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Suggest Treatment For Numbness In The Body

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Posted on Thu, 25 Aug 2016
Question: My sister is experiencing numbness on the right side of her body...her face, arm, legs. She has been to the doctor with no clear answer. Stroke or XXXXXXX strokes was ruled out by one doctor. Another said it was probably a pinched nerve. Would a pinched nerve cause her face to be numb , too? I am at the end of my rope. She lives with me, we are both in our sixties---she older than I. I am supposed to go out of town for a few days, and now I am afraid to go.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Did she see a neurologist who said NO STROKE?

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your question. Can you give a bit more history and how the symptoms in the sister DEVELOPED? Was it SUDDEN and without warning? Did it come on very slowly, insidiously, and now has just reached an intensity she simply can't tolerate anymore? Which part of her face/head actually feels numb.......you also need to clarify for me because you say "RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY" but then, you specify, "face, arm, and LEGS".....plural on the leg......is the numbness in both legs, but only 1 upper extremity and half the face,,,,,,or more likely is it JUST the right leg?

If she's has the feeling now for more than a day and it's not improving or it comes and goes, gets better, gets worse, etc. Then, I would tend to agree and say it is unlikely to be a stroke and clearly not a TIA...especially if it's been more than a few hours since it began....

A pinched nerve would be LESS LIKELY to cause facial numbness until we are talking about the portion of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE that dips into the UPPER CERVICAL CORD and if somehow that part of the nerve's trajectory somehow is comprised by a compressive pathology. Otherwise, you're absolutely right in noting that facial numbness....especially if in a V1, V2, or V3 area cannot easily be explained by a spinal nerve that becomes pinched....that is strictly trigeminal nerve territory which is ALL BRAINSTEM....except as I mentioned a very small tract of it that dips inthe upper spinal cord and then, comes back up.....

Did they get an MRI of the brain, cervical spine? Are they absolutely sure that she may not have some type of SMALL VESSEL DAMAGE to the LEFT THALAMIC area or alternatively to the RIGHT SPINOTHALAMIC tracts in the spinal cord itself slightly at or above about the C2 cervical spine level?

If she's NOT seen a neurologist for this problem and to get a workup then, that's what I would recommend. Usually, there's a nice big workup to launch with blood, urine, and diagnostic tests...maybe even an EMG/NCV if we want to get fancy....but typically neurologists are the ones best trained and equipped to see these sorts of symptoms and work them up.

If I've satisfactorily addressed your question then, could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback and a 5 STAR rating to our transaction if you feel the response has helped you? Again, many thanks for posing your question.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 18 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dariush Saghafi (52 minutes later)
Sorry, her numbness is all on her right side. I asked her to come down and read your report, and she was just MAD at me I truly don't know if she just hates me or what. She has always been her own person, unless she was asking me for help. I told her you recommended she see a neurologist...just made her mad. Thanks for your help.,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You did your duty as a Lil Sis and I'm sure Big Sis Loves you for it

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for sharing your sister's reaction to the answer to your question.

I guess there's nothing more telling than getting a rise from someone to show you've got their attention! You done well young lady.....and I'm sure your sib needs no convincing of that...deep down she appreciates it....Next step for her to set the example for you. She'll be thinking about things (guaranteed) and I'll betcha we planted a seed which will bear fruit....soon.

You are a dedicated sis and I know she agrees. All the best!

Would you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THE QUERY and putting a little electronic pen to virtual paper using a few fine words of feedback and a 5 STAR rating if you feel Sis's reaction means we done good! :0

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others...or just to let me know when she's seen that neurologist! ;)

This query has utilized a total of 36 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Numbness In The Body

Brief Answer: Did she see a neurologist who said NO STROKE? Detailed Answer: Thank you for your question. Can you give a bit more history and how the symptoms in the sister DEVELOPED? Was it SUDDEN and without warning? Did it come on very slowly, insidiously, and now has just reached an intensity she simply can't tolerate anymore? Which part of her face/head actually feels numb.......you also need to clarify for me because you say "RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY" but then, you specify, "face, arm, and LEGS".....plural on the leg......is the numbness in both legs, but only 1 upper extremity and half the face,,,,,,or more likely is it JUST the right leg? If she's has the feeling now for more than a day and it's not improving or it comes and goes, gets better, gets worse, etc. Then, I would tend to agree and say it is unlikely to be a stroke and clearly not a TIA...especially if it's been more than a few hours since it began.... A pinched nerve would be LESS LIKELY to cause facial numbness until we are talking about the portion of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE that dips into the UPPER CERVICAL CORD and if somehow that part of the nerve's trajectory somehow is comprised by a compressive pathology. Otherwise, you're absolutely right in noting that facial numbness....especially if in a V1, V2, or V3 area cannot easily be explained by a spinal nerve that becomes pinched....that is strictly trigeminal nerve territory which is ALL BRAINSTEM....except as I mentioned a very small tract of it that dips inthe upper spinal cord and then, comes back up..... Did they get an MRI of the brain, cervical spine? Are they absolutely sure that she may not have some type of SMALL VESSEL DAMAGE to the LEFT THALAMIC area or alternatively to the RIGHT SPINOTHALAMIC tracts in the spinal cord itself slightly at or above about the C2 cervical spine level? If she's NOT seen a neurologist for this problem and to get a workup then, that's what I would recommend. Usually, there's a nice big workup to launch with blood, urine, and diagnostic tests...maybe even an EMG/NCV if we want to get fancy....but typically neurologists are the ones best trained and equipped to see these sorts of symptoms and work them up. If I've satisfactorily addressed your question then, could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback and a 5 STAR rating to our transaction if you feel the response has helped you? Again, many thanks for posing your question. Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 18 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.