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nausea followed by temporary hand paralysis
Recently I had a very terrifying experience. I felt fine all day until late afternoon, when I began feeling quite nauseated. It's been going around in my household, so I thought I was coming down with a stomach bug. I laid down on the couch for a few hours, sleeping on and off. At one point I thought for certain I was about to vomit, so I sat up a little and reached for my bowl. At this point I became extremely lightheaded and my hands began to feel tingly and numb. Quickly it progressed to the point that my hands were clenched tightly closed and I couldn't open them. They were cramping and it was really painful. The tingling and numbness spread to my legs, my abdomen, and my face. My legs were going all over the place but I really can't say if this was involuntary or if I was just panicking and squirming.
My husband called 911, and as the paramedics evaluated me I began to feel a little better. My hands were still stiff, but I could open them with effort. The numbness and tingling gradually went away. I still felt nauseated and weak. My vitals were fine so my husband drove me to the ER. At the hospital, urine and blood tests were done as well as an EKG. The only thing that showed up was that I was slightly dehydrated. I typically drink plenty of water but by this point it had been several hours since I had had anything to eat or drink. I was given two bags of fluids via IV, my blood pressure dropped (70-something over 40-something) and my heart rate went over 100. This eventually got into the normal range by the time the second bag was gone.
After waiting for hours a nurse came in to discharge me, with no explanation. My papers said "dizzy spell - unknown cause." I never told anyone I was dizzy. My husband tried to convince them to give me a CT scan but they refused, saying my symptoms did not warrant a CT scan. I am going to see a doctor tomorrow who will hopefully point me in the right direction for testing, etc. I don't have medical insurance, so I'm afraid this is going to be a problem.
For a little background, two months ago I had something similar happen. I began feeling nauseated in the early evening, went to bed, and woke up a few hours later feeling like I was going to vomit. I got out of bed and passed out, falling flat on my face. (This is why I had a bowl with me this time, for fear I would pass out on the way to the bathroom). When I came to my hands were tingling and numb and clenched closed a bit, but I had some control. I made it to the bathroom to get sick and the feeling in my hands eventually returned to normal. Due to the no insurance, I didn't go to the doctor that time, thinking it was a strange fluke. Also, since childhood I have on occasion passed out when about to vomit - not every time, but it has happened more than once. One time during a particularly violent episode of food poisoning a few years ago, I passed out several times in between vomiting. After the incident the other night, my mom and husband reminded me that another time I felt very nauseated, several years ago, I complained of numbness and tingling.
All of these incidents being years apart, I never thought much of any of them. However, what happened the other night was too scary. I have four young children and I can't take the chance of something like this happening again. If anyone has any leads, tips, ideas, or anything useful I would very much appreciate it. Since I have no insurance I am quite convinced I won't be getting top notch health care. It might be helpful if I have something to go on. Sorry this is so long, but I felt the details were necessary for a full idea of what might be going on here. Thank you for taking the time to read.
My husband called 911, and as the paramedics evaluated me I began to feel a little better. My hands were still stiff, but I could open them with effort. The numbness and tingling gradually went away. I still felt nauseated and weak. My vitals were fine so my husband drove me to the ER. At the hospital, urine and blood tests were done as well as an EKG. The only thing that showed up was that I was slightly dehydrated. I typically drink plenty of water but by this point it had been several hours since I had had anything to eat or drink. I was given two bags of fluids via IV, my blood pressure dropped (70-something over 40-something) and my heart rate went over 100. This eventually got into the normal range by the time the second bag was gone.
After waiting for hours a nurse came in to discharge me, with no explanation. My papers said "dizzy spell - unknown cause." I never told anyone I was dizzy. My husband tried to convince them to give me a CT scan but they refused, saying my symptoms did not warrant a CT scan. I am going to see a doctor tomorrow who will hopefully point me in the right direction for testing, etc. I don't have medical insurance, so I'm afraid this is going to be a problem.
For a little background, two months ago I had something similar happen. I began feeling nauseated in the early evening, went to bed, and woke up a few hours later feeling like I was going to vomit. I got out of bed and passed out, falling flat on my face. (This is why I had a bowl with me this time, for fear I would pass out on the way to the bathroom). When I came to my hands were tingling and numb and clenched closed a bit, but I had some control. I made it to the bathroom to get sick and the feeling in my hands eventually returned to normal. Due to the no insurance, I didn't go to the doctor that time, thinking it was a strange fluke. Also, since childhood I have on occasion passed out when about to vomit - not every time, but it has happened more than once. One time during a particularly violent episode of food poisoning a few years ago, I passed out several times in between vomiting. After the incident the other night, my mom and husband reminded me that another time I felt very nauseated, several years ago, I complained of numbness and tingling.
All of these incidents being years apart, I never thought much of any of them. However, what happened the other night was too scary. I have four young children and I can't take the chance of something like this happening again. If anyone has any leads, tips, ideas, or anything useful I would very much appreciate it. Since I have no insurance I am quite convinced I won't be getting top notch health care. It might be helpful if I have something to go on. Sorry this is so long, but I felt the details were necessary for a full idea of what might be going on here. Thank you for taking the time to read.
Two liters of normal saline suggests extreme dehydration, which could be the cause of all your problems.
The hospital was correct in refusing to provide a CT scan, which entails risk from radiation and dye contrast medium.
Water alone does not always correct dehydration. Electrolytes are required, such as those in Pediatrol or Gatorade.
The cramping suggests either calcium deficiency, magnesium deficiency or electrolyte imbalance. These also come with the "package" of dehydration, Sometimes it is sort of a "progressive charlie horse" starting at your hands and continueing until you are immobile on the floor. Until recently quinine sulfate was used to relieve these symptoms, but the FDA recently banned it. Try a daily glass of milk or a calcium pill.
I suggest you begin to make a log of your symptoms in case this happens again, and ensure you are well hydrated.
If you purchase a blood pressure cuff and look up how to take and interpret what are called orthostatic vital signs, you can keep track of your dehydration. This is fairly simple to do, but beyond the scope of this post.
The hospital was correct in refusing to provide a CT scan, which entails risk from radiation and dye contrast medium.
Water alone does not always correct dehydration. Electrolytes are required, such as those in Pediatrol or Gatorade.
The cramping suggests either calcium deficiency, magnesium deficiency or electrolyte imbalance. These also come with the "package" of dehydration, Sometimes it is sort of a "progressive charlie horse" starting at your hands and continueing until you are immobile on the floor. Until recently quinine sulfate was used to relieve these symptoms, but the FDA recently banned it. Try a daily glass of milk or a calcium pill.
I suggest you begin to make a log of your symptoms in case this happens again, and ensure you are well hydrated.
If you purchase a blood pressure cuff and look up how to take and interpret what are called orthostatic vital signs, you can keep track of your dehydration. This is fairly simple to do, but beyond the scope of this post.
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond with such detailed information. I really appreciate it. I will take your advice into consideration. I ended up getting an appointment with a neurologist on Monday and tomorrow I will be seeing a chiropractor. Hopefully I can get some answers, and in the meantime I am drinking tons of water and will get some Gatorade tomorrow. Once again, thank you!
I have had the same exact problem! I get horrible motion sickness, and in the past 3 years, I've gotten extremely nauseous twice. Both times, my hands and arms start tingling and it seems to travel between my arms through my chest. If I don't rectify the nausea immediately, my hands become paralyzed. Both times, they've frozen in the exact same position. I thought I was going crazy! I have no idea what the cause is, but you're not alone!
Any update on this? Today I got horriblly sea sick, vomiting 3 or so times between that my hand froze into the strangest position.. I was tingling all over.. Dizzy as could be. Also I could not seem to stay awake as we headed back to shore.. Horrible day. Any idea what this was? Dehydration?
I got FULLY PARALYZED, as in, whole body looked like I was a paraplegic...it was rather terrifying. the only thing I was able to move was my head, I just kept crying, completely freaked out, and all I could think was whether paralysis will stay for good and that's what I'm going to be like from now on, or what the hell is going on. It happened on a boat in Greece, rough seas, everyone vomiting etc - except I am passing out and eventually getting paralyzed... happened when I was 25 or 26, smth like that. Nausea, tingling and other stuff you mention happens regularly still to this day, and I just turned 40. I figured out it was an electrolyte imbalance or smth similar...Since for ages no doctor had a good explanation, I've done my own massive research... So, try taking potassium or whatever other electrolytes, whenever you start feeling the symptoms. Good luck & stay healthy
Something very similar happened to me this morning. I felt totally fine but suddenly became dizzy with blurred vision, but it came in 'waves', like every 2 min or so. I was nautious and then my hands started to get numb to the point I couldn't move them at all. They were cramped up in a really weird position and felt like the numbness was moving up my arm, but luckily didn't. I was also extremely shaky. The whole thing lasted about 45 min & then I was back to normal. Then I was starving. I also had little chest pains, like butterflies, which came on and off throughout the day. The prior posts on this site are the only info I've found. Thanks for sharing!
This is exactly the experience I had on holiday last week whilst kayaking - being on the sea and unable to paddle because my hands had clenched into fists was truly terrifiying. My lips also started to tingle followed by my tongue starting to swell up. It was at this point I started to panic, my first instinct being that I must have been spiked with something the night before. Eventually, my friend had to single handedly paddle us to the shore where I was given a banana and gradually could move properly again.
Admittedly, I had drunk excessive amounts of alcohol the night before and had got up early to go kayaking which was strenuous and exhausting, but nothing like this has ever happened to me before and I was constantly drinking water whilst on the boat. I have quite bad circulation and my mum is calcium defficient so maybe this contributed to the effects of the dehydration.
Admittedly, I had drunk excessive amounts of alcohol the night before and had got up early to go kayaking which was strenuous and exhausting, but nothing like this has ever happened to me before and I was constantly drinking water whilst on the boat. I have quite bad circulation and my mum is calcium defficient so maybe this contributed to the effects of the dehydration.
I have had this happen many times of the years when I have had vomiting or extreme diarrhea, as I have IBS. In the past my legs, hands and arms would begin tingling and numbness would progress. My hands would contract into this weird paralyzed position. I have never been given any answers to this, but have learned to not to freak out when it happens, as it goes away as quickly as it comes on. Until last night.
I was scheduled for a routine colonoscopy, and therefore had to undergo the unholy “cleansing” process of 64oz Miralax concoction to drink every 15-30 minutes. After I finished the second round at about 1:30 am, I fell asleep briefly only to awake feeling weak and disoriented. I made my way to the bathroom. While on the toilet (how un-Audrey Hepburn like!) I began vomiting into the trash can. I knew something bad was getting ready to happen. I yelled for my husband.
By the time he raced across the house, I could no longer feel my legs, hands or arms and my hands were pulled into this weird position that I had seen before, but it got worse. I felt like I might lose consciousness so I lowered my head and then fell over to the floor. My hands had drawn into tight, gnarled fists. It seemed as if there was no blood in them at all. I was crying and begging for help. My husband called 911. While he was on the phone, I realized my cries were not words any more; they were loud grunts and groans. I could not speak. My mind was racing with the fear of paralysis, the crushing pain in my lower arms and hands from total contraction, and finally the words were in my head only, not really coming from my mouth.
I don’t know actually how long this lasted, it seemed like an eternity. I eventually could push some movement into my fingers. They slowly began to unfurl. I still could not get up from the floor, but I could communicate somewhat. The paramedics came, pulled my pants up (ugh) and got me into a chair. They offered up dehydration and low electrolytes. I went for my GI procedure, told them what had happened and they seemed shocked. He also said maybe dehydration and low electrolytes. It seemed to me all of these healthcare professionals were guessing.
