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What Causes Numbness In The Body While Experiencing Anxiety?
Question: Hello,
I have been having what I would describe as single pin prick in various parts of my body. They are completely un expected,and fade away after a few seconds. They mostly occur in my feet but have happened in my hands, arms, face, and rest of body. It doesn't feel like "pins and needles" and there isn't numbness. This occurs roughly 50 times a day and isn't as worrisome as it is annoying. I do wonder if this could be part of some condition and I do suffer from anxiety though am not on medication for it. When I sleep I have noticed my arms and hands sometimes fall asleep or sometimes just my pinky/ring finger. When I move the feeling comes back into them. I'm a 33 years old male, 180lbs, 6 feet tall, and run 8-10 miles a week with a relatively healthy diet. . I do take 20mg of lisinopril for high blood pressure which has gotten it under control.
I have been having what I would describe as single pin prick in various parts of my body. They are completely un expected,and fade away after a few seconds. They mostly occur in my feet but have happened in my hands, arms, face, and rest of body. It doesn't feel like "pins and needles" and there isn't numbness. This occurs roughly 50 times a day and isn't as worrisome as it is annoying. I do wonder if this could be part of some condition and I do suffer from anxiety though am not on medication for it. When I sleep I have noticed my arms and hands sometimes fall asleep or sometimes just my pinky/ring finger. When I move the feeling comes back into them. I'm a 33 years old male, 180lbs, 6 feet tall, and run 8-10 miles a week with a relatively healthy diet. . I do take 20mg of lisinopril for high blood pressure which has gotten it under control.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety very likely is the cause but some examinations recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
There are a few possible conditions to be considered as the cause of your symptoms.
It is very likely that this might be due to anxiety, on the other hand it is advisable to do some examinations to rule out other medical conditions.
Some tests like CBC, TSH and other general tests like glucose, lipids, kidney (creatinine and electrolytes), liver (ALT, AST and bilirubine) might be recommended also.
Drugs might also be accused as responsible for similar symptoms so if you use any illicit drugs need to rule out them as the cause first.
So I would say:
1. do the tests mentioned to have a general health check and see how you are doing
2. if you use drugs consider this as their side effect till it is verified otherwise- talk with your doctor on this
3. if tests are good and you don't use drugs than anxiety is very likely and having medications for it and some counseling might be very helpful.
4. also if you have skin lesions with this sensation than a dermatologist might be considered to be seen to rule out other skin conditions which to my understanding is very unlikely but still something important if skin lesions are present.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to reply if anore clarification is needed on this.
Kind d regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Anxiety very likely is the cause but some examinations recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at healthcaremagic.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
There are a few possible conditions to be considered as the cause of your symptoms.
It is very likely that this might be due to anxiety, on the other hand it is advisable to do some examinations to rule out other medical conditions.
Some tests like CBC, TSH and other general tests like glucose, lipids, kidney (creatinine and electrolytes), liver (ALT, AST and bilirubine) might be recommended also.
Drugs might also be accused as responsible for similar symptoms so if you use any illicit drugs need to rule out them as the cause first.
So I would say:
1. do the tests mentioned to have a general health check and see how you are doing
2. if you use drugs consider this as their side effect till it is verified otherwise- talk with your doctor on this
3. if tests are good and you don't use drugs than anxiety is very likely and having medications for it and some counseling might be very helpful.
4. also if you have skin lesions with this sensation than a dermatologist might be considered to be seen to rule out other skin conditions which to my understanding is very unlikely but still something important if skin lesions are present.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to reply if anore clarification is needed on this.
Kind d regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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