Just wondering if this has happened to any of you....A couple of days ago while doing laundry I got a weird feeling across my shoulders then felt light headed then my arms suddenly got weak, heavy and kinda numb feeling. I got a pain in my back between my shoulder blades. I immediately put my head down and leaned on the laundry table. As soon as I felt able I found a seat and debated trying to use my phone to dial 911. While I was debating the weakness and numbness went away. So I didn't dial. It took a little longer for the pain to go away. Whole thing probably didn't last longer than 5 minutes. Was a scary strange experience. I'm seeing a Dr tomorrow to try to figure out what happened. Was just curious to see if this has happened to any of you and if so what caused it.
I just had a similar experience. Did you find out what happened?
I had x rays, which shows some bone spurs, but not enough to be causing this. I saw the Dr again today and now have to have an MRI. Apparently there is a disease that causes fluid buildup which can put pressure on nerves and cause this. I'll let you know what they find, but it may be a while. Everything moves so slowly when we want quick answers.
I have had similar experiences though usually involving my lower extremities. I have multiple herniated discs and bulging discs and spinal PsA. I have always felt it was something pressing on a nerve. It always resolves itself and with damage is there is bound to be swelling which will resolve on it's own. For me it has been infrequent and always resolved quickly so I do not think it is truly a "pinched nerve" as that sounds like it does not resolve without treatment. My MRIs have shown multiple areas where the spinal nerves could b impinged upon but that does not happen in any long term way: I have very little pain, occasional weakness but it always resolves. I always thought the dizziness was due to the experience, very scary!
Yes, Cissy, please keep me updated. Thank you. Michael, I am having vertigo and am light headed today as well. Today the weather is warm, sun is out, and no rain. I feel worse in warmer weather. So I loved the cool, rainy summer we were having in the South. My rheumy says I am backward, that most people feel worse in cold weather. It could be why I am not doing too well today.
I have had similar issues - even when just brushing my hair (back when I had hair!!!). It has been suggested to me that costochondritis can cause this. Costochondritis is a form of inflammation of the cartilage where your ribs attach to your breastbone. The pain varies. It's often sharp pain, and can radiate. It can be confused with heart pain and can last from hours to weeks. It's also been suggested to me that it could be caused by ankylosing spondylitis (which I also have).
Tirezza - I can't deal with either extreme in weather. Hot weather is horrible and cold weather is horrible. I love Spring and Autumn (in New England!).
Yikes! That’s pretty terrifying! I would have called 911, and then felt really stupid when the EMS arrived.
I agree with Michael (find I’m saying that a lot lately, what can I say? Great minds…). It sounds like something involving a nerve being “grumpy”. I’m glad you were able to see your doctor, and that it hasn’t happened again.
I do have a similar thing that comes and goes in my right hand (how convenient!), but it only involves about half of the hand and lower part of my arm. It’s really weird because I can feel the left half of my middle finger, but not the right. It will go from completely numb to numb and tingly and super weak. I’m not a big fan of it, but I’m also not a big fan of EMGs. Because of that, and it being temporary, I ignore it. It did last quite a while 2 months or so last time. I may be a nurse, but I’m allowed to be in denial too!
Not making light of the situation I watched Eldorado again this weekend. John Waynes problem was as described above.He was gonna get around to getting it fixed (his was caused by being shot by the heroine early in the movie and the bullet was too close to his spine) He of course kept putting it off until he had an attack (each attack was a little worse he embarassingly fell of his horse early in the movie) during the main gun fight towards the end of the movie. It almost turned out badly for him. At he end of the movie he was still gonna get it fixed but of course he had to get healed up from being shot in the leg first.
In any event I'd get it checked out. You never know when you'll be in a gunfight. (Or were you???)
Oh, yes, I should add that I followed up with my primary care doctor to make sure it wasn't an issue with my heart, just to be on the safe side. I'd suggest you at least call your doctor and see what they think. Anything that involves almost calling the paramedics necessitates a call to the doctor!!!
I sometimes get a numb feeling, lately it's my hand. I haven't figured out if anything specific triggers it yet. I think I've only noticed it a few times.
I didn't have the stabbing pain. Just the numbness and the weak feeling. My PC did a full heart work up, including nuclear and stress, due to my family having a history of heart disease. Thankfully, no heart issues at all. I am beginning to think it is a nerve issue.
The first time it happened I had the full emergency room, overnight stay in hospital with full heart workup. They found nothing. That is the reason I hesitated in calling 911. I hope the MRI can tell me what it is and hopefully it will be something that will resolve itself.
Tirezza said:
I didn't have the stabbing pain. Just the numbness and the weak feeling. My PC did a full heart work up, including nuclear and stress, due to my family having a history of heart disease. Thankfully, no heart issues at all. I am beginning to think it is a nerve issue.
what you describe sounds like nerves to me. the Brachial plexus..starts at your neck (C-5,C-6)..goes across both shoulders and down to feed arms, hands. inflammation of surrounding tissue will cause the nerves to become impinged and you will get tinlgey, numb feeling.
The other day I woke up with my arm killing me. (This has happen before got it checked out heart fine) I went to work and then to in laws house. The pain traveled down my arm to my hand and it felt like I had sprained it by the time I got home my hand and arm was swollen worse than normal. I’m guessing I had pinched a nerve or it is a new thing of PsA for me.
LOL no I haven't been in a gun fight. :)
tntlamb said:
Not making light of the situation I watched Eldorado again this weekend. John Waynes problem was as described above.He was gonna get around to getting it fixed (his was caused by being shot by the heroine early in the movie and the bullet was too close to his spine) He of course kept putting it off until he had an attack (each attack was a little worse he embarassingly fell of his horse early in the movie) during the main gun fight towards the end of the movie. It almost turned out badly for him. At he end of the movie he was still gonna get it fixed but of course he had to get healed up from being shot in the leg first.
In any event I'd get it checked out. You never know when you'll be in a gunfight. (Or were you???)
Okay, results of my MRI are in. Apparently I have two small bulges in the discs in my neck. They are pressing on the spinal column. They may be the reason for my arm weakness. Next step is to see a Dr of Physical Medication. Sounds like physical therapy for me.
Thanks for all your support while I was waiting.
Thanks for letting us know. I know from a previous MRI that L4 and L5 are pressing on the nerves in my spine. I have 3 appointments coming up, so I'll be talking to all the Dr.s about the weakness and numbness I have been having between the shoulders blades. I hope PT gets everything all worked for you. :)
PT yes, but the other thing physiatrists do is myleograms. They test for nerve damage not the most pleasant experience. Its pretty unusual for bulging discs to cause permanent damage..... So there is plenty of hope.
Cissy said:
Okay, results of my MRI are in. Apparently I have two small bulges in the discs in my neck. They are pressing on the spinal column. They may be the reason for my arm weakness. Next step is to see a Dr of Physical Medication. Sounds like physical therapy for me.
Thanks for all your support while I was waiting.
So how come my neck hurts worse now that I know I have herniated discs than it did before I knew. Maybe cause I am spending a lot of time trying to sit straight and have good posture. My body is not used to that. lol.
I had two CT-myelograms when I had major back problems in my 20's. Definitely not the most pleasant experience, in particular because I am one of the 10% of people who will have a spinal fluid leak (every time) but also because I had a very unusual but temporary complication. It would not be my first choice to ever have it done again,but it can be valuable diagnostically.
tntlamb said:
PT yes, but the other thing physiatrists do is myleograms. They test for nerve damage not the most pleasant experience. Its pretty unusual for bulging discs to cause permanent damage..... So there is plenty of hope.