Numbness

January 11, 2008

Matt, what you're describing sounds a lot like pinched nerves. I have them in my

neck, which effects both arms. Some movements makes things worse, and

unfortunately, doing nothing often makes things better. it drives me crazy since

I'm not a do nothing type of person.

I continue to believe that yoga helps, and I've tried to isolate the

stretches that make things better, or worse. I'm not sure where a pinched nerve

could cause your whole left side to go numb, but you might want to consider

asking along those lines. Was there something physical you did right before the

onset of the numbness?

Hate to say it, but you do eventually get used to the numbness. At first it

really hurts, and even a soft cloth can feel like sand paper. With time, it all

just becomes normal. I would say the most persistant sensation for me is

itching.

Good luck.

O

January 11, 2008

,

First let me say thank you for posting. You are the first

person to come close to describing what I've been dealing with for

about 3 years now. In my case it is my left face, but I have been

noticing gradual increase in numbness/burning in my left arm and very much more

in my left leg/foot. My left leg, I have attributed to repeated ankly injury and

3 surgeries. The arm, unclear. I'm right handed, I did tear the rotator cuff

about 25 years ago, no chronic dislocations (as opposed to the right, which

does). I have been thinking lately about how odd it is to have the one-sidedness

problem and how that does not match up to anything I know about medicine and

neurology. (I am a doctor -- transfusion medicine).

I have described my face problem before but in a nutshell: there is a sequential

order of exacerbation, first the left tip of my tongue -> whole left side of

tongue -> lips (L) -> cheek -> eye (burning and

dryness) -> ear (burning) -> finally, the inside of my throat only on the left.

As I get more stressed out or feel ill for any reason, it gets worse. When times

are good, it's better, but it never completely goes away. The feeling is like I

have scalded my tongue with hot coffee and that my face is sunburned. My eye

gets so dry I have started carrying eye drops. The right eye tears constantly in

sympathy.

It came on acutely so I went to the ER thinking it was a stroke. CT

and MRI have been negative. So far every MD I have described this to, including

friends, give me a puzzled look and have nothing to offer. My best guess is that

I am pinching nerves at the level of the TMJ - jaw joint. It is clear I clench

and grind my teeth in my sleep especially when stressed out.

I'd love to hear if your doc has any ideas.

Holli

January 11, 2008

Thanks , you are right. At the time I went to her it was only the numbess

that I was aware of. Now I know a bit and will be talking to her next month

about it. Hopefully they will be able to find something else.

Thanks

January 11, 2008

, you know I have thought this as well before. I carry my wallet in my left

back pocket. I think being a typical man it is full of stuff and gets very large

to sit on. I wondered if this was the root cause for the pinched nerve, if it

is in fact a pinched nerve. You are right you do get used to it. I hate the

coming and going of it. I wish it was just there all the time and then I could

get totally use to it and not worry about it anymore. Nothing physical I can

think of that could of caused this.

Matt

January 12, 2008

Holli,

You are more then welcome and thanks for the reply. I was so excited to read

your post. Sounds much the same. I was glad to see your stress comment. I am

slowly beginning to think it is a combination of a pinched nerve and stress. I

agree that is truly never seems to go away. It just gets to the point where I

hardly notice it, and then BAM it's back. It was great over the Christmas

holidays. I had 2 weeks off and nothing. Now that I am back to work and fear for

my the loss of job I have noticed it is back big time, which is why I finally

posted.

It was really bad a couple of months back right before I had to had a root

canal, you guessed it on the left side of my jaw. It did clear up for awhile

after that and I thought for sure it was the root cause but does not look like

it. Maybe I was stressed over going for the root canal, since they are so much

fun.

I will let you know what my doctor says. Should be an interesting conversation.

I will bring up the stress thing with her as well. It might help diagnose the

problem.

Have a good night,

January 12, 2008

The Wallet! Oh yes it can create issues with your spine and hips!

Truck drivers suffered from this till they started using the wallets with chains

that let that wallet out of the rear pocket while driving.

The Orthopedics will tell you to " move it " .

My husband went to a tri-fold he could carry in his front pocket or shirt

pocket. He wears western shirts with snaps, so it is easy for him to safely

carry it in the shirt pocket. Safer when traveling too.

On a second note, due to my scoliosis and short leg, the orthopedic suggested I

place a small soft pillow under my hip that hurts when I am sitting or driving.

The pillow is home made with quilt batting for stuffing. I don't use it all the

time, but probably should since it helps keep me lined up.

Numbness in the arms is a given to pinched nerve in the upper thoracic or

cervical spine. Chair massage might fix this. Chiropractor would help...any

type of therapy. Get it checked out. Change pillows, no pillow. Figure out

what is best for you. (sometimes resting by putting the arm of the couch under

your neck helps).

To ALL of us!

There are many tricks to try to limit your pain. You have to become inventive

....when your unable to do anything else, figure out what you can do to help

yourself be more comfortable.

Genieworks

March 6, 2008

thank you I actually joined the group today, the reason that led me

to seek a group is that weird numbness and tingling feeling on my

fingers, hands, face,and arms. I mean Im not numb in those places at

once, but for example a patch in my face is suddenly numb. I even

paid a visit to the ER about 6 month ago after the long wait I was

assured my MRI was clear, but I was left with the question,

apparently Im not alone

--- In , " " <Matsumura_Clan@...>

wrote:

>

> ,

>

> About how long had you been off of Remicade when you saw the

neurologist?

> How many infusions had you already had?

>

> Not an MD

>

> > [ ] numbness

> >

> > Hello. Kinda a weird question but do any of you fellow sufferers

have

> > numbness anywhere on your body? I had been on Remicaide and

during this

> > time started with numbness topically to my legs. Just on calfs

and I

> > only noticed cause I couldn't feel it when I shaved. It slowly

over a

> > year traveled up one leg and to my hand and some of my face. My

doctorr

> > thought it was a side affect of the Remicaide so I had to stop

it. The

> > neurologist ruled out any side affect of the med because it

continued

> > and even traveled. It's a weird ugly numb feeling. Don't feel heat

> > right away to some of my fingers. Anyone else have this nice

little

> > gift?

> >

>

March 6, 2008

Hello! I have never taken that medication. Before I

was even diagnosed with FMS, then later RA, I

complained of numbness and tingling. There were many

days I could not feel an arm, a hand, or a leg. They

finally just made the diagnosis Parethesia (I think

thats how its spelled)

--- nurias73 <nurias73@...> wrote:

> thank you I actually joined the group today, the

> reason that led me

> to seek a group is that weird numbness and tingling

> feeling on my

> fingers, hands, face,and arms. I mean Im not numb in

> those places at

> once, but for example a patch in my face is suddenly

> numb. I even

> paid a visit to the ER about 6 month ago after the

> long wait I was

> assured my MRI was clear, but I was left with the

> question,

> apparently Im not alone

>

> >

> > ,

> >

> > About how long had you been off of Remicade when

> you saw the

> neurologist?

> > How many infusions had you already had?

> >

> > Not an MD

> >

> > > [ ] numbness

> > >

> > > Hello. Kinda a weird question but do any of you

> fellow sufferers

> have

> > > numbness anywhere on your body? I had been on

> Remicaide and

> during this

> > > time started with numbness topically to my legs.

> Just on calfs

> and I

> > > only noticed cause I couldn't feel it when I

> shaved. It slowly

> over a

> > > year traveled up one leg and to my hand and some

> of my face. My

> doctorr

> > > thought it was a side affect of the Remicaide so

> I had to stop

> it. The

> > > neurologist ruled out any side affect of the med

> because it

> continued

> > > and even traveled. It's a weird ugly numb

> feeling. Don't feel heat

> > > right away to some of my fingers. Anyone else

> have this nice

> little

> > > gift?

> > >

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

July 21, 2008

,

I have HNPP so I dont know if this is relavent but I have no pain at all. Just

tingles and numbness so I know what you are experiencing.

Doctors still think I am weird with the HNPP being such bad nerve entrapment

apparently I am supposed to have pain. Hope your neurologist can help you

understand this.

Kathy

July 21, 2008

,

I have not experienced any of this different symptoms. Please let us know how

your appointment goes.

Also in Los Angeles

July 21, 2008

,

Have you had the genetic test for CMT? I ask because I was originally diagnosed

with CMT, having all of the classic symptoms. When I had the genetic test I was

diagnosed with HNPP. My neuro told me that I have HNPP that " mocks " CMT. I have

the classic CMT feet, the muscle wasting in my extremeties, etc. But I also get

numbness all over my body very often. From my head to my feet. My back is a

common place as is my face.

Definately talk to your neuro about it though.

Bree-Anne

July 21, 2008

Bree-Anne thanks you for explaining this.

is priceless.

In a message dated 7/21/2008 9:52:45 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

scottbree@... writes:

My neuro told me that I have HNPP that " mocks " CMT.

)

July 21, 2008

Thanks Bree-Ann and Kathy.

I was biopsied about 15 years ago, and they couldn't find any of the

known indicators at the time, so I don't know which CMT I have. My

diagnosis was confirmed by my sister doing the torture test and

showing sub-symptomatic signs (she's now starting to show in her

feet at 35, which just kills me! I was hoping she'd make it through

life without it ever effecting her)

I will talk with the neuro about the possibility of a mis-diagnosis,

and in researching this and other forums, it sounds like there are

at least a couple of you who have experienced similiar symptoms. So

I'm going to assume these new symptoms are neuropathy-related, not

something new, even though I'm sure the neuro won't believe it. Oh

well! That's how it goes Now it's just a matter of getting used

to it, and figuring out what I can do to adapt (just ordered a brand

new Concept 2 Erg! Woo-hoo!).

Thanks so very much for your feedback, and thank goodness for the

internet!

September 22, 2008

Hi! Thanks I will try those other boards. I actually went to a neurologist a

while ago and had a spinal tap since I passed all the other tests, they were the

oines who diagnosed Lyme, and after the IV treatment I had no numbness at all.

If after the month of doxy I still have tingling I will go although I will not

do another tap if I can help it! Oh, and I have a girl, ZOe. ANd I know I am

lucky to have been in remission as long as I was!

September 22, 2008

beth,

I love that name! My daughter was going to name her daughter, " Zoe, "

but then decided on " Chloe. " I pray you will go into remission so you

can take care of your girl. Its so hard to take care of a baby, when

in extreme pain.

Did they run tests for MS? My rheumy thought I had MS, I have a lot

of symptoms, They run a test on me, with all these needles, can't

remember the name of it, there goes my fibro fog:(

Is numbness a side effect of doxy? I am not familiar with the med.

I would let my doc know, and yes do see a neurologist if you still

have the numbness.

Keep us posted, it worries me. I am sending good vibes your way,

Tawny

--- In , beth Costa <elizcosta@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi! Thanks I will try those other boards. I actually went to a

neurologist a while ago and had a spinal tap since I passed all the

other tests, they were the oines who diagnosed Lyme, and after the IV

treatment I had no numbness at all. If after the month of doxy I

still have tingling I will go although I will not do another tap if I

can help it! Oh, and I have a girl, ZOe. ANd I know I am lucky to

have been in remission as long as I was!

>

July 19, 2009

Hi Geoff

I too have numbness in my lips and my hands for many months. My neurologist is

re-doing my EMG test again for the numbness in my hands. He believes it may be

the CMT progressing. I wear braces for my weak ankle muscles. I have drop foot

as well. I also have muscles spamsisms in my legs, stomach and back. I am on

Elavil.

Kathy

Montreal,QC

January 4, 2010

Taras - it was so wonderful to hear from you and to give your input on Lori's

experience with carpal tunnel syndrome. I had surgery on both of my wrists and

have been very happy with the results. I'm so sorry that Lori was hit so hard

with the Flu that she didn't get the chance to enjoy her pain free, numbness

free hand more.

Personally, I do not think you're overstepping at all! You had first hand

experience with Lori's fight with RA. I would welcome your experience and

perhaps even if you could share your thoughts on her disease - from the spouse's

point of view. I think your desire to honor her memory by chatting with us is

awesome. May God Bless you and your children as you travel through these next

days and months.

Doreen

Hi ,

First, I'm very sorry top hear about your hands. Reading your post was all too

familiar for me. Lori, experienced the same thing. They did some tests and

determined that she had carpal tunnel in both wrists. Anyway, she had surgery

on one arm (carpal in wrist and cubital in elbow). The plan was to recovery

from that one and do the other shortly after. She had her surgery on WED, got

the Flu on SAT, and unfortunately passed away SUN night.

However, she did say that her arm felt much better (no more numbness!). Also,

she didn't get the flu shot. She wanted one and was trying but none were

available. She was so angry about that.

We have to small children too, Lori was 33 and fought like hell. I know you

can find the strength to press forward. I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds

here, but I just want to help - even though all I can do share some thoughts and

encouragement over the internet.

Also - I want to thank everyone for all your kind posts regarding Lori. It

meant a lot.

Taras

January 4, 2010

Thank you everyone. Believe it or not, but I am still awaiting final test

results from the coroner's office. We know for a fact that she had type A and B

influenza. What the doctors also told me was that H1N1 is also a type A. So,

they have to run an additional test to see if it was H1N1. Either way, they

said it didn't matter at the time because the " fix " is the same - Tamiflu

(anti-viral). They are also checking if they can find any other items that may

have caused complications - maybe something from the surgery? I will do my

best to keep you informed. I want to use any info I can so maybe it can help

all of you stay safe and healthy. I still cannot believe this has happened.

Take care...

Taras

Lori

www.stitchingqueen.multiply.com

From:

Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 8:31 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Numbness

Thank you for the information, Taras.

Feel free to post whatever you think might be helpful.

Not an MD

January 5, 2010

Taras,

It must be hard not knowing. I hope you get clear answers soon.

I can't believe this has happened to Lori either. Again, my condolences.

Not an MD

On Mon, Jan 4, 2010 at 9:12 PM, Stitching Queen

<queenstitcher@...> wrote:

> Thank you everyone. Believe it or not, but I am still awaiting final test