Left sided weakness in arm and leg

Question

I am a 34 year old female that has moderate anxiety issues. Currently not on any medications.  Take L-Theanine as a mood calmer as needed, but did not take any until AFTER these symptoms below began.

Last week I had dental work done, crown, and was given 4 shots of novacaine in the upper right side.  After getting the shot, I immediately began shaking uncontrollably for 5-8n minutes.  My heart was racing, but my arms and legs were just shaking.  I finally settled down and the procedure was done.  A plastic resin filling was put in until the crown done.

Since this episode, I have had left sided weakness in my arm and leg.  The weakness comes and goes.  I went to my GP and she had me do some neurological tests in the office like squeezing her hand, pushing against her arm, ect.  Then she sent me for a CT without contrast of the head.  Complete bloodwork was also performed.  All normal....CT, thyroid, kidneys, liver, ect.

It has been a week now and I am still getting this sensation of weakness only in the left arm and leg.  I am very concerned.  

The MD thinks this is ALL stress related and it will pass.  She thought maybe it was a mini stroke, but did not show on the CT.  When I take a mild tranquilizer the symptoms do subside, but I am not sure if that is significant.

Should I be concerned about ALS, MS, Parkinsons?  Could this be a reaction to the novacaine?  The plastic resin filling???  I am considering just having the tooth pulled because I think I might be having a reaction to the material in it.  The dentist said he has never heard of this.

blitt888 · Answer

Don't give up! We are here to help each other and figure out what's going on. I have some of the same symptoms and it has me scared to death so you are not alone. I think we all have to rule things out one by one. In my mind those would be vascular issues, neurological issues or a direct physical nerve issue. My suspicion is that our stress/anxiety response affects our nerves either directly via tight muscles pinching nerves or via chemical changes that impact our neurological system. It's a really good idea to see a massage therapist or physical therapist to see if those treatments are beneficial. If that does nothing then you could rule out that it is anything vascular by going to a cardiologist and doing a treadmill stress test or even better a stress echo-cardiograph to be sure it's not an issue with your heart. You could also have a PAD test which checks blood flow to your limbs. Once that is checked out go see a neurologist. And I would highly recommend seeing a behavioral therapist throughout this process. They are excellent coaches and can give you some really good techniques and tools to chill out. Stress, Anxiety, and Depression are wicked beasts that cause all kinds of physical and metabolic issues so try and do things that take your mind off stressful thoughts and don't forget the power exercise, sunshine, and laughter to combat the beast. I also use a vibrating neck massager and a free app called white noise to completely take my mind off my symptoms. Any break we can get from our symptoms is a blessing.

SwarajK97 · Answer

I am 20 years old i have been experiencing the same weird and week sensation its a feeling like u are abt to get a cramp in ur lef palm and leg bt it doesn't come constant weird week feeling i fear that i have a brain tumor but i m positive that its not that cause d main symptom of brain tumor is persistent headache so i guess i wil ignore it for a while n den visit a doctor for MRI or CT scan.

nimcapri · Answer

Did it ever cross your mind that you could be simply having chronic stress & anxiety? Because all these can mimic the symptoms you're talking about. Cancer etc will show in inflammation markers like CRP or ESR in conjuction with history, all these other tests you've done could have predicted something bad with AT LEAST about 95% accuracy if not more. If they can't explain, then its mostly stress and anxiety such as the worry of death... I am a sufferer many of my symptoms flare up when I think of it. I really wish you well Rich/... its a pity that some of us waste our precious lives worrying about something that MAY or may not happen to us... I really recommend you to travel, read and meditate. Life cannot be controlled all the time.. this is what I do. Living with Health Anxiety for years is probably far worse than death itself... that's my thinking. God bless you. Be well, my friend.

