HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Numbness On The Left Side Of The Body?

default
Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Question: I smoked marijuana for about a year. Under a lot of stress at the time as well. About two days before I went into the emergency room I began to have racing thoughts in a sense of whatever I was thinking was going really fast. The only issue though is that I noticed then and before then I was having issue with the left side including biting the side of my tongue which happens sometimes now with the left problem. Before I went into the emergency room they sent me up to choices which is an impatient for say a watch under a physiatrist because they misunderstood me when I said that I was hearing voices because I was not. They then put me on risperidone a 20mg antidepressant as well as Ativan 0.5. I have come off of the risperidone but while I was I noticed I could in a sense feel liquid most likely from stressing coming through the left side only. I am off of the antidepressant and with help from the physiatrist am coming off of the Ativan because of the issues I believe I am having from it. I don't know if it's a cause from the medication or not for what I'm about to say next. Now I have noticed that I have pain in my left temple area all the time and still have problems with the left and when I work myself up in a way the entire left side of my body goes numb. While "meditating" in a sense closing my eyes and saying that both sides maybe should be similar I began to have pain in the right temple area as well that is not always constant. Before that though while calling the doctors office to say that I believed that it was from stress I had a weird sense of fluid rush from one side of my head to the other and that's actually when I believe that the right pain started. Now I have complete pain in the left side as well as weird fluid like feelings throughout my head at times. Also, when I get worked up is when the entire left side goes numb and tingly. including my lips even on the left side. this happens on and off throughout the day even when I don't feel very worked up anymore. and the head fluid rush seems to come on unexpectedly as well. Along with when I get a little worked up or start to think about things I feel flushed, lightheaded as well as pain in right temple comes, left is still there and my body shakes and sweats and odd muscle movement feelings at times. I don't feel good. That's all I know. I don't know what to look for or who to talk to. Any suggestions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The hospital would generally have answered that.

Detailed Answer:
Racing thoughts are likely to be a mental disorder such as bipolar disease or schizophrenia. Both mental conditions cause increased noticing and putting intense significance on sensations that are minor. Also noticing odd symptoms such as "a weird sense of fluid rush from one side of my head to the other and that's actually when I believe that the right pain started". Risperdone often helps with that.
sedatives such as ativan can have benefit in agitation. The feeling of being overwhelmed by thoughts seems to be a main theme here and all of the medicines mentioned are helpful in that context.

I cannot say in your particular case, and not being present, I cannot diagnose, or treat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
I had two Cat scans done and they said it showed nothing. I have yet to talk to my PCP about it though. I don't see her until Monday. Would an MRI show more or should I just discuss this with my phsyiatrist?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not ...really...

Detailed Answer:
MRi is a bit more sensitive for some things, but it just isnt very likely to show any abnormality if there isnt objectively something wrong (one sided paralysis). With one sided symptoms that are not with objectively abnormal findings (feeling funny but not paralysis for example). Furthermore if the symptoms are on the face and the side, they are actually from quite different parts of the brain and this doesnt fit with a neurological pattern. It isnt likely to show something on the scan (CT nor MRI).
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Numbness On The Left Side Of The Body?

Brief Answer: The hospital would generally have answered that. Detailed Answer: Racing thoughts are likely to be a mental disorder such as bipolar disease or schizophrenia. Both mental conditions cause increased noticing and putting intense significance on sensations that are minor. Also noticing odd symptoms such as "a weird sense of fluid rush from one side of my head to the other and that's actually when I believe that the right pain started". Risperdone often helps with that. sedatives such as ativan can have benefit in agitation. The feeling of being overwhelmed by thoughts seems to be a main theme here and all of the medicines mentioned are helpful in that context. I cannot say in your particular case, and not being present, I cannot diagnose, or treat.