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Post by lenlenlen1 on Oct 24, 2018 16:22:55 GMT
Hey, I’ve got a somewhat silly health question, and I’m interested in everyone’s take. I wouldn’t bother everyone here were it not that I’m alone and it’s late; I’m just wondering if anyone has heard of something like this. In March, I had this weird health scare where one night my face went numb all of a sudden, and it freaked me out (naturally), and I went to the doctor the next day. He ran all kinds of tests, found nothing wrong, sent me to a neurologist. I had tons of MRIs and scans and lots of blood work, mostly because the numbness and tingling had moved to my fingers and toes as well, and everyone wanted to check if it were MS or something. The neurologist looked at everything and said I didn’t have anything (thank goodness). He didn’t have an answer for me, but said maybe it was just related to stress or something. OK. And it gradually went away. The last flare-up was probably July. Now, tonight, about 20 minutes ago, it came back again with a vengeance. It’s numb from my left eye down through the cheek. Has anyone heard of anything like this? Bell’s palsy or something, maybe? I have no idea, and it really does freak me out, especially as I thought it was over. Thank you all in advance. Here's the thing: Just because they didn't find anything doesn't mean you don't have something. CLEARLY you do. And it could get worse. You need to get a 2nd opinion, and a 3rd and 4th, until you figure out what it is. Even if its just stress or something psychosomatic. You need to rule out other possibilities beforehand.
I hate it when doctors just send people away because "they cant find anything". For all you know it could be something serious and they're just dummies. Get to the bottom of it before it gets worse.
I hope its no big deal and that you're ok! Good luck!
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Post by lenlenlen1 on Oct 24, 2018 16:33:55 GMT
As you get older the number of weird things that your body does will increase. You'll have all sorts of mystery weird feelings in various body parts, aches, twitches, etc. Most will be relatively fleeting, although they might periodically recur for a long period of time (and then eventually they'll just fade away and not happen in that particular spot, in that particular way any longer). If I were to go to the doctor for every one of those sorts of things, I'd always be at the doctor's. If woke up in the morning and nothing hurt... ...I'd think I was DEAD ! HAH! Tell me about it!
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Post by Nalkarj on Oct 24, 2018 16:36:45 GMT
Thank you, lenlenlen1. It’s mostly gone away again, except for some residual pressure around the eye, so I’m just thankful it didn’t last for a week again. I’m still going back and forth on whether or not to go to the doctor; I thought I’d just wait it out, as I said yesterday. I don’t want to run to the doc for every little thing, especially with this crappy insurance plan I’ve got. But, while stress can do crazy things, I was surprised when the neurologist just said it was stress and sent me on my way.
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Post by Nora on Oct 24, 2018 20:37:29 GMT
Thank you, lenlenlen1. It’s mostly gone away again, except for some residual pressure around the eye, so I’m just thankful it didn’t last for a week again. I’m still going back and forth on whether or not to go to the doctor; I thought I’d just wait it out, as I said yesterday. I don’t want to run to the doc for every little thing, especially with this crappy insurance plan I’ve got. But, while stress can do crazy things, I was surprised when the neurologist just said it was stress and sent me on my way. reading posts like this Really makes me miss Europe. Where if your face goes numb you dont have to think about being or not being able to go to the doctor. You just go. I hope you go too. Its not a little thing, meaning: it COULD be, and for your sake I hope it is, but it also could be something worth treating and I believe a doctors visit and a second opinion is justified. best of luck.
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Post by Nalkarj on Oct 24, 2018 20:38:54 GMT
Thank you, lenlenlen1 . It’s mostly gone away again, except for some residual pressure around the eye, so I’m just thankful it didn’t last for a week again. I’m still going back and forth on whether or not to go to the doctor; I thought I’d just wait it out, as I said yesterday. I don’t want to run to the doc for every little thing, especially with this crappy insurance plan I’ve got. But, while stress can do crazy things, I was surprised when the neurologist just said it was stress and sent me on my way. reading posts like this Really makes me miss Europe. Where if your face goes numb you dont have to think about being or not being able to go to the doctor. You just go. I hope you go too. Its not a little thing, meaning: it COULD be, and for your sake I hope it is, but it also could be something worth treating and I believe a doctors visit and a second opinion is justified. best of luck. Thanks. Again, it has mostly gone away, which is a good sign. After tons and tons of test with everything coming back negative, the neurologist said that if it were something serious it wouldn’t keep going away like that. It’s just weird.
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Post by bud47 on Oct 24, 2018 20:49:09 GMT
reading posts like this Really makes me miss Europe. Where if your face goes numb you dont have to think about being or not being able to go to the doctor. You just go. I hope you go too. Its not a little thing, meaning: it COULD be, and for your sake I hope it is, but it also could be something worth treating and I believe a doctors visit and a second opinion is justified. best of luck. Thanks. Again, it has mostly gone away, which is a good sign. After tons and tons of test with everything coming back negative, the neurologist said that if it were something serious it wouldn’t keep going away like that. It’s just weird. Do you have a history of migraines? You mentioned pressure around your eyes. I had a migraine years ago and remember my face going numb for a brief period. Just throwing things out there.
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Post by Nalkarj on Oct 24, 2018 20:50:39 GMT
Thanks, bud47. I don’t have a history of migraines, but one of the doctors mentioned that as a possibility. I did notice that it seemed to get a little bit better yesterday when I turned all the lights off, which seems somewhat migraine-y.
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Post by bud47 on Oct 24, 2018 20:55:42 GMT
Thanks, bud47 . I don’t have a history of migraines, but one of the doctors mentioned that as a possibility. I did notice that it seemed to get a little bit better yesterday when I turned all the lights off, which seems somewhat migraine-y. No problem. I remember it freaked me out too when it happened. I thought I was having a stroke. It hasn't happened since, but if it was occurring as frequently as you describe, I would definitely get another opinion. Even if it isn't life threatening, it's bothersome enough that it still affects your quality of life.
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Post by rachelcarson1953 on Oct 25, 2018 16:00:58 GMT
Thanks, bud47 . I don’t have a history of migraines, but one of the doctors mentioned that as a possibility. I did notice that it seemed to get a little bit better yesterday when I turned all the lights off, which seems somewhat migraine-y. Hey, Salzmank, I started getting migraines when I was 50, I'm now 65, and migraines have a real talent for getting weirder as time goes by. Mine is triggered by one or more of these factors: dropping barometric pressure, low blood sugar, stress, anxiety and flashing lights, and manifestations include photophobia, phonophobia, numbness, tingling, nausea and then the excruciating PAIN on the left side of my brain that feels like the never-ending ice cream brain-freeze. Every now-and-again, I get all that but no headache - go figure. Anxiety over what the hell is wrong with you can prolong the agony; isn't that just special? Try OTC headache pills, I use Advil, add caffeine and eat small but frequent meals. I take Benadryl at night; when I went to the ER with a 4 day headache, that was in the 'cocktail', but it also included morphine. Since mine have been verified as migraines, I have rx's for stronger stuff if I need it. Also, my dr. put me on blood pressure meds because one of the side effects is fewer and less intense migraines. And it has helped. Migraines are vascular, and blood pressure is a factor. If your symptoms respond to any of this otc stuff, that's a clue to tell your doctor. Keep a diary of the episodes and what you ate and what meds you took. That will give him more info. I hope you have a good internist that will care enough to help you address these symptoms and not just eliminate the big stuff. Good luck! Edit: I forgot to include pressure behind my left eye, Nalkarj... oh, and then there is the memory loss... just kidding...
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Post by ellynmacg on Oct 26, 2018 6:03:03 GMT
Salzmank, have you been tested for various allergies? I have to admit, I've never heard of food allergies triggering the worrisome symptoms you describe, but anything's possible. Also, have you been sleeping with your face near any of the following: an open window, an air conditioning vent, or a fan? A constant flow of air might cause facial numbness (again, I emphasize "might" because I am no health care professional or anything similar). I can only offer the same advice as so many posters already have done: see as many medical professionals as you can (I know, that's easier said than done on a limited health plan), until you find one who can offer you some solid answers. In the meantime, though,
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Post by Nalkarj on Oct 30, 2018 20:02:25 GMT
My apologies for not responding, rachelcarson1953 and ellynmacg. As I mentioned, it has mostly gone away… I’m still not sure what it is. I noticed that both the first flare-up and this last one happened around 10-11 at night. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it; I wonder if it has to do with fatigue (that’s what my physical therapist thought). Or migraines? Rachel, after the numbness went away, I had a long headache, but I thought that was just because of being dehydrated. I’ve never had a headache while the facial numbness was going on. And I’ve never had the numbness in feet and toes since this past summer—which is, I think, why I was so frightened when the facial numbness returned. Ellyn, I do have a lot of allergies, but nothing to food as far as I know (though my throat does hurt a lot when I eat pineapple or peanuts!). I usually do open my window when I sleep, but it’s not right next to my head. Thank you both so much for your replies and your support.
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Post by Aj_June on Oct 30, 2018 20:07:44 GMT
My apologies for not responding, rachelcarson1953 and ellynmacg . As I mentioned, it has mostly gone away… I’m still not sure what it is. I noticed that both the first flare-up and this last one happened around 10-11 at night. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it; I wonder if it has to do with fatigue (that’s what my physical therapist thought). Or migraines? Rachel, after the numbness went away, I had a long headache, but I thought that was just because of being dehydrated. I’ve never had a headache while the facial numbness was going on. And I’ve never had the numbness in feet and toes since this past summer—which is, I think, why I was so frightened when the facial numbness returned. Ellyn, I do have a lot of allergies, but nothing to food as far as I know (though my throat does hurt a lot when I eat pineapple or peanuts!). I usually do open my window when I sleep, but it’s not right next to my head. Thank you both so much for your replies and your support. I am glad you are feeling better, Salz. I hope it doesn't return ever.
