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What Causes Numbness Of Left Underarm?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Sep 2014
Question: On Monday the !st Of September I noticed a numb feeling in my left underarm. By Tuesday my whole left side was numb yet I have full use of limbs. There is a sensation like when a local anaesthetic is wearing off.
I saw my doctor yesterday as I had read one of the side effects of Implanon could be numbness on one side of the Body. I also have Fibromyalgia, which is what my Dr said could be the cause of the numbness. He said it would have nothing to do with the Implanon. I have had a Implanon for year but decided to have a break from it for about 6 months and only had another one inserted in July. I am wondering could I be having a hormonal or chemical reaction with the fibro?
Thank you for your time and advice I appreciate it.
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
neruropathy

Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam. The symptoms you are describing looks due to involvement of the nerve.

1. Are you experiencing any weakness along with numbness.

2, do you have any feeling of ants running in your hand

3. Did you have any previous trauma to your left hand following which symptoms started?

4. Any other part of the body you are experiencing such symptoms?

Fibromyalgia can have varying symptoms but we should always keep it as a last diagnosis, that is when we have excluded other causes.

Do let me know these answers. Would be happy to help you out further
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Naval Mendiratta (3 hours later)
Dear Dr Mendiratta,
Thank you for your reply,
No I do not have any weakness,
No I do not have sensations like ants crawling,
No I didn't have any trauma to my hand, infact the numbness started in my left arm pit
And yes it spread over the course of the day to my left side, torso, leg to toes, and arm to fingers.
It feel just like when you sleep on your arm and it goes to sleep. that numb feeling before the blood starts to run again. That is how the entire left side of my body feels.
Thank you for your time. XXXXXXX x
doctor
Answered by Dr. Naval Mendiratta (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
numbness ? cause

Detailed Answer:
Good evening XXXXXXX Sorry for the delayed response.
The numbness you are describing doesn't look like a side effect of implanon. It has a side effect of numbness but that is due to an allergic reaction which happens immediately after using it. But since you have been using it for a bit , it doesn't look related to it

Your doctor may be right that the symptoms can be due to fibromyalgia, but one needs to keep that as the last diagnosis after we have excluded other causes.

I would suggest if you can get nerve conduction studies done, it would rule out any organic cause of numbness. We will be at least comfortable that there is no other cause. The other way to approach is that you can take treatment for fibromyalgia for a month and see if things improve. If it still doesn't then you can get the NCV test done.

I hope the information was useful. Do let me know for any further queries.

Take care..stay healthy
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Rheumatologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 754 Questions

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What Causes Numbness Of Left Underarm?

Brief Answer: neruropathy Detailed Answer: Good evening mam. The symptoms you are describing looks due to involvement of the nerve. 1. Are you experiencing any weakness along with numbness. 2, do you have any feeling of ants running in your hand 3. Did you have any previous trauma to your left hand following which symptoms started? 4. Any other part of the body you are experiencing such symptoms? Fibromyalgia can have varying symptoms but we should always keep it as a last diagnosis, that is when we have excluded other causes. Do let me know these answers. Would be happy to help you out further