KeyWords: body,numbness,thyroid,hypothyroid,support,help,full,body
Update: February 7th 2008
Hi Everyone,
Due to the popularity of this blog I felt it to be important to give an update. I eventually went to a doctor and found out I had an Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroid) problem. Due to the history in my family that was the first thing we checked and it fixed my whole numbness issue. This blog will stay active just remember this, see a doctor, no matter what. It will help the process go along, let them know your symptoms and your family's medical history, even if it is 1-2 generations down the line. Please do not hesitate to do this as some of the problems are very serious in nature. This site can be a support barrier to you, but ultimately a test can help you identify the problem.
I appreciate all the help and support everyone is giving each other and I hope it keeps up as it seems a lot of people enjoy it. Thanks for coming and here was my original post:
End of Update
For the past 6 months I have had numbness in my body off and on. The first occurance it was in my left side of my body, only my left side and it was most extreme in the lower legs. It lasted for about a week or 2. About a month later give or take it hit again on my right side this time. Same symptoms lasted a week or so. About 2 months later it hit in my left side again, same symptoms. Just recently it hit me last saturday. This one is very extreme it started out in my feet, I thought it was from recently wearing sandals. But as it kept going it moved and now is from my torso down, even in my hands. My legs are the most extreme it is like they are in the sleep mode, with no sight of waking up.
I went to a doctor did some blood work incase it was a thyroid problem, but he has never heard of it like this. I am waiting for results. I tried some IB Profen incase it was something enflamed. That did not good. I also tried an exedrin incase that did anything, nothing again. I have tried stretching, working out, running, cycling, and still nothing. This is weirding me out etc. I have not been under any stress lately, and never had stroke or any other major problems. I have low blood pressure and Cholesterol (I am 20 years old)
I am just wondering if there is something someone knows that will help this. Or even to prevent it again. It has been about a week I have had this and it is very annoying. I would appreciate ANY information on this, or maybe someone having same symptoms to compare notes with.
I do not wear glasses, my vision is still the same. No headaches or backaches or pains anywhere but my upper chest which has been hurting since the numbness started. But it is my upper chest no where near the lungs or heart. I worked out on Tuesday doing some lifting (it has been a while since i lifted) and that did not seem to help or provoke it any. I have been eating healthier than I have in a long time. The numbness started before the workout and the change in my food habits.
But as of right now my torso, right and left hands, and below my waist is "numb" with that tingling sensation. Another note, I do not have any weakness associated with this. I am still as strong as I was before the numbness started. My reflexs are the same also.
Any comments/suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.
--FrosT
Posted by frost on Jun 17th, 2005 11:55 - Subscribe
Comments (402)
Posted by anonymous on February 12th, 2010
Ok, not sure if anyone still reads this post, but here goes. Off and on, for the past 6 months, I have had lots of "weird" things going on. First area. Tightness in the chest, not too bad, not super painful, more discomfort. Would move from right to left, cente, etc. No real solid area of pain. Second, had dizziness, one instant so bad I fell to my knees. Was hospitalized for 2 days. Blood work and heart monitoring was fine, no past heart attacks from the 6 hour or 8 hour tests they ran. Put me on Prilosec after trying a gastric cocktail and chest pain got better. Still on Prilosec today.
Sent to cardiologist. Got a holter monitor for a week, did a sress/echo test, no abnormalities, but my blood pressure has been creeping up over the last few months, now up to 159/109. Cardiologist scripts Lisinopril. Blood pressure moderates around the low 130's, high 120's / low 80's. Still in that range today. All heart testing came back fine.
Noticed that sometimes the chest pain comes after eating, seems almost like bloating, right under the center of my breastplate (center of ribcage? not sure about terminology). All throughout this time, I have on and off numbness in my left forearm, nothing seems to aggrivate it or make it worse/better. Now, in the past 2 months, I have had the left center of my forehead, down my left temple to just about parallel to the bottom of my eye going numb (to touch, noticibly on it's own, but not drooping). This is freakin me out, and the doctors are saying it's part of a nerve in my stomach getting pressed against when my reflux acts up. Does this sound legit, or does it sound more like M.S or something? Oh, I forgot to mention, I get pain often in my shin area, not right in the front, but kind of on the side, right where the calf meets the side of the leg, both legs hurt, on the inner portion. Right near where the veins run up and down the leg (noticibly on me). My feet do get cold (I thought maybe circulatory problem, but now don't really think so) but they were also patrially frostbitten when I was about 8-9 years old or so.
