Hi,
As you described, number, tingling, pins and needles point to nerve problem. The first thing the doctor will want to find is looking for risk factors that could make you have stroke such as diabetes, high blood lipid, evaluating kidney function, verifying the body minerals (calcium, sodium and so on). To cut it short, the tests is looking for the possible cause of your condition. Usually, a prolong compression of nerve will cause such a sensation. This compression could be at the level of the shoulder or armpit, at level of spinal cord or could be due to stroke (brain). So another possible exam you might undergo is CT scan. it is important to diagnose for appropriate treatment which will improve your condition- a total reversal of symptoms is achievable is prompt treatment is instituted.
Wish you good health
Dr Rogers

Hello.

The presentation you are suffering from is clearly indicative of a vascular problem. This could have been caused by various conditions like: diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart conditions, vitamin or other dietary deficiencies, certain gastric conditions which prevent the absorption of various nutrients like irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

The list is quite long, but the fact that your presentation is getting progressively worse would require immediate and urgent diagnosis and management.

Blood tests would cover cholesterol-related conditions, diabetes, clotting disorders, etc; but I would also recommend a CT or MRI scan of the brain along with an echocardiography of the heart.

Please do not be alarmed by my recommendations, but all doctors would prefer ruling out the worst first, and then gradually moving to other conditions that could cause such a presentation.

Wishing you a speedy diagnosis and recovery.

Best wishes.