I was scheduled for a routine colonoscopy, and therefore had to undergo the unholy “cleansing” process of 64oz Miralax concoction to drink every 15-30 minutes. After I finished the second round at about 1:30 am, I fell asleep briefly only to awake feeling weak and disoriented. I made my way to the bathroom. While on the toilet (how un-Audrey Hepburn like!) I began vomiting into the trash can. I knew something bad was getting ready to happen. I yelled for my husband.
By the time he raced across the house, I could no longer feel my legs, hands or arms and my hands were pulled into this weird position that I had seen before, but it got worse. I felt like I might lose consciousness so I lowered my head and then fell over to the floor. My hands had drawn into tight, gnarled fists. It seemed as if there was no blood in them at all. I was crying and begging for help. My husband called 911. While he was on the phone, I realized my cries were not words any more; they were loud grunts and groans. I could not speak. My mind was racing with the fear of paralysis, the crushing pain in my lower arms and hands from total contraction, and finally the words were in my head only, not really coming from my mouth.
I don’t know actually how long this lasted, it seemed like an eternity. I eventually could push some movement into my fingers. They slowly began to unfurl. I still could not get up from the floor, but I could communicate somewhat. The paramedics came, pulled my pants up (ugh) and got me into a chair. They offered up dehydration and low electrolytes. I went for my GI procedure, told them what had happened and they seemed shocked. He also said maybe dehydration and low electrolytes. It seemed to me all of these healthcare professionals were guessing.
2 Comments
My wife just had another episode with exact same symptoms.It lasted almost an hour then mouth and hands were able to move then lastly her Legs.My wife always drinks lots of water.The Neurologists have no answers, three so-called specialists.If you or myself find out the real answer we should post it ,I didn't realize there's so many suffering with this,thanks
Buy a blood pressure cuff. You’ll need to keep track of it during the attacks. Doctors still have no clue, but We now know my blood pressure drops dramatically...55/39
Hello, and thank you for posting your experiences. This is the only page on the web that I could find, which describes my exact experience. It is a little bit funny, so feel free to read if you'd like a laugh. If not, do you or does anyone have some new information regarding these symptoms. My story (below) parallels what many of you have already written.
This morning I woke up, fairly suddenly, feeling a little uncomfortable. I had a slight case of heartburn (something that is quite uncommon for me), and was feeling restless. I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to take a leak. I made it about halfway down my hallway before doubling over with abdominal pain—i.e. diarrhea cramps. As most people, I have had my share of experiences with diarrhea cramps, but this time the cramping was extraordinarily severe. In fact, the pain was so acute that I was forced to sit as I urinated (which is unusual for a male). At that moment, while sitting on the toilet for the first time this morning, I became slightly nauseous. I finished, then shuffled to my bedroom, drank about 16oz of water, and returned to bed.
During the 10-15 minutes that followed, the pain in my abdomen doubled, then tripled. I decided to go back to the toilet and wait for the pending diarrhea to pass. The cramping in my intestines worsened over the next 30 minutes, as I sat there. Then the pain in my abdomen became so intense that it seemed to migrate into my arms. I began to feel an exaggerated tingle in my hands. I can only describe this feeling by comparing it to an extremity when it "falls asleep", however the tingle I felt in my hands at that moment was exponentially stronger. Shortly after feeling that sensation in my hands, it appeared in my legs as well. Then in my abdomen and lower torso. Finally, when the pain was at its worst, the tingling/numb feeling consumed both hands, arms, legs, torso, and upper lip. My left hands had been "pulled into this weird position" and I couldn't move my fingers (while both of my hands were affected in the same way, my left was worse than the right). My hand was really PARALYSED?!?! As you all mentioned above, I couldn't help but to obsess about whether or not my hand would be paralysed permanently.
I keeled over on to the floor, on all fours. That didnt help. So I turned the hot water on in my shower, and crawled onto the shower floor. I sat there in a fetal position for about 5 minutes trying to focus, through the pain, on moving my fingers. I guess the warm water relaxed me, because I was finally ready to actually utilize the toilet. So I got out of the shower and back to the toilet. Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, while in the middle of relieving myself, the nausea overtook me. Without moving from that position, I had to find and utilize the trashcan. Yikes! I've heard stories about other people who have suffered the simultaneous-purge before, but it's never happened to me. Not fun!
When my system had finally finished freeing itself from whatever it didn't like, the feeling returned to my extremities, the tingling subsided, and my nausea went away. All of this happened fairly quickly. Though it took about an hour, the pain in my abdomen also disappeared. Nearly two hours after my episode began, I felt like normal again.
My immediate deduction was food poisoning, as I was purging from both orifices. However, the short term paralysis scared the poop out of me (quite literally — lol). So I began searching the web for possible causes. This forum is the only publication I found that describes my experience to the T. I did find a few other possible explanations, all of which are cause for serious concern. I can only hope that what we all have experienced is entirely unrelated to any of the links/conditions listed below. If anyone has any new information, possibly a diagnosis that would put my mind at ease, please share. From what I read this morning, I have reason to be scared.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cspinet.org%2Fnah%2F05_02%2Ffoodpoisoning.pdf&ei=Xu35VOalN9L-yQTjvYGICw&usg=AFQjCNEiHlI8rObm6oEPpc-L86Non_rj_A
http://www.foodborneillness.com/botulism_food_poisoning/
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/understanding-food-poisoning-symptoms
This morning I woke up, fairly suddenly, feeling a little uncomfortable. I had a slight case of heartburn (something that is quite uncommon for me), and was feeling restless. I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom to take a leak. I made it about halfway down my hallway before doubling over with abdominal pain—i.e. diarrhea cramps. As most people, I have had my share of experiences with diarrhea cramps, but this time the cramping was extraordinarily severe. In fact, the pain was so acute that I was forced to sit as I urinated (which is unusual for a male). At that moment, while sitting on the toilet for the first time this morning, I became slightly nauseous. I finished, then shuffled to my bedroom, drank about 16oz of water, and returned to bed.
