I am eighteen and last night the left side of my neck (and the back of my tongue) went numb. It felt like a thick sort of paralysis, and though I was able to move, both lifting my head and swallowing was very hard. I kept checking my tongue wasn't swelling (that was how thick it felt) and put myself in the recovery position for much-needed sleep (I haven't slept properly in days, and last night I was so exhausted - I believe I have chronic insomnia, as it's common for me to have little to no sleep for up to 4 days and then crash). I don't have any true allergies, only intolerances. Soy is one, and last night ate food with tofu in it (though not the tofu itself, and the usual reaction is a sore stomach). I was leaning on my left side for a little while before this happened, and have not experienced it before. It is still present, though not nearly as bad as last night - more merely like I slept in the wrong position and blood is sluggish to the area. I was momentarily worried I may be struggling with a minor stroke because of the numbness and that it was localised on the left side. However, below my neck seems fine, I had a headache only at a localised point above my ear directly before discovering the numbness, and I am, of course, eighteen. I believe it may be something to do with a neck muscle or a nerve that's been upset somehow.