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Tingling and numbness in left arm

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Posted 9/4/2011 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
For the most part of the day I have been having numbness and tingling in my left arm and also my chest feels tight or like there is pressure on it. I have also been feeling nauseous.  I looked up heart attack on the internet and I saw that these are symptoms that accompany a heart attack. I am so worried and anxious that there is something wrong with my heart.  I just started having anxiety attacks.  I went to the ER last weekend thinking I was having a heart attack and was told that it was just anxiety.  They ran tests and assured me there was nothing wrong with my heart.  But I don't believe them.  I am always very aware of my heart.  I am constantly checking my pulse to see how fast my heart is beating.  I am so scared that I am going to have a heart attack and die in my sleep. I just recently just started taking medicine for anxiety and it has been doing pretty good up until today.  I don't know what set it off today but this has been a really bad day for me. confused
Posted 9/4/2011 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Honey,
I hope you're feeling better by now. The feelings and sensations you describe sound like anxiety...I've been where you're at and have made many trips to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack only to be told that I'm having an anxiety attack and was given a shot of Ativan. The Ativan did calm me down and helped me to sleep.

Please try not to look up symptoms on the net...the more you read the more frightened you get which causes you to feel worse. The tests they took in the ER would have told them if you were having a heart attack or if you were in danger of having one. Try to believe that the tests are correct and that you are alright. Try to take deep breaths...breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Do this until you feel calm. If you are a praying person and believe in a higher power pray and feel the silence...let the feeling of calm take over you. If you feel up to it soak in a warm bath.

You are ok. Don't be checking your pulse...the more you do it the more you panic and the faster your pulse will be. Relax...breathe deep...exhale slowly. You are ok.
Joni
Posted 9/4/2011 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome, you got a GREAT response from loverain...everything that she said is true.

The only thing that I can add is that I like to use a postive mantra to assure myself that I am okay in the midst of anxiety and worry. The words we speak to ourselves are powerful, and just as we can be influenced by negative/scary thoughts, we can be equally influenced by postive healthy ones! I like to repeat this to myself when I am having trouble with stress symptoms "I am okay, this is only fear making me feel this way"

I would also invite you to visit our Anxiety Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) It is full of great links to sites that teach relaxation and breathing exercises, that if pracitced daily can greatly reduce your over-all anxiety levels and thus, your symptoms.

Keep posting here as well. We are an understanding, supportive group that helps each other get through days like this.

I hope that you feel better soon:)
Scaredy Cat
Posted 9/4/2011 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thank yall so much for the kind and encouraging words they really helped me a lot!!
Posted 9/4/2011 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
AG,

Welcome to HealingWell.  I have been having some problems with chest pain, shortness of breath and anxiety.  When it happens, the more I worry about it, the more my anxiety spikes.  I know how you feel.

Whether or not you have panic disorder, pain in the chest area sounds an alarm. The first thought, and rightfully so, is that you are experiencing a possible heart attack or other cardiac event. This possibility sends many people to the nearest emergency room for help. But, often chest pain symptoms associated with panic disorder are not related to the heart and are not, generally, considered serious.

What works for me is to just slow down whatever activity I am doing and remember "I am OK!"  Anxiety is a nasty thing but remember you have anxiety, anxiety does not have you.  Believe in yourself and keep on talking with us here in the forum.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 9/5/2011 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Anxious Girl,

I've also been where you are. I still think I am dying sometimes and have had COUNTLESS trips to the ER. I've been convinced I've had a stroke, heart attack, blood clots, brain issues, nerve damage, you name it. I have also been told with each trip to the ER that it is only anxiety :(

I'm on Effexor XR and see a psychologist weekly. I'd say I'm doing "ok" but the symptoms are still scary as heck! Just wanted to write to you and let you know you're not alone sweetie!!!  I'm here if you ever wanna talk.

Posted 8/7/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone who posted on this thread still come around here? I am experiencing similar issues.

Thanks. :)
Posted 8/7/2012 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jinaiya and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that you are having these troubles. A couple of questions...

Have you had a medical evalutation lately...and if so, what were the results?

Have you had anxiety issues before, and what treatment, if any have you sought?

If you can fill in the blanks for us here, we'll be able to better help you.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

Whoops!  Just saw your newer post...will read and respond to that now.

 

S.C.

Posted 9/15/2012 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear you are going through this, however I completely understand. I have panic disorder and it is AWFUL. Recently I got back from travelling and I am convinced that something is wrong with my heart. I was at the Doctors a month ago and he said everything sounded really healthy. I have always trusted him, he is a great doctor. He told me I just need to keep working on myself and going to therapy. I am not taking meds because most interact with my epilepsy meds.

But even right now my left arm is intensely tingly, my pulse has been high on and off. I am so tired and running on little sleep. I keep trying to tell myself nothing is wrong with me but it is hard. I also need to stop looking things up on the internet and getting myself worked up.

Sometimes it is comforting to know you are not the only one
Posted 9/15/2012 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've been in these shoes soooo many times I can't count it anymore. I agree, its just anxiety, I noticed something about this, the older I get or however small a difference in the regular pain, I automatically start thinking the worst, or that, THIS IS REALLY IT THIS TIME, and think that all the other times seemed so silly compared to this new different type of pain that I must be in trouble, and I make a trip to the ER and its always anxiety after numerous testing, so now, I try to not think about it, very very hard to do, but, try not to think about it, its more than likely a muscular pain or tension from anxiety, it causes or mimics pain/tingling that seem like a heart attack to us with health anxiety, and that in turn makes us more anxious and its just a vicious cycle.

The tingling can easily also be caused by anxiety, the muscles tense up and this can easily cause the tingling sensation, so does being a bit dehydrated, make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids, and the pulse being rapid and slowing down is classic anxiety, especially if you are paying attention to your pulse, or monitoring it, its on your mind and that there is how anxiety works, it keeps you thinking about it, then it causes something to happen, and then you think more about it etc. it goes on and on.

I hope you are getting some relief reading all these posts, we're all here for you and have been in the same boat, so so many times.

Health anxiety sucks, I hope you feel better soon, you aren't alone!
Posted 1/23/2013 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
My gosh..... I did the samething you did...I searched the web for heart attacks .... tingling in my arns ... ceazy thoughts ... soon as I saw the symptoms if heart attacks... and the CALL 911 QUICKLY ..it scared me and triggered my face heart rate.. I call the ambulance .. they tell me everything is fine ... anxiety sucks... I hate checkibg my pulse every five mins ... thanx to sites like y
These..it makes me feel better knowing that im not alone... I guess im the only guy here....
Posted 1/23/2013 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi demetrius and welcome!

I am sorry that you are having trouble with anxiety and its symptoms right now...it is awful to feel these things and fear the worst!

Glad that you found us...and you are not the only guy...we have lots of male members here. It was just this thread that happened to have all females posting.

What if anything have you tried for anxiety relief? If you need some self-help idea, we have an excellent Resource Guide here on the main page (1st post) It is full of information that you may find helpful.

If things continue to be a struggle...you may want to consider treatment such as therapy.  Many members here have found therapy to be beneficial...I can personally recommend it.:)

Feel free to post with us anytime. Talking with others is very helpful. Start a new thread to introduce yourself anytime, if you feel comfortalbe doing so.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/23/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi AnxiousGrl26, I am not a medical professional of any sort but I would bet my last dollar that the symptoms you are having are a result of anxiety induced hyperventilation. Here is a list of some of the symptoms.

Bloating, Burping, Passing excess gas, Pressure sensation in the abdomen, Weakness, Fainting, Dizziness, Confusion, Agitation, A feeling of being outside yourself, Seeing images that aren't there, Feeling as if you can't breathe, Numbness and tingling (usually in both arms or around the mouth, Spasms or cramps of the hands and feet, Muscle twitching, Chest pains or tenderness, Shortness of breath, Wheezing.

The good news is that you can deal with any of the above symptoms immediately by slowing your breathing down. In my own case that’s exactly what I do when I feel my face getting numb, or weakness in my legs and arms, or I have trouble breathing.

Best Wishes, oslooskar
Posted 3/11/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone I've been having similar symtoms having alot of palpitations and breathlessness so went to hospital they did blood work ECG and check my blood pressure which was normal but that was weeks ago and still gettin palpitaions and always checking my pulse ,today I've felt dizzy nauseous and faint then my left arm went numb so I thought the worst but it went away after a couple of hours does this sound like its anxiety? Thanks
Posted 3/11/2013 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Daneo and welcome,

I am sorry that you are going through all of this right now. It can be scary and confusing to have symptoms that seem like what we are taught to be 'red flags' for serious physical issues!

However, you seem to have had all of the preliminary screening tests that would indicate that you are healthy.

Other things to consider when deciding if you should consider more testing, or whether this is indeed anxiety induced are your risk factors.

Age, lifestyle and genetics all play a part in our overall health...so if you are young and have no habits that could cause, say heart trouble...then you are probably safe in assuming that the tests that you had a few weeks back are conclusive that you're healthy.;)

Have you discussed any of this with your regular doctor? That would be the next step. You can go over your treatment options at that time.

Self-help is also a good choice if you would like to try that first. Managing the stress/anxiety will lower your physical symptoms.

We have a great Resource Guide that you can check out here (on our A/P main page, 1st post) that is full of good ideas to start with. The breathing and relaxation exercises are especially effective if practiced daily.