During the 10-15 minutes that followed, the pain in my abdomen doubled, then tripled. I decided to go back to the toilet and wait for the pending diarrhea to pass. The cramping in my intestines worsened over the next 30 minutes, as I sat there. Then the pain in my abdomen became so intense that it seemed to migrate into my arms. I began to feel an exaggerated tingle in my hands. I can only describe this feeling by comparing it to an extremity when it "falls asleep", however the tingle I felt in my hands at that moment was exponentially stronger. Shortly after feeling that sensation in my hands, it appeared in my legs as well. Then in my abdomen and lower torso. Finally, when the pain was at its worst, the tingling/numb feeling consumed both hands, arms, legs, torso, and upper lip. My left hands had been "pulled into this weird position" and I couldn't move my fingers (while both of my hands were affected in the same way, my left was worse than the right). My hand was really PARALYSED?!?! As you all mentioned above, I couldn't help but to obsess about whether or not my hand would be paralysed permanently.
I keeled over on to the floor, on all fours. That didnt help. So I turned the hot water on in my shower, and crawled onto the shower floor. I sat there in a fetal position for about 5 minutes trying to focus, through the pain, on moving my fingers. I guess the warm water relaxed me, because I was finally ready to actually utilize the toilet. So I got out of the shower and back to the toilet. Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, while in the middle of relieving myself, the nausea overtook me. Without moving from that position, I had to find and utilize the trashcan. Yikes! I've heard stories about other people who have suffered the simultaneous-purge before, but it's never happened to me. Not fun!
When my system had finally finished freeing itself from whatever it didn't like, the feeling returned to my extremities, the tingling subsided, and my nausea went away. All of this happened fairly quickly. Though it took about an hour, the pain in my abdomen also disappeared. Nearly two hours after my episode began, I felt like normal again.
My immediate deduction was food poisoning, as I was purging from both orifices. However, the short term paralysis scared the poop out of me (quite literally — lol). So I began searching the web for possible causes. This forum is the only publication I found that describes my experience to the T. I did find a few other possible explanations, all of which are cause for serious concern. I can only hope that what we all have experienced is entirely unrelated to any of the links/conditions listed below. If anyone has any new information, possibly a diagnosis that would put my mind at ease, please share. From what I read this morning, I have reason to be scared.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cspinet.org%2Fnah%2F05_02%2Ffoodpoisoning.pdf&ei=Xu35VOalN9L-yQTjvYGICw&usg=AFQjCNEiHlI8rObm6oEPpc-L86Non_rj_A
http://www.foodborneillness.com/botulism_food_poisoning/
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/understanding-food-poisoning-symptoms
Hi Yesterday a very weird thing happened to me. So if anyone has an explanation please tell me
I was conversing with friends and we were joking and all then i suddenly felt dizzy. I remained dizzy for almost 10min then i vomited. I lied down for almost 20min then when got up i vomited again and started feeling heavy. I was carried to the car as i wasnt able to walk. Then in the car i lost all control over my body and felt paralyzed like i was paraplegic. I cldnt even lift my finger or speak. All i cld do is move my neck as to answer yes or no questions. I was aware of evthg around me but I cldnt respond or interact. People were talking to me and i cldnt answer them unless it was a yes/no question. I was crying the whole time. Note that I wasn't feeling any pain, my heartbeat was normal. I had no palpitations, no cold sweat, my vision was normal. I was acting like a receiver being able to grasp everything around me but not being able to respond.
I remained like that for 5 hours
Blood tests were done and everything was normal
Symptoms resolved spontaneously with no medical intervention after 5 hours but when my paralysis ended i restarted feeling dizzy and heavy headed.
I haven't consumed any medications or any substance.
Please help if you have an explanation
I was conversing with friends and we were joking and all then i suddenly felt dizzy. I remained dizzy for almost 10min then i vomited. I lied down for almost 20min then when got up i vomited again and started feeling heavy. I was carried to the car as i wasnt able to walk. Then in the car i lost all control over my body and felt paralyzed like i was paraplegic. I cldnt even lift my finger or speak. All i cld do is move my neck as to answer yes or no questions. I was aware of evthg around me but I cldnt respond or interact. People were talking to me and i cldnt answer them unless it was a yes/no question. I was crying the whole time. Note that I wasn't feeling any pain, my heartbeat was normal. I had no palpitations, no cold sweat, my vision was normal. I was acting like a receiver being able to grasp everything around me but not being able to respond.
I remained like that for 5 hours
Blood tests were done and everything was normal
Symptoms resolved spontaneously with no medical intervention after 5 hours but when my paralysis ended i restarted feeling dizzy and heavy headed.
I haven't consumed any medications or any substance.
Please help if you have an explanation
Two nights ago the same thing happened to me. I was nauseated for 3 days. A bit dizzy. I drink lots of water, so, I doubt it was dehydration. I also get vitamin B injections. It was very firefighting. I woke up with stomach pain and thought I had food poisoning. Went to the bathroom, and had severe diarrhea. But then my arms and legs went numb. And I could not move my hands. They became very stiff, claw like. Husband called 911. But it started to subside by the time the EMTs got here. I saw my regular PA yesterday, she was baffled, and referred me to a neurologist.
My husband said I should get tested for parasites, I am doing that next.
Did anyone get any answers?
My husband said I should get tested for parasites, I am doing that next.
Did anyone get any answers?
Today, after a night of drinking and feeling very ick all day, around 4:30 I went out for a quick drive to pick up some food. Got to the place and was beginning to feel ill. Getting my food, started feeling sicker and was just hoping To get back to my car without issues. Got to the car, feeling even sicker and began the drive home. As I was driving really started feeling like I needed to puke, very hot...but it was a short drive, thought I'd make it. Then the tingling started in my left hand, it cramped up into a bit of a claw and I couldn't open it. I pulled off the road, really close to home, but not trusting myself to drive. I pulled over, parked it and got into the backseat and lied down until the nausea and heat passed and my hand opened up again. That took about a half hour. Then I drove home, no more issues.