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Post by rachelcarson1953 on Oct 30, 2018 20:17:57 GMT
My apologies for not responding, rachelcarson1953 and ellynmacg . As I mentioned, it has mostly gone away… I’m still not sure what it is. I noticed that both the first flare-up and this last one happened around 10-11 at night. I don’t know if that has anything to do with it; I wonder if it has to do with fatigue (that’s what my physical therapist thought). Or migraines? Rachel, after the numbness went away, I had a long headache, but I thought that was just because of being dehydrated. I’ve never had a headache while the facial numbness was going on. And I’ve never had the numbness in feet and toes since this past summer—which is, I think, why I was so frightened when the facial numbness returned. Ellyn, I do have a lot of allergies, but nothing to food as far as I know (though my throat does hurt a lot when I eat pineapple or peanuts!). I usually do open my window when I sleep, but it’s not right next to my head. Thank you both so much for your replies and your support. Dehydration is another trigger for migraines; I'd forgotten about that. And it depends on what area of the brain is pressed on by the dilated blood vessel - it can cause so many different symptoms. Caffeine is a vaso-constrictor, which is why it's included in migraine OTC meds. Keep an eye on it if it happens again, and document - medicine is an inexact science!
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 3, 2018 18:06:31 GMT
So, sorry to bring this back, but I just noticed something…
The face thing hasn’t come back since, but the hands and feet thing has–actually, I’m having it right now–and I noticed it comes on when I’ve been sitting for a long time, and always on the left side (it sometimes goes to the right side, but it always at least starts on the left side). I don’t know if that’s connected.
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Post by Nora on Dec 3, 2018 20:00:35 GMT
So, sorry to bring this back, but I just noticed something… The face thing hasn’t come back since, but the hands and feet thing has–actually, I’m having it right now–and I noticed it comes on when I’ve been sitting for a long time, and always on the left side (it sometimes goes to the right side, but it always at least starts on the left side). I don’t know if that’s connected. how is your stress level these days?
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 3, 2018 20:01:55 GMT
So, sorry to bring this back, but I just noticed something… The face thing hasn’t come back since, but the hands and feet thing has–actually, I’m having it right now–and I noticed it comes on when I’ve been sitting for a long time, and always on the left side (it sometimes goes to the right side, but it always at least starts on the left side). I don’t know if that’s connected. how is your stress level these days? Well, not great, but it’s just the normal sort of stress that everyone has, I think.
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Post by Nora on Dec 4, 2018 0:37:16 GMT
how is your stress level these days? Well, not great, but it’s just the normal sort of stress that everyone has, I think. i wouldnt be so sure. i mean people often think that maybe what they are going through is on the level of normal (as in common) but maybe its not. and even if it were, it doesnt mean your body takes it as well as it could. especially if its a long term stress. i think since you had your blood tested and an MRI done, and for example MS was ruled out, i would lean toward it being somehow connected to stress or something like that. or vitamins deficiency. how are your magnesium intake levels do you know? also, have you been tested for diabetes and kidney conditions?
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 4, 2018 0:40:01 GMT
Well, not great, but it’s just the normal sort of stress that everyone has, I think. i wouldnt be so sure. i mean people often think that maybe what they are going through is on the level of normal (as in common) but maybe its not. and even if it were, it doesnt mean your body takes it as well as it could. especially if its a long term stress. i think since you had your blood tested and an MRI done, and for example MS was ruled out, i would lean toward it being somehow connected to stress or something like that. but, have you been tested for diabetes?Yes–it runs in the family, so they made it a priority to test me for it. Thanks as always for the support, Nora. It went away a few hours ago and is coming back now, unfortunately.
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Post by Nora on Dec 4, 2018 1:01:39 GMT
i wouldnt be so sure. i mean people often think that maybe what they are going through is on the level of normal (as in common) but maybe its not. and even if it were, it doesnt mean your body takes it as well as it could. especially if its a long term stress. i think since you had your blood tested and an MRI done, and for example MS was ruled out, i would lean toward it being somehow connected to stress or something like that. but, have you been tested for diabetes?Yes–it runs in the family, so they made it a priority to test me for it. Thanks as always for the support, Nora. It went away a few hours ago and is coming back now, unfortunately. sorry to hear that. i myself only experience something like this when i sleep badly or am running low on magnesium. see if upping intake of minerals helps. and what does a massage do, if anything, have you tested that?
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Post by Nalkarj on Dec 4, 2018 1:07:36 GMT
Yes–it runs in the family, so they made it a priority to test me for it. Thanks as always for the support, Nora. It went away a few hours ago and is coming back now, unfortunately. sorry to hear that. i myself only experience something like this when i sleep badly or am running low on magnesium. see if upping intake of minerals helps. and what does a massage do, if anything, have you tested that? Not anything other than my physical therapist does…the “manual manipulation” stuff for my back (I’ve got this condition called kyphosis that I thought was connected at first, but every single doctor and the PT said there couldn’t possibly be a connection). I can try with the magnesium or something. I had bloodwork done several times for this, but the first time, there was something that was low…can’t remember what. The doc said it wouldn’t be connected though. You’re really too kind, Nora, and I don’t mean to bother you with what is probably hypochondria on my part. I just wish it would go away!
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