Numbness, tingling, left side esp hand arm, pinky, weakness - std?? neuro?

I agree. Compression injuries are pretty big right now, with everyone overdoing things (or, perhaps, underdoing things - either can result in sciatica, if you don't get enough movement in your body). If you're a female, see about getting a pelvic or vaginal ultrasound for possible fibroids. They are benign (non-cancerous), but they can press upon the bladder and cause pain in your back and down your leg. This is from experience ;o)

This is strange to find so many posts with similar symptoms. I am 34 year old male living in south Florida who has been on pain medication for 2 years for lower back pain, however numbness started 4-5 weeks ago in left pinky and ring finger only (middle, pointer and thumb are fine on left hand) which is worst waking up and dissipates as day progresses but doesn't go away and is back next morning. There is also slight numbness inside of upper left arm also. My wife does not have same symptoms as noted by other post(s).



I have been diagnosed with degeneration in lower back (L4-L5, L5-S1 according to MRI read by Doctor at Spine Clinic and Spine institute). My pain in lower back has also been diagnosed as hypolordosis (sp?) by chiropracter, fybromyalgia (sp?) by Dr from C.R.I.A. (Center for Rheumatology, Immunology and Arthitis). The only to agree were Spine doctors from different facilitied. The last wanted to replace the discs in my back but it was only recently okayed by FDA in U.S. so I decided to use pain management (medication: oxycodone and hydrocodone) to releave pain while I did various rehabilitation programs. I also started accupuncture twice a week at $75 a session (after a year at chiropracter) a year ago but business I was working at closed and couldn't afford to continue accupuncture as not covered by insurance but they will pay for pain meds which I have been on for two years now.



I am concerned it has something to do with the pain medication. I sit at a computer for most of the day typing and leaning on my left elbow which I thought could contribute. However, it is usually very numb in the morning like I slept on it but it is only those two fingers that are numb while middle, pointer and thumb on left hand are fine. It gets better as days progresses but gets worse if I do lean on elbow for prolonged time or rest arm on knee or desk restricting circulation.



This has only been going on for about a month and thinking could also be from lower back disc degeneration. I am going to ask pain management doctor next appointment his opinion and see regular MD is he has no answers.

why are we all having these symptoms?????

Hello everyone,

I have the same symptoms for about a year now and it is driving me nuts. It started with me waking up and finding my whole arm frozen numb.
I began to have numbness anytime I sat in a weird position. I get the numbness on off every few days.

When this first came on me I ran to the ER because I thought I was having a stroke. The ER did a CT and found I am fine. NOTHING!

Sometimes this makes my breathing feel heavy and like I am not getting enough air. I feel very fatigued so I take ADDERALL and drink tons of coffee to help relieve the tired feeling. Without coffe and Adderall I can't cope with the fatigue.

I work on the computer alot and as soon as I start to work on it my right hand goes very cold, but no numbness. However the other hand will go very numb and my skin has a burning pain sensation which becomes very sensitive to touch and burns when my arm touches something cold.
My neck an shoulder cramp bad and when I turn my head, my neck cracks and feels stiff.

A new symptom that appeared is a wierd tingly electrical feeling in my back on my left side. VERY VERY STRANGE

MY DOCTOR IS BAFFLED!

SO HEAR IS THE FULL LIST
ARM AND PINKY FINGER GO NUMB
MY HEAD AND EAR GO NUMB AS WELL
MY NECK IS VERY CRAMPED AND CRACKS
MY SCALP ALSO GOES NUMB
I AM VERY TIRED ALOT So I OD. ON CAFFINE AND AMPHETIMINES
I ALSO GET VERY DIZZY
I HAVE A HARD TIME CONCENTRATING, THATS WHY I TAKE ADDERALL
I ALSO GET RINGING IN MY EARS

I am 33 yrs old with 3 kids
I do not smoke or drink
I am very healthy except for these strange symptoms



I do not have HIV OR AIDS BECAUSE I WAS TESTED

I did read these symptoms coulod be a severe Vitamin B12 deficiancy
so I am pilling p on all the B vitamins.

Otherwise than that I am going crazy an need advise to why this is happening to me . This is strange that we all have these symptoms with no answers. Something is very wrong here.

My symptoms started in Buffalo,NY and since then we have moved to Florida-
I have been searching the internet for answrs and so many diseases and illnesses have these symptoms yet my Dr cant figure out what is going on.

I drinkat least 6 8oz glasses of wter everyday
and I eat healthy and yet I am feeling horrible


PLEASE POST YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND LETS GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS!
HELP ME NOW some one

I will check this board often to get updates

You all must reply because too many of us are experiencing the same symptoms. We must brainstorm to reach a solution or rather say a explaination. For example, can it be environmental, medication taken; is it only experienced by females? Is it marigrane? what? who? when? where? All my medical exams came back normal and all your exams came back normal. Neurologists are getting rich? Doctors are not educationally hip to these new symptoms.

So, my location Texas: My gender Female: Medication taken doing the time of my numbness N/A; been exposed to mold and New Orleans :-); Let us brainstorm together PLEASE

Suddenly, yesterday (Saturday, May 5), my left pinky and ring finger got numb / tingly and weak. They don't stretch out like the right hand, esp. the pinky.

I drank Friday night, and I wonder if this could be related. Typing on this keyboard, even, is difficult. Buttoning pants or whatever is a task.

Is this the ulnar nerve or what?

My husband has had these same problems. He was dignosed with MS about year and half ago. The doctor told us these symptoms will gradually go away. He has had this problem now since Jan. 2007 and when ever he has to do something strainous the symptoms get worse (pain in leg). My husband says he still hasn't gotten the feeling back in his left leg but is managing to walk. I can tell cause now he limps a little when he walks. He goes back in couple of weeks to see the doctor. Hopefully we will get some answers.

This is so frustrating! I have had these symptoms for over a year now. It all started with what my doctor told me was anxiety!? I am a mother of five, served in our armed forces, very level-headed, hard-working American woman. Anxiety? Are you kidding me? I kept telling my doctor my symptoms and they kept trying to give me Xanax. Let me start with my symptoms...

Left hand, arm, face, tongue, side and leg go numb and tingling.
Left pinky and ring finger have pain and cramping.
Left foot, last two toes do the same.
Mind fog.
Breathing sometimes heavy and stuttering. For example: not smooth on inhale.
Acid reflux. Belching and Gas
Hiatal hernia.
PVC's and PAC's. (Heart Palpitations)

Okay. Starting at the beginning...

February of 2006 I started having what the doctor called "anxiety". They kept trying to push pills and I opted instead for deep breathing exercises. Belching began which resulted in reflux. They told me to drink more water and to eat smaller meals. It only got worse. Then the palpitations started to occur. I saw a heart specialist who said that it was not life threatening. Just annoying. In April of 2006 I awoke one morning to the entire left side of my body moving like in slow motion. I had trouble even speaking. My husband rushed me to the emergency room. CT scan, MRI and bloodwork was all done. This all came back normal! They then sent me to a neurologist. He said that I had mini strokes. Instead of boring you with all the info on that quack, whom I dismissed upon realizing that he didn't have a clue after getting a second and third opinion, I'll go straight from here to the point. Daily numbness began. Pain began. Seeing multiple doctors began.

The doctors cannot seem to figure it out. But I have a theory. Living with this makes one a lot more concerned with figuring it out.

I live in Kentucky and these symptoms are nation wide. I really think it is the water we drink. I received in the mail April of 2006 and March of 2007 a note from my water company stating that numerous forms of bacteria have been found in our water supply. Two weeks later our water was completely shut off for 24 hours. They said they remedied the problem and I don't think they have. I didn't start putting this all together until last month. I kept asking my husband what's wrong with me until my children started experiencing the same symptoms. Then I asked him why aren't you having these symptoms. DUH???? He's a truck driver, over the road, and he refuses to drink water!!! He hates water and says it makes him feel sick!! I remember the reports in Britain how they found trace elements of prescription drugs, like prozac, in the drinking water and it makes me mad to think that the same thing could be happening here.

I thought at first that my hypothesis was crazy! Something in the drinking water? No. But when my daughter, age 12, started having the same problems of numbness, reflux, weakness and palpitations I knew the hypothesis was looking more and more grounded.

My family is trying different types of store bought water to see if the symptoms subside. I have been taking a B vitamin complex and it does help a little. I also have to keep moving, walking and stretching, throughout the day. this seems to help a little as well. I hope that we can all put our heads together and figure this thing out! Please respond with any theories or suggestions that have helped you. Also ask your water company for their yearly report on your drinking water to see if they have had any problems.

Thanks
Jadyn

When I was pregnant 24 years ago, my forefingers went numb and it slowly spread to the other fingers. The numbness quit when I delivered. The symptoms have come back recently. I'm not sure if it happens mostly when I sleep with my arm under my head, but it happens to either arm a few times a week I see a chiropractor about once a month who uses an 'activator' with which he punches certain spots of my spine after feeling to see what might be out of place. It seems to help. Today for the first time I had what felt like an electrical shock going down my arm and lingering several minutes in my left ring finger. Worried about a stroke or something, I took an aspirin. Seem to be fine now. My chiropractic appointment isn't for 2 weeks, but might go see him earlier.

The link to an article below might be helpful.