Weird.
Weird.
The EXACT same symptoms happened to me twice in my lifetime: First nausea, diarrhea (on of the 2 times), vomitting (in the other) numbness in extremities gradually traveling towards the body, and them clutched, paralyzed hands that are painful from the extreme stiffness. In both cases this lasted for about 15 min. or so and then the whole episode was over. Till this day I have no idea why nausea, and maybe the dehydration of either the vomitting or the diarrhea, can bring on so much weirdness.
Hey Guys,
I've had this problem many times throughout my life.
Nobody has been able to ever identify the exact cause, but most doctors have suggested the electrolyte (Gatorade cure)
The first time I had it was when was about 10 years old, I'd been vomiting and had not eaten or had much to drink during the day when I suffered the same symptoms of nausea as a weird tingling feeling starts in my stomach and hands until it becomes so intense my hands, fingers and muscles in my arms are cramped in a awkward locked position. The doctor that day suggested electrolytes, a decent meal and possibly some sugar in case of low sugar levels.
The times after that day were during my early 20's if I had consumed large quantities of alcohol the night before sometImes the next day I would have one.
I narrowed it down to a bottle of Gatorade would retify the symptoms for myself but it seems to be motion as well that brings on the nausea so if have to stop the vehicle and lay down help the issue.
I've had probably around 8 of these throughout my early 20's, water itself does not seem to be enough. I've been at festivals on a hot day in Queensland Australia where I was constantly drinking water and had one on the way back home from it, again Gatorade helped that time.
Surprisingly the worse one I have ever had the tingling feeling traveled up into my face, my face became weirdly contorted and I was struggling to breath and the only thing available was a can of coke. As soon as my friend gave me sips of the coke my muscles began to release.
So I'm unsure whether it's to do with a lack of electrolytes, potassium, sodium or a mixture of them all
I haven't had one for about 4 years now but I am more aware of my limits these days and tend not to drink as much but when I am I take precautions to ensure my body gets a good dose of electrolytes and vitamins before, during and after I start drinking.
It may not be a fix for everyone but I hope this may help some of you, would love to hear back from anyone who knows what the issue is.
Note: I am completely conscious and coherent when it happens to me though I can and have felt light headed and dizzy before the tingling begins.
I've had this problem many times throughout my life.
Nobody has been able to ever identify the exact cause, but most doctors have suggested the electrolyte (Gatorade cure)
The first time I had it was when was about 10 years old, I'd been vomiting and had not eaten or had much to drink during the day when I suffered the same symptoms of nausea as a weird tingling feeling starts in my stomach and hands until it becomes so intense my hands, fingers and muscles in my arms are cramped in a awkward locked position. The doctor that day suggested electrolytes, a decent meal and possibly some sugar in case of low sugar levels.
The times after that day were during my early 20's if I had consumed large quantities of alcohol the night before sometImes the next day I would have one.
I narrowed it down to a bottle of Gatorade would retify the symptoms for myself but it seems to be motion as well that brings on the nausea so if have to stop the vehicle and lay down help the issue.
I've had probably around 8 of these throughout my early 20's, water itself does not seem to be enough. I've been at festivals on a hot day in Queensland Australia where I was constantly drinking water and had one on the way back home from it, again Gatorade helped that time.
Surprisingly the worse one I have ever had the tingling feeling traveled up into my face, my face became weirdly contorted and I was struggling to breath and the only thing available was a can of coke. As soon as my friend gave me sips of the coke my muscles began to release.
So I'm unsure whether it's to do with a lack of electrolytes, potassium, sodium or a mixture of them all
I haven't had one for about 4 years now but I am more aware of my limits these days and tend not to drink as much but when I am I take precautions to ensure my body gets a good dose of electrolytes and vitamins before, during and after I start drinking.
It may not be a fix for everyone but I hope this may help some of you, would love to hear back from anyone who knows what the issue is.
Note: I am completely conscious and coherent when it happens to me though I can and have felt light headed and dizzy before the tingling begins.
WOW The same thing happened to me and I am super happy to see I am not the only one! In my case, I was at a party the night before so I consumed lots of alcohol and woke up with a terrible hangover and nausea.
We had stayed at a friend's place that night so we got on the car to go home and that's when it all started. I started feeling super nauseous and powerless like I couldn't even hold my head up. Then I felt this tingling feeling in my hands, then in my legs and in face and soon after I realized I wasn't able to move my hands and my face properly!
Obviously I freaked out and told my husband to drive to a hospital. He thought I was exaggerating (and I think he still does to this day lol) but drove to the hospital anyways. The moment we entered the hospital car park I couldn't hold it anymore and vomited (luckily my husband had the time to stop the car and I puked outside haha) and that was it. All of a sudden all that tingling and numbness passed.
Since I didn't wanted to wait in the emergency like 2 hours then to be told I have a hangover, plus I just wanted to lay in my bed, we went home. The numbness/tingling never came back luckily, but I vomited like 7 times that day! Now, I do vomit from time to time when I have a hangover but never that much. I don't know what it was, but I still can't believe it was simply because I drank so much. I don't know if it was just an upset stomach as I ate the same thing as everyone else. And I couldn't find an answer on Google except this post so here I am :) Hopefully we can find an answer!
We had stayed at a friend's place that night so we got on the car to go home and that's when it all started. I started feeling super nauseous and powerless like I couldn't even hold my head up. Then I felt this tingling feeling in my hands, then in my legs and in face and soon after I realized I wasn't able to move my hands and my face properly!
Obviously I freaked out and told my husband to drive to a hospital. He thought I was exaggerating (and I think he still does to this day lol) but drove to the hospital anyways. The moment we entered the hospital car park I couldn't hold it anymore and vomited (luckily my husband had the time to stop the car and I puked outside haha) and that was it. All of a sudden all that tingling and numbness passed.
