27 yr old getting nervous

[bakerdozer]

Hello,

I am a 27 year old male.  I have been getting very nervous about some symptoms that I have been experiencing.  I've been walking along and the left side of my body will become weak and droop down (arm, leg, most noticably in the face).  The experence only lasts for a few seconds and goes away.  When I first had these symptoms back in high school, I wasn't too worried.  I just figured it was low blood pressure or something because they seemed to happen most often when I stood up quickly or ran up the stairs without any physical activity before hand.  The experiences have come and gone for the past ~12 years or so, as far as I can remember, but have become more noticable lately.  I also occasionally get these symptoms when I move my foot around and crack my ankle.  My ankle was injured a few years ago and ever since then I've blamed the symptoms on a pinched nerve in my ankle, that I thought may be the problem.  Does anybody have any ideas what might be going on???  My symptoms sound exactly like a stroke or TIA, however they only last a few seconds, not the longer amount of time that I read about people describing.

Overall I am in great health, as I eat relatively well (minus some deserts here or there!), and am very physically active.  I get a physical every year, and besides a low heart rate, reguarly below 50 bpm, everything comes back normal.

Please adivse!!!

Thanks!

[vega1318]

On one hand it may be nothing serious given that you've had the same symptoms since your teenage years without any progression.  On the other hand, these may be serious signs of TIA due to some blockage in your brain arteries.    The most likely possibility, however, in your age and with your history is that you may have complex migraines -- do you get headaches with these symptoms?    Does anyone in your family suffer from migraines?   In some cases, these symptoms do not need to be accompanied by headaches, but it helps the diagnosis if they are.

Just to be on the safe side, you should see a neurologist and describe these symptoms to the best of your ability.   If they are still concerned, they may obtain some brain imaging studies, like an MRI or an MRA.    Try to keep a diary of what you were doing and feeling prior to these episodes before you go to see a neurologist.

[bakerdozer]

Thanks for the info vega1318.  I do get headaches from time to time (maybe once a week or more depending on my activity).  I've always associated my headaches with a bad nights sleep, or stress, or something else not related to anything serious.  I had the understanding that migraines were terribly painful headaches and that was all, which I now understand that migraines can cause multiple problems.  I do not recall ever having a headache at the same time as my symptoms (weakness in left side of body, etc...).  My mother gets migraines, although she has other major problems which might be causing them.

I have begun to keep a diary and I will go in to see my primary.  He should have no problems refering me to a neurologist if I would like to see one.

The idea of complex migraines are far more easy to swollow than blocked arteries!  Do you know of any place where I can find good information on the effects and symptoms of migraines?

Thanks again for the help!

[vega1318]

http://womenshealth.aetna.com/WH/ihtWH/r.W===23/st.48340/t.48425.html

this is pretty good but better yet talk to a headache specialist (a neurologist) about your symptoms.   but first make sure you rule out the more dangerous possibilities.