Numb legs & fingers

[alexa1]

Hi. I know this may sound weird but I have been experiencing like a numb sensation in my fingers for a few months now and also the bottom half of my legs. I don't get any tingling just a numb feeling. I sometimes get cramps in my legs to especially at night time, it wakes me up.

The other day, i was in my biology class and we had to do an experiment tying cotton around this small pouch of water and i couldn't do it as my fingers felt stiff and numb.

I also have problems opening the fruit n veg bags in tesco

I know this is a strange post but I'm thinking it could be one of 3 things
1 poor circulation
2 athritis
3 MS (i really hope it isn't this one)

any ideas or am i just strange (don't answer that one)

[lulumama]

reynauds (sp) syndrome - to do with poor circulation?? possibly....do you think you ought to go to docs?

[northerndad2006]

I'd echo the advice to see your GP. It could be various things and posting a list of all possible diagnoses would be unhelpful (like telling someone with a bit of a cough it could theoretically be lung cancer or SARS!)
If it's persisting and worrying you, your GP will either be able to reassure you or arrange tests / referrals to find out what is wrong and sort it out.

[alexa1]

KS - did they say what it was u had?

thanks for everyone that replied. i'm really worried now.

[FatThighs]

I had numbing in fingers - was due to anxiety.

[pesha]

I have numb stiff fingers when i wake or if i dont use my hands for a while, they feel really weak and i cant grip properly. It usually lasts about half hour or so then they're ok and I've had this for about 2 yrs or so. I've been to the dr and had loads of different blood tests and also had an x ray of my hands and they cant find anything wrong, apparently it's just 'one of those things'!

I had reynauds syndrome in my late teens and occassionally more recently and the affected fingers go completely white as well as numb.

HTH a bit and try not worry too much, could easily just be nothing but worth getting it checked out

[liquidclocks]

Hi Alexa, you really must go and see your GP. Before you go write down what you have experienced, how long it's been going on for and whether it's getting worse - writing it down makes sure you don't forget to tell your GP anything. Also do explain your worries about possible things it could be, your GP should take loss of sensation accompanied by stiffness seriously.

From my point of view as a health professional it could be one of many many things and as northerndad says, listing all possible outcomes here would be unhelpful and probably just serve to fuel your anxiety. However, of all the things that leap to mind, there's one thing most of the conditions have in common - the earlier you get treatment the better the outcome - so look after yourself and see your doctor this week.

[alexa1]

Fat thighs - interesting your numbness happens due to anxiety, because i am a very anxious person and suffer mild depression & panic attacks (no idea if thats anything to do with numbness, prob not).

liquidclocks - as a health professional please tell me what u think it could be? don't worry i ain't gonna sue u if your wrong (ha ha). please tell me.

[FatThighs]

alexa1 - my doc told me that it can be due to anxiety as you shallow breathe and this can affect the oxygen levels or something and result in numbness of the extremities.

I think you need to go to the doctor. It sounds like you are anxious about this and using it as a focus for your worries- esp asking all the possible nasties it could be. I recognise myself in you and as liquidclocks says the sooner you can get treatment the better.

You do sound very like I did.

I am better.\


Go to gp.

[liquidclocks]

Sorry Alexa - it's the sort of symptom that could be a result of many things, some of which people here have already talked about. The trouble is that the nervous system is very complex and what you describe is caused by so many condidtions, some very minor and some less so. I'm an occupational therapist and work with people in rehabilitation and disease management - I'm not reallty qualified to diagnose, expecially without actually seeing a person.

However the fact that you mention that you have been unable to do some things that involve fine motor movement and dexterity really does concern me and you need to get seen by your GP. While I don't want to worry you unnecessarily some of the conditions that can cause this type of sensory/motor loss are not reversible, they can only be slowed down, and that's why you need a diagnosis asap.