Since I didn't wanted to wait in the emergency like 2 hours then to be told I have a hangover, plus I just wanted to lay in my bed, we went home. The numbness/tingling never came back luckily, but I vomited like 7 times that day! Now, I do vomit from time to time when I have a hangover but never that much. I don't know what it was, but I still can't believe it was simply because I drank so much. I don't know if it was just an upset stomach as I ate the same thing as everyone else. And I couldn't find an answer on Google except this post so here I am :) Hopefully we can find an answer!
This is the only place online that I've been able to find any similar accounts of what has happened to me now three times, under 3 very different circumstances. Hopefully these stories will help others to avoid this terrifying ordeal!
The first time this "hand cramping" happened to me, it was not preceded by nausea. I had been visiting my then-boyfriend in France, and consuming copious amounts of wine and very little amounts of water. Mid-intercourse, I felt my lips and face begin to go numb. Then, my arms and legs... Before I knew it, my hands had retracted into a stiff, clenched form. We both panicked, and my boyfriend quickly put me into the hot shower, where I began to work out the cramping in my hands. Because it was the first time this had happened, I just assumed it was the funky position I had been in. Little did I know, it was because I was over-dehydrated.
The second time this happened was after my Bachelorette party. I exhibited all the symptoms of these other posters - extreme nausea / vomiting & IBS, then tingling, then cramping, then extreme clenching. Luckily, my father is a surgeon and knew immediately that I was dehydrated and lacking electrolytes. Gatorade and saltine crackers saved my life that day...
The third time just happened this past weekend, which led me to this research. I was getting tattooed on my hip, and the painful part (shading) really started to get to me. I began to clench my hands in fists - and before I knew it, the "hand paralysis" had set in within minutes - only this time, it was over my entire body. I could not speak, I could not move my hands, or my legs. It was so extreme that we had to stop for the day. I have been re-hydrating and feel much better, but I am still sore and shaky from that day.
MORAL OF THESE STORIES : STAY HYDRATED, MY FRIENDS. Water and electrolytes help to keep your body in balance. This super-scary occurrence is usually avoidable! Good luck!
The first time this "hand cramping" happened to me, it was not preceded by nausea. I had been visiting my then-boyfriend in France, and consuming copious amounts of wine and very little amounts of water. Mid-intercourse, I felt my lips and face begin to go numb. Then, my arms and legs... Before I knew it, my hands had retracted into a stiff, clenched form. We both panicked, and my boyfriend quickly put me into the hot shower, where I began to work out the cramping in my hands. Because it was the first time this had happened, I just assumed it was the funky position I had been in. Little did I know, it was because I was over-dehydrated.
The second time this happened was after my Bachelorette party. I exhibited all the symptoms of these other posters - extreme nausea / vomiting & IBS, then tingling, then cramping, then extreme clenching. Luckily, my father is a surgeon and knew immediately that I was dehydrated and lacking electrolytes. Gatorade and saltine crackers saved my life that day...
The third time just happened this past weekend, which led me to this research. I was getting tattooed on my hip, and the painful part (shading) really started to get to me. I began to clench my hands in fists - and before I knew it, the "hand paralysis" had set in within minutes - only this time, it was over my entire body. I could not speak, I could not move my hands, or my legs. It was so extreme that we had to stop for the day. I have been re-hydrating and feel much better, but I am still sore and shaky from that day.
MORAL OF THESE STORIES : STAY HYDRATED, MY FRIENDS. Water and electrolytes help to keep your body in balance. This super-scary occurrence is usually avoidable! Good luck!
I am so glad to have found this forum!
I really thought I was dying and I would not see my family again...which did not help :0/. The only thing different with me is (I had severe diarrhea from 5:30 am to about 11 am the next day) that at 3 pm the first day, my body was in so much pain (aching), I took a 40 minute jacuzzi in very hot water. I then showered immediately after to wash my hair and during that my arms started feeling tingly and I was getting dizzy/faint (I have fainted many times), so I grabbed the bar and stood there a second. Stepped out of the shower and on to the toilet (yes, dreaded dirrahea, again). I sat there a few minutes and my arms were still tingling. I stood up and started to the living room and got very winded, so I headed back to bed....I felt like I was hyper ventilating, I was crying, and my arms were tingling very severely now. I made it to the bed, barely and dropped. My hands began to tighten up. I tried calling my husband (he was at work) and got the call to go through. By the time my husband got home (10 min) my hands were clenched up and my arms were not moving (all pulled tight into my torso) and the tingling was like nothing I have felt! I tingling then proceeded to my legs. I really thought I was having a stroke! My whole tingling, ridged hands, severe tingling in arms and legs, lasted about 1/2 an hour.
My husband took me to the doctors, they thought I was having a stroke also. After talking, they slowed up a bit and said a stroke was probably not the case. They did blood work: potassium, A1C, sodium, liver check, ect...all came back normal.....no explaination.
I have a couple things going on that might have contributed:
1. I have some nerve pain in my neck that I have been dealing with. RIght side, sharp pains down my shoulder to my arm /fingers and up my neck to my head, jawline, and from my neck down my back.
2. I get migraines frequently.
3. And for a number of years I have had RIGHT SIDE ONLY PAIN. From Migraines down to my joints in my toes. Mostly joint pain.
My husband thinks that there might be a connection there? If anyone is dealing with any of these issues, do you think they may be related? I am leaning towards dehydration, but not convinced. But reading these stories helps to settle me a bit!
