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What Causes Numbness In Left Side Of Back Progressing To Arms And Leg?
Question: I've got numbness on my left side, starting from my neck down, but it's not completely numb...I still have some feeling but it's not quite the same as my right side. It started with the left side of my back and it stayed that way for a couple weeks, and now it feels like it's progressing to my arms and leg. Is it worth getting checked on at this point and what do you think the cause might be?
Brief Answer:
More information needed about your symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The cause of your numbness may be related to different conditions.
These include peripheral neuropathy, cervical herniated disc disease, or just anxiety.
There is need for additional information about your symptoms such:
- is there any pain felt in your limbs, besides numbness?
- any stressful situation recently?
- any drugs used?
- previous health problems?
- are there positions or activities that relieve/ worsen your symptoms?
If you like to share more information, I could narrow possible diagnoses and could suggest the appropriate imaging studies.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Best regards.
More information needed about your symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The cause of your numbness may be related to different conditions.
These include peripheral neuropathy, cervical herniated disc disease, or just anxiety.
There is need for additional information about your symptoms such:
- is there any pain felt in your limbs, besides numbness?
- any stressful situation recently?
- any drugs used?
- previous health problems?
- are there positions or activities that relieve/ worsen your symptoms?
If you like to share more information, I could narrow possible diagnoses and could suggest the appropriate imaging studies.
Hope this helps. I remain at your disposal for further questions and clarifications.
Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Hey,
There's never really any pain, I do often have a weird feeling in my neck that I really can't describe. I'm a pretty easy going guy and don't stress about much, so I'm pretty certain it wouldn't be stress related. Here's the answer to your questions:
is there any pain felt in your limbs, besides numbness? No pain and no loss of usage. I can still do anything I want or need to, it just feels significantly different between my left and right side.
- any stressful situation recently? Not really.
- any drugs used? I don't take any prescriptions. However, I recently started a weight management program called THRIVE which is for weight management (my weight is 240). It should be noted the numbness in my back began long before I started the program.
- previous health problems? ITP in 2011. The illness was a result of an allergic reaction to sulfer products. It was a one time deal, not chronic.
- are there positions or activities that relieve/ worsen your symptoms? The numbness in my left arm and leg started yesterday. Again, I haven't completely lost feeling, but I can tell a big difference, and the funny feeling in my neck. No pain yet.
I will add (it may be related or may not). When I lay down facing the floor on my stomach, there is something that feels like it presses on my ribs and causes me to change positions. It's been like that for quite some time. Doubt it may be related, but worth mentioning.
There's never really any pain, I do often have a weird feeling in my neck that I really can't describe. I'm a pretty easy going guy and don't stress about much, so I'm pretty certain it wouldn't be stress related. Here's the answer to your questions:
is there any pain felt in your limbs, besides numbness? No pain and no loss of usage. I can still do anything I want or need to, it just feels significantly different between my left and right side.
- any stressful situation recently? Not really.
- any drugs used? I don't take any prescriptions. However, I recently started a weight management program called THRIVE which is for weight management (my weight is 240). It should be noted the numbness in my back began long before I started the program.
- previous health problems? ITP in 2011. The illness was a result of an allergic reaction to sulfer products. It was a one time deal, not chronic.
- are there positions or activities that relieve/ worsen your symptoms? The numbness in my left arm and leg started yesterday. Again, I haven't completely lost feeling, but I can tell a big difference, and the funny feeling in my neck. No pain yet.
I will add (it may be related or may not). When I lay down facing the floor on my stomach, there is something that feels like it presses on my ribs and causes me to change positions. It's been like that for quite some time. Doubt it may be related, but worth mentioning.
Brief Answer:
Since no other symptoms, there's no need to worry about.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.
Don't worry about my questions, I just needed to clarify something about your symptoms.
In my opinion, your symptoms are most probably related to cervical spine condition in its first stages ( disc herniation, degenative spine disease).
Another possibility as cause of your symptoms may be previous blood flow differences between two sides of your limbs worsened by use of THRIVE that contains caffeine among other ingredients.
