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Numb ride side~ arm, leg, shoulder etc.

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joanne06674
joanne06674

I started with a shoulder strain from the gym which began to radiate to my chest also, I booked a drs appointment to discuss the chest pain. Then on the morning of my drs appointment my right side went numb (no paralysis) just a tingling pre pins and needles feeling (i hope this makes sense) right leg, arm, sholder, neck, face. Needless to say I was terrifed so when my doctors came I explained all the symptons etc and was told to wait to see if still numb in a week and be reffered to neurologist. It is worth saying that this numb tingling feeling is only when I am sitting down, as soon as active or lying flat is eases. Can anyone help me with any advice?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • nigel59319
    nigel59319 joanne06674

    Posted

    Hi

    I have some academic training in anatomy but I have to say I am not a doctor.

    Anything nerve related normally radiates 'down' from and compression or irritation. That being said I have experienced problems above my compression due to over stimulation of my spinal cord.

    My first bit of advice is that your GP is not perfect and diagnose you with the most likely possible problem. They aren't specialist so often miss certain red flag signs. If your discomfort or numbness gets any worse then go to A & E straight away. They can perform X-rays and an MRI and have access to specialist just a phone call away.

    Don't panic just yet, just monitor it.

    Hopefully someone on here with more medial knowledge will be able to help.

    • joanne06674
      joanne06674 nigel59319

      Posted

      Nigel, thank you so much for replying. I feel absolutley well in all other aspects and in fact can say physically I am in the best shape I have ever been, I am 33 and extremely active. I will monitor as you sugguest. Today so far, facial numbness is gone (touch wood) however when seated the arm/shoulder and leg (on right side) numbness persists. Again thank you for replying. 
  • Meleta1944
    Meleta1944 joanne06674

    Posted

    Is it just your upper body? If so, have you looked into thoracic outlet syndrome?
  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname joanne06674

    Posted

    Hi Joanne

    Typically when an entire side of the body goes wonky, stroke comes to mind...BUT you lack the rest of the symptoms that accompany stroke.

    Pins, needles, tingling, numbness, cold, burning are sensations indicative of neural compression.

    So, am I understanding correctly that the remaining numbness tingling is in the right leg only when sitting?

    Considering the innervation of the legs, perhaps L5 to S1 right nerve root compression OR right sciatic nerve compression.

    The sciatic nerve travels deep in the buttock, passes through a foramen (fancy word for hole), then travels down the back of the thigh. When we sit, our body weight can aggravate the sciatic nerve where it passes through the Greater Sciatic Foramen. When we stand, the pressure is relieved.. do you happen to have arthritis? I ask because arthritis can occur in any bone including your pelvis bone.

    A neurologist should be able to determine the cause.

    kind regards

    judith

    • joanne06674
      joanne06674 ihavenonickname

      Posted

      Judith, 

      Thank you very much for your reply. You are right in saying that the remaining numbness is in my right leg when I sit down, the sitting doesn't need to be for a particulary lengthy period of time it is very quick to onset. Once I stand up or indeed fully lie down the nubness is relieved.

      As far as I am aware I do not have arthritis, I have never been diagnosed as such.

      I will book back in with the doctor and try and get a referal to a neurologist as it is driving me crazy.

      Anthoer qucik question is, if this is a nerve compression as sugguested, how is it treated?

      Thank you so much for taking the time to pass on the vauable advice, it is much appreciated.

    • ihavenonickname
      ihavenonickname joanne06674

      Posted

      Hi Joanne

      Pain in the nerve is a symptom of compression on the nerve....the big question is narrowing down where the compression is. The big hint in your case is that sitting aggravates it and standing relieves it.

      The human body is very exciting to study. You memorize the parts as well as information about the parts. Think of a map of the USA...you memorize the roads, direction relationships, cities, how to get to the hot dog stand...the body is just a great big map. Think that childood song...the thigh bone is connected to the knee bone...

      So treatment depends upon where the compression is and what is causing the compression.

      So, in my case juvenile rheumatoid arthritis has attacked the Greater Sciatic Foramen of the pelvic bone. When my JRA flares the inflammation causes the tissues around the GSF to swell, the swelling makes the "hole" smaller and compresses the sciatic nerve at the foramen. Treatment in this case is to bring the inflammation down.

      Your physician might choose a quick steroid burst, or perhaps an NSAID, or maybe posture correction. ..

      You are so very welcome

      judith

  • joanne06674
    joanne06674

    Posted

    Just as a long awaited update. My MRI came back normal "I am pleased to report the the MRI of your head and spine came back normal"...

    Back to the drawing board as to numbness and tingling.

    Thank you again to those who took the time to read and reply.

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