I really thought I was dying and I would not see my family again...which did not help :0/. The only thing different with me is (I had severe diarrhea from 5:30 am to about 11 am the next day) that at 3 pm the first day, my body was in so much pain (aching), I took a 40 minute jacuzzi in very hot water. I then showered immediately after to wash my hair and during that my arms started feeling tingly and I was getting dizzy/faint (I have fainted many times), so I grabbed the bar and stood there a second. Stepped out of the shower and on to the toilet (yes, dreaded dirrahea, again). I sat there a few minutes and my arms were still tingling. I stood up and started to the living room and got very winded, so I headed back to bed....I felt like I was hyper ventilating, I was crying, and my arms were tingling very severely now. I made it to the bed, barely and dropped. My hands began to tighten up. I tried calling my husband (he was at work) and got the call to go through. By the time my husband got home (10 min) my hands were clenched up and my arms were not moving (all pulled tight into my torso) and the tingling was like nothing I have felt! I tingling then proceeded to my legs. I really thought I was having a stroke! My whole tingling, ridged hands, severe tingling in arms and legs, lasted about 1/2 an hour.
My husband took me to the doctors, they thought I was having a stroke also. After talking, they slowed up a bit and said a stroke was probably not the case. They did blood work: potassium, A1C, sodium, liver check, ect...all came back normal.....no explaination.
I have a couple things going on that might have contributed:
1. I have some nerve pain in my neck that I have been dealing with. RIght side, sharp pains down my shoulder to my arm /fingers and up my neck to my head, jawline, and from my neck down my back.
2. I get migraines frequently.
3. And for a number of years I have had RIGHT SIDE ONLY PAIN. From Migraines down to my joints in my toes. Mostly joint pain.
My husband thinks that there might be a connection there? If anyone is dealing with any of these issues, do you think they may be related? I am leaning towards dehydration, but not convinced. But reading these stories helps to settle me a bit!
1 Comments
Yesterday evening I had a beer during dinner, after that I smoked a cigarette. I felt the cigarette was a little strong and nausea started in the car on my way home. In the elevator, while trying not to throw up, I felt my hands and arms, especially the left one going numb. I felt needles and cramps in my hands aswell. I got really scared thinking I am having a stroke. But he moment I threw up, I started getting better. Today I feel my left arm a very weak and your comment got me thinking: yesterday morning I woke up with a left side headache that was getting worse when opening my mouth. I have TMJ, I sleep with mouth guards and also my muscles become stiff pretty often. And your symptoms of pain in neck, head and jawline I had them for years. Muscle relaxers were helping me before. So yeah, I am thinking there is a connection...
WOW. My husband is going through the same thing this very MINUTE! and I think your other symtoms are also related. he has been getting migraines like, everyday this past two weeks!!. He literally thought he was dying. We were terrified because his mother has had a cancerous tumor her brain stem and she would have terrible migraines. He doesnt have insurance now and dont know what to do. He is also experiencing random like shocks or like a shiver. He said the pain comes in waves. He will bust out in a sweat and will get goosebumbs Often. I am scared and it is so hard when he has a moment, he will pretty much be paralized and cant talk. Please someone let me know what I can do for him.
I am having very similar episodes. I have had 3 in the last 9 days. I woke in the night at 1 in the morning with severe abdominal pain. I went to the bathroom, thinking that I would diarrhea. As I sat down and began to diarrhea, my entire abdomen and arms went numb and tingly. It felt like limbs when they “fall asleep”. My face, neck, and lips began to tingle as well. I went to get toilet paper and my hands became stiff, fingers outstretched, and they were completely paralyzed. The paralysis lasted about 10 minutes and then I called 911. They found nothing abnormal at the ER, but my neck and face stayed tingly for several hours after the episode. My bloodwork, brain MRI, and cervical spine MRI were normal.
Since then I have had random numbness in my arms, hands, and abdomen. I have also had two more episodes in the night --- I wake up with numb arms, and begin shaking and jerking/twitching for about ten minutes. Then when it stops I still feel strange, hot and cold and jittery. But I never lose consciousness.
For about two months I have had nerve pain in the base of my skull/neck. And regular abdominal pain. Doctors have no answer.
Since then I have had random numbness in my arms, hands, and abdomen. I have also had two more episodes in the night --- I wake up with numb arms, and begin shaking and jerking/twitching for about ten minutes. Then when it stops I still feel strange, hot and cold and jittery. But I never lose consciousness.
For about two months I have had nerve pain in the base of my skull/neck. And regular abdominal pain. Doctors have no answer.
Last weekend I woke up around 9am with a significantly bloated abdomen, pain in my upper and lower abdominal area, diarrhea, nausea, and sensitivity all over my body. I stayed in bed all day unless I was rushing to the bathroom. I would start sweating so heavily my hair was soaked and then I would get goose bumps and start shivering so hard my teeth chattered.
My husband and daughter weren't home and wouldn't be until around 10pm. My stomach hurt so bad and even though I kept making trips to the bathroom, it remained really bloated. Around 5pm I threw up. Around 7pm I was throwing up while having diarrhea.
After this final time that I threw up I could feel my face numbing and it felt like my eyelids were trembling. I turned to look in the mirror and saw that my face was actually sagging! Then I started feeling this extreme tingling coming down my face and neck and going all the way down my arms. My arms cramped up and my fingers were like super flexed. Some were sticking straight out and others were curled up. I thought I was going to pass out so i got down on the floor so I wouldn't crack my head open if I fell. My phone was in there on the floor with me and I was finally able to pick it up after several tries and hit speed dial for my husband. When he answered I tried to ask him to come home but it was like my tongue wouldn't do what I wanted it to and I sounded really odd. This scared the hell out of me and my poor husband who rushed home. I dropped the phone and lay on the bathroom floor for about 15 minutes waiting for him stuck in that position and then it started going down my left leg and it cramped up too. My foot flexed and I could not make any of it stop.
Finally after about 30 more minutes everything started relaxing. My husband really wanted me to go to the hospital or call an ambulance but honestly, I was so exhausted after being in that position for so long I could not imagine leaving the house. I am 40 and I'm super healthy. As I recently had a physical and blood work, I decided if I still felt badly the following day, I would go to the Dr then. That was a very stupid thing for me to think and do. I know realize this. However, I did feel better the next day and have not gone to be checked out yet. From what all of you are saying I probably wouldn't have actually been diagnosed anyway.
