Numbness

[Helen F H]

Right, firstly this has bugger all to do with diving, so before you all scream at me to call the DDRC etc, forget it.

A while ago (and im talking over ten months) i got facial numbness on one side only - not bad, just as if an injection from the dentist was wearing off.
I mentioned it to a doc who came in at work (when i was at the vets) and he said to get it checked for Bells Palsy.
I saw the quack, and was told that it was because i was fat - the nerve had stretched and was having to re-grow or some crap like that.

However, it has come back. Now before i go stomping off to the docs and demand to waste 10 minutes of their time, has anyone else had numbness when they have lost weight? Im a stone lighter now chaps, and this is all i can attribute it to.

do not flame me, it has taken quite a lot to say this and i really am unsure about what to do

[tom]

Helen, if you feel there's something not right (which you clearly do) then go see your doctor. You won't be wasting their time, if there is a problem you need it checked out and if not then you'll be able to stop worrying about it.

As an intermediate step you could try ringing NHS direct (0845 4647, http://www.nhsdirect.com/ ) to get some advice.

Tom (not a flame)

[iainmsmith]

Originally Posted by Porg

Right, firstly this has bugger all to do with diving, so before you all scream at me to call the DDRC etc, forget it.

A while ago (and im talking over ten months) i got facial numbness on one side only - not bad, just as if an injection from the dentist was wearing off.
I mentioned it to a doc who came in at work (when i was at the vets) and he said to get it checked for Bells Palsy.
I saw the quack, and was told that it was because i was fat - the nerve had stretched and was having to re-grow or some crap like that.

However, it has come back. Now before i go stomping off to the docs and demand to waste 10 minutes of their time, has anyone else had numbness when they have lost weight? Im a stone lighter now chaps, and this is all i can attribute it to.

There was a recent review article on Bell's Palsy in the British Medical Journal.

See http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/conte...l/329/7465/553 if you're interested.

However, Bell's Palsy is a problem of the VIIth cranial nerve (the facial nerve), whose functions include the muscles of facial expression, taste sensation to the tongue and secretory stimulus to some of the salivary glands. It does not supply sensation to the face. Its aetiology is thought to be some sort of viral infection.

Facial sensation is a function of the Vth cranial nerve (the trigeminal nerve). I have to confess that I've never heard of nerves being "stretched" as a result of excess fat tissue. Losing a stone, of course, is not a bad thing if already overweight, but I'd be surprised if this is related to the numbness.

I'd have another chat with your GP.

Iain
(a junior doctor in A&E)

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by iainmsmith

I have to confess that I've never heard of nerves being "stretched" as a result of excess fat tissue. Losing a stone, of course, is not a bad thing if already overweight, but I'd be surprised if this is related to the numbness.

It is a common excuse -
your big toe is sore because you are fat,
Your hair is falling out because you are fat.
Your skin is dry because you are fat.

You get the idea.

I am overweight, and losing a stone has been interesting to say the least. I have lost a stone but no girth, so maybe my feet will shrink again (and just after i got me some climbing boots as well. Buggger)

[parahandy]

I've been witness to this numbness thing before, in the particular cases that I know of its used to afflict some branch diving officers and committees on a regular basis.

I confirm this by the comments from the members often overheard in that they thought those concerned "were numb from the neck up"


On a more serious note hope you get it sorted Helen:-)

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by parahandy

I've been witness to this numbness thing before, in the particular cases that I know of its used to afflict some branch diving officers and committees on a regular basis.

I confirm this by the comments from the members often overheard in that they thought those concerned "were numb from the neck up"


On a more serious note hope you get it sorted Helen:-)

Oh you are SO slapped young man.............. Good job i loves ya!

[Garf]

Look on the bright side. If your whole face goes numb you could clean up as a professional poker player.

[Foggy]

Hi Porg,

My wife gets this complaint from time to time, and it usually ware's off in due course. We have done considerable analysis, what with her bein a research nurse and all, and we believe it to be associated with the consumption of alcohol.....

I'll get mi coat

Cheers, Paul

[JAG]

Helen,

Have you lost control of the side of your face? My partner had Bells Palsy nearly 2 years ago. Lasted a few weeks. If you need further info, PM me and I'll ask her to reply.

Ian