TsugaC · Answer

I am a 32 year old Caucasian female, 5'4', about 115 lbs (normal weight for me).  Found this forum by searching for "left arm and leg pain and weakness".  I've had these strange symptoms on and off since I was about 27-28 - similar to what others have written.  I also suffer from anxiety/depression, and have been on 10mg Lexapro/day since I was about 21 (have been down to 5mg/day for over a year now).  The first time I experienced these symptoms, I had constant headaches (I never usually get headaches), exhaustion, felt achy all over, just felt foggy, and weakness, tingling and pain on my left side - even on the left side of my face, and incredibly swollen and sensitive sinuses.  The doctor I saw at the time thought it was a sinus infection and prescribed me antibiotics, and tested me for Lyme just to be safe.  The Lyme test was negative and the antibiotics didn't seem to help very much.  A few months down the road, I tried a different doctor (osteopathic) who prescribed me sinus meds again.  Things seemed to fade, but in spring of 2012, I had a flare-up of the same symptoms.  My GP did some basic neurological tests in the office - she was able to notice the weakness on my left side - sent me to a neurologist.  He didn't find anything other than maybe a bit of inner-ear stuff.  I also had a CT scan and MRI - neither showed anything that would indicate M.S.  I was tested for Lyme disease 2x - both tests came back negative (though my doctor said they aren't very accurate).  From 2011-2013, I experienced an ebb and flow of these symptoms, which also sometimes were accompanied by intensely itchy hive-like rashes that would last for days (I had never had hives before).  I also developed patches of eczema on both of my arms, where I had never had eczema before in my life.  I thought maybe I had developed a food allergy, or that bodily inflammation brought on by my new adult-onset allergies might be exacerbated by certain foods, and tried eliminating/severely reducing wheat and dairy in my diet.  This did seem to help somewhat.  2014 went by without trouble, but now it is spring again (I live on the east coast of the U.S. in the mid-Atlantic region), and I'm getting  a flare-up of the same kinds of symptoms.  After 4 years, I think I see a pattern that the flare-ups often happen in the spring.  I've also gone back to eating wheat and dairy regularly.  Another strange thing I've noticed since all of this started, is that even when I'm not having a "flare up", if I experience a strong rush of anxiety, or am very stressed, my left pinky will ache.  I don't know what all of the connections are, but these are some of the things I've considered:  1) Generic Lexapro came out (and I was switched over to it) about the same time as all of these symptoms began 2) I was working outdoors at a garden at the time these symptoms began in a high deer tick/Lyme disease area - many other employees have tested positive for Lyme disease after having similar symptoms 3) I seem to have developed adult-onset seasonal allergies and other sensitivities at the same time these symptoms began (I lived, played, and worked outside my whole life - often as my day-to-day job - constantly in contact with poison ivy, pollen, leaf mold, and had never experienced an allergic reaction to any.  All of a sudden, I was experiencing respiratory reactions to pollen and leaf mold, and skin reactions to poison ivy).  Maybe this could all be environmental allergies?? 4) I changed jobs and housing around the same time as these symptoms first began.
I don't consider myself to be a person who makes a big deal about small health concerns, or obsesses about physical maladies, but these strange symptoms have me stumped, and the fact that they seem to disappear and reappear with something of a pattern makes me want to get to the bottom of things.  I think by putting my experience out there (as others on this forum have done) we might be able to start to see some general patterns, and make some connections.  I hope this can help!

richtastic · Answer

Hi.  I am a 31 year old male.  I am 5'9 and definitely overweight.  I too have been struggling with a weak sensation on my left arm and leg. I can move them just fine but it's just this weird sensation.  Every once in a while, I notice pain.  I've been to the er multiple times.  I've had ct scan and mri of head.  Was normal.  I have had endoscopy, normal.  Book work revealed slightly elevated cpk but that came down so normal. Although recent book work shows is up again. I am completely stressed out.  I've lost my job because of all these symptoms I've been having. I feel like I'm dying. Maybe cancer?  Maybe als? Docs have assured me it's not and they notice no weakness when they do there exams.  Is it my diet?  Maybe toxins?  Allergies?  I am not experiencing stomach pain or nausea but i have had stomach problems.  I am just so scared, I don't go out, can't enjoy myself.  Honestly thinking like this is the end. Suicide has crossed my mind.  I just don't know what else to do. I'm very alone and frightened.