If anyone can please give this a serious read, and post maybe an email contact, or something, or even just post something u may know about my symptoms so I can maybe steer these doctors in the proper direction, please let me know!!
Thanks in advance,
PB
Posted by anonymous on March 07th, 2010
Ok, 53 Y.O. male, myself.
December 18th, after waking, had noted pricking in about a quarter size patch of skin between the thumb and finger of my left hand. It didn't feel as numb as when your arm or foot "go to sleep." Later just after starting using the computer at work about 8:15 AM, the feeling shifted to the tips of my thumb, and the first two fingers of my left hand AND the left side of my upper an lower lips. Again not real tingly, more sparse, like rolling a hair brush over those parts of my skin. That wouldn't have alarmed me if my entire body had not gone into a flush. I took a couple of Alleves (Naproxen), checked out of work, and drove myself to the hospital, since stroke runs in both side of the family at about 15 year normally older than I am now.
The ER was annoying, they didn't see me for 30 minutes. When I told them I was leaving to see my GP, they went ahead an ushered me in. My blood pressure was elevated 160/90 vice my normal 120-130/70-80. They did a chest X-Ray and put me on a cardiac monitor, and did a CT. Also pupil checks, noting possible left side dilation, but no loss in strength in my hands or feet, either side. The CT diagnosis showed some evidence of "small vessel disease," and "acute infarct could not be ruled out."
After several hours in a very cold ER, and my BP coming down, I asked to be released, figuring if there were something more drastic going on that they would have already given me some meds or admitted me for more tests. The ER doc squawked about me needing to be admitted for echocardiogram and carotid doppler. I had them release me since we were coming into a long holiday weekend, lkely with reduced staffing due to christmas vacations at the hospital. Having worked in hospitals, I knew I'd get more rest at home. They gave me an RX for 75 mg Plavix and 325 mg asperin daily. The numbness moved to include the left upper part of my face around my left eye in almost a question mark pattern. By then I no longer had numbness between my left thumb and finger and the tips of my left fingers had returned to almost normal. Occasional tingling.
I was too afraid the first month to sleep prone, since the few times I tried, I felt terrible. Not surpising that's something I've had trouble with off and on. I had not had as intense numbness as that first day (12-1
, but it was persistent. I also slept almost sitting with the lights on. Never had any problem falling asleep much to my surprise. I didn't sleep deeply, but usually enough to perform reasonably well at work.
Well it took 2 more weeks to get MRIs, with and without contrast, the echocardiogram, and the carotid doppler. The MRIs showed an older small infarction I wasn't aware of, but nothing recent. We did all the the blood work. Most all normal. I've kept my weight down most of my life and had gotten a bit heavy recently, 170 at 5'7". The doc also prescribed Vytorin for cholestoral, though I'm holding off on taking it till I get my weight down by diet (dropped a belt size so far).
In early february, I did a sleep lab, which confirmed sleep apnea. I'm still holding off on the CPAP titration since I don't believe I'll keep the mask on all night. When I sleep wrong, I definitely feel horrible all day which makes the numbness in the left side of my lips and left side of my face worse. Started having the same feeling of numbness in a half-dollar size area on my inner left heal, which lasted for several weeks and was very itchy, but that's sense subsided. Also had the side effects of Plavix, which is clot preventing, involving prolonged bleeding of minor scratches, occasional nose bleed, etc. All manageable.
During the first month things went from 1 good day a week, to 1 bad day a week. During the first 2 months, I got better with a few set backs. I'd learned to sleep on my side to avoid any sleep apnea problems and pain from sleeping sitting. I use a futon couch for this. Whenever I do slide down and sleep almost prone, I suffer for it.
Last week, I had a set back at work during an argument, where my blood pressure became elevated. That surprised me since other activities which normally rase my blood pressure really didn't have much effect. That episode though left me feeling like a baloon head during the rest of the day, with increased along with the numbness in my left face. Moreso in the face now that the left lips. Although, I felt better the next day, I slept wrong that follpowing night and had pronounced numbness in my left face and lips for two days. The heal no longer gets numb, nor the left fingers nor thumb.
So let's track back a bit... I'd noticed dimming of my left vision about 3 weeks prior to the 12-18 attack. I thought it might have been a cataract coming on since that runs in the family too. My vision changed for weeks but has since largely recovered. It seemed like I lost "resolution" except in one small area of my left eye, right eye ok. Now I relate the vision change to whatever is going on with the numbness.
