Sudden Weakness in arms

In the last few months I have been getting a sudden weakness in both arms.  It comes on suddenly and lasts a maximum of 5 minutes.  When it happens I cannot lift anything.  I feel so weak that I have to sit or lie down until it passes.  This week it hit me twice.  Before these 2 incidents, the last time this happened was a month ago and before that was probably another month (2 times in a week).  The sensation is from the shoulders down to my hands.  Any ideas?

Thanks

[dr_simran]

Hello dear,
You should consult a neurologist and get  MRI done as there could be several causes for the muscle weakness such as degenerative spine changes,TIA,stroke,neuropathy,nerve compression etc.Are you  hypertensive?You should monitor his blood pressure levels  regularly You should go for a evaluation and get the diagnosis confirmed.
Best

[SusanBart]

I have also had the same experience in the past 2 months, I am always relieved that it happens when I am able to sit or lie down quickly.   It started when I began taking prevacid, nexium, etc. for reflux and wondered if it had some connection.  I have been told by my doctor there is no relationship that he knows of and to also see a neurologist.  Have you had additional episodes or seen a neurologist? Any additional news?   Susan

[Mern55]

Well, I'll describe my "episodes". The first was about 3 months ago and it really scared me. Recently I have had them several times a week though not as intense as the first. Even right now my arms are feeling a bit weak - too strange.
The first thing that happens is a feeling of heat in my shoulders that rapidly intensifies and spreads across the front of my chest up to my neck. And it then quickly spreads down both arms and suddenly that part of my body gets soooooooo weak. I have to stop whatever I'm doing, it's soooo strange and intense. I almost feel like I'm going to collapse.  My arms stay weak for a few minutes after while I just try to get myself back together. At first I thought it was a random experience but I am now getting concerned. I'll let you know if I get any more info. Does this description seem familiar?  

[Beatles_60_fan]

I can tell you, I don't know what this is, however, I also experience this, please check out my post, ' issues regarding my arms'. Thank you!

[TUNI34]

I have also had an episode similar. Its scarey and last for a few minutes.  Could it be stess?  After my arms start to feel heavy, I instantly feel weak.  My last incident was worse. I was walking up the stairs and my arms felt heavy.  My upper body instantly weakened and I felt like if I did not lower my body I was going to fall anyway.  I thought I was having a stroke. Couldn't move for less than a minute but it felt like a century.

[ardnas16]

I also suffer from the symptoms described.  But mine has been going on for years...comes and goes.  It is getting worse though now.  No rhyme or reason.  Just arms get weak and tingly....have to lie down and pray that it goes away.  It lastes anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes maybe.  I am unemployed and have no medical insurance, so can't go to dr.  Should I be concerned?

[patience248]

I have had the same symptoms---I have had the same symptoms....I will be doing various things, and at different times of the day, suddenly I will start having terrible weakness in my arms - starting in my shoulders, and like a wave, traveling down to my fingertips.  My arms feel like they are lead weights -and are sort of numb. - lasting about 5 minutes - and leaving me fatigued for about 1/2 hour.  It has happened twice for several days, and then not at all for a few days, then back again.  It concerns me that so many people are experiencing the very same symptoms- and no answers.....anyone?

[Dustman52]

Same thing here. had three episodes that scared me.....pain gripping my nack, check and upper arms similar to what is described for heart attack. Went to ER bt ambulance two days ago. Bloodwork, EKG and nuclear stress test were called "picture perfect".
last night was in the yard and tried to rake up grass and could not do it. Weakness in shoulders and arms.

[nicoab]

anyone know what may cause this symptom? my mother is suffering from this.

[telfair210]

  From time to time I get the same weakness in both arms and shoulders. The arms are numb and the hands tingle. My Dr. sent me for tests which included:  EKG, XRAY, ELECTRO CARDIOGRAM, ECHO CARDIOGRAM HEART, NUCLEAR STRESS TEST, 3 MRI'S, ULTRA SOUND CARTIOD ARTERIES, A MRA (CARTIOD ARTERIES), SEVERAL BLOOD DRAWS, AND A HEART MONITOR. The results showed my heart was in great shape. when I get the results from the neuroligst I'll let y'all know. (I am 73 years old)

[Benjia]

2 months ago I was sitting in my supervisors office and thought I was having a heart attack.  I went to the emergency room and did the stress test, ekg, full blood.  Picture perfect like others I have read about.  I had the same thing about 5 years ago, did a halter with no results.  I am 50, in good shape.  For me it feels like lactic acid in the middle of my chest to start with then goes down my arms, both sides, normally last only about 5 minutes.  This time it has been 24 hours with the weekness.  Going to the doctor again tomorrow to dig further.

