Anxiety and Stress Forum - Numbness, tingling of limbs with dizziness

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Q: Numbness, tingling of limbs with dizziness

asked by: DoctorQuestion on December 10th, 2006

For about 2 weeks now I wake up with hardly no use of my left arm. I am unable to make a fist with my left hand and it's slightly painful when I attempt to make a fist. At first I thought maybe I was sleeping on my arm. I don;t think that is the case anymore. I have woken up several times on my back with my left arm just lying to my side.........arm still no feeling, stiff, and almost completely useless. It takes roughly 5 - 10 minutes to be able to make a fist. All day though I feel that I do not get complete use of my left hand. It feels as if I am retaining water and it's swollen/fat. I have also been experiencing numbness, tingling in my left hip and shoulder. ALong with these symptoms I have also experienced some dizziness. Could it be that I may have diabetes, or have had a stroke........or could it be all stress related and/or anxiety. Should I be taking these symptoms very seriously or is it possible that its just nothing??

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 8th, 2007

Anxiety and Stress Answer A1972

According to the symptoms you report (unable to make a fist for 5-10 minutes and pain when waking up in the last 2 weeks; numbness and tingling in left hip and shoulder; dizziness…), it seems that there are few possibilities that might explain the manifestations:
1. You’ve slept on your hand and caused temporary failure of the nerves;
2. You may be experiencing some slight inflammation of the hand’s joints;
3. You may be experiencing a neurological disorder, and
4. You may be experiencing a neurotic disorder called "hysteria" wherein a person thinks that her hand (or any other organ) is paralyzed.
Stroke and diabetes are out of question. Stress and anxiety are also a very possible option. You can go to your primary health provider first and a neurologist, if necessary and suggested.

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