Could I Be Experiencing a Stroke? Request for Guidance
24-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 138 pounds, currently using a nicotine vape. Fourteen months after childbirth, I stopped using the lo-ogrestrel contraceptive in September 2023 after over a decade of use. The symptoms have persisted for a month. I had been diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism during my pregnancy and was also found to be iron deficient. I've recently experienced a tension headache unlike any I’ve encountered before, which has not responded to medication. After two weeks of discomfort, I visited the emergency room where they conducted a chest X-ray, EKG, and CT scan of my brain; all tests returned normal results. Despite this, I'm still experiencing pain in my head and chest, particularly on the left side of my body. There’s also a slight numbness affecting my left pinky and ring finger, along with occasional pins and needles sensations in my left foot. Moreover, before the headache began, I noticed a tingling sensation running down my neck and spine when I tilt my head forward (chin to chest). It isn't painful but feels like a shooting tingle that occurs sporadically. I'm reaching out for assistance as this has severely impacted my life over the last month, and I am feeling extremely anxious about my condition.
Answers (1)
7/21/2025, 4:10:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable that you're feeling anxious about your symptoms, especially considering the concerning nature of headaches and neurological changes. The combination of tension headaches, chest discomfort, numbness, and tingling sensations can be quite distressing, but it's important to focus on what these symptoms indicate and what steps to take next.
Key Points:
- Recent Symptoms: You have tension headaches, left-sided chest pain, and numbness/tingling in your left hand and foot.
- Emergency Evaluation: Tests (chest X-ray, EKG, CT scan) ruled out immediate life-threatening issues.
- Continued Discomfort: Symptoms persist, causing significant anxiety and impacting your quality of life.
Explanation:
Your symptoms could be due to various causes, including tension-type headaches, postural issues, or possibly anxiety. The neurological symptoms (numbness and tingling) are concerning but the normal CT scan is reassuring. Factors like recent hormonal changes after stopping the contraceptive, hydration levels, stress, and posture could also be contributing.
Prioritized Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your symptoms (when they occur, their duration, and any related activities), which can provide clarity on potential triggers.
- Manage Headaches:
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Apply heat or cold to the neck or base of the skull to alleviate tension.
- Consider over-the-counter pain relief, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, only as directed.
- Address Numbness and Tingling:
- Ensure you’re taking breaks if you’re in one position (sitting or standing) for long periods.
- Stretch your neck gently to alleviate any nerve pressure.
- Evaluate Lifestyle Factors:
- Gradually reduce nicotine use, as it can affect circulation and contribute to anxiety.
- Practice relaxation techniques (like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga) to help reduce anxiety and tension.
- Follow-Up Care:
- If symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms develop (like difficulty speaking, severe visual changes, or sudden weakness), it’s crucial to seek further medical evaluation promptly.
Supportive Note:
It’s perfectly natural to feel worried when facing these symptoms, especially given their impact on your daily life. Remember to take care of your emotional well-being, and don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support during this time. You’re not alone in this, and there are steps you can take to improve your situation.
Related Questions
Concern Regarding Persistent Tongue Bump with White Coating
I am a 24-year-old male, standing at 190 cm tall and weighing 109 kg. For the past five weeks, I've experienced a peculiar issue on my tongue. Specifically, there's a noticeable bump on the right side near the tip, which I believe may have been developing over time, although I'm not entirely sure about that timeline. Recently, I've been troubled by an unusual sensation, including dryness, an odd taste, and a slight decrease in my sense of taste. Additionally, I've observed a white coating that is more pronounced on the aforementioned side of my tongue. The bump in question: - Does not cause any pain. - May have increased slightly in size over the weeks, though I'm uncertain. - Appears smooth with a pink surface, free of bleeding or ulceration. Given that this issue has persisted for over a month, I am feeling quite anxious and am concerned that it may indicate a serious problem. I have no significant medical history, but I confess that my dental hygiene has not been up to par, as I haven’t been brushing regularly. At this moment, I’m also under medication for H. pylori, known as Pylera, but this tongue concern predates my treatment. I am a non-smoker and am reaching out for any insights on this condition. Has anyone experienced something similar? Could this be a sign of irritation, infection, or something benign? I really appreciate any guidance you could provide. Thank you!
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.