[TTB4225]

I've had the same symptoms for over a year now. I get an aura that it is going to happen like heat and tingling in my shoulders then pain in my chest and under my ribs and my arms go totally weak like jello. they last about a minute bur my arms are weaker than normal for a few hours. I've had chest two stress tests since and they were both normal. No one seems to know what I am talking about. Sometimes I won't have an episode for 6 months or so. If anyone finds anything out let me know.

TT

[reachatman]

Did anyone find an answer to this puzzling set of symptoms. I have a patient with same problems and I am stumped, even after a million dollar workup

[patient2011]

any luck yet? i experienced the same thing. i'm freaking out. its been 2 weeks now. the neurologist have done EEG test, MRI & CAT SCANS nothing yet.
he also scheduled a tilt table test

[tntcoop]

I love these boards because I can find people with the same symptoms, but it seems as if once they find an answer they don't post. Or maybe there isn't an diagnosis. I have the same problem and it is very frightening.  I get the "aura" where I know it's coming....then the heavyness in the shoulders..seems actually to be the outer arms, almost as if it were the nerve that runs down the outside of the arm... then to my fingers.  I usually collapse..sit down when I know it's coming.  It happened tonight for the first time in a while...it was a bad episode.it is hours later and I can still feel it..that weak shakey (shaky) kinda feeling ... Please, if anyone finds an answer please repost and let us all know. Thanks!

[NMKingFisher]

My experience is somewhat different.

Today for the first time ever, I had the same weakness running down both arms towards my fingers as everyone else. However, my main symptom was pain, and it seemed to originate from my head.

Several hours later I feel exhausted.

Any ideas?

[philotherocker]

I HAVE NO PAIN OR NUMBNESS.  IBEGAN LOSING STRENGTH IN MY RIGHT ARM ABOUTNNN 2 YEARS AGO.  IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS I HAVE LOST THE STRENGTH IN BOTH ARMS.  I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSEDWITH A FORM OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE.  DOCTORS DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS.  I HAD EMG AND IT SHOWED NERVES WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.  WHAT IS IT?  I SOON WILL BE UNABLE TO FEED MYSELF.

[Catherine333]

I have a history of arm & hand numbness and had an MRI 3 years ago that showed some spinal canal stenosis and moderate to severe foraminal stenosis with potential impingement of exiting C-4 and C-6 nerve root... (I guess it's about time I look up what those mean)Still the neurologist thought my problems stemmed from mild carpal tunnel. It's taken me 3 years, but I am going to make someone listen to me, the pain and numbness has gotten so much worse. I have been experiencing the SAME THING as all of you for the past few weeks. It is so freaky and scary when it happens, thank God it goes away! It happened twice the first week and then a few days ago and now, twice already today. My arms suddenly feel very heavy and I cannot grasp anything, and cannot move my hands. I have to put my arms down to my sides and can barely lift them even when I try very hard to do so. It happens to both of my arms and hands at the same time, I think from my elbows down. It feels very heavy, almost paralyzed and somewhat painful. I have a pretty high pain tolerance. What if this happens when we are driving! I'll let you all know what I find out IF I find out anything. I will be going to the Spine Center in my town.  I usually end up waiting to go to the doctor until I cannot stand it and then they dont find anything after a ton of tests and I pay a bunch of co-pays with no answers...Good luck to all.

[BobbieJeanne]

I just had an episode that sounds just like what you described.  Both arms, from the wrists to the shoulders, just felt very odd, like I had been lifting weights, and then they were very weak for about 5 minutes.  then everything went back to normal.  

Have you found out any more about what might have caused that for you?

[ajrfman]

I have had this kind of episode about six times in the last two years. It has been very difficult for me to describe, until I found this website. I had my most recent experience about five days ago. It is a sudden, temporary bilateral weakness in my arms. I had just gotten out of a van, and I could not bend my elbow enough to raise my hand from my side to close the van door. I, too, felt compelled to sit or lie down. It is a very frightening feeling. It is similar to blood pressure cuffs being on both arms, and squeezing too tight.

