Pins and Needles on one side of body

[HoustonPatient]

I am a 34 year old male. smoker (1 pack a day 12 years) social drinker 6-8 beers every 2 weeks never more. I do not excercise / walk a lot.

03/07 woke up one morning to have my whole left side of my body feeling like pins and needles acompanied by weakness (no vision loss) somewhat slurred speach. I went to the hospital 3 weeks later they found nothing. (Cat, 3 MRI, something to do with my throat and the possibility of a stroke) they found nothing everyting was in perfect health. 3 neurologists later they said it could be an anxiety attack (but my symptoms did not go away for 3 months).

Then while on vacation 02/08 everything was fine then BAM! my whole right side of my body felt the exact same way but this time my right eye was buldging out and blurred / double vision, I had trouble talking even though I knew what I was saying, no control over my fingers; It went away a month and a half later. I was under a lot of stress at the times of the symptoms but 2-3 months to subside ( I was 2 weeks into my vacation)? Can this be related to anxiety attacks caused by stress or maybe a sign of a full blown stroke coming on. For the last few weeks I have been expierencing dizzy spells both when I sit and stand up they happen 4 to 5 times a day and last 5-10 seconds.

Please help.

[mstaher]

I have had the tingling in my left hand with some arm pain  and recently in my left foot, particularly my toes. I also get a strange burning sensation at the top of my head. I have had various tests done and was told that I have high blood pressure and was put on beta blockers.

This was 10 months ago and yet I keep getting new symptoms. MyGyno attributed it to lowered estrogen levels, even though i am 36 and gave me a natural supplement called Agnucaston,

I am convinced that I am not having anxiety attacks because the symptoms appear when i am the happiest and most comfortable.
I am sick am tired of complaining and being viewed as a crazy person. So now I just suffer in silence.

[lance717]

i  have  sort  of the  same symtoms  of  wich  houston  spoke of ,,  but  i am  very  active , do  not  smoke  but   do  drink  a  bit ,, i  have taken and  tried  everything  for   it ,, l-arginine  omega  3  6 9  advil  asprin codene    tylenol,  oxy ,, ,, hemo  dialators .. b   complex   ,, muti   with   c  and  e-   even  valium  ,,  to  no avail  , ive  had a strees  test echo  that came  back  neg  ,  a  p t f  that  was great  ,,   im  thinking  hothckins.. graves ,,copd ??   p  a  d  ??    went  to  the  doc  and  he  is  at  a loss as  well ..  ?? marphans  ?? m s??  .. i  had  a  neuroligical  exam  as  well  and   nothing  conclusive  came  of  that  .. this  pins  and  needles   heaviness numbness  and  pain  is only  one  sided..  left  ..  mine .. arms  and  legs ..  ive  had  it   for  6  months  straight  and  im  ready  to  cut  off  me  own  leg..  any  answers  ??? ideas   relief,,    all  are welcome
lance
  ***@****

[HoustonPatient]

Thank you for your responce, I was actually in the Phillipines when the second occurance happened. I wish I would have known you then, if I quite smoking right now is there anything else I can do to "heal" the damage I have done and to prevent any more occurances? Or are my days just numbered? I have been feeling light headed for the last 3 weeks now about 4-6 times a day accompanied by a annoying headache. the spells last about 3-10 a piece; any advice?

[PaulMD]

Hi.  These could be transient ischemic attacks where blood flow to one part of the brain is diminished or curtailed temporarily, but not long enough to cause permanent damage or even show up on the routine brain scans.  These problems are caused by vascular problems that causes the lumen of these blood vessels to narrow down.  Smoking is notorious for this.  TIA's can be triggered by strong emotions, stress, or sudden increase or decrease in blood pressure.