What Causes Numbness Throughout The Body During Sleep, Fatigue And Migraine Headache?

Posted on Thu, 24 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 Answered on

Tue, 31 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,
My father, the profile details mentioned below has been having a few health issues which have not been diagnosed.
He feels random numbness in his hands only during sleep. This happens 1-2 times a month has he has been having this for long time now (2-3 years)
And then he has also been experiencing numbness and all over the body during sleep which lasts for 3-5 mins. He then feels general tiredness and headache sometimes.This has happened 2-3 times in the last 6 months. He had severe migraine problem for long but for the last 5-6 years migraine has almost stopped. He has done a thorough heart checkup including TMT, Echo and ECG 2 years ago which came normal. Echo and ECG was also 1 year ago which was normal as well. Cholesterol and BP are under control. Total Cholesterol taken 2 months back is 186. BP hovers between 130/80 and 140/90.
Last month when he felt the numbness all over the body and a twiching feeling in the face, he consulted a doctor very next morning who examined him for stroke related symptoms but found him to be fine overall. He had just started the osteofos tablet for arthritis at that time and doctor had diagnosed that it could have been a side effect.
He also did an MRI of brain 6 months back which was normal.
He has mild arthritis which results in joint pains of hand and feet.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
TIA needs to be excluded

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist and would try my best to help your father.

I have noted his symptoms. Based on that, the most important condition to be excluded is TIA (transient ischemic attack), also called as XXXXXXX strokes. MRI was normal. MR angiogram and carotid doppler should also be done to exclude any narrowing of blood vessels.

In any case, he is on ECOSPRIN AV 75 mg. If he was my patient, I would have increased the dose to 150 mg, which has good effects on stroke prevention.

Other conditions to exclude are vitamin B 12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy. Blood test for vitamin B12 level and nerve conduction studies (NCV) would help us regarding the diagnosis of these two conditions.

I sincerely hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (19 hours later)

Thanks a lot Doctor for the swift response.
We consulted a cardiologist yesterday more as a general checkup. He has changed the BP medicine as the BP was hovering around 160/90.
He has also asked us to take echo and TMT next week as it has been 2 years since last check.
LVH was noted in the last echo.
Post that we shall do the tests you recommended and get back.

Thanks once again for the very helpful response.

Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shall wait for the reports.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and updating.

I shall wait for the reports.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar