My arm and hand feel frozen - anyone recovered from this?

Posted by larry2384 @larry2384, Oct 26 1:20pm

I had a stroke this past August as a result of a complex artery stent procedure. Initially I couldn't swallow my own saliva and had to have a feeding tube installed but was always able to walk albeit i do have some balance problems that i didn't have before. I can swallow now but food sticks in my throat. I have full functionality of all my limbs and can walk and drive since day of the stroke. I walk 3 miles (6000 steps) a day. The problems i have post stroke are swallowing of food (food sticks in my throat) and my right arm and hand feel frozen solid all the time although i suspect this is more of a brain illusion and my hand isn't really cold. I can wear a glove but doesn't help very much. I can still play the piano same as before but my hand always feels frozen. I have suddenly started clinching my teeth which is causing me headaches. I have been waiting forever to see a neurologist to get some medication for the frozen feeling in my arm which i think is causing me to clinch my teeth. I can't find any solutions when i google my symptoms that gives me encouragement for the future. Has anyone had the frozen hand & arm experience and recovered from it?

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winterfox | @winterfox | Oct 27 11:10am

I wish I could give you answers but I don't know. Have you asked your OT ways to help that?

larry2384 | @larry2384 | Oct 27 1:23pm

In reply to @winterfox "I wish I could give you answers but I don't know. Have you asked your OT..." + (show)

@winterfox I have not seen an OT yet. I do see a neurologist tomorrow after waiting for since mid-August. I thought freezing feeling / numbness was a common side effect of stroke? It feels more frozen than numb but someone else might describe as numb.

winterfox | @winterfox | Oct 27 2:35pm

In reply to @larry2384 "@winterfox I have not seen an OT yet. I do see a neurologist tomorrow after waiting..." + (show)

@larry2384
I don't know if its a sign of 1.

I would recommend seeing a OT and see what they say. OT/PT and maybe ST will be your best friends. I swear my OT/PT were great. Neurologist was great but my OT/PT did everything they could. I don't think I'd be where I am today without them.
Best of luck and please update us all

mb0926 | @mb0926 | Oct 27 6:05pm

My husband had artery stent procedure and certain nerves for speech did not work afterwards (vocal cords) were temp paralyzed, started working 6 months later. Little different than your issue , but my point is both stroke and surgery take time for neurons, and nerves to return to a better state, so be hopeful, I had ischemic stroke and it took a year and a half for several things to work more normal.

larry2384 | @larry2384 | Oct 27 8:35pm

Thank you for the encouragement. I hope and pray for improvement.

larry2384 | @larry2384 | Oct 28 2:36pm

I spoke with neurologist today and he said that the freezing i feel is the same as numbness and that it is quite common with stroke patients. Unfortunately, there is nothing he can prescribe to make it go away except time.

methel | @methel | Oct 29 8:08am

In reply to @larry2384 "I spoke with neurologist today and he said that the freezing i feel is the same..." + (show)

@larry2384

When I asked my neurologist how long it would take for me to get back to my new normal after my stroke and surgery, he said 18 months and as events proved, in my case, he was remarkably accurate. And my OT/PT teams were splendid.

larry2384 | @larry2384 | Oct 29 8:56am

It has only been 10 weeks since my stroke and i have been very fortunate but this numbness in my hand feels like my hand and arm are frozen stiff and it is driving me crazy. Once that subsides, i think i can manage it. My PT starts this evening for balance issues. I am not sure if they can help me with my sensory issues. My neurologist doesn't think i have any need for an OT.

methel | @methel | Oct 30 12:35pm

In reply to @larry2384 "It has only been 10 weeks since my stroke and i have been very fortunate but..." + (show)

@larry2384

And no doubt, 10 very long weeks. But it does get better. Partly improvement depends on your cooperation with the therapists and partly it’s out of your control and depends on to what extent your body can heal itself. So be optimistic and work hard, the odds are good, but don’t beat yourself up if something doesn’t ever come back exactly the way you want.
Best wishes. It gets better. Been there.

larry2384 | @larry2384 | Oct 30 1:55pm

Thank You!

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