Disc Tingling/Numbness Weakness Poor reflex
C5 Outer shoulder, upper arm; Deltoid Not distinguishable
C6 Thumb Biceps Biceps
C7 Middle finger Triceps Triceps
C8 Pinky

spineuniverse.com/print.php/article76.html

Hi! I had the same symptoms only one more added. I did have neuropathy in both hands and the cramping and tingling. Neuropathy is a terrible pain to go through and I also had Carpal Tunnel. I had endoscopic surgery on both hands and they are fine now. No more tingling and weakness. That surgey also took away all the burning pain from the neuropathy.



I had to have the nerve test to see if it was CTS. Good luck at the doctor's office and I hope you don't have CTS.

Here is an excellent article that provides an overall picture of why there is tingling, numbness, sense of warmth, etc.

healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/numbness_and_tingling.jsp

Here is a quote from part of the article...

"Sensory nerves supply or innervate particular regions of the body. Determining the distribution of symptoms is an important way to identify the nerves involved. For instance, the median nerve innervates the thumb, the first two fingers, half of the ring finger, and the part of the hand to which they connect. The ulnar nerve innervates the other half of the ring finger, the little finger, and the remainder of the hand. Distribution of symptoms may also aid diagnosis of the underlying disease."

im almost 19 and i have been experiencing this ever since i was little. its always there but the intensity changes at times. sometimes it bothers me but for the most part im fine with it. usually after i start moving around or become active. i guess its nice to know that other people deal with this to. it could be a common thing for people who are right handed sinces that is there weaker side.

Wow I am sorta glad I found this site although it isn't helping solve the mystery at least I see others are having the same problems. Mine started about 6 years ago I had just got laid off from my job and got a mild headache that didn't go away.

A couple weeks later I started getting a bit numb in my face on the left side. Same as the others posting here in my hand it is the pinky and ring finger only. I went to ER but CT and blood test came up with nothing. They figured it was probably stress and sent me home. A year or so later the numbness became more persistent and I went back in. This time I did the full deal.. CT, MRI for brain and neck, that thing where they shock your arm (i forget what its called) anyway all back negative. Doctor decides its either migraine or all in my mind. They send me home again.

Now after getting used to the symptoms coming and going I noticed the past week or so it is getting worse or bothering me more anyway. I feel week in my left side as well as the tingling numb feelings. I now have no insurance so I don't want another trip to ER for nothing. I just don't know what to do. I am trying to tough it out until fall when I will get insurance again from my job but it is becoming unbearable not knowing what the heck is going on. I also seem to get some relief after strenuous activity and sometimes eating a meal. I do drink lots of diet soda so I am going to cut that out totally as someone suggested and will try and get some B12. If I find a solution I will post. It is bothering me so much tonight I cannot sleep so I am searching the internet for others with the problem.

I HAD THE SAME NUMBNESS IN MY LEFT SIDE STARTED IN MY ARM AND DOWN INTO MY LEFT LEG. I WENT TO THREE DOCTORS NONE KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON

THEN I WENT TO THIS GREAT DR AND HE SAID THAT I HAVE GLANDULAR FEVER AND THE NUMBNESS COMES FROM THAT HE GAVE ME SAME HERBAL MEDS TO CLEAN MY GLANDS AND THE NUMBNESS IS GOING AWAY

I found out the reason I, and likely why so many other people posting here, am getting numbness in specifically my LEFT pinky finger and half of my ring finger. It is like when you bang your funny bone but it's almost constant.

It's damage the ulnar nerve which can be cubital tunnel syndrome. I got it in my LEFT fingers because I sit at the computer all day and rest my head on the palm of my left hand putting weight on my left elbow against my wooden desk.


csa.com/discoveryguides/archives/carpal.php

Surgery is an option, but my doctor said it can go away if you stop doing it which is easier said than done as I catch myself all the time. However I did take a break from the computer and was careful not to put weight on it and it dissipaited quite a bit. I'm back at the computer now so it's back again. I'm using a pillow under my elbow when I need to rest my elbow on the desk.

Check out this site for more info:
ehs.unc.edu/workplace_safety/ergonomics/ergo/medical.shtml#cubital

Other causes for numbness can be damage to the radial and median nerve.

Another site is Mayo Clinic at:
mayoclinic.com/health/numbness-in-hands/AN01070

Or just 'google' cubital tunnel, radial nerve, or simply 'numbness in pinky and ring finger funny bone' and a ton of sites will come up.

Hope this helps.

Peace,

E.

P.S. I get it in left hand because I'm right handed so I use it for mouse, etc. wresting my left arm all the time on desk, dinner table, etc. It can happen when arm is bent which is why I wake up with severe numbness in same digits.