Do I go to a&e or wait for GP tomorrow?

TryingTheBestICan · 2024-11-17T09:58:00+00:00

I went to my GP with what felt like nerve irritation in my arm/back this week. She's booked me in to see a physio. She's asked me to come back if it gets worse. Last night I woke up with an odd weak sensation in my leg on the same side. I'm scared and tearful as whilst I thought I had just slept funny and went back to sleep, it's is still there this morning. Weak and a tiny bit tingly. I am convinced there is something sinister going on. My gut feeling is screaming at me. Wwyd today?

Gonk123 · 19/11/2024 03:40

Look up spinal stenosis…

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 19/11/2024 02:19

You ok op?

Isobel201 · 17/11/2024 12:30

Try ringing 111 again, but if you can see your GP next week ask for a nerve function test.

Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 11:55

whathaveiforgotten · 17/11/2024 11:49

Did you tell your dad about the sense of impending doom? I remember reading it can be a symptom of an oncoming heart attack - not to worry you, just I do think it sounds like it warrants a trip to A&E so wondered if you told your dad that bit. Poor you OP, hope you get sorted soon.

My panic attacks (two in one night) I'm fairly sure are because I was severely sleepy deprived. I have a child with SEN who doesn't sleep. My anxiety with him had been building all day and I just couldn't stop crying. I actually posted on here about it. He agreed. I don't have that feeling now.

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whathaveiforgotten · 17/11/2024 11:49

Did you tell your dad about the sense of impending doom? I remember reading it can be a symptom of an oncoming heart attack - not to worry you, just I do think it sounds like it warrants a trip to A&E so wondered if you told your dad that bit. Poor you OP, hope you get sorted soon.

Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 11:45

WasteOfPlateRealEstate · 17/11/2024 11:39

I’m a nurse and would be heading to A&E with this.

My dad went through tonnes of questions with me and said he doesn't think I need to be seen today. Really appreciate everyone's input though, love mumsnet. I trust him implicitly so going to call my GP in the morning.

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WasteOfPlateRealEstate · 17/11/2024 11:39

I’m a nurse and would be heading to A&E with this.

MyCatIsAStalker · 17/11/2024 11:36

A sense of dread or impending doom is actually a symptom of a heart attack. Also heart attacks often present differently in women than men, maybe get it checked out ASAP and take some aspirin just in case

Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 11:29

Babyshambles90 · 17/11/2024 11:08

Definitely call 111 and get this checked out, but try not to let the anxiety overwhelm you. It could even be the anxiety causing the symptoms - I’m not usually big on dismissing people’s symptoms as anxiety and it should only be done when other causes have been ruled out, but one of my big anxiety symptoms is numbness / tingling / weakness on my left side. This article might help, there are a lot of stroke “mimics” and FND is well explained here, it’s not just being hysterical and you deserve support with it but sometimes it helps me to know that there are lots of potential reasons for something and not all of them are a brain tumour, stroke, spinal tumour etc! Hope it turns out ok for you OP. www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms/mimics

Something functional definitely crossed my mind. Thanks.

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Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 11:29

111 cut off but have just spoken to my parent who is a GP and they've said go to GP tomorrow and ask for a neurological exam (he's abroad in case anyone is asking why I didn't hear from him sooner. He has no signal for days at a time as he's visiting a rural area!).

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Babyshambles90 · 17/11/2024 11:08

Definitely call 111 and get this checked out, but try not to let the anxiety overwhelm you. It could even be the anxiety causing the symptoms - I’m not usually big on dismissing people’s symptoms as anxiety and it should only be done when other causes have been ruled out, but one of my big anxiety symptoms is numbness / tingling / weakness on my left side. This article might help, there are a lot of stroke “mimics” and FND is well explained here, it’s not just being hysterical and you deserve support with it but sometimes it helps me to know that there are lots of potential reasons for something and not all of them are a brain tumour, stroke, spinal tumour etc! Hope it turns out ok for you OP. www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms/mimics

ClashCityRocker · 17/11/2024 11:08

Definitely get it checked out to rule out anything serious.

Any swelling or pain? The heavy weak feeling sounds similar to how I felt when I had a dvt - do you have any risk factors for blood clots?

It might well be nothing, but I think there's some more serious things that need to be ruled out.

mitogoshigg · 17/11/2024 11:01

Call 111 as they can direct you to the right place, also avoid triage potentially

OnMNwaytoomuch · 17/11/2024 10:53

Trapped nerves do cause numbness, weakness, tingling etc but I think it would be unusual to have both arm and leg symptoms as that would be different nerves at the same time. Not impossible but seems strange.

SunQueen24 · 17/11/2024 10:45

Sounds like a trapped nerve. You probably need a physio. All the GP will do is say to rest it.

Saraht1991 · 17/11/2024 10:44

I get this with migraines - a hemiplegic migraine. But it’s usually fairly short lived

thecherryfox · 17/11/2024 10:38

if you even for a second question it could be serious, I wouldn’t take any risk and go to a&e. If it’s fine, there’s no harm done but if it’s serious at least you get to be seen asap. Sometimes medical conditions NEED to be treated as soon as possible - so please don’t risk it. I wish you all the best op x

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 17/11/2024 10:37

Seeking medical advice is the best thing, well done xx

Skate76 · 17/11/2024 10:33

You've done the right thing by calling 111, follow your instincts 💐

Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 10:24

domsso · 17/11/2024 10:20

@TryingTheBestICan sounds like a nerve issue that's spread, especially if it's in the same side as your previous issue. But of course, ring 111, to make sure it isn't a stroke, but doesn't sound like it.

It could be a trapped nerve or an underlying issue with your nerves.

I don't think a trapped nerve would usually cause arm and leg weakness, my cheek feels odd also. I'm trying not to speculate. Just on hold to 111. I have a horrible sense of dread. I've been having panic attacks too. Just gate this horrid gut feeling.

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domsso · 17/11/2024 10:20

@TryingTheBestICan sounds like a nerve issue that's spread, especially if it's in the same side as your previous issue. But of course, ring 111, to make sure it isn't a stroke, but doesn't sound like it.

It could be a trapped nerve or an underlying issue with your nerves.

SoporificLettuce · 17/11/2024 10:19

Does your GP not have an “out of hours” surgery? I would phone them and ask the receptionist to request a GP phone you back so at least you can speak to a human.

If you don’t know the number phone your GP’s usual number and an answerphone message will tell you how to contact out of hours GPs.

user2848502016 · 17/11/2024 10:18

Incakewetrust · 17/11/2024 10:13

111 will just tell you to go to A&E anyway so I'd head straight there.

They won't- in my area anyway they might give an appointment with out of hours GP so you would end up not having to sit waiting for hours in A&E. Also the OOH GP is in a clinic next to A&E so can get referred straight there if GP thinks it's necessary

Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 10:17

domsso · 17/11/2024 10:15

@TryingTheBestICan can you move it as normal ?

Yes, but if I lay on my back and put both in the air the right one shakes

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Original poster

TryingTheBestICan · 17/11/2024 10:16

Incakewetrust · 17/11/2024 10:13

111 will just tell you to go to A&E anyway so I'd head straight there.

They are always cautious. They will hear limb weakness and their stroke radars will be pinging (I'm 99.99% sure it's not!). Will give them a call anyway in case they have an ooo appt.

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