numbness

[dannyday5821]

for about a month ive had problems with numbness in my hands, upper arms, shoulder and legs - its alternated randomly - sometimes just my hands, or just my feet, or one hand or one leg. its a very strange sensation

recently it seems to be getting worse though - but i honestly dont know if its just paranoia - like at the moment my forehead feels wierd and the area round my mouth and nose - but i know if i thought about it long enough i could convince myself ive stopped breathing!

anyways ive been to the docs afew times - first time they said could be a virus, 2nd asked to do a neurological exam, which basically involved me getting naked infront of the doc!

firstly i was like no frickin way! - now im thinking i should probably go back but i feel really apprehensive about it - ive had some, shall we say, unquie experiences in my life - that as a result ive always been on the defence - and being nakes infront of a doc makes me feel physically sick because i feel defenceless - i know its all psychological and ive never talked to anyone about it before...ever. but then ive never had to. i dont wanna mention it to the docs incase he starts trying to get me to talk about it more - which is never gonna happen.

so i dont know what to do :( the paranoia with this numbness is infact worse than the symptoms i feel scared that one day my chest is gonna go numb and i wont be able to breath (which i know is total rubbish)

anyone else had this problem before or can they suggest anything that i could do myself?

[snags]

Are you in some way physically unique? Getting naked in front of your Doc is no big deal if he/she finds out the problem...

[ummmm]

and being nakes infront of a doc makes me feel physically sick because i feel defenceless.

I understand that feeling. I can't even sleep naked. You might have to bite the bullet though.

[snags]

5 minutes of nakedness is a small price to pay for your piece of mind...

[dannyday5821]

yeah am thinking the same but i think id really rather just forget about it actually. i mean ive had this thing for a month so if it was gonna kill me it wouldve done already.

[ummmm]

And the thought of it is usually much worse than doing it.

[LoftyLottie]

You would seem to be a very anxious person. Anxiety and 'nerves' can trigger all sorts of problems including symptoms like yours. I know because I have been there and spoken at length to my doctor about it!! I have never been asked to 'get naked' by obviously have had medical tests and examinations. You need to go back to the doctor and talk about it more. Ask him/her if your anxious state could be causing these feelings. You may well be hyperventilating because of your stress and anxiety (google it) and this causes physical symptoms.


I may be wrong though. I am not medically trained You need to go back to your doctor and rule out other causes. Also explain how paranoid you feel. I am paranoid about seeing doctors - but my doc and I can laugh and joke about it now.

[snags]

You're in denial. What if the numbness is a symptom of something more serious?

[LoftyLottie]

whoops. Should have said 'but obviously'

[karenmac60]

I have a friend who suffers from panic attacks and quite often they start with her tongue going numb, then she can go numb down one side, to the point she has called me during the night thinking she is having a stroke. The more she worries about it the worse it gets and she often becomes convinced she's dying. Again this is all linked to things from her past. Go see your doctor and have a talk about how you feel, both physically and emotionally. No one is going to force you to talk about things you don't want to and no one will think you're mad. If it is anxiety your doctor can give you tips on how to overcome it - breathing exercises and relaxation techniques for example, and a physical check up can also set your mind at rest that it's not something more serious. It can be a difficult thing to deal with on our own, good luck to you.

[doc_steve]

Try explaining to your GP the problem you have, I'm sure he/she will be quite understanding and has many other patients who feel the same. Ask if he minds doing it in stages, go in shorts and a vest and start at the head, only exposing the areas you need to one area at a time. If you don't feel comfortable because it is a male/female ask to see another doctor or ask a practice nurse/family member to come in with you (if you don't mind stripping in front of them!) You shouldn't have to get fully naked if you don't want to - there is always a solution.

[hollie1586]

i can absolutely sympathise with you on this hun. i have suffered from anxiety for the past few years and believe me, with all the illnesses that i convinced myself i had, i should be 6 foot under lol

i can be absolutely fine for like 3 months then all of a sudden, all the bad and stupid thoughts start creeping back into my mind.
there are times when i get numbness and feelings of if i try to move my limbs they are not going to move etc sounds so stupid but it is so real to you at the time! the mind is a very powerful thing and sometimes it is hard to control it!

you really should try and talk to your doctor as it really does help hun.....i totaly broke down in tears when i went to see my doc and felt a hell of alot better for it afterwards!
are you on any type of medication?