Jodi7 · Answer

I also have had all this going on. I have suffered from Anxiety for over 20 year on and off meds etc. I am currently off medication for over a year trying to go it the "natural way". I took Lexapro for 7 years annd since I got off of it I have had a whole new gammet of symptoms that I have been so scared about. I have had MRI's,  blood tests x-rays etc all to come back normal except for some degenerative disc disease in my neck. I have been convinced I have MS, Lyme disease, mercury poison from fillings, allergic reactions from lotions etcc. the list goes on. I am now thinking all the chemicals that are in foods lotions etc are making me sick....
Im telling you I am just exhauseted from all this worrying. 
I feel I am in constant anxiety for one thing or the other. I have with drawn from socializing because I just dont feel myself. I dont want to be labled depressed but because of how I phsicaly feel I am depressed. 
I am 43 year old female with two healthy children and feel like crap. Since I went off the meds my equilibrium feels off, I get this pressure feeling in the left side of my face that comes and goes, I have muscle weakness in my legs but mosre so in my left arm.I feel I cant connect my thoughts well, I am breaking out like Im a teenager around my neck and I get all sorts of headaches. I have been through te battery of test except  spinal tap. 
SO, here is my approach with all this right now. I have schedualed to meet regulary with a therapist to do cognative behavioral therapy and try to work through this. If I cant... I am going to surrender and go back on lexapro. I cant live like this and I feel like I am in a viscious cirlce. I cant handle feeling bad all the time. 
I want to thank you all for posting your stories because reading them made me realize I am not alone.... I have never heard anyone else going through the same as I and maybe the docs are right and it is stress and anxiety. 
I hope everyone finds peace and can enjoy their lives to the fullest.

miri279 · Answer

Ive had a lot of this and other neuro problems because of the swine flu vaccine. I am a young nursing student and I cant even concentrate now. It's only been 4 days and am afraid of what the future holds. Hope this helps

nomikhan · Answer

i have  same symptoms of left hand and arm down to leg.make to hospital and i was feeling i will have stroke.i survived and was told that i was going to have panic stroke or somthing like that.i am on medication for lost 4 weeks but i dont see any improvement.i am 44.

Kazza44 · Answer

PS from Kazza - if in doubt get an MRI or CT to check your brain i clear

Kazza44 · Answer

I had symptoms of weak left hand/arm and leg with a little numbness, took myself to the hospital and they found a large tumefactive lesion on my brain possibly linked to an MS condition.  I was stressed alot around that time but they cant pin point what caused it.  I am only 35.  Its been good till now but i have just had a virus and am worried it is coming back.

oscarsshorty04 · Answer

Hey WOW I wish i could have read your story when i was having the same problem .... I also suffer from anxiety and I had gotten into an argument one day with my husband heavy screaming and that sort when suddlenly i felt the weakness in the left side of my body from the head down it scared me so bad i was sure that i was having a stroke .... I went to the doctor and she preformed the in office examination's on me as well as squeezing her hand pushing against her hand with my foot etc . etc . But that only convinced me and eased my mind for a couple of day's and then boom right back to " OMG IM HAVING A STROKE " But i kept calling my dr . and she kept reassuring me that i am to young to have a stroke im only 22 i dont have high blood pressure or smoke so sadly to say it went on for 2 months and then went away .... I think i was thinking it up bigger than it actually was you know how our mind's can play trick's on us ..... But yeah it went away .... It was very scarey but my doctor say's it's just ANXIETY .... I hope this help's .... Best of Luck ....

Left sided weakness in arm and leg

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