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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Numbness and Weakness in left hand and feet
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Numbness and Weakness in left hand and feet
by Valerie Stanley, Aug 29, 1999 12:00AM
I am a relatively healthy 46 yr. young female. I'll start from the beginning. About a week ago I started having a deep muscle pain in the balls of my feet with numbness in some of my toes on my left foot. I wear fairly loose shoes, so tight shoes wouldn't be the problem. Then about two days later I started having weakness and numbness in my left hand, I am unable to straighten out my fingers easily, and the numbness seems to be more specific in my ring finger and pinky, although it is in my entire left hand. The pain in the balls of my feet are intermittent and may not be related but it has cut my walking on the treadmill somewhat short. I am very tolerant of pain, but I am concerned a little about this. Also, for about two or three years now I have been unable to grip things in between my thumb and forefinger in both hands as easily and unable to open jars etc. without somebody's assistance(considered this some type of arthritis), so I am now curious if this is somehow related. Any assistance you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Sorry so lengthy. Valerie
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Aug 29, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Valerie:
Sorry about your problems. It may be that your problems are not that related. The problems with the grip that has been going on for a few years sounds like it may be carpel tunnel. If there is pain and/or numbness (pins and needles) in your hands that seem to wake you up at night, difficulty with the thumb and index finger but can also include the middle finger, shaking the hand helps alittle with both pain and numbness, then there is a good chance you have carpel tunnel.
It is difficult to make a comment about the more recent symptoms. The little finger and ring finger numbness sounds more ulner nerve not median nerve (carpel tunnel). I am not sure about the numbness in the ball of your foot.
A good idea would be to see a neurologist. Get a good exam, give him/her a complete medical picture and then go from there. To diagnose over the internet is very difficult, we do alot better seeing and examining. Sorry, I wasn't much help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry about your problems. It may be that your problems are not that related. The problems with the grip that has been going on for a few years sounds like it may be carpel tunnel. If there is pain and/or numbness (pins and needles) in your hands that seem to wake you up at night, difficulty with the thumb and index finger but can also include the middle finger, shaking the hand helps alittle with both pain and numbness, then there is a good chance you have carpel tunnel.
It is difficult to make a comment about the more recent symptoms. The little finger and ring finger numbness sounds more ulner nerve not median nerve (carpel tunnel). I am not sure about the numbness in the ball of your foot.
A good idea would be to see a neurologist. Get a good exam, give him/her a complete medical picture and then go from there. To diagnose over the internet is very difficult, we do alot better seeing and examining. Sorry, I wasn't much help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
The problem with your hands with "pins and needles" might be carpel tunnel. You will need to see your neurologist and verify this. Concerning your lower extremities, without an exam and imaging results I really cannot make an education guess about your condition. Sorry.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Apart from cold fingers and a mild ache this is not causing me much problems, just abit of concern. Does this sound like RSI? If it is RSI, why would it suddenly appear now out of the blue when I have been using computers for years (as I type I can feel my right arm starting to ache abit)
Peace of mind is my main concern!
The fingers involved are not the usual distribution we see in repetitive use injuries. It sounds more ulnar in distribution. I would advise you to see your neurologist and have him/her assess the parasthesias.
CCF Neuro MD
He has no numbness in his hands and the tingling is gone. The only thing he worries about is the strenght in his legs. My husband is a very active, healthy 50 year old. It's only been 5 months since the surgery. Our question is how long will it take to get the strenght back in his legs?
Thank You,
Sarah
You will need to talk to your neurosurgeon as I have no informtion concerning the extent of the surgery.
CCF Neuro MD
numbness is accompanied by other things, such as headaches, eye pain, loss of vision, loss of balance, and loss of strength in
my legs. I am so scared I have MS or a brain tumor. I'm young,
only 22, with a husband and a new baby. I do not want to be sick. But I went to the doctor for blood work and it all came
back fine(ruling diabetes, thyroid problems, and whatever else
it tested for). I see a neurologist next week but I seem to be
getting worse and worse. I'm very scared and want to see the
doctor right away, but do not know if he will think I am being
silly and refuse to see me or not. What do I do?
Sorry to hear about what you are going through, and the rude remarks made by some poster. We do not have any control on what people say, and this sort of illogical and teenager stuff is very inappropriate.
When you see the neurologist, tell him or her the truth. Be sure to have all your symptoms written out so you don't forget them. Try and outline the course of events. Be sure to have a list of all the past significant history, especially in your family (both sides). Things like previous deep vein thrombosis, trouble with menus, early stroke or MI, epilepsy, febrile seizures, etc. There are many other things beside MS that can give the symptoms you describe, especially immediately after child birth.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD