Left arm is numb - taking Gabapentin

[jmb709]

Hi - my neurologist has recently put me on 2400 mg of Gabapentin per day for severe RLS, along with the .5 mg Mirapex and .5 mg Clonazepam I am already on.  I also had a double bypass about 1 1/2 years ago and am on a lot of different heart meds.  For the past two days I have been experiencing numbness in my left arm and hand.  I called my pharmiscist just now and he says it is a side effect to the Gabapentin but I should get use to it in a few days.  I worry because it is my left arm.  Am I worried for nothing?

[caregiver222]

Numbness is the arm is not generally caused by a transient ischemia attack, except in certain mental institutions in the Galapegos. Also in the Gulag peninsula.

The most common cause of numbness in the arm is a pinched nerve in the cervical region. It is not a "side effect of gabapentin".

That being said, one of the hallmark symptoms of cardiac ischemia is pain in the left arm and shoulder, usually dull, and not positionally relieved.

Your pharmacist should get out of the business of advising patients on the effects of medications. He is working above his pay grade.

Left arm and shoulder pain are always a concern for someone with a cardiac history, but numbness is another descriptive term. It could be to nerve compression when you sleep on the wrong side. It has nothing whatsoever to do with a "transient ischemic attack."

This is the simple method of differential diagnosis:

(1) While you are having the numbness, have someone apply axial traction. If the numbness diminished you have cervical nerve compression. The gabapentin sometimes seems to alter osmolytic pressure which can express itself through compression of the nerves through the spaces in the cervical vertebrae, especially is there is mild spinal stenosis and/or arthritis.

So the first thing I would do is to apply the axial traction test.

If the pain is relieved there are several protocols to follow to eliminate the problem, but an MRI of C1-C4 is indicated.

There is, of course a possibility your numbness is due to a vascular issue, but unlikely.

[mini_d]

Hi,

Gabapentin usually does not cause numbness as a side effect. Numbness is caused by peripheral neuropathy or due to a Transient ischemic attack or evolving stroke. Heart problems usually cause some amount of pain. Please get yourself checked by a neurologist.

Do keep me posted.

Regards