Question:
Has anyone else had numbness in their hands?

More specifically, it's my left hand, and only the pinky finger. :-\ I've looked through the data base and found a few questions on numbness in the extremities, but all the questions seemed to be posted by recent post-ops. I'm 26, almost 11 months post-op (had a lap. proximal RNY on October 3, 2001), and to date, have lost about 150 lb. (went from 335 lb. to 186 lb.) I'm almost to my goal weight (have about 15 lb. more to lose) and am feeling fine otherwise. I have never had diabetes, any other problems with my blood sugar, sleep apnea, blood pressure problems, etc. Anyway, on to my question. lol I've noticed since, oh, probably about four or five months post-op that I'll have occasional numbness in my left hand pinky finger. I've tried paying attention to it to see if anything specific brings it on (just waking up from sleep, not eating anything for a long period of time, eating something that has a little too much sugar in it, etc.) and I can figure out nothing! It just sort of comes and goes as it pleases. I'm not sure if this is related to my blood pressure, but I have noticed that since surgery, it's been a little on the low side. My whole life, my bp has been darn near perfect...usually in the 120/70 range, and every time I've been to the doctor since surgery, it's been around 110/60. I'm assuming that's still in the normal range, but just wondering if it's related. As far as my bloodwork, it's been normal so far too, except for the last time I had it done at my nine month check-up. Everything was OK except for my iron...it was a tad high, so I was told by my surgeon's Nurse Practitioner to decrease my multi-vitamins with iron from two a day to one a day for a while, and the iron levels should come back down to normal. This numbness started long before I found this info. out though. Any advice/info. will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!    — Emily W. (posted on August 30, 2002)

August 30, 2002
Hi Emily, My first thought was that you probably have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Do a search online for the keywords Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and see if your symptoms match up. If so, you may want to go see your PCP and have it checked as it can be so annoying, I know. Your doctor may order a wrist splint to be worn for awhile and that really does help alot. Take care and good luck to you!
   — thumpiez

August 30, 2002
Hi there...I'm 13 months post op and have tingling and itching in my right pinky from time to time. I've been wondering if it's a circulation problem or a vitie deficiency related to surgery. However, my labs came back fine a few months ago. I don't have any answers for you but just wanted to say I have a similar expirience. I'm just hoping it doesn't get worse. Take care. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -127
   — KimBo36

August 30, 2002
Hi Emily, I would definitely get this checked out by your PCP. I'm no doc, but I do know that numbness is not normal and should not be left unchecked. Two years ago I had numbness in my left had, beginning with my thumb, and also muscle weekness and a variety of other symptoms. To make a long story short, it turned out I had a pinched nerve at C6 (in the neck). It was not serious (if you don't consider the pain that I experienced non-serious), but it could have been. So, I would suggest you at least talk to your doctor's nurse and describe your symptoms to her. She should have enough medical expertise to advise whether or not you should be seen by the doctor. Take care.
   — rebalspirit

August 31, 2002
This may sound kind of crazy but it's true. If your weight loss has left you with larger breasts, it's possible that this numbness is related. I am very well endowed, and sometimes the weight of my breasts causes symptoms such as headaches, neckaches, sore shoulders, and numbness or tingling in the hands/fingers. I have found that wearing a bra with wide straps has helped and making sure that the bra fits snuggly around your body so that the back doesn't ride up can help a lot. Sometimes, your breasts don't have to be that large, but if you have a lot of excess skin in your breasts that can cause the same symptoms. In any case, I would check with your doctor. As to other causes, usually high blood pressure causes the tingly fingers, and sometimes low potassium.
   — cjabates

August 31, 2002
I have tingling in my fingers and believe it is related to my low thyroid (hypo-thyroid). A website you might check is about.com and a web site featuring Mary Shomon. Sherry in NM
   — Sherry A.

August 31, 2002
Next time your pinky goes numb, check to see if it is the whole finger or just the inside, next to your ring finger. If it is the inside then you probably have carpel tunnel syndrome. I have and and need surgery for it. It will have to wait till after my wls. It will get worse if it is carpel tunnel syn. effecting more fingers. Good luck!
   — obsessivekompulsive

August 31, 2002
If it possibly cubitial syndrome, caused by pinching of your ulnar nerve. Carpal tunnel is thumb and digit 3 and 4 numb. It may get worse and worse and drive you crazy and there is an effective operation for it. I was 18 mos post op and had both right and left fixed. My therory was my nerve got stuck in the cubital jt with the massive wt loss. Good luck
   — MARY E.

September 2, 2002
Whenever my hands go numb, my potassium has bottomed out and I'm in deep do do. Then I end up in the ER getting potassium by IV.
   — Danmark