I was sent to the hospital, and an MRI of my brain and neck was performed to rule out stroke, tumors, and blockages of the carotid artieries.  The neurologist thinks that it is related to my narcolepsy. I have never experienced cataplexy before, but they think these episodes are similar to sleep paralysis. I have have two sleep paralysis episodes in my life, and they were both horrible. Anyway, it seems that I am having these unusual episodes while awake.
I haven't seen any followup posts from the people who had these episodes. I hope they will post again with any news.

[SimonandCharlie]

First had this about this time last year, called an ambulance as I thought I was having a heart attack but after a thorough checkup they could find nothing wrong. All has been fine untill this week, but I have had several attacks over the last couple of days, the last being a few minutes ago.

As I type this my hands are tingling and my arms feel heavy.

It starts in my arms and is quite painful, then it affects the back of my neck on both sides of the spine. After a few minutes the pain goes and I am left with tingling hands for a few hours.

Someone must know what it is, PLEASE.

[MommyMac27]

I have been experiencing similar symptoms. It starts at my shoulders and works its way down my arms. Sometimes I will feel a burning like sensation in my lower abdomen and it is occasionally followed by a BM. Has anyone had these additional symptoms. I am a 27 year old mom with 2 young kiddies and it frightens me that there is something going on in my body that no one can explain. HELP?

[Fabrizia54]

After reading all these commentaries, I was relieved to see that my 79 year old mother is not the only one having these terrible episodes.  Where can we find answers to our questions regarding these attacks?  We have had no luck when dealing with her physician and after having run many tests.  Is there a website or professional that can help us?  I am very worried.

[sharonie]

I have been having a heaviness in both arms that comes on very suddenly.  At first the heaviness starts and goes up to both shoulders.  Then they start to feel slightly numb and tingling.  Several times I feel pressure accross my breasts.  It makes me weak and only lasts for a few minutes and then starts to subside.  This happened last night around 12:00 am as I was getting ready to go to bed.  I have been experiencing these symptoms for several months.  I thought at first I was having a heart attack.  I have had my neck xrayed because my doctor wanted to be sure there was no nerver damage.  I had back surgery this past September.  Doctor sent me to a cardiologist and I had thread mill test, EKG, and an angiogram.  My doctor wanted to do the angiogram because my brother had a heart attack in his fifties.  I had 60% blockage in the middle artery but he did not feel a stint was necessary because he only does stints if there is 70% blockage.  Everything else was fine.  I have had an MRI and blood tests which showed my thyroid medicine was to high and was cut down.  I had an spell like this at a store a couple of months ago and had to ask for a chair so that I could sit down.  I was feeling very weak and thought I might faint.  That was the last time it happend until last night.  I was thinking that this was all over and attributed it to the high thyroid medication.  I want to know what is going on!

[jeff2139]

Ironically, I just had an episode like this and when I went online I immediately found this string.  I was sitting here at work.  had my phone in my hand, txting a friend back and immediately the phone became heavy for both arms.  I was fighting to finish txting.  No real pain, just a little tingling that was symmetrical in both arms up to the shoulders.  kinda of like when you have a leg fall asleep.  I touched my fingers and the feeling was still there.
I have a history of back problems.  I get pain in my lower back.  if I swing an axe, about 3 swings into it, i will be crawling back into the house.  A TENS unit seems to really help with that.  I have neck pain, I've been told i have ladder neck, where there is not as much curve as there should be.  
I'm healthy by normal checkups, work out most days but not seriously heavy, only 32, smoke and drink, just started electronic cigarettes two weeks ago, and on Lexapro for anxiety type of behavior from being ADHD.

