Left side of Body Numb

2 1/2 weeks ago I started to have numbness in my left finger finger, by the end of the day my pinky, ring, middle finger up my arm, elbow and left shoulder had a slight numbness. Not tingling but numb to touch only. Within two days my left side was numb as well.. Scalp, face, neck, back, chest, stomach, hip, pelvic, leg, ankle. Again this is only the left side.. Within the past year I have had vertigo and ringing of the ears.. Test show nothing and were all inconclusive. MRI of the brain - nothing.. Right eye became droopy (tposis) a year ago... nothing to indicate why -- unexplained tissue damages... vertigo and ringing went away 7 months ago and now this.. I can't help but to think it's all related.. No weakness in my limbs... Had my thyroid completely removed March 06, take .0125 snythroid daily.  Some signs of hypo but that is a on going battle with NO thyroid.. Please help! just frustrated and the MRI's are getting too $$$

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

One-sided numbness of the body face, arm, and leg is most commonly due to a problem in the brain (as opposed to other areas of the central nervous system such as the spinal cord or peripheral nerves). Many possibilities exist, and depend somewhat on your age, your risk factors, and the nature of your symptoms (whether or not the numbness started suddenly or gradually, whether it is a complete loss of sensation or a tingling, whether it is an objective finding on examination or it is only a feeling that you have etc)

The most concerning cause of numbness on one side of the body is a stroke. Please understand I am not trying to imply you have a stroke, but only that this is one possibility. Strokes occur predominantly in people with risk factors: smokers, high cholesterol, diabetics, hypertensives, and people over the age of 55. However, they can occur in any age. If your numbness was due to a stroke, it would start somewhat suddenly (over minutes) and would likely persist without significant improvement.

Other potential causes include multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, a vascular malformation and others. Transient one-sided body numbness (lasting for example for minutes up to 30 minutes then resolving) could be due to a migraine (the aura of migraine, in which case following the numbness, a headache occurs) or seizures.

You would benefit from evaluation by a neurologist. Depending on your history and physical examination, he/she may choose to order an MRI of the brain, which would be able to assess for several of the disorders discussed above; since it sounds like your one-sided body numbness started after your previous MRI was done, a repeat MRI may be indicated.  

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[Lauri27]

I also have been experiencing numbness on one side of my body.  I am a 33 year old nursing mother with an 8 month old baby.  It started two days ago when I stubbed my toe and my foot went numb.  By the next morning I realized my entire left side of my body was numb, including my scalp, face, ear, neck, chest, arm, back, but, leg and foot!  I went to ER but they sent me home as I have no other symptoms and no risk factors for stroke.  It is still numb and it has now been 48 hours.  I'm worried I'm going to drop dead any minute!  Should I be?  Should I go back to the ER and demand and MRI?

[sophsssss]

i am experiencing very occasionally blurred vision only lasting a few seconds. its not so much a loss of vision or a film over my eyes but has the same same kind of feeling if you have something in your eye. and give it a rub to try get rid of it, its more of a slight pressure. it hasnt happened a lot but i only started noticing a month or two ago. i get worried about the slightest things so its driving me crazy thinking it could be something or nothing. any suggestions? sophie, 22

[rghoyle]

Thanks so much, Yes that was the first possible dx they were going to give. I had two more MRI's of the brain and now lesions on the left and right side appear. (within 6 months) So SVD was the possible conern for the doctor but then a week later I developed L'Hermittes. Had a MRI of the neck and a lesion on C5 appeared.. SVD on back burnner and now MS Front and running.. waiting on Spinal Tap now. Already on steriods as I am developing symptoms fast. I work for a neuro so that is a Major Blessing!!!!!!! Thanks for the advice , Good luck to you at Cleveland Great Place!

Sophsssss - Please go to the eye doctor, it sounds as tho your eyes are "tired" which means: as our eyes change they can become blurry at times, or see floaters, light flashes etc..

Lauri - Yes go to a Neuro if your still having numbness... If it was on the top or bottom I might even have pushed it off as a pinched nerve but as you see with me.. go get tested, spend the money! Good luck!