Left arm tinglies

[sororbabylon.livejournal.com]

I've been on birth control pills for about ten years, most recently lo-orval. I have had very good blood pressure my entire life, and it's still good on a consistent basis (ranging from 90/60 to 110/70).

I do smoke - on average about 3-5 cigarettes a day. I drink alcohol recreationally on a weekly basis.

For the past two days, my left arm has felt sporadically tingly and a tiny bit cool. The muscles on the left side of my neck also feel a little tight. I am chalking it up to overuse of computers (my job) and repetitive motion. I do have RSI in my right wrist, but I have never had trouble with my left arm.

However, I wondered if any VPers have ever experienced a similar sensation in case it's a symptom of spiking blood pressure. Can that happen very suddenly? Should I go to the ER if it persists?

[EDIT]: I had my blood pressure taken here on campus. It's fine - must be muscular overuse. Thanks anyway guys!

Comments

[polly-purebred.livejournal.com]

What part of your arm tingles? I've had tingling in my left arm from my elbow through the 3rd and 4th fingers that was from computer use. I'm not a lefty, so I have no idea why it is that arm only.
Arm tingling could be caused by many different reasons, but it's hard to know unless we have more details. =)
Any arm tingling along with shortness of breath or chest pressure should be considered an emergency. Is that's you in your icon, then you'd be a little young to be at risk for a heart attack but I'd talk to your family doctor if you're concerned.

[sororbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

It's the last two fingers, a bit of the forearm and a bit into the neck. The nurse who took my blood pressure speculated it's carpel tunnel related.

[polly-purebred.livejournal.com]

If it's your last 2 fingers, then it is probably pressure on your ulnar nerve related to overuse, also called Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. It's possible that you could have a combo of Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel. Ouch. =( Better lay off LJ!

[darness.livejournal.com]

I would say that if your symptoms persist for a few more days, make an appointment with your doctor, and maybe a neurologist. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and a neurologist can test for a lot of different things. I've had tingling on the right side of my body, arm and leg, for several years now. When it first started I went to a neurologist and, of all things, my doc thinks its a bad reaction to a flu shot I had several years ago. But they were able to rule out stuff like MS and other things that can be more serious. So hope for the best but get yourself checked out!

Carpal Tunnel

[sororbabylon.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I had my blood pressure checked and all is well with that. As for the RSI and the Carpal Tunnel, all I can do is wear a brace and try to lay off of the typie (unless I want the operation, and it's not that bad yet, knock on wood).

If things do not improve, I probably will seek a specialist's attention.

[utatu.livejournal.com]

You already edited your post, but I'm leaning towards the muscle overuse. Often (not always, of course), women get radiating pains up into their jaw if it's a heart attack, along with back pains, sweats, nausea, etc. But there is the potential for a 'slow' onset. Anyway, here :) I'm pretty vocal about heart-related stuff...I had hospital hours in the ER for my EMT license, and had to help work on a man who died of a heart complication. There are plenty of ways to have a 'heart attack', and he was just was one of the unlucky ones with an unshockable rhythm.

Oh man I just rambled O.O sorry! (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/haws.htm)

[utatu.livejournal.com]

I could have SWORN I closed that link tag...

[sororbabylon.livejournal.com]

LJ conspiracy! :)

THanks for the insight!