[garyloewenthal]

I've had similar episodes, off and on, for about 20 years. I had one today...which is why I'm on the board. Starts in the shoulders...I can feel it coming on...after a few seconds, heads quickly down one or both arms. Weakness and heaviness - and I liked someone's analogy to having a tight cuff on the arm. It lasts a minute or so. Feels like longer! Sometimes it feels like I can "shake it off" by stretching and moving my arms and shoulders, but I'm not sure if I'm really affecting the duration or outcome. It's scary...the symptoms are too much like a stroke. But an MRI showed nothing wrong with the brain, and although I haven't had a full cardiology workup, my basic numbers (cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.) are good, Blood pressure is borderline high, so that's the biggest area of concern. I take a mini-aspirin as "insurance." No numbness or slurred speech, etc, or confusion other than the confusion that messes up your head when you're freaked out. Usually minor after-effects, a bit of heaviness and less than 100% dexterity in the affected ares for a while. I have had osteoarthritis in by back for years, and my gut feelingis that this related. But it's just a guess. I can totally sympathize with everyone else who's had these symptoms! It's very unnerving.

[garyloewenthal]

A couple more observations, in case they're helpful to anyone...This episode happened about an hour ago. The after-effects are slight but definitely there:

- Normally I do great on the neurological (or drunkedness) test where you close your eyes and walk by putting the heel of one foot in front of (and touching) the toe of the other foot. I tried it about 20 minutes ago...not so well. This could all be from secondary symptoms and the generall shook-up-ness, however.

- Weakness in the affected arm is just about gone, but in certain positions I can feel it slightly. You'd never know from looking at me, I can play the piano, type, etc. with no problem. But *I* can feel the difference.

- Another comparison I thought of is if you're lifting something real heavy for a while or have your arm in a precarious position for a long time. Afterward, it's a little "stuck" and/or weak and takes a little time to get back to 100% normal.

[Liser61]

I am 50 years old, work out on a regular basis (twice a week lifting weights which include arm and shoulder workouts), yearly physicals show I am in perfect health, and I only take calcium and vitamin D.  I started having these same symptoms with weakness in my arms and numbness like described by others.  I went to see a chiropractor because I thought it may be a pinched nerve.  He took x-rays which showed the vertabrae in my neck are compressed a little more than normal.  This was the problem.  I am a dental hygienist and sit with my neck tilted looking in a downward position all day long.  He said it was common in people who spend a lot of time sitting in this position...like computer people,secretaries,hygienists,etc.. After a few months of adjustments...no more problems.  Hope this helps!

[vancey800]

I am 35 yrs young and have been experiancing the same as a lot of you guys.  I have have 5/7 of these so called attacks and the worst one being on Sunday when i was lying in bed minding my own business, the pain gripped into my left shoulder and down my arm over which I had absolute no control over, accompanied by s splitting headache going from my left eye to the back of my head, I also could not speak, and had Stroke like features on my face, it lasted around 30 mins before i came back to my normal self> TIA's have been mentioned and am waiting for a MRI scan in a few weeks, the started off quite mild but each one is lasting longer and are getting more frequent. I spent the night in hospital but they didnt really take much interest as I was Getting back to normal after each episode.  Has anyone had an actual diagnosis of what is happening to them or are you all just as clueless as i am?

[cindy763]

Hi, It sure was comforting to know

[cindy763]

Hi, It sure was comforting to know I was not the only one experiencing these weird episodes.  I too, know moments before an episode feeling the warmth in the chest area then the numbness and almost complete paralysis of both arms and hands, lasting anywhere from 1-5 minutes.  I have gone months without an episode or I can have several in one day.  Since there is only a moments warning when an episode is about to come on and it only lasting minutes, I can never have a doctor actually wittness one of these episodes.  I too, have been through tests and so far nothing.  However my question is, What if we all have something in common such as, I have been treated for Myastinia Gravis then about two years after that, I had an episode of Bell's Palsy, about 1 year later this started up.  I guess I was just thinking if anyone else had any of the neurological type diseases such as myastinia or bells, there might be a connection????

[helyanna]

Have you been tested for creatine kinase (Ck) or acetylcholine-receptor antibodies (Ach-R-Abs) or ANCA antibodies? I asked these from my doctors, because I have attacks of neck, and sometimes also left shoulder, weakness or pain and tremor. Doctors have suggested for instance vertebrobasilar artery syndrome, myasthenia gravis, polymyalgia or vasculitis. Ck is for muscle diseases, Ach-R-antibodies for myasthenia gravis and ANCA is for polymyalgia/vasculitis.

I have had an MRI of the neck, and it was found that there was no compression on nerve roots or spinal cord (only some arthrosis of facette joints). I also had an ultrasound of my carotid and vertebral arteries in the neck. They were about normal, but the vertebral arteries were tortuous at their bases.