Scary stuff.
My husband and daughter weren't home and wouldn't be until around 10pm. My stomach hurt so bad and even though I kept making trips to the bathroom, it remained really bloated. Around 5pm I threw up. Around 7pm I was throwing up while having diarrhea.
After this final time that I threw up I could feel my face numbing and it felt like my eyelids were trembling. I turned to look in the mirror and saw that my face was actually sagging! Then I started feeling this extreme tingling coming down my face and neck and going all the way down my arms. My arms cramped up and my fingers were like super flexed. Some were sticking straight out and others were curled up. I thought I was going to pass out so i got down on the floor so I wouldn't crack my head open if I fell. My phone was in there on the floor with me and I was finally able to pick it up after several tries and hit speed dial for my husband. When he answered I tried to ask him to come home but it was like my tongue wouldn't do what I wanted it to and I sounded really odd. This scared the hell out of me and my poor husband who rushed home. I dropped the phone and lay on the bathroom floor for about 15 minutes waiting for him stuck in that position and then it started going down my left leg and it cramped up too. My foot flexed and I could not make any of it stop.
Finally after about 30 more minutes everything started relaxing. My husband really wanted me to go to the hospital or call an ambulance but honestly, I was so exhausted after being in that position for so long I could not imagine leaving the house. I am 40 and I'm super healthy. As I recently had a physical and blood work, I decided if I still felt badly the following day, I would go to the Dr then. That was a very stupid thing for me to think and do. I know realize this. However, I did feel better the next day and have not gone to be checked out yet. From what all of you are saying I probably wouldn't have actually been diagnosed anyway.
Scary stuff.
1 Comments
You just described a stroke. I can't imagine nobody told you this. You must see a neurologist
Omg thank you for posting this. I just had a similar experience and thought I was dying. I get motion sickness a lot and there are certain types of cars that I can't even be in. I was a passenger in my friends car that I know I can always expect motion sickness. My nausea became so bad that I didn't know what what would happen next - then all of a sudden my hands became tingly and soon after they started to become numb. I started to feel it spread to my tongue when I started to freak out. we were on the highway so we couldn't just pull over. I have a history of panics attacks so I assumed it was just that. However I have not had an anxiety attack in almost a year and it felt different - like I didn't have the usual outer body experience i usually have when experience a panic attack, it just felt it was actually physical rather than in my head. Also with a panic attack I have never felt need to go to the hospital and with this experience I felt like I needed to go to the ER immediately. Luckily, this girl is practicely my sister and I had no problems sharing everything I was experiencing. I tried to shake it off but it got worse so I decided to stop moving completely. I started to instruct her the fastest way to get to a hospital but by the time we pulled off the highway it started to subside. The strangest part was that when my hand numbness got severe my nausea vanished. Almost like that's what it had to do to correct itself. Once I got to my destination I immediately stretched and within 30 min I felt completely normal.
Anyways, by the number of responses I'm surprised there aren't more websites that mention this motion sickness side effect.
Today I accepted I can never go on a cruise or into outer space.
Anyways, by the number of responses I'm surprised there aren't more websites that mention this motion sickness side effect.
Today I accepted I can never go on a cruise or into outer space.
So I posted one back and just wanted to follow up because it seems people still find this page often.
a couple of days after my episode I got so sick I couldn't even get out of bed to go to the doctors. After sleeping for almost 2 days straight I managed to get enough energy to go. They took a bunch of blood samples and found my vitamin D was dangerously low and starting to effect my thyroid. Everything else people have suggested to cause this hand paralysis, like electrolytes and vitamin b was normal. Honestly I thought it was Lymne disease and thank god it wasn't. So the only conclusion I can draw at this point is somehow a combination of dehydration, lack of vitamin D and the extreme nausea triggered some kind of temporary nerve blockage to my hands.
I have to go on prescription supplements for a few months, so I was suggest getting your blood tested for anyone this happens to again.
a couple of days after my episode I got so sick I couldn't even get out of bed to go to the doctors. After sleeping for almost 2 days straight I managed to get enough energy to go. They took a bunch of blood samples and found my vitamin D was dangerously low and starting to effect my thyroid. Everything else people have suggested to cause this hand paralysis, like electrolytes and vitamin b was normal. Honestly I thought it was Lymne disease and thank god it wasn't. So the only conclusion I can draw at this point is somehow a combination of dehydration, lack of vitamin D and the extreme nausea triggered some kind of temporary nerve blockage to my hands.
I have to go on prescription supplements for a few months, so I was suggest getting your blood tested for anyone this happens to again.
1 Comments
Thank you for posting an update, as I was in the process of posting one myself. I had another episode this past Monday. While making a cup of coffee, I began to feel dizzy and had tunnel vision. I knew I was going to pass out so I tried to hold onto the countertop. Well I passed out anyway and woke up in my husbands arms, disoriented and my arms and hands were drawn into "praying mantis" stance-paralyzed. There was a puddle of vomit on the floor. 911 was called, spend the day in the ER, and my Dr. is seeing me Friday to wear a Holter monitor (heart). I will show him your post and God willing...maybe have an answer to post here.
My daughter is experiencing many of the same symptoms as many people on this site. She was just ordered to wear a heart monitor by her doctor. We are extremely concerned. Have you found out anything since your last post.
Five days ago I awoke feeling nauseous. I stayed in bed a bit longer, then felt abdominal cramping. In the bathroom I had some loose stools and then severe abdominal pain. I started vomiting which was mostly dry heaves, then both arms went completely numb and my hands clenched into a frozen position. We called 911, and they arrived in less than ten minutes. By then the numbness and hand clenching had subsided. All vitals including an EKG were normal. I declined transport to the hospital, but an hour later I went to the ER with pain again which was possibly a kidney stone. There is still no explanation for the numbness, but a common theme I see here is vomiting.
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