5 years ago, I had been on meds daily for months and had MRI, doppler, etc done, which they never concluded anything about. Without the painkiller, I'd get a headache by 10 AM. I quit using anything with caffeine or chocalate for almost 10 years now, so nothing related to those. By chance, I noticed that if I propt my head up about an inch while sleeping that I wouldn't get a headache. I went from daily painkillers to rarely using painkillers for sinus headaches, by sleeping on a "C-ring" padacross the back of my head cut from a coozie for soft drinks. Worked great. Did the old infarct trace to that time frame? If so they didn't find it on the MRI back then.
Since the early '90s, I've had occasional, (1-5 times a year), optical migraines. This is the one that kind of builds up over a period of days, then becomes a shimmering circular area that grows from a point to take up the entire visual field -- involving temporary blindness for about 30 minutes -- eyes open or shut same shimmering with very geometric patterns. Some folks are calling that auras here I think. I could always avoid them if I'd take a painkiller before they started, so no problem to manage. After having one though, and left neck area would go from feeling stuffy to feeling released. I was always glad to get over one since I felt so much better. There was never any major pain associated with them. I think it's too much coincidence to believe that these aren't related to whatever is going on with the left side numbness I'm experiencing now.
I was satsified that it was symptoms of a minor stroke until I read your postings on this page. Pretty sure it's not MS or hyperthyrodism now, since it's just on one side. Same for pre-diabetes. In any case, I've radically changed my diet to reduced calorie and reduced salt while watching out for excess sugar and fat. Really bumped up the veggies, fruits and nuts and eliminated most meat except fish. Oranges really help when my head starts to feel stuffy, btw.
I've had some neck and spine problems during my life, so that's worth checking. Same for the Omega-3 fats as a building block of nerve tissues. My GP has suggested Krill for fish oils, and MTH for folic acid. I'd love to have enough gumption to take up the diggeridoo, which is a long horn the aborigines blow that helps with sleep apnea. You have to learn to breath in through your nose and out your mouth to sustain the long star wars like notes it plays. My best guess at this point is that I've damage a small part of my sensory cortext that's mapped to feeling on my left side. Whether that's directly a result of sleep apnea, or congental, or small vessel disease from aging, who knows. Maybe I'll request they take a look in an autopsy whenever that comes up.
In the mean time, my main problems have been fright and depression. All I really want to do is avoid everyone, including family and friends and sleep. I'd normally consider that depression, except that one person wrote about needing a lot of sleep after her stroke so that her brain could reorganize itself. I'm sure my relatives don't understand that I really don't want to talk with them or anyone else now.
It has helped greatly to see that other folks are going through largely the same thing, that doctors don't have solutions (no great surprise), and that these things can go on for years. I kept wondering when I'd lose functions, such as motor skills. I do seem to have a bit of a problem swallowing on the right side of my throat, but that's inconsisent with everything else. I need to see an ear, nose, throat specialist anyway, as a double check on the sleep apnea stuff. I've always had a small throat, so any swelling or growth would definitely make apneas worse. Cancer might explain some of the symptoms, such as clotting in the blood. Remote possibility, no doubt.
Let me close with a prayer for all of us, since I can do so incognito.
Father-God, from my heart to your heart in the name of Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for all those who have been looking to find out about numbness in their skin and limbs and face, whether on one side or both, whether the problem is with nerves, brain, glands, toxins, or diet, or matters which baffle even the best physicians, that we all can know that we don't have to go through this alone, that many others are feeling the same worries and weirdness, and that we can deal with these things with hope of complete release from them. Please make this well understood in the medical community so that so many expensive tests, and medications, and complications aren't heaped upon us. Help us please to learn if diet, or posture, or computers or cell phones are involved. If curses or attacks from enemies are invovled, I ask please that you send your agencies to police them, that they not be allowed to get away with any evil thing that's done, and that all their wicked works are destroyed. Abba, please restore us in our families and to our friends and in our duties. And let none of the symptoms we experience or the repercussions of our illnesses be magnified beyond proper concern. Thanks for those all here who have taken the time to share about their situations. What they've written has blessed me, I'm greatful to them and to you. Please give us the wherewithall to deal with our health problems in ways we can each manage and the faith to lay down all that we can't in your most capable hands. We are such fragile creatures, O most Holy God! Our bodies are wonderous that they can work so well in so many ways for so long, as you've intended. But You did not intend that they not wear out, or be protected from abuse or neglect or ignorance. Time and chance come to all of us. It is by the suffering, death, and resurrection of your Son Jesus that we can look past the frailty and transience of our flesh -- believing that by your love and will that Christ Jesus will raise us up new bodies like His when the time comes -- for all that want to be forever together with You (and him, your flesh). Let there be healing here among us in your name, Jesus ...Yeshua, and may it be to your glory, world without end, Amen!