Keep posting with us as well. It is great to have support!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/9/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,
I have been having panic attacks ever since I recovered from my heroin addiction when i was 17. I am 24 now, the two years after have been horrible, I took Cipralex and Xanax to help calm me down. And I got a lot better, and everything started improving, my social life, my academic life, everything.
Till about a month ago, I was working out and jogging, very intensely, and I had an extremely bad panic attack. I was getting all the symptoms of one and I freaked out so bad. I got my heart checked, stress test / treadmill test, EKG, blood test, everything was great. So i continued working out, till one day I had a massive headache, it lasted for almost three days, i felt like my head was going to explode, I saw a neurologist, he says to not worry and that I'm not going to have a stroke nor have a hemorrhage since i was worried about that. I had gone to the ER two nights back to back and I just couldn't relax.
Then a few days ago I had another bad panic attack, I keep thinking my heart is going to explode, that I'm about to die right now, so I went to the ER again, they did another EKG and gave me some vallium and everything was good. They told me to consult a psychiatrist.
It's been three days now and I am back on Cipralex with .25mg of xanax in the morning and at night, I feel calmer, more stable and better, but I also have this numbness, i dont really know what it is, i hit my funny bone like 5 days ago, idk if my ulnar nerve is damage, it's not pain, my arm and fingers function fine, but like i just feel it tense the whole time, in my left shoulder chest and arm area, my left nipple also seems to get hard often, now obviously my rational thinking tells me to not worry, but it's so hard not to, and I keep doubting those EKG tests. The tension seems to get a lot less when I take xanax or take a hot shower, and I guess it's my nerves acting up. But I was just wondering if this will ever go away? It's like every little tick I feel in my body really gets to me nowadays :(.
I do Yoga from time to time, try to practice Mindfulness, proper breathing techniques but I don't feel like i benefit much from them. I see a therapist too and I'm trying to work on some CBT, but I keep getting unrelated physical symptoms that I don't think are related to panic attacks and that freaks me out.
It's very comforting to be able to talk here any reply will be greatly appreciated.
Wish everyone the best.

Post Edited (Mark_K) : 5/9/2013 12:11:42 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/9/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark and welcome!

First off, let me say congratulations on your sobriety. This is a massive accomplishment that you should feel proud of.

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety troubles however. The symptoms of this disorder can change and morph, keeping us constantly guessing. The physical sensations that you describe in your post sound very familiar. We have had more than a few posts similar to yours!

In our Resources you will find couple of things that may help you. First of all, there is a link to a site called anxietycentre. It has the most comprehensive list of anxiety symptoms I have seen, and I am sure that you will be comforted to see yours listed there.

You will also find progressive muscle relaxation instructive video links. These may help in reducing the nerve and strange feelings in your arm and chest. Practice this exercise along with the other good coping skills that you are doing.

I also have some good book recommendations for you on health anxiety. I will post them later this evening, as I am not home with access to my P.C. until then...I don't know how to copy and paste a link from my phone.;)

Keep talking with us as well. We are a close grooup, always here to support each other!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/10/2013 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
commenting on looking up symptoms on the net ... NEVER look up symptoms and or allergic reactions to meds on the web... they are evil ... the more you read about symptoms etc etc the more you think... your brain is very powerful and can actually make you have the symptoms you're reading about.. people might think im crazy for saying that but its true , just like if a woman wants to get pregnant and have a baby bad enough and dwells on it and thinks about it she can actually go through what they call false pregnancy. the best thing you can do with anxiety is to not have negative thoughts due to every negative thought you have your brain increases it 10X. it could be anxiety due to i always have a numb left arm and chest pain, but i know by now from several hospital visits , heart tests , etc etc my heart is fine and its anxiety ... hope all is well and are feeling better .
Posted 5/10/2013 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, thank you so much for your reply.

Yeah, it's just that the tightness doesn't seem to go away. It's been there for the last 5-6 days. If this sensation or feeling would go away it would be a lot easier to stay positive and relaxed. It does however improve when i put hot water over the area or when i take xanax. But after it comes back. I mean I've done 4 EKG tests this last month, all with very good results, but I'm still in doubt just because of what I'm feeling in my left arm and left side chest. I mean from what I've read, these numbness and tingling feelings tend to come and go with other people, but with me it's like 95% there. My previous panic attacks were simpler, I would get them and once they're done I would be okay. But now it's like I'm in a constant state of anxiety rather than having them spontaneously. All the doctors I've seen have said that it's stress/cramp, but I mean that eventually should go away :/.

Post Edited (Mark_K) : 5/10/2013 5:46:20 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/10/2013 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Here are those books...I really think they will be useful for your recovery!

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-David-Veale/dp/1845298241

http://www.amazon.com/Treating-Health-Anxiety-Cognitive-Behavioral-Approach/dp/1572309989

S.C.

