Put this under the wierd catagory

oh where to start. About three months ago I noticed this numbness on the left side of my body. It's really hard to describe, but the left side my body has less sensation then the right. No loss of anything else just the numbness. Since there was no other symptoms, I waited the three months before scheduling an appointment with my PCP for some hip pain I've been having I thought I would talk to him about the numbness as well. So he was really puzzled and referred me to a nuerologist. Nuerology office called to scheduled the appointment two days later. They really wanted me to get in to see them asap, but I put them off for another week. Saw the nuerologist, he seemed as confused about the whole thing as my PCP was but ordered some tests. A blood panel, head ct, thyroid test, and B12 test. Those are all scheduled for next week. He said it could be three things, a stroke, brain hemorrhage, or MS, but he didn't think any of them were possible because of the no other symptoms. I was diagnosed with ITP almost three years ago, had a rituxan infusion in December 2009 which has put me in remission since them. My last platelet count two months ago was 163, didn't see my hemo then just did the blood test to confirm I'm still good. My next appointment with the hemo is on the 26th. Anyone else have anything like this, without other symptoms, just the numbness? Any ideas at all?

It's weird that it's just on one side. That rules out a lot of things, like a B-12 deficiency or something like that. Do you have strength on the numb side? No tingling or pins and needles? I have neuropathy which causes numbness, but it's symmetrical.

sandi no lose in strength and no tingling or pins and needles feelings. I forgot to mention the worst thing about the whole left side numbness thing my left ear feels like it's clogged or has swimmers ear which won't go away. I can still hear with it, it just feels funny.

I can relate! Both of my feet are numb. Have been for quite some time now. A long while ago my feet and ankles swelled and I had small purple dots on them, which the doc told me was blood pooling at my ankles and "tatooing" my skin from the inside out. That's when the numbing feelings started. More recently I've had numbness mostly in the left leg/foot and even more recently it's a constant numbness/tingling pins and needles thing. I attribute it to the fact that my job is 4-6 hours a day on my feet, no sitting at all. I dunno anymore though. I was off for 2 straight months last year and it still was happening. I've mentioned it to both my PCP and hemo doc and they just say ok and no more. I guess I need to push the issue! Can't wait to hear what your tests results are.

Gretchen - that sounds like neuropathy and shouldn't be ignored. Sometimes there isn't much that can be done, but if it is caused by something like low B-12, it can be treated. Seeing a neurologist might be a good idea.

Rodger - very strange. I hope you find out what it is. There are so many idiopathic/autoimmune things that it makes me crazy - they can't help you! I hope that's not the case with you.

Gretchen you need to go in and see your PCP, tell him what is going on with your left leg and assert yourself to have it checked out! So yes, push the issue - it's your body and your copay money so tell that doctor to get this checked out! It could be neuropathy as Sandi mentioned, it could be circulation.

Roger you need to sit in the corner with a dunce cap on for letting symptoms like that go so long before getting them checked out!

well....thanks ladies. after just a few seconds of research, it appears I will be calling my pcp on Monday and insisting on a referal! Ugh! Don't know if that is good news or not!

I had no idea why my feet were feeling like they were "asleep" [like when one hits their crazy bone], mainly left one - but evidently that can be a sign of poor circulation. I went to my PCP who ordered tests to check the circulation and then when those were fine was sent to a neurologist. I do have perpherial neuropathy it turned out. But I'm glad they checked my circulation first because I know that is ok.

I had the peripheral neuropathy in my feet (on the tops) when I was most sick, and as I've been in remission it has gradually gone away, almost all gone now. It takes a long time for nerves to heal but sometimes they do. Mine was not so bad I needed medication for the pain, but it felt icky and weird.
Erica

I'd give anything to have mine go away - just keeps getting worse though.

Mine is like Erica's....it comes and goes depending on Lupus activity. It was weird how mine started. You guys have heard the story. Woke up one morning and got in the shower. As soon as the water hit my legs, it felt like bee stings from feet to thigh. That lasted a few months 24/7 and it eventually got a bit better. Now I mostly just have numbness and static and bugs running inside the skin. A new thing in the past two weeks - if I step on the side of my right foot, it feels like I'm stepping on a bed of thorns.

I guess I need to do more research about this. It can be healed? hmmmm. Sandi, the thorns thing, could it be bone spurs? Just an idea.

It might not be able to be healed, depends on the cause.

No, this is not bone spurs. It's definitely a nerve thing.