Numbness, Tingling, Lightheadedness, Fear I'm Dying

Question

I have been experiencing some unusual symptoms that are quite worrisome to me and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced these symptoms before. They started about a week after I had my son. I was diagnosed with pregnancy induced hypertension at 36 weeks. After I had my son, my Dr. put me on Meteprolol because my BP never went down!!! So, about a week after I had him I started experiencing some numbness and tingling in my right calf. I called the nurse and expressed my concern (they always warn you of blood clots after you have a baby, so I figured I would check up on it), the nurse said I should not worry that it sounded like it could be a side effect from my epidural. Then tingling and numbness started bothering me in both of my legs, moving all the way from my feet to into my thighs!!! I also started to experience waves of extreme lightheadedness and shortness of breath. When the waves came, they were followed by intense fear that I was going to die!!! I just new that I would not make the next breath. The numbness then also moved into both hands and arms. The numbness and tingling last anywhere from about 10 seconds to about 1 minute and this occurs all throughout the day and night. I can experience the lightheadedness, SOB and fear anywhere from several times a day to every couple of days!! I have been having these symptoms for about 3 months now. I also experience heart palpitations sometimes and chest pains!!! Last Wednesday, I had the symptoms several times that day ,so I decided to go to the ER because I was terrified that something was terribly wrong. I told the ER doctor about my prescription and all my symptoms!!! He did an EKG, blood work and a D-Dimer test. Everything came back normal except for the D-dimer, I had elevated levels!!! So, the Dr. ordered a chest CT scan to check for a PE (blood clot in my lung). That came back fine, so he sent me home!!! He said he did not know what was wrong with me and to follow up with my Dr. So, I immediately called a Dr. friend to ask his opinion, he said it sounded like it could be anxiety!!! I HAVE been under a great deal of stress with caring for two young children, my husband getting a new job, trying to sell our current house, the idea of moving, finances ect..But, I was also wondering if maybe my BP medicine was causing all of this. My symptoms all started after having my son and around the same time I started taking Meteprolol. The ER Dr. told me to quit taking the BP medicine. So, I have been off of it for a week now, could it still be causing me problems? How long des it take for it to get out of my system? I was just wondering if anyone else had any opinions or advice!!! I am really concerned about all of it!!! Thanks

Godsgirl85 · Answer

Thank you for your post!!! I appreciate any advice!!! I will keep you posted on any leads.

Godsgirl85

BKaurMD · Answer

Hello,

Some possibilities for your numbness and tingling are Metoprolol side effects(It can cause cold, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet along with other side effects) , abnormal levels of calcium, potassium, or sodium in your body and a lack of vitamin B12 , result of nerve compression suring surgery or anaesthesia(epidural in your case) , metabolic disorders like diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypoparathyroidism , peripheral vascular disease , carpal tunnel syndrome , transient ischemic attack, motor neurone disease, or autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis or lupus erythematosus.

In your case,possibility of metoprolol side effect and nerve compression due to epidural anaesthesia are high. Get your blood sugar and thyroid hormones levels evaluated. You can take some vit B12 for some days and see if the tingling is gone or not.Pls do not stop metoprolol on your own.Discuss these possibilities with your doctor and ask him to switch to some other antihypertensives if your BP is still high.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.