Posted 5/31/2013 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, my name is Andy, and I am 31y.o.

I used to have tachycardia, moderate chest pains, high blood pressure, arrhythmias. I went to several cardiologists but they could not find anything. I've even ended up at a hospital for 3 days, because I went there to take blood tests (about the heart) and when the doctors asked me why and I told them, they immediately kept me in there doing all possible tests. lol

I had this for a year, until I started to have small migraines, many times a day for months. I went to a neurologist (which is also a psycologist), I have nothing with any nervers or my head. The doc diagnosed me with anxiety. She even asked me (without me mentioned it), if I had tachycardias, high blood pressure, chest pain etc. I told her yes, she confirmed these were anxiety symptoms.

She asked me if I want any antidepressant pills. I told her "no I just wanted to know if something else is wrong with me like a heart, if it is anxiety I can manage it".

It's been months since then I tried to change my life style, exercise more, quit smoking, eating right etc. But the anxiety was still there, I still had the migraines and all the heart problems. So one day I went back to the neurologists-psychologist, and asked her for pills. She was against on giving pills or any antidepressant, but I have insisted.

She gave me Cymbalta. I am on Cybalta for 2 days now. I have no chest pain, no migranes, no headaches, no palpitations, no tachycardias or arrhythmias. I feel great. My mood also was getting better, I realized it when I started opening up to people a lot, talking a lot. I feel great. So taking the pill, was also a confirmation that I has anxiety. But only a few side effects of the medicine, which I believe will go away after a few days.

So if a cardiologist tells you that you are fine after he has done every possible test, believe him. Go straight to a psychologist and explain your problem. You might not feel anxious, but anxiety is just there in your body growing each stressful event, and you need to take care of it before you have any worse symptoms.

thanks

Post Edited (andybgr) : 5/31/2013 4:53:48 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/31/2013 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! That is a very helpful post for our members who are having trouble accepting that anxiety can indeed cause a whole spectrum of physical symptoms!

I wish you the very best in your continued anxiety recovery and maintenance.:)

Post with us anytime that you would like to encourage others, or when you are in need of support yourself!

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/1/2013 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
One last thing which is important and I want to make it clear to people with anxiety symptoms.

-first of all, for your safety, if you have any symptoms go to a normal doctor (don't go straight to a psychologist).

-if the doctor -for example a cardio- tells you that you have nothing. Then you have nothing. You have anxiety.

-go to psychologist and treat your anxiety.

if you don't treat your anxiety, it will get worse and worse and worse. You will end up eventually having those heart problems for real, or even end up with a heart attack.

Anxiety can be quiet. A lot of people don't know they have it. Anxiety is not only feeling sad, or down, or don't know what to do in situations. Anxiety also has real symptoms which include, pain, headaches, heart problems, numbness, sleeping disorders etc, and if you don't treat it you will end up with those problems for real.

I felt stupid by not visiting a psychologist for a year I had those symptoms even if the doctors told me it was anxiety. I really started feeling anxious the past few months, I ended up to a psychologist, and now I am perfectly fine.

Post Edited (andybgr) : 5/31/2013 6:21:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/1/2013 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
AG---
I have the same symptoms. I have been assured multiple times that I too am not having a heart attack. I know some of it is due to dehydration due to my pregnancy but 90% of it is anxiety. It took me multiple trips to the ER to realize that it was anxiety and not my heart, or anything else for that matter. Anxiety takes on so many different symptoms and plays soo many games with us. We need to stay positive and on top of it. Keep it at bay and know that we are stronger than the stupid anxiety.
Good luck---hugs!!
Posted 6/21/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I found this forum to be very helpful, I am currently in the middle of a panic attack at work and attempting to deal with the various symptoms that come and go. Tightness of the chest, hot flashes, numb sensations, sharp shooting pains... Basically right now I am convincing myself that I am ok and that I do not have to go the nearest hospital.

I wound up in the hospital on the first time I experienced this symptoms a few years ago in college. I currently am on several medications for my medical concerns: Lorazipam, Prozac, vistaril, seroquel

Something I have found to be helpful is one song in particular that I heard about in one the TED Talks events. If you don’t know what that is, it is basically a bunch of really amazing stories. One of the speakers was someone who connects people from all over the world through different projects. One of the projects was sparked by a letter that had been written about stress and anxiety. If I recall correctly, he wrote a song and sent it to people all over the country and asked for them to sing it. He combined the best ones. I find this video to be helpful during attacks. (“Hey… you’re ok… you’ll be fine…just breathe”)

Youtube – Zefrank’s Chillout Song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqWofBdhT2k

Personally I like the one with the song played to a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pl4RYfTsLI

At this point I have it on repeat and I made an account just so I could say… this song can really help
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