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What Causes Temporary Numbness In Right Hand, Flatulence And Poor Appetite?
Question: Hi,
Thank you for checking on me. I had a very scary episode on Sunday, November 16, 2014. I woke up to discovering that I had lost complete sensation in my right hand. This lasted for about 10 minutes. I did not have any pressure on the hand. This was followed my tremors throughout my body and hot and cold tingling sensations in both hands (even though only the right hand had went completely numb) for the remainder of the night. I did a over the phone assessment with a nurse from my local hospital to determine if I should go to the ER or not, it was determined I should wait and see, but if the tingling lingered into to two days to call my PCP. I made her aware of the situation. I do have a neuro appt set for the end of January. If anything acute happens before then I will go to the ER.
I do have another issue to inquire on, I'd appreciate any insight I can get.
I have been experiencing esophageal spasms, hiccups, belching, heartburn, sour liquid coming up my throat and burning it, sensation of burning in my throat, and a sensation of something being stuck in my throat, lots of flatulence, bloating, poor appetite, stomach aches and unsettled stomach. These symptoms do not usually happen all day or everyday, but they have been happening for several weeks now on average 3x per week. This week I have had that burning sensation and the feeling something is stuck in my throat for 3 days now without relief. I always feel full even though I have had several bowel movements - some hard and some loose - sometimes red-brown, sometimes gray-green. I am a vegetarian, I drink a lot of fruit juices and smoothies, and soy proteins. I have also been having itchiness to my anus, and when I wipe there would be small amounts of liquid stool sometimes yellow green or red-brown in colour. I work 3 12-hour shifts per week that require me to be moving and on my feet a lot and lifting a lot. Can you offer me any insight at this time? I'm guessing Dyspepsia/Indigestion/heartburn/GERD?
Thank you for checking on me. I had a very scary episode on Sunday, November 16, 2014. I woke up to discovering that I had lost complete sensation in my right hand. This lasted for about 10 minutes. I did not have any pressure on the hand. This was followed my tremors throughout my body and hot and cold tingling sensations in both hands (even though only the right hand had went completely numb) for the remainder of the night. I did a over the phone assessment with a nurse from my local hospital to determine if I should go to the ER or not, it was determined I should wait and see, but if the tingling lingered into to two days to call my PCP. I made her aware of the situation. I do have a neuro appt set for the end of January. If anything acute happens before then I will go to the ER.
I do have another issue to inquire on, I'd appreciate any insight I can get.
I have been experiencing esophageal spasms, hiccups, belching, heartburn, sour liquid coming up my throat and burning it, sensation of burning in my throat, and a sensation of something being stuck in my throat, lots of flatulence, bloating, poor appetite, stomach aches and unsettled stomach. These symptoms do not usually happen all day or everyday, but they have been happening for several weeks now on average 3x per week. This week I have had that burning sensation and the feeling something is stuck in my throat for 3 days now without relief. I always feel full even though I have had several bowel movements - some hard and some loose - sometimes red-brown, sometimes gray-green. I am a vegetarian, I drink a lot of fruit juices and smoothies, and soy proteins. I have also been having itchiness to my anus, and when I wipe there would be small amounts of liquid stool sometimes yellow green or red-brown in colour. I work 3 12-hour shifts per week that require me to be moving and on my feet a lot and lifting a lot. Can you offer me any insight at this time? I'm guessing Dyspepsia/Indigestion/heartburn/GERD?
Brief Answer:
It appears to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
First of all the 16 th November episode it seems to be an acute anxiety or panic episode. The symptoms you described is unlikely to occur with a single lesion.
Although on the other level I again suspect MS a differential diagnosis but the point in against is fleeting nature of symptoms. In MS generally symptoms last from days to weeks if there is new lesion but in anxiety it is possible that symptoms remain active for a short duration.
Having said this without MRI and physical examination, it is not possible to completely rule out the MS.
As you got appointment after two months, waiting is the only option because seeking a consultation with neurologist is big deal in your country. Before that I request you to monitor each and every symptom in details and educate yourself about the disorder. It will help you in understanding the problems encountered by you and it will be easy for your neurologist to make a conclusion without much laboraory investigation.
Regarding your second question I like to inform you that your symptoms classically represent GERD. It is common for the patient with GERD to have variable symptoms with variable intensity over the weeks.
For this part I request you to stop smoking and alcohol if you are taking it. At the same time amount of spices in your diet and caffeine intake need to be cut down. The third most important thing in GERD management is reducing stress level as long a s possible.
These simple measure will relieve few of your symptoms and may help you without medical prescription. In case the lifestyle measure are not completely helping than getting treatment for GERD will be appropriate.