Posted by anonymous on May 09th, 2010
Very glad to say that my lefts side area numbness has largely resolved. I reported here before as having symptoms starting 12-18-2009.
Most days now, I experience no numbness. The exception is when I get into any situation of high stress, such as an argument, or public speaking, or strong emotions. Another trigger is herbal teas with chicory, which I've had to give up. I used them like coffee, but caffiene free. Primarily Celestial Seasonings brands, Roastarama, Bengal Spice, or Gingerbread Spice. One the spices likely elevates my blood pressure. The elevated blood pressure is likely a common trigger to all the above. Numbness when it occurs is now mostly confined to the left side of my lips.
My best guess is that I have some damaged tissue in my left side brain sensory area (right side of the brain), that affect adjacent areas when the blood demand increases due to heavy emotions, high stress, or elevated blood pressure from something I ingest (chicory & spice teas).
My GP has me on 75 mg Plavix daily, 325 mg Aspirin, Vytorin 10/20, and Androgel (1 squirt per day). He says he's trying to improve my odds regarding stroke prevention. I'm maintaining a mostly fish and veggies diet. All this helps. The GP also gave me a little Xanax to use (1/2 tab) on the infrequent occasions I have to do public speaking.
I definitely have problems swallowing capsule like meds. Food, mostly no problem, but gel caps stick in my throat, even with water. I have to take them with a swallow of food. I've also been diagnosed as having frequent sleep apneas. I'm able to sleep prone now rather than on my side, by making sure my head is tilted back and neck raised, no pillow under my head, but I do use a pillow on the left side to keep my head mostly nose up. The doc wants me to go ahead and get fitted for the CPAP machine, but I don't think I'll wear it well sleeping.
I've had a variety of tests. Frankly, the specialists have been remarkably useless. The hospital has been the worst. They gave me nothing during the initial incident which was so acute, (highly elevated blood pressure that first day and left finger, left lips, and left face numbness). They probably should have given me a clot buster. CT, carotid doppler, echocardiogram, and barium swallow showed nothing useful. The MRI supposedly showed an "old" infarct -- which was probably what happened 2 weeks prior to getting the actual tests. The HMO requires so much input from the doctors (clinical notes) that the tests are delayed past any real utilty. The MRI with & without contrast showed the infarct (not sure which one). The ENT ordered the barium swallow, which the hospital had a speech pathologist conduct. By the end of the procedure, 3 things were obvious: a. they were only concerned about the top 1/3 of my throat, not where the capsules stick, b. as long as I could swallow fluids or well chewed solids nothing else mattered to them, and c. any tests below the upper 1/3 of my throat needs to be done using a scope, ordered by a gastroenterologist. I could have told them all that. They need to look with the scope. I'm never going back to that hospital. They're idiots. And of course bills come in with no way to relate to anything that was actually done, from this, that, and the other specialist, never seen during the procedures.
Now. Resting helps. Lying prone helps. The longer I work during the day the more aware of I am of "pre-numbness" symptoms. Basically an awareness of very mild numbness in my left cheek and left side of my lips. If I let myself have an argument or get "over invested" or "over concerned" about anything then the full numbness comes on along with stuffiness in my brain and sometimes feelings of mild pain on the left side from my upper shoulder outer muscle skin area up through the left side of my head. The sypmtoms mostly abate when I sleep overnight.
Other notes: I have a swelling in a lymph node or some other mass on the upper right side of my throat, that's very persistent week-in week-out and sometimes quite pronounced. Neither the GP nor the ENT want to actually touch and feel that area -- which is bonkers. Since when have doctors given up using their sense of touch? The GP has ordered a doppler for all the good that would do. I think we should do a round of antibiotics, which I never take. From my reading, it's possible the swallowing problem is due to: a. esophageal rings (easily treatable), b. neural damage from the stroke, or c. cancer. I have had a nasal reconstruction due to basal cell skin cancer and smoked for about 12 years from late teens, when I was young. Age 53 now.
It's obvious now that generally speaking, the doctors and HMOs only deal well with things that are blatantly obvious. Otherwise, they only have guesses and far too many patients to care about what happens to those with "numbness" symptoms which aren't obvious.
I'm ok now, mostly, 4 months later. No thanks to the hospitals, HMOs, or specialists. And that's where probably $10,000+ in cost went to. They don't care. Nor do they know your body. Might as well be dealing with automechanics.
