Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

I appreciate your efforts in staying off drugs. Since you say that you have been clean for the last 3 years, these symptoms cannot be withdrawal related. Stress and anxiety can manifest with a lot of physical symptoms, including gastro-intestinal symptoms.

I would recommend that you see a doctor for a detailed evaluation, in order to ascertain the cause of your symptoms. This will include a thorough physical examination, and further investigations, as per necessity. Further treatment should be targetted according to the likely cause.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Congratulation for remaining clean for 3 years and be sure to remain clean for lifetime.

stress may present with physical symptoms like you have but as it is only in left arm,
first you should go for physical check up with ultra sound abdomen. I hope you are not taking any analgesics which may cause abdominal symptoms.
If you do not have any physical illness as a cause then go for stress management.

I hope you will be fine soon

Hi! You have not mentioned whether you were taking oral drugs or injectable drugs. In the second case, whether you had your own syringes or you shared the syringes with any of your friends. If you were using IV drugs, and were a self help type, possibly you were injecting yourself in your left arm/forearm veins in case you are a right handed person. It is a possibility that you might have injured your nerves in the arm or have developed vacular (specially venous) pathology in your arm which might be manifesting as weakness in your left arm.
On your abdominal discomfort, I would advise you to go for an unltrasound abdomen and blood tests like Hb%, C, TLC, LFT, Tests for Hepatitis B and C antigen, along with a HIV test on advice of your treating doctor/counsellor.
You have to overcome your stress by your will power. If you could leave your drug habits for 3 yrs, then you have got enough will power to overcome your stress as well. Go for regular exercises like morning walk, jogging, and eat a lot of vegetables and liquids and meditate if it suits you.If the stress level increases however, you should consult your Psyciatrist/Counsellor. I hope this helps you somewhat.