Numbness in arm and hand?

Question

I have been having trouble with my left hand and arm. First started to feel it in my toes and fingers about two months ago. Now if has moved into my hand as of a few days ago and now into my elbow this morning I have been to the doctor and they haven't told me much I have some blood work pending. She did check my pulse and circulation and its fine.

Forgot my age I am 24...

I should have added that I don't drink, smoke or do any drugs. I haven't fallen or injured myself as far as I know.

Answer 1

There are many possible causes:

Remaining in the same seated or standing position for a long time.
Injuring a nerve supplying the body part where you feel the sensation. If you have a neck injury, for example, you may feel the sensation anywhere along your arm or hand. Similarly, a low back injury can cause sciatica -- a sensation of numbness or tingling down the back of your leg.
Lack of blood supply to the area. For example, plaque buildup from atherosclerosis in the legs can cause pain, numbness, and tingling while walking. (This is called claudication.)
Pressure on the spinal nerves, as from a herniated disk.
Carpal tunnel syndrome. This can cause numbness or tingling in your wrist, fingers, hand, or forearm.
Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, underactive thyroid, multiple sclerosis, seizures, or migraine headaches.
Abnormal levels of calcium, potassium, or sodium in your body.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
Certain medications.
Toxic action on nerves, such as that from lead, alcohol, or tobacco.
Radiation therapy.

Answer 2

You might want to try for a referral to a rheumatologist or neurologist. Sometimes there is nerve-entrapment and they can help you find out where it is. I had a nerve in my wrist and an ulner nerve getting squished at the elbow, causing rather alarming numbess and disfunction. I had spine degeneration casing numbness in my foot/leg. The rheumatolgist figured it out. It is worth getting checked out before the nerve is damaged beyond repair. Nerves don't regenerate, so stopping the damage is a good idea. A stupid suggestion is to watch how you are sleeping. Lay in a neutral position with no 90-degree bends at your joints that can trap the nerves and cause problems. Silly, but helpful. There is a nerve-conduction study that the neurologist or rheumatologist can do to see where the problem is and better help you figure it out. A family doc is not going to be a real big help with this one. This is a referral moment. Make sure you push for treatment and do not allow yourself to be brushed off. Just because they can't figure it out, it doesn't mean another doc won't.

Answer 3

i have numbness in my hands,face and feet too and have had it for 5 years. its scarey isnt it? :(
my brother has MS so, i went to see a neurologist and had an MRI and that wasnt it.( although that was a legitmate concern with numbness issues).
i am still at a loss as to what is causing it. i also have tinnitus.
someone recently suggeted it would be lead poisoning!( i am a painter and have more than likey come into contact with old lead based paint) also,i suppose heavy metal poisoning would be a legitimate possibility, and i do have the old metal dental fillings still intact.
i will tell you that tingeling can be associated with high anxiety and panic... and is caused by shallow breathing...so even THAT is a possibility.
its a hard one....i wish you all the best in discovering the root of your problem ,i hope its something minor and easily addressed.
take care.

Answer 4

It's either Neuropathy or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Go to a Neurologist and he/she will do an EMG on you it's a nerve test which sends small amount of electricity into that area. Not much to worry about, but uncomfortable. If it's Neuropathy don't accept the old school drugs like Neurontin (Gabapentin) Try Lyrica it seems to be working well on most people.

Answer 5

i really don't know what to say. My suggestion is to see a more advanced doctor. The doctor may not be taking you seriously because she is not in that situation. Another thing is to take the appropriate herbs needed to heal you, but you have to ask someone or just research for yourself. Also ask yourself "What did I do before I got this numbness"
I don't have any further information to give because i'm only half your age.
I hope you got some advice from me but if you didn't i'm sorry i wasted your time. hope you feel better.

Answer 6

Have you recently started doing any different activities using your arms? I had a similar problem when I started doing a lot of shoveling. My chiropractor worked wonders. It used to be horrible when i got up in the morning by mid afternoon it would subside but come back when I went to bed. defintiely try a chiropractor since you've already been to an M.D.

Answer 7

A chiropractor or massage therapist would be able to work that out.

Instead of a conventional doctor, go to a homeopath. I've found they are much more in tune to treating the ailment rather than treating the symptom (i.e. medication, surgery, etc.).

If you're unsure as to what a homeopath does, I've provided a link for you --> http://www.homeopathic.org/ You can search for a homeopath in your area by this site as well.

Best of luck! :)

Answer 8

Ask your doctor about Multiple Sclerosis...I've been reading a book recently about a woman who was diagnosed in her 20's with MS and her first symptoms were numbness in her extremities.

Answer 9

Numbness ,in your case, most likely is due to undue pressure on a peripheral nerve. In the arm it is usually due to pressure on the elbow while the elbow is resting on the table and holding the face. It can also occur by resting the elbow on a table while manipulating the keyboard .This is the ulnar nerve compression .

This can occur by a knock on 'the funny bone ' on the inside of the elbow.

This phenomenon affects mostly the 4th &5th fingers. It is most common in people who has lost weight and is due to the absence of fat pads which used to protect the nerve.

Answer 10

hmm, now dont take my word as super medical advice, but maby you have some form of nerve damage, but thats unlikely, have them do some kind of test to see if the blood is reaching your arms and toes. when you get this feeling, if you can, hop on a treadmill or do something that would get really active, like jumping jacks or running. it could also be the blood vesels constricting, are do you smoke or have any other habits?