Cindy763, how is your mg treated. How was it diagnosed? I have had an ENMG of right side muscles in 2009. I had muscle weakness in my legs. In the ENMG, there was nothing else but  slow activation in two muscles.

I think that my symptoms result from my internal medicine diseases or from chronic sinuitis. I feel like my neck muscles were inflammed. I also have dysautonomia.

Has anybody of you got a panick syndrome diagnosis?

[cindy763]

Hi Helyanne, My myastinia started out in 1996 with double vision which came on very slowly for a couple of days and by the third day was severe, after MRI's, EKG's blood tests and CT's they diagnosed a tumor on my thymus.  A Thymectomy was done and within a couple of weeks my vision returned to normal.  I was on the medication Mestinon for 6 months.  All was well until 2005 had the episode with Bell's Palsy after that all was well again until about 2008 when I started getting these episodes of arm numbness/paralysis that lasted about 1-3 minutes and could occur  several times a day or as little as once every few months and now my double vision is back, not as severe as before but it is back.  Doctors put me back on mestinon, no luck, wanted to put me on steriods with no promise of recovery so I declined the steriods, perhaps if the vision gets worse, I'll reconsider and for now they have no answers for my arm episodes.

[helyanna]

Cindy753, I am sorry for you having so severe myasthenia.

I have not had double vision but once I had pixelling of my sight.

[cindy763]

Thank you.

[Husband_of_sufferer]

Are you an idiot! Have you even read these posts?

They have all done what you suggest! They are looking for something concrete to pursue not the same drivel they have gotten from their doctors. If you don't have something useful to say, you should keep quiet.

[Secretdiaries]

I too am suffering the very same symptoms . I am a 49 yr old woman . I have always been in great health and wonderful shape and have never experienced any thing like this before . I personally believe this to be a virus that remains in the body like chicken pox and hits us when we are a little under the weather or have stressed our selves .I particularly notice more episodes when I am cold or have stressed my muscles . I believe in time our bodies will fight it off just going to take some time . Could even be a form of shingles  as it is affecting the nerves , but until then I will be eating properly , taking vitamin supplements  and not sweating the small stuff . Hope all will be well with you all .. Prayers straight up straight away !!!

[ladybhawke]

Mine just happened roughly 15 minutes ago..  It was the first time ever..  I didn't know what was happening, I just know that my arms basically became paralyzed..  I couldn't lift them, and I could feel it was because of my biceps...  I didn't have neck or shoulder problem, but both arms felt extremely heavy, when I tried to lift..  I was sitting eating a snack, and found I couldn't grab the snack with my fingers...  I am fine now with a little soreness in the biceps...  But it's strange and that's why I am searching because I could not use my arms for a good 2 minutes - I couldn't move them..  Also I felt like I was going to pass out and was feeling nauseous..  Luckily I was already sitting down...  I hope someone has an answer soon...  I would hate to have to go through loads of tests, for something that isn't even a concern...

[Marilyn1949caresforothers]

I looked up this post because my arms seemed weak the last several days when I needed to raise them (to get down dishes, etc.)  I do notice that I had been waking up with my arms over my head for a few nights (cause or symptom).  I normally have an excellent back (at 62) but I somehow tweaked it yesterday and now have a pain in my lower back opposite my hip.  I'm going to go to the chiropractor.  I rarely get back pain, but when I do, the chiropractor fixes it immediately.

So perhaps, in addition to all the medical tests, you should try a chiropractor.   Maybe we are out of alignment and pinching nerves.  

[Marilyn1949caresforothers]

I just got back from the chiropractor.  I feel about 40 pounds lighter.  He put my hip back in place.  I walked out of the office without that pain.  I kept babying it thinking it was still there but it is gone.  The weakness in my arms is gone.  For some people, it may just be an alignment issue - nerves getting pinched that shouldn't.  Just sitting here in my computer's office chair - it hurt to this morning, but now it feels fine.  Good luck and God bless.

[Hrachal]

Check to see if it could be fibromyalgia.

[Hrachal]

It may be fibromyalgia. Make an appointment to see a Rheumatologist.

[Frostysmom]

HI, I am a hygienist as well and have been in practice almost 40years. I have recently been experiencing the sudden weakness in both arms that last for about a minute. Once I was sitting very quiet and today I was standing waiting for the dentist to check my patient. I know I have cervical stenosis but it's very scary as to where this is headed.