There is need for a medical evaluation by your primary care Doctor about numbness distribution, does it have a nerve distribution pattern, or a vascular distribution pattern?
Since there are no other symptoms, you have nothing to worry about, in my opinion, a medical evaluation is sufficient in your case.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Since no other symptoms, there's no need to worry about.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.
Don't worry about my questions, I just needed to clarify something about your symptoms.
In my opinion, your symptoms are most probably related to cervical spine condition in its first stages ( disc herniation, degenative spine disease).
Another possibility as cause of your symptoms may be previous blood flow differences between two sides of your limbs worsened by use of THRIVE that contains caffeine among other ingredients.
There is need for a medical evaluation by your primary care Doctor about numbness distribution, does it have a nerve distribution pattern, or a vascular distribution pattern?
Since there are no other symptoms, you have nothing to worry about, in my opinion, a medical evaluation is sufficient in your case.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I did visit my primary care physician on Wednesday, and she thought it has something to do with the brain since the numbness went beyond my back and into my left arm and leg. She recommended I have a CT (with contrast) done to check for brain tumors, etc.
Against my will (and the request of my wife), I went to the emergency room in Valdosta, Ga. on Wednesday night and they did a CT scan on my head and upper chest, and said there was nothing alarming or that stood out to him (that was preliminary results). I have heard nothing official yet, so I'm assuming everything is ok. I was asked to follow up with a neurologist, however, I do not have insurance.
My wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 Glioblastoma brain cancer in 2011, and the symptom of numbness was one of her first signs of the cancer, so it was very alarming to her. Cancer and strokes do run in my family, so I was very concerned about the possibility of the two.
As I previously stated, the back numbness is a constant, but the numbness in my limbs come and go. If it is degenative spine disease or herniated disc, what should I expect in the future regarding symptoms and treatment?
Thanks for your time!
Against my will (and the request of my wife), I went to the emergency room in Valdosta, Ga. on Wednesday night and they did a CT scan on my head and upper chest, and said there was nothing alarming or that stood out to him (that was preliminary results). I have heard nothing official yet, so I'm assuming everything is ok. I was asked to follow up with a neurologist, however, I do not have insurance.
My wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 Glioblastoma brain cancer in 2011, and the symptom of numbness was one of her first signs of the cancer, so it was very alarming to her. Cancer and strokes do run in my family, so I was very concerned about the possibility of the two.
As I previously stated, the back numbness is a constant, but the numbness in my limbs come and go. If it is degenative spine disease or herniated disc, what should I expect in the future regarding symptoms and treatment?
Thanks for your time!
Brief Answer:
Don't worry about tumors.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Your wife's brain tumor is not related to you, because there is no heritage.
It is not a Glioblastoma, because life expectancy after Glioblastoma diagnosis is about 1.5 years with adequate treatment (surgery, CHT and RT). Maybe it is a high grade glioma.
Since there are no lesions found in head CT scan, you have nothing to worry about.
( I didn't recommend to have a Head CT scan done ).
In my opinion, your symptoms are related to anxiety a about your wife's condition.
To exclude the previous mentioned possibilities about symptoms ( degenative spine disease, herniated disc disease ) a vertebral column MRI is necessary.
Degenative spine disease and herniated disc disease symptoms worsen as the time passes.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Don't worry about tumors.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Your wife's brain tumor is not related to you, because there is no heritage.
It is not a Glioblastoma, because life expectancy after Glioblastoma diagnosis is about 1.5 years with adequate treatment (surgery, CHT and RT). Maybe it is a high grade glioma.
Since there are no lesions found in head CT scan, you have nothing to worry about.
( I didn't recommend to have a Head CT scan done ).
In my opinion, your symptoms are related to anxiety a about your wife's condition.
To exclude the previous mentioned possibilities about symptoms ( degenative spine disease, herniated disc disease ) a vertebral column MRI is necessary.
Degenative spine disease and herniated disc disease symptoms worsen as the time passes.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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