Numb left index finger

[Bells]

My left index is numb from the first joint to the tip. I just noticed it while watching TV about an hour ago... I'm a little worried. What could bring this on? Maybe anemia?

[Eclipse]

I get that sometimes...adn I'm worried since it has spread to my legs going numb briefly. I sure wish I knew the cause. I thought it