Advice on aspects of the condition

leefinch

Hi Ive had a left sided hemi paresis/hemiplegia (dependent who you talk to) since shortly after birth in 1974. Ive never really had an official diagnosis, but have a squint, slight facial changes and hold my hand curved up and walk with a limp, and have started to wonder about the way I eat/drink  (so am effectively 1 handed). Ive been pondering if I have a form of palsy. Before approaching my GP to explore, I was wondering if there are classic examples of the condition, that experts on here, might be able to help me understand. Many thanks. Lee 

janer1967

@Richard_Scope would be the best to advise you 

chiarieds

Hi @leefinch - from what you have mentioned here, you seem to have classic signs of spastic cerebral palsy affecting your left side. Altho, as everyone is different, there can be some variation as to exactly how a person is affected (as with other conditions), I say classic as both limbs on the left side alone are affected. Drs do sometimes interchange the words hemiparesis & hemiplegia, altho some consider paresis to 'just' mean a weakness. There is some info about CP which Scope have put together. Please see: https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/cerebral-palsy-introduction/

Richard will be able to say more, & has guidance for GP's which I'm sure you'll find helpful.

leefinch

Thank you that's great will investigate with gp

Welshjayne2021

Hi, from what you described you condition is almost a carbon copy of myself. I agree with @janer1967, you should talk to @Richard_Scope.  Hope you find the advice you need.

leefinch

Thanks all will contact him

Richard_Scope

Hi @leefinch
It's good to meet you. Hemiplegia is a subtype of cerebral palsy, meaning one side is affected or one limb. Everything that you have described is indicative of Hemiplegic cerebral palsy. 

leefinch

Thanks Richard ! will talk to the GP

Richard_Scope

No problem @leefinch. If I can support you further please let me know. Occasionally, G.P.s need a helping hand around cerebral palsy.

Stayce

Hi @leefinch

You might find Hemihelp now part of the charity Contact a useful source of information 

https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/health-medical-information/hemiplegia-support/what-is-hemiplegia/

They also offer an online Hemicheck which basically allows you to answer a set of questions about How Hemiplegia affects you, so that if you want to share it with someone you can print it off. This might aid your discussion with your GP or help you highlight which areas you want to discuss specifically with your GP. The link is below

https://myhemicheck.hemihelp.org.uk/

Hope this helps

Caz_Alumni

Thanks for signposting to that further information @Stayce. That's really helpful.

@leefinch How have you been getting on with things? I know that last time you spoke to @Richard_Scope, you were planning to get in touch with your GP. Have you had an opportunity to speak with them? And if so, how did that go?

leefinch

Hello there! Yes I've spoken with my GP and she's requested my notes. However these are from 1974 so I don't hold much hope. She says it could be CP or the fact that I was untreated properly following the stroke. So I will have to wait  thanks for asking and  I will keep in touch!

Caz_Alumni

Thanks for the update @leefinch

Good to hear that you've been in touch with your GP. Though it sounds like it might take them a while to go through your notes when they get those through!

Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of things soon. And yes, please do keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

leefinch

Hi all. Just wanted to update. After very thorough medical research I now have the diagnosis of hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. I'm really pleased after 46 years of thinking it was "just" a slight stroke!. Many thanks for all your help abd keep in touch

janer1967

Thanks for the update and glad you have some answers 

chiarieds

Good you now have a diagnosis @leefinch

Richard_Scope

So happy you now have the answers, @leefinch

leefinch

Hi Richard  I sent you a note this am. When you've time can you check receipt pls. Unsure if it went thru

Richard_Scope

Hi @leefinch
I have responded

leefinch

Got it thanks. I've made a donation by way of thanks bur intend to keep involved