[tjpmakefield]

I have had this happen several times- exact same as describe by everyone- it happened twice this weekend and my arms are stiull feeling a bit weak- somebody must know about this- the symptoms are too similar in alol of us

[Skip1019]

Man, I have the same thing. I'm a pretty active 61 year-old, have been experiencing neck pain and have been diagnosed with mild rheumatoid arthritis in C 4-5 but lately I've been having the "aura", for lack of a better word, then a wave of tingling numbness across shoulders and down both arms. Lasts maybe 2-3 minutes. I've come to find out that TIA means "anything" transient and explains nothing except "attack". I'm clear on all tests, MRI, blood, etc. You ever find out what this is ???

[shane515]

i been having the same my arms and legs are weak when i lift them stright across but it never got weak where i will colloesp i think it could be because i was running and i caught my body from slamming into the wall with my hands but it last straghit for 2days so far my mom said it could be me sitting in my room all day

[chico9999]

I am a 58 year old male and I get the same feeling of an intense wave of sensation starting at my shoulders and it evenly goes down both my arms making them feel like they weigh about 50 lbs. each. It is so intense that I feel like I want to grit my teeth while it is happening. I can feel it coming on and it last a couple of minutes.. One thing I noticed is that it seems to happen when I am on the computer, and I know my neck could be messed up because it snaps, cracks and pops alot. When I try to sit very straight and keep my neck straight with good posture it does not seem to happen, which would lead me to belive that I am pinching a nerve in my neck. Can't afford to go to the Dr. and get a bunch of high dollar test done so I think I will do some research on some sort of neck thearapy.

[tejavoo77]

I am a 34 year old mom of 3 and I have been feeling these episodes on a daily basis.  I am so thankful to read the experiences of others going through the same thing.  I thought I was having a stroke!  I could not get out of my chair, my father had to lift me up and he prayed for me.  It occurs very often on a daily basis, before it was mixed with dizziness and I was going to the ER every week.  First the nurse said I probably blew my nose too hard that is why I am feeling like that, then another time nothing cause they could not find anything wrong with my tests.  It was happening so much and getting worse I demanded a MRI but they said nothing.  I went to get another opinion from a doctor because not only was I dizzy, vomiting, and my body was feeling so heavy couldnt get out of bed or lift my arms, I was having problems communicating and expressing myself the doctor said it could be expressive aphasia.  Now my doctor said to get an xray of my neck since my MRI was negative that was 2 days ago and the nurse calls me today to say that my doctor wants to follow up with me about my xray results and to do more tests.  I asked the nurse, cant the doctor tell me on the phone whats going on and she said that I need to come in and he needs to tell me in person.  I asked her if it was bad and she said no.  I wish I knew what it was.  I cannot afford to be sick, I have a big family to depend on me.  I pray that everyone here will get an answer and I give a prayer for healing.  I know what you are experiencing and some of you are over 50 years old.  It makes me feel is my body breaking down very early for my age?  I wish everyone the best and always try to get a second opinion.  God Bless.--Susan

[RWCIL]

I have the same symtoms (symptoms) as most here, the sudden onset of burning, weakness and pain.  I too sit at a computer all day long, even well into the evening at times, and I know I have lousy posture.  About 13 years ago, I managed to herinate three discs in the cervical region, which, while not giving me a lot of pain, have resulted in the overdevelopment of neck muscles and a loss of side to side motion of the head and neck.  While I have only had five of these episodes to date, they are not enjoyable.  Unfortunately, the first two were spearated by a year of so, but now I've had three within a two week period.  I think I may try the chiro to see if that helps.  However, between the disc porblems and overly tight neck muscles (caused by the muscles trying to compnesate for the lack of cushion between vertabrae in the spine), I'm fairly certain that it is a momnetary impingement of the spine that causes the espisodes.

[heathermama34]

I am 34yrs old and have had this happening since I was in my early 20's. I have to sit down and hunch or lean forward  to do my hair. Everything I read about these symptoms points to muscle disease. Weakness in my back causes my legs to go numb and weak if I raise both arms above my head and sometimes it happens if I stretch one arm above my head as if to reach for something on a tall shelf.