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  • Unusual numbness

    As I am discussing surgery for my Lumbar scoliosis at the moment (L4-T12), I have been having a strange recurrence.

    My spine curves to the left just so this will make more sense. In the past couple of weeks the horrible scoliosis related pain I have been experiencing for the past year seem to subside and instead I have been waking up almost every night, sometimes couple times a night with the left side of my body completely numb. It happens only on my left side as far as I can remember. It is worse in my left leg and hip, my leg would be completely numb like a sack of potatoes. Second most numb place when this happens would be my left arm and I can also feel it on my scoliosis hump area of the left side of my back. So basically left toe to left side of neck all pretty much numb.
    I had numbness in my left leg exactly about a year ago but it was only in my leg each time. About a year ago it happened few times than stopped. Now it's more spread and happens more often..


    I can still feel a bit of the numb sensation all over my left side even hours later.

    Is this familiar to anyone? Is there an explanation? Is it a symptom for anything? Is it normal because I have scoliosis..
    29 years old Female
    45 Degrees Lumbar Scoliosis T12-L4

  • #2
    You should report this to your doctor. I'm guessing that you have a cervical issue. So, in the meantime, you might want to think about changing your pillow at night. I'm guessing that something that keeps your neck in a more natural position might be helpful.

    --Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by YB1125 View Post
      So basically left toe to left side of neck all pretty much numb.
      ..
      This is not normal.

      It almost sounds like you are stroking.....

      Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, at anytime.

      If you are having head to toe numbness, go to the emergency room.

      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        any symptoms going on besides the numbness....?
        any changes in heart rate, breatheing, dizziness, etc...?
        or is it limited to the numbness....which sounds scary enuf
        all by itself...
        i would definitely call the doctor...
        also, have you had any nerve damage that you know
        of, nerve issues in the past....??
        have any surgeons, or other doctors, discussed nerves, damage
        to nerves, particular nerves that may have something pressing on
        them....??

        hope you can see a doctor to investigate this....

        jess

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
          This is not normal.

          It almost sounds like you are stroking.....

          Stroke can happen to anyone at any age, at anytime.

          If you are having head to toe numbness, go to the emergency room.

          Ed
          Although I'm not a doctor, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having a stroke every day upon wakining.
          Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
          Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

          Comment


          • #6
            I have no idea myself, its just that my neighbor stroked last week and had the heavy left side numbness. She was “mini” stroking or “silent” stroking and is ok now, I hope. She sounded good on the phone..... Heart attack and stroke symptoms are good things to know about....Not all strokes are devastating.....

            People can silent stroke while sleeping.....
            http://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/...t-strokes.aspx

            We keep thinking nerves when blood supply is equally or more important. Infarction is also a scary thing.

            If my whole left side was numb, I would make that call right away.

            Self analysis is fruitless....that’s why we have Doctors. (smiley face)
            Ed
            49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
            Pre surgery curves T70,L70
            ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
            Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

            Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

            My x-rays
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

            Comment


            • #7
              is it solid numb...or partly numb and tingly...?
              like waking up from novocaine....?
              i used to get that when i had Lyme Disease, before i was diagnosed...
              it was really scary to me...
              not saying that is what is wrong with you...just thinking you
              really should call the doctor and get in to see her/him....
              be a good thing to figure out just what is going on....

              jess

              Comment


              • #8
                I do not have medical training, but a doctor once told me that my lumbar scoliosis could not be causing tingling in my arms because things that happen in your limbs have to come from at or below the level of damage in your spine. My curve was below my arms. So, if that's correct, your numbness (at least in your arm) isn't related to your lumbar scoliosis. I would get myself to an internal medicine doctor quickly. Best wishes as you try to figure this out.

                Evelyn
                age 48
                80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
                Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
                Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
                Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

                Comment


                • #9
                  I've had arms go numb, quite frequently, actually. It seems "pinched nerve" related as there is no tingling sensation like you get when blood flow resumes. But I have neck issues. I also awoke one morning with my right leg completely numb from the hip down. I think it was pinched at the L5 level of my DDD. I repositioned and immediately got sensation back. I've never had one side of my whole body go numb at once. I've had weakness during a migraine accompanied by slurred speech, but it checked out okay. I would tend to agree with Ed. If it happens again, call 911. You could be having TIA's in your sleep or some other sleep disturbance that is generating a brain malfunction. It's really nothing to mess with or to take the time to ask for advice on a public forum. You need to just go and get yourself checked out, immediately. My guess is they'll want a brain MRI with and without contrast and possibly a sleep study. It doesn't sound like anything related to scoliosis.
                  Be happy!
                  We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                  but we are alive today!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'm a little confused--you've already had surgery and you're having these symptoms? No matter what, you should call your doctor asap.
                    __________________________________________
                    Debbe - 50 yrs old

                    Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                    Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                    Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                    Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                    Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                    Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                    Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thanks everyone, I am pre surgery for the ones who got confused. This situation actually got me to the emergency room this weekend. My arms got real warm and tingly pain and my hands turned blue. I was losing circulation, my hands turned completely blue and pain up my arms. All emergency room came up with was that I was dehydrated and low on potassium. I drink more water than most people.
                      29 years old Female
                      45 Degrees Lumbar Scoliosis T12-L4

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        It sounds like you need to see a specialist.
                        Be happy!
                        We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                        but we are alive today!

                        Comment

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