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Suggest Remedy For Tingling In Legs And Arms When Suffering From COPD

Posted on Wed, 13 May 2015

Question: My dad has late stages COPD. The last few months he has been having Tingling in his arms and a little in his legs. the last month it has worsened and now he has been in and out of the hosp with no diagnosis of what is going on. The tingling has gone to numbness in the arms, legs , some in his face and it also effects his vision. It comes and goes, isn't there all the time. everyday but not all day. He has had CatScans of his head and they don't show any abnormalities. They say his blood gases are normal. he is using a ventilator, mostly at night.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It could be due to Nerve damage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Greetings from Dr.Divakara.p
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic.

Tingling sensation and numbness is most of the time due to Nerve damage ( Neuropathy ) though other causes are Low calcium levels, Vitamin deficiency, low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels but these are less common compared to Neuropathy.

So first we need to establish that it is due to neuropathy and then we shall do the evaluation of cause of neuropathy.

I need to know since how long this problem of tingling sensation is there?

Any history of Diabetes?
Any past history or presently use of drugs ?

I would advise a test called Nerve conduction study of all 4 limbs . This will tell us if there is any nerve damage or not.

Kindly get the test done and revert back with report and details asked.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)

No History of Diabetes, and no history or present use of drugs. he did have Polio when he was 19 and was left with weakness in his left arm, but lived a pretty normal life as a heavy equipment operator. Also has Essential tremors and had a DBS (deep Brain Stimulater) put in last year. We have contacted Dr's about it and they don't believe the DBS has anything to do with current symptoms.

Thank You I will follow up on your suggestions.

Answered by Dr. Divakara (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not related to DBS.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Thanks for the information.

Yes even I feel there is no relation with your father's symptoms and DBS. I strongly feel this as Neuropathy problem .

Kindly get the Nerve Conduction study of all his limbs and revert back .

Will look forward for your reply.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar