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Suggest Remedy For Numbness In Toes And Tingling Sensation In Legs
Question: Hi,
For around two weeks, I'm feeling an almost constant strange sensation (a bit like numbness) in my toes - sometimes it goes to the whole feet as well. I also feel I get easier tingling in my legs or arms than before (ie: if i sleep on my arm, the tingling arrives sooner than before).
Exactly two weeks ago, I moved to Shanghai for a new job. These symptoms appeared on the first night I arrived in China (and one day before starting this new job)...Could the numbness come from stress (but I didn't feel stress at all)? Before moving to China, I did a general check-up in my country and the only abnormal thing is that I don't have enough red blood cells compare to white ones...Could that be a factor to this numbness?
I've explained these symptoms to a Chinese pharmacist and he gave me B12 vitamins (Methycobal)...I'm taking it for one week without seeing any difference. Do you think it's the right medicine?
For around two weeks, I'm feeling an almost constant strange sensation (a bit like numbness) in my toes - sometimes it goes to the whole feet as well. I also feel I get easier tingling in my legs or arms than before (ie: if i sleep on my arm, the tingling arrives sooner than before).
Exactly two weeks ago, I moved to Shanghai for a new job. These symptoms appeared on the first night I arrived in China (and one day before starting this new job)...Could the numbness come from stress (but I didn't feel stress at all)? Before moving to China, I did a general check-up in my country and the only abnormal thing is that I don't have enough red blood cells compare to white ones...Could that be a factor to this numbness?
I've explained these symptoms to a Chinese pharmacist and he gave me B12 vitamins (Methycobal)...I'm taking it for one week without seeing any difference. Do you think it's the right medicine?
Brief Answer:
it can be B 12 deficiency but more likely to be stress/ change
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic!
I have gone through your query and can see that you have complaints of tingling and numbness from past two weeks.
According to you there is a temporal relation between your moving to Shanghai and the symptoms but you consciously dont have any stress.
I will like to inform you the most common reasons which can give rise to these symptoms-
1. Yes, B 12 deficiency can give rise to this presentation. In my clinic I prescribe B 12 to many patinets and have seen significant improvement in them. But its advisable to start it after testing the B 12 levels. Many a times they are normal and dont need supplement.
2. Stress- even a happy emotional state/ change can be a stress for the mind. So,even though you are not tensed or worried when you moved to Shanghai but still these symotms can be due to emotional stress.
When this is the reason I try to give etizolam 0.5mg and see if the patinet feels better. If yes,then the cause is most liekly to be stress.
Usually in such cases councelling helps to get rid of symptoms.
3. There can be a neurological reason. But it has a more stable and gradual presentation. I dont think it would develop just in a night suddenly.
So,as far as my clinical knowledge is concerned- the symptoms look like to be due to stress.
However it would be wise to check the blood pressure and sugar levels.
You can discuss the above points with a doctor there or call up your family doctor amd proceed further.
Till now I dont feel there is anything serious cause behind all the symptoms and hopefully you will get well quite soon.
Wish you luck and good health!
Feel free to ask more queries for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
it can be B 12 deficiency but more likely to be stress/ change
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic!
I have gone through your query and can see that you have complaints of tingling and numbness from past two weeks.
According to you there is a temporal relation between your moving to Shanghai and the symptoms but you consciously dont have any stress.
I will like to inform you the most common reasons which can give rise to these symptoms-
1. Yes, B 12 deficiency can give rise to this presentation. In my clinic I prescribe B 12 to many patinets and have seen significant improvement in them. But its advisable to start it after testing the B 12 levels. Many a times they are normal and dont need supplement.
2. Stress- even a happy emotional state/ change can be a stress for the mind. So,even though you are not tensed or worried when you moved to Shanghai but still these symotms can be due to emotional stress.
When this is the reason I try to give etizolam 0.5mg and see if the patinet feels better. If yes,then the cause is most liekly to be stress.
Usually in such cases councelling helps to get rid of symptoms.
3. There can be a neurological reason. But it has a more stable and gradual presentation. I dont think it would develop just in a night suddenly.
So,as far as my clinical knowledge is concerned- the symptoms look like to be due to stress.
However it would be wise to check the blood pressure and sugar levels.
You can discuss the above points with a doctor there or call up your family doctor amd proceed further.
Till now I dont feel there is anything serious cause behind all the symptoms and hopefully you will get well quite soon.
Wish you luck and good health!
Feel free to ask more queries for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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