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What Causes Body Numbness While Waking Up?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2015
Question: when I woke yestuday half my body was numb I don't have any sagging or slurring of speech yet half my body from head to toe feels like it is asleep

could it have been a stroke or tia since I continue to have total left side numbness 36 hours later but still don't have any weakness sagging or slurring of words
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: XXXXXXX stroke is a possibility, more information needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

By "head to toe", you mean that same side of the face, arm, trunk and leg are numb, or the numbness is felt front the neck and below?

Since there passed 24 hours with a neurologic symptom, it is not a TIA anymore.

It is not always necessary to have sagging of a part of the body and/or speech disorder, in order to be diagnosed with stroke.

There are possible XXXXXXX strokes that may happen by occlusion or hemorrhage into the territory of a small artery that supplies only a small part of brain responsible for collecting and processing only sensitive stimuli ( sensory cortex ), but they happen very rarely.

I see, you use drugs to control diabetes, high blood pressure and depression, so you have the risk factors to develop stroke and/or peripheral neuropathy.

I see also you are using Gabapentin, could you please explain for what about?

Did you had done any imaging studies, blood tests or other tests recently and, if so, could you please share the results?

However, it is possible to be a XXXXXXX stroke, but it also can be related to other conditions such peripheral neuropathy, anxiety and stress disorder.

The cornerstone for finding the exact cause of your symptoms is to have a neurological examination by a Neurologist, and only after that, if indicated by neurologic findings, other tests such head and neck MRI, nerve conduction studies, etc. should be ordered to evaluate further the diagnosis.

Hope you found above mentioned orientations helpful.

Awaiting for more information......,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (27 hours later)
the gabapentin and nortripyline are for the neuropathy in my feet. I have been on them for about 15 years, As for the numbness it is total left sided and continues even my lips and ear. are numb I have not had any bloodwork or MRI done as I have no insurance and no money I just thought it very strange to wake up like this out of the blue

Is it possible to have had a stroke and the continuing left sided numbness isjust residual
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably worsening of neuropathy, small stroke still a possibility.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the clarifications.

In this case, your symptoms could be related to worsening of neuropathy, or drugs you use don't control it sufficiently anymore.

However, since the symptoms appeared out of the blue, a small possibility that they are caused by a small stroke, still exists.

First, you should discuss with your treating Doctor about adjusting doses or changing drugs to control neuropathy.

As I mentioned before, first step to evaluate stroke is a neurologic examination.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4492 Questions

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What Causes Body Numbness While Waking Up?

Brief Answer: XXXXXXX stroke is a possibility, more information needed. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for using HCM. I have read your question and understand your concerns. By "head to toe", you mean that same side of the face, arm, trunk and leg are numb, or the numbness is felt front the neck and below? Since there passed 24 hours with a neurologic symptom, it is not a TIA anymore. It is not always necessary to have sagging of a part of the body and/or speech disorder, in order to be diagnosed with stroke. There are possible XXXXXXX strokes that may happen by occlusion or hemorrhage into the territory of a small artery that supplies only a small part of brain responsible for collecting and processing only sensitive stimuli ( sensory cortex ), but they happen very rarely. I see, you use drugs to control diabetes, high blood pressure and depression, so you have the risk factors to develop stroke and/or peripheral neuropathy. I see also you are using Gabapentin, could you please explain for what about? Did you had done any imaging studies, blood tests or other tests recently and, if so, could you please share the results? However, it is possible to be a XXXXXXX stroke, but it also can be related to other conditions such peripheral neuropathy, anxiety and stress disorder. The cornerstone for finding the exact cause of your symptoms is to have a neurological examination by a Neurologist, and only after that, if indicated by neurologic findings, other tests such head and neck MRI, nerve conduction studies, etc. should be ordered to evaluate further the diagnosis. Hope you found above mentioned orientations helpful. Awaiting for more information......,