Panic Attacks Forum - Arm Numbness After Eating/drinking

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Q: Arm Numbness After Eating/drinking

asked by: stacy314 on October 30th, 2005

New User

I am 21 years old and have always been in relatively good health. However, recently after a large meal my arms went numb and I became dizzy. I went into the bathroom of the restaurant and thought I was going to pass out. The symptoms were somewhat similar to those of a panic attack, and the numbness remained for most of the evening. There was a point where I thought I needed to go to the emergency room for a heart attack, blood clot, or something similar.

Since that occurence (about a month ago) I often get heavy, numb, sort of warm arms after eating (but without the panic attack feeling of before). It happens about 50% of the time.

Also, for as long as I can remember, I have experienced the same symptoms when I drink any amount of alcohol. After just a few sips -- not nearly enough to feel intoxicated or even "buzzed" -- my arms become heavy and numb. It is the exact feeling I get when I eat.

If anyone has any idea what could be causing this, or has ever experienced anything similar, I would love to hear it. The only thing I can think of is that it may be some sort of blood sugar issue, but i'm really ignorant on the subject.

I also read these could be symptoms of gallbladder trouble, but i've had no real pain.

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Users who thank stacy314 for this post: kimcra

Replies(8)

jackiek

replied on May 1st, 2009

New User

Iget it too....it has been going on for about a year.....also, when i am stressed....can also have abdominal cramping and mild chest discomfort.....i wish it would end!@

hopefullyahypochondriac

replied on June 22nd, 2009

New User

I am a 23 year old experiencing this as well. I have spent the last year panicking silently about this terrible numbness. After a large meal my arms get numb and often times panic ensues. I have been eating smaller meals lately in order to avoid the numbness which lasts most of the evening.
After a night of heavy drinking I experience these same symptoms only much worse. The numbness is much more prominent and lasts 24 hours or more. It is primarily on my left side and on top of the numbness is the troubling weak feeling in my left arm and leg... I convinced myself that I had something wrong with my heart. Then I convinced myself that I was having a stroke. But after having these episodes repeatedly and recovering I realized that this was not the case. Thank God!
After doing a little research I think that it is a blood sugar issue as well but like you I am uneducated on the subject. It is good to know that I am not alone in experiencing these problems but I wish I knew the cause. Another health website suggested that powerade and simple sugar intake could remedy the problem. Honey on toast was suggested. If anyone could shed some light on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

funkii

replied on August 1st, 2009

New User

Just this evening, I left a friend's house early (before dinner) because I was feeling quite nauseous. I knew it was only a matter of time before I was going to vomit and I wanted to get home for all of that. On the way home (on the freeway) I suddenly began to go numb in both arms. They felt heavy and extremely tingley. Then, I became very dizzy and short of breath. I remember thinking that it would be nice to just lie down and go to sleep. I began to sweat and the thought occurred to me that I was maybe having a heart attack. Just then, I felt an uncontrolable urge to vomit, which I did after pulling over to the side of the road. Twice I did this and then began to feel much better; however, I still have the numbness in my arms and am a bit lightheaded now. I am also very nauseous still with diarea. This is strange.

foodmonster

replied on August 20th, 2009

New User

I Am also experiencing this same thing. I am 20 and it's been going on and off for about 2 months. If I eat smaller meals its generally fine but when I eat a larger meal my hands and mouth get numb and usually last 24 hour. I also get chest pains and the same feelings as a panic attack.

Any help on this subject would be appreciated

princesskari418

replied on August 21st, 2009

New User

i am 33 and have been feeling this for about 3 months now...anyone find out what it is???

foodmonster

replied on September 2nd, 2009

New User

anybody have any information at all?

Gata11

replied on September 9th, 2009

New User

Panic

WOW. even though its not a good feeling and it's quite scary it helps a little to know that I'm not alone. I'm still trying to figure out what's going on. Doctors have yet to give me a diagnosis. I just feel like if I knew exactly what it was it would be easier to deal with. I have been getting this everyday now and it's driving me insane. seriously.

wolfsong88

replied on October 5th, 2009

New User

puzzled

I'm 37 and I've only just recently been getting this after I've drank a bit too much the night before. The next day late in the afternoon my arms feel heavy, numb, sort of warm. I find I have to sit down and keep still because if I try to move my arms they spastically twitch. It lasts for about 10 minutes before I'm fine again. It is really scary. I'll have to keep checking to see if anyone knows exactly what this is. I can't seem to find any info online.

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