with your balance or proprioception, which is your body's ability to sense its position in space. This can be affected by various factors, including vestibular (inner ear) issues, neurological conditions, or even musculoskeletal problems. The fact that your leg shakes while standing could suggest a lack of stability, which might be due to weakness in the muscles or neurological control.

The tingling and weakness in your legs, while not affecting your ability to walk, could be indicative of several conditions. Peripheral neuropathy, which is damage to the peripheral nerves, can cause sensations of tingling and weakness. This could be due to various factors, including diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or even side effects from medications. It's also worth considering that your recent treatment with indomethacin capsules (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and injections for a skin condition may have side effects that could contribute to these symptoms, although a direct connection is less likely.

Regarding your concern about cerebellar atrophy, this condition affects coordination and balance, leading to symptoms like dizziness and unsteady movements. However, cerebellar atrophy typically presents with more pronounced symptoms, including difficulty with fine motor skills, speech changes, and more significant balance issues. If you are worried about this possibility, it would be prudent to discuss it with a neurologist, who can perform appropriate tests, including imaging studies, to assess the structure and function of your brain.

As for the difficulty in accurately touching your fingertips together with your eyes closed, this is known as the "finger-to-nose test," which assesses proprioception and coordination. It is not uncommon for individuals to have some difficulty on the first attempt, especially if they are feeling anxious or if their proprioceptive sense is slightly impaired. However, if this is a consistent issue, it could indicate a problem with your cerebellum or sensory pathways.

In summary, your symptoms of dizziness, leg weakness, and sensory disturbances warrant further evaluation by a healthcare professional, preferably a neurologist. They can conduct a thorough examination, including neurological assessments and possibly imaging studies, to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Additionally, it would be beneficial to review your current medications and any recent treatments to rule out side effects or interactions that may be contributing to your condition. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes, so seeking medical advice is essential.

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