For the itching to occur in perianal area the most common cause in our part of the world is hookworm infestation. I am aware that this particular infection is not that common in USA but there is always possibility if you had contact with area where it is common like raw vegetables, farm products.
I suggest you to demand 400 mg of Albendazole for single dose treatment of parasite in body which could be contributing to bloating, and change in stool color after getting report for stool examination. This is the just single dose treatment which can be used on empirical basis.
I hope I am able to address your concerns. If you have any more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
It appears to be due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to healthcaremagic.
First of all the 16 th November episode it seems to be an acute anxiety or panic episode. The symptoms you described is unlikely to occur with a single lesion.
Although on the other level I again suspect MS a differential diagnosis but the point in against is fleeting nature of symptoms. In MS generally symptoms last from days to weeks if there is new lesion but in anxiety it is possible that symptoms remain active for a short duration.
Having said this without MRI and physical examination, it is not possible to completely rule out the MS.
As you got appointment after two months, waiting is the only option because seeking a consultation with neurologist is big deal in your country. Before that I request you to monitor each and every symptom in details and educate yourself about the disorder. It will help you in understanding the problems encountered by you and it will be easy for your neurologist to make a conclusion without much laboraory investigation.
Regarding your second question I like to inform you that your symptoms classically represent GERD. It is common for the patient with GERD to have variable symptoms with variable intensity over the weeks.
For this part I request you to stop smoking and alcohol if you are taking it. At the same time amount of spices in your diet and caffeine intake need to be cut down. The third most important thing in GERD management is reducing stress level as long a s possible.
These simple measure will relieve few of your symptoms and may help you without medical prescription. In case the lifestyle measure are not completely helping than getting treatment for GERD will be appropriate.
For the itching to occur in perianal area the most common cause in our part of the world is hookworm infestation. I am aware that this particular infection is not that common in USA but there is always possibility if you had contact with area where it is common like raw vegetables, farm products.
I suggest you to demand 400 mg of Albendazole for single dose treatment of parasite in body which could be contributing to bloating, and change in stool color after getting report for stool examination. This is the just single dose treatment which can be used on empirical basis.
I hope I am able to address your concerns. If you have any more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
I'm not saying it had to be a MS attack. I have not tried to diagnose or supply reason to why I had the right hand numbness. However, I will say I do not remember having any nightmares or being in any situation that would have induced a panic attack. I was, in fact, on my day off and quite relaxed prior to falling asleep. I do have a history of experiencing numbness and tingling through out the years as I have mentioned in prior correspondences, so this isn't completely foreign to me. This episode was scary, because I do not remember having numbness that bad, I think it is only fair that would scare me or anybody in my shoes. I use my right hand primarily and as a nurse I need my hands, so yes I was scared. Who wouldn't be scared and anxious? I have been reading on MS as detailed and best as I can and will continue to do so. If you do not believe me, and think it is all psychological or I am a hypochondriac, I respect that too. I know my body, and I know what I have been through. Nevertheless, I humbly thank you for your feedback.
Brief Answer:
I am open to every possibility
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to me.
I understand your take about not trying to make a diagnosis and getting scared with the episode. I am not trying to diagnose you but I am keeping all option open from the day one till we are sure with all kind of evidence. By keeping all option open we will be having broader knowledge about the situation and better coping strategies. For the very same reason I requested you to scan the literature about MS.
As I said earlier all symptoms can not be explained on the basis of single disorder so keeping our hands crossed till you get your neurology opinion is warranted. As your primary physician suggested anxiety disorder is there but still I believe there must be something which causing all these symptoms other than primary anxiety disorder. I do not believe that all things are psychological or you are hypochondrical and there is no point of thinking so for you too.
Having said this I also like to inform you that as a client you have right to ask three follow ups for any specialist query without making further pay. In case you need to get any question answered now or in future please write as a follow up question so you can avoid further payment.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
I am open to every possibility
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome back to me.
I understand your take about not trying to make a diagnosis and getting scared with the episode. I am not trying to diagnose you but I am keeping all option open from the day one till we are sure with all kind of evidence. By keeping all option open we will be having broader knowledge about the situation and better coping strategies. For the very same reason I requested you to scan the literature about MS.
As I said earlier all symptoms can not be explained on the basis of single disorder so keeping our hands crossed till you get your neurology opinion is warranted. As your primary physician suggested anxiety disorder is there but still I believe there must be something which causing all these symptoms other than primary anxiety disorder. I do not believe that all things are psychological or you are hypochondrical and there is no point of thinking so for you too.
Having said this I also like to inform you that as a client you have right to ask three follow ups for any specialist query without making further pay. In case you need to get any question answered now or in future please write as a follow up question so you can avoid further payment.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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