Hello, im a 48 year old male with a
relatively healthy past, no major medical
problems except for overuse from athletic
activities ( 4 menstectomys and joint
pains). In feb 06 I developed neck pain,
numbness around my mouth, predominanlty
left side, sometimes in the cheek and
once to the back of my scalp along with
neck pain and upper left arm numbness and
left arm weakness. Also, some near
syncope events. I had had a few of the
near syncope events over the last 4 years
as well but were explained by my gp as
probaly related to my ear.
One event in march I ended up in the er.
I sat down, felt faint, legs went week and
jaw "seized up" in numbness. Heart
enzymes , ecg and blood gases all
normal.
Been thru a cervical mri which showed much
degeneration and osteophytes. The
neurosurgeon is convinced the c6-7 is the
cause of the arm problems but was confused
about the face and recommended I see a
vascular surgeon. I did and he initially
thinks vertebral compression of the
arteries due to the neck issues.
Had an mra of the brain arteries,
unremarkable. Had an angiogram of the 4
arteries in the neck and arch yesterday
and the radiologist kept indicating
healthy arterites. However, during the
last two pics, I went faint, lost vision
on one test and the faintness was relieved
as if the radiologist had turned a faucet
on and off. My head had been
hyperextended downward ( chin to chest)
for these two tests. He was confused but
was noting it in the report. I did not
have facial numbness during the test. I
am waitng to meet with the vascular
surgeon again.
Often times I get kind of a sick feeling,
legs get a little weak. The facial
numbness is there most of the time,
sometimes more pronounced than others.