Hello! i need help! I had a baby on April 1st. i had an epidural and everything went great! Other then a few anxiety attacks, i was fine for the first month. then about 3 weeks ago my hands and feet started getting tingly and going numb. the amount of function has decreased greatly. i now can't button my own pants, i can't get my little girl out of her carseat. i lose my balance frequently and need help getting up stairs. i have now had a headache for 3 days and can no longer feel anything when i use the restroom. i do have an appointment with a neurologist but it isn't until next week and things are getting worse fast!! does anyone know whats going on?? any insights would be greatly appreciated!!

Welcome K, congratulations on Baby!

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this kind of physical and emotional strain right now. Just getting everyone's sleep handled is enough challenge those first few weeks.

Does neurology have a cancelation list? If you haven't already get yourself placed on it and reiterate the urgency and rapid progression of your symptoms. I would also call your OB and see what they say and if they can do anything to hasten consult. If you continue to worsen by all means go to the ER and get checked out. With neuro problems they can't do all of the tests one might need. However, they can do many of them and significant, sudden loss of function in a limb is considered an emergency. The pelvic numbness is concerning too. They can do CT or MRI and get a neuro consult. It is better to have a negative workup than to ignore a serious problem. Listen to your own wisdom about going in if needed instead of waiting till next week.

I am sending Healing Love and prayers, Littlepaw

I agree about the ER visit.

Do you have any strange markings under your fingernails? Long vertical splinter-like brownish lines? Any fever?

Sometimes women after delivery may develop low thyroid functions. It would be a good idea to get that tested. Numbness is a sign of hypothyroidism.

Welcome Kellaujoh.

Just a P.S.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to also consider infectious causes. You did have an epidural after all.

Hello Kellaujoh and welcome to NeuroTalk.

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter!

It is very difficult and impossible for anyone to know what is causing your symptoms. Proper testing is needed. Many things can be ruled in/out with blood work. If you have a MRI ask for both the brain and cervical spine.

Whenever I read about a woman having neurological symptoms after giving birth my thoughts go to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It's not uncommon for a woman to experience their first symptoms and/or relapse with this disease after giving birth. Relapses of Multiple Sclerosis is very common within the first 6 months postpartum.

The symptoms you are experiencing, if you have MS, is common

I have had numbness, tingling, vibrations/buzzing from the waist down and yes, that included the girlie parts. This can also cause you to not feel when or if you are urinating.

I know that seems like a long time away considering what you are experiencing but hang in there it's not that far off

Anxiety and stress can cause headaches and some neurological symptoms. Please try and remain calm. I know, easier said than done

Thank you for your response! Do you think multiple Sclerosis would be a contender if I never had it pre pregnancy? My obs office was able to get me into a neurologist yesterday. He had me do an emergency MRI of both brain and spine. I had 8 different blood tests done this morning as well. My spine is good but we are still waiting to hear back on the brain scans and blood tests.

Hi Kellaujoh,

There are women who are initially diagnosed after having a baby, so it is not unusual. With MS a person can go years without knowing they have the disease as many symptoms can easily be brushed aside as nothing, just an odd occurrence.

I am glad to hear you had both the brain and spine done on MRI as well as blood work. Hopefully your Neurologist will have some idea of the direction to take based on your test results. You might need more testing...or not

I really hope and pray MS is not the cause of your symptoms and that I am wrong

Please update us with what you find out, we care

If you receive a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or have questions about this disease there is a MS forum here on NeuroTalk:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html