Aa
Oy, am I a hypochondriac?
I'm in my second year of school on the long road to becoming a pharmacist. I've heard it said that many students of *any*part of the medical field often feel that they actually have or have had some or all of the symptoms of one disease/condition/infection etc... That being said (because I am often given to silly tangents and other class clown-ish tomfoolery), I truly wonder if I may actually be in danger or I'm simply inventing symptoms. It's been a rather strange year....
About a month ago, I had experienced what *I* thought were symptoms of impending stroke. I'm 32 and, yes, I know it's ridiculous to worry about that generally. So I went to the clinic and was assured that I had not had any "mini-strokes" nor was I in any danger of said brain attack-which was my primary concern. I did have tremors in both hands, tachycardia, and a slightly swollen thyroid gland. She suggested that I go get some blood work done.
A little background: I do all sorts of things that require manual dexterity in all aspects of my life(Guitar, console and PC gaming, clutch on the left handlebar of my motorcycle) and have had mild carpal tunnel issues off and on for years. I have had no chest tightness nor angina of any intensity...
Ahem... well, as I was busy preparing for my final and term paper, I put off going and still have yet to. The paper and test were my priority now that I was safe from having a stroke. Things were fine for a while with an occasional symptom mentioned above until the beginning of this week, My left wrist and hand has been going numb when it is engaged in most any activity above the waist. Shaking it or letting it dangle will make the tingling and numbness cease for a bit but it will keep returning. Yesterday, I volunteered to be a test dummy for MA students learning how to use an EKG and, even though we jested about it(my BP was 139/89 if I remember correctly), both printouts read "old inferior infarction" on them. I know the EKG isn't the most reliable thing in the world for that sort of thing and that kind of reading does happen somewhat regularly. Still, it has scared the crap outta me....but I don't want to go rushing back into the doc's office just to be told that I have elevated blood pressure and not much else.
Am I a hypochondriac? Or am I going to re-enacting one of those old Sanford and Son "I'm comin', 'Lizabeth!" scenes with a far more macabre ending? And yeah... I'm not afraid of a little gallows humor, was a Marine after all.Thanks for taking the time to read this.
About a month ago, I had experienced what *I* thought were symptoms of impending stroke. I'm 32 and, yes, I know it's ridiculous to worry about that generally. So I went to the clinic and was assured that I had not had any "mini-strokes" nor was I in any danger of said brain attack-which was my primary concern. I did have tremors in both hands, tachycardia, and a slightly swollen thyroid gland. She suggested that I go get some blood work done.
A little background: I do all sorts of things that require manual dexterity in all aspects of my life(Guitar, console and PC gaming, clutch on the left handlebar of my motorcycle) and have had mild carpal tunnel issues off and on for years. I have had no chest tightness nor angina of any intensity...
Ahem... well, as I was busy preparing for my final and term paper, I put off going and still have yet to. The paper and test were my priority now that I was safe from having a stroke. Things were fine for a while with an occasional symptom mentioned above until the beginning of this week, My left wrist and hand has been going numb when it is engaged in most any activity above the waist. Shaking it or letting it dangle will make the tingling and numbness cease for a bit but it will keep returning. Yesterday, I volunteered to be a test dummy for MA students learning how to use an EKG and, even though we jested about it(my BP was 139/89 if I remember correctly), both printouts read "old inferior infarction" on them. I know the EKG isn't the most reliable thing in the world for that sort of thing and that kind of reading does happen somewhat regularly. Still, it has scared the crap outta me....but I don't want to go rushing back into the doc's office just to be told that I have elevated blood pressure and not much else.
Am I a hypochondriac? Or am I going to re-enacting one of those old Sanford and Son "I'm comin', 'Lizabeth!" scenes with a far more macabre ending? And yeah... I'm not afraid of a little gallows humor, was a Marine after all.Thanks for taking the time to read this.
I am a midwife-to-be so I know that we that work in medicine tend to get psycho-somatic symptoms and I think you can discard that part of your problem. My advice is to go to your practitioner, do a repeat EKG, blood pressure (Your systolic was high and your diastolic was borderline) but you were surrounded by people and that can affect your BP more than you might think...and ask for a referral to a cardiologist. I don't think you are going to have a heart attack or a stroke, but just for peace of mind, get it done so you can go on enjoying life.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The tingling numbness etc that you feel in the arm can be due to pinched cervical spinal nerve too especially if you use computers a lot and read a lot. Please consult a neurologist. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, cervical collars or even surgery. Alternatively you can visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist and learn some exercises which you can do to relieve the compression.
If EKG was showing an old infarct, then you can go for a 12 lead EKG for confirmation. It is difficult to diagnose on net and hence do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined.
Hope this helps. Take care!
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The tingling numbness etc that you feel in the arm can be due to pinched cervical spinal nerve too especially if you use computers a lot and read a lot. Please consult a neurologist. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, cervical collars or even surgery. Alternatively you can visit a chiropractor or a physical therapist and learn some exercises which you can do to relieve the compression.
If EKG was showing an old infarct, then you can go for a 12 lead EKG for confirmation. It is difficult to diagnose on net and hence do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined.
Hope this helps. Take care!
I would deffinately go to your primary care physician for a complete check up. Although they may find nothng wrong (which would be great!) at least you will have peace of mind knowing you are ok. I would be a little concerned that two ekg's came out with the same reading deffinately get that checked. Have them check your neck also for a pinched nerve as this may be a cause of your numbness. Certain levels of the neck I think around C5-7 if a nerve is pinched can cause hand and arm numbness/tingeling. Hope this helps you. Please get checked 'Lizabeth does'nt need to see you yet!
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