Prayer, the innate healing of the body, personal research, diet, the GP treating symptoms and prevention, and checking to see what happened with others has helped far more and for far less cost. And of course just figuring out how to live with it.
Hospitals are a waste of money and effort. There's no fix. No magic potions. Only accepting and dealing with the damage.
Posted by anonymous on August 26th, 2010
37 Male- I developed numbness in my hands around Memorial Day weekend. Within a week it had spread, and I could only explain it as "my whole body is numb". I started through the parade of doctors, neurologist/internist/orthopedic. Initially I was put through a brain scan, and comprehensive blood work looking into things from MS to Lupus to circulatory disease (ex smoker). Let me add that, after about two weeks, the numbness seemed to "settle" in my hands and feet. I felt weakness in my legs, not in my arms. I began exercising (walking) like crazy, mostly just a reactive instinct to the situation. Nothing showed up in the brain scan or the blood work. The situation never got worse. I never felt sick, never felt tired or worn down except from the stress and anxiety. I have often said throughout this process, I'd rather have a lot of pain in one place than numbness all over. Numbness can drive you crazy.
The orthopedic finally did an MRI of my cervical spine and found significant degeneration, and two discs impinging my spinal column. I have no explanation for this. I've had a series of plausible events over the years, a few car accidents, jumped off a cliff in Bermuda when I was 21 into shallow water, but who knows. The ortho told me to stop trying to figure out how this happened, b/c I never will. Regardless, I was sent to a neurosurgeon. I had to undergo neck surgery on July 28th, almost a month ago. Unfortunately, the neuro told me the surgery was an absolute necessity b/c even the slightest fall, slip or whiplash could cause permanent paralysis. I had a second opinion that verified this.
HOWEVER, my numbness is still here. I also have been told by the surgeon (in contrast to what I was told by the orthopedic) that the neck issue was NOT the cause of the leg numbness. So, how does this all happen over the course of a week but not be connected? Impossible. I believe the discs collapsed into the column and sent a ripple effect throughout my body (hence my original sensation of total body numbness). I also have been getting pain in my hips, which the ortho said was early stage arthritis (he thinks from my cliff jumping incident), induced by the excessive walking exercise.
I have weakness in my legs. I can't reconcile any of this. I was hoping the surgery would be a cure all, but now am afraid it was a necessary event that is, amazingly not related to any of the numbness. I don't know what to think, the doctors keep telling me to relax and just heal for a few months. Easier said than done. I wonder if the surgeon is saying my legs are not connected to my neck problem only b/c he can't say definitely, so doesn't want to speculate. Several other doctors have told me it could be from my neck.
I will say that if anybody is experiencing numbness, don't discount the back or neck simply b/c you don't have terrible pain. I have done a lot of research, and have found that nearly half of all herniations and bulging discs are pain free. There are several muscle related issues that can happen as well. For example, the natural curve of my neck had deteriorated over the years from the discs losing their placement, and this caused the muscles to tighten. Muscle related nerve impingement is a big problem. My ortho thinks I could have had hip and leg issues for years that were "unveiled" by my exercise, and the muscles are restricting the nerves. Hence the weakness as well.
Bottom line is, I have also been fighting serious anxiety and, after countless doctor visits and tests are probably no closer to a solution. I am at least trying to convince myself that this is probably a physical problem related to my neck in some capacity. That would make the most sense. I have been tested for most everything, something would have shown up by now. I also, like I said, have never felt sick throughout any of this. I was afraid of MS, but MS does not present itself bilaterally throughout the body in perfect symmetry over the course of 72 hours. It also doesn't present itself with JUST symmetrical numbness in hands and feet. It's effects vary throughout the body dependent on the location of the lesions. Plus, my brain scan showed a "clean brain". I also have a brother in law who has MS and is somewhat of an expert. Both the neurologist and the Neurosurgeon said it's not MS. I thought Rheumatoid, but the tests were negative and the symptoms don't make sense. Lupus, same thing.
The last thing I am exploring is Celiac disease. Celiac is a gluten allergy, an increasingly common problem, and can present with numbness and joint pain due to absorbtion problems, mostly Iron and B6 (I think). Many people think it's simply lactose intolerance, or don't have any stomach problems at all.
Who knows. Anybody with any thoughts, I'm all ears. I will say to all of you, keep your chin up. As soon as you let your brain take control, you will only get worse.
all the tests results are back, how do u live with that answer .. confused
Mickey
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