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Woman develops ataxia and motor weakness after penicillin

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My mom is currently 60-year-old and recently she feels one throat pain and visited the doctor. Doctor prescribed Penicillin to her. She feel symptoms relieve but after three days of medication, she felt she cannot control he direction, like always hit something while walking. And after five days, she feel the left hand and left leg has no power while walking or try to hold something. Is that possible side effect of medication? Since she has no insurance, we need to pay from our pocket. Any good suggestions? Thanks!

Category: Family Physician-GP

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Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
 27 Doctors Online

Hello,

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.

This symptoms does not appear to be the side effect of the medication. I am afraid she is having/possible stroke. Stroke occurs due inadequate blood circulation in the brain (either due to a bleeding or block). It is possible that there was a stroke in the Right side of her brain causing the weakness in the left side of the body.

This might be a serious condition which will require further testing like a CT scan of the head. I recommend visiting ER. I understand this could be a tough decision, but I am afraid you have got no other options.

As of now please take she can properly swallow. If she is taking any food or liquid make sure that she is in upright position to avoid aspiration.

Hope this helps
Please DO feel free to ask followup questions.

Thank you


Patient replied :

Thank you! I was thinking that she may has stroke but my mom has normal blood pressure, normal cholesterol and no family history of stroke at all. Her blood test shows everything normal. She has no other symptoms like swllow difficulties, face paralysis... But she maight be very stressful due to lots of housework and I just had a new baby, which keeps her wake up at the whole night. Do you think stress can cause this?



Well, one need not always have any obvious risk factor for a stroke. Features like Involvement of face, swallowing problems etc depend on which blood vessel is affected. So stroke can very well present with or without these features.

Stress/ Over exertion can cause some confusing "Neurological" like symptoms, but mostly it will be bilateral (both sides) and symptoms will be vague. When the symptoms are confined to one side, it is sign calling out for evaluation. One sided weakness and unsteadiness suggests an organic (real) cause most of the times.

I am not saying this is 100% stroke. But stroke is highly likely and this is an alarm sign for evaluation. May it could be a TIA - or mini stroke or TIA.

Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions /clarifications.
Thank you


Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy
Category: HIV- AIDS Specialist
Experience: 
MBBS from Sri Ramachandra University in December 2011
M.Med (Family Medicine) - TNMGR University, Chennai
MBA-MPH in Public Health in March 2016, SRM University
Finished AFIH in March 2016, SRM University
MRCP ( UK ), Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, June 2016
Fellowship in Diabetology from Martin Luther University in January 2017

Currently Resident Physician, in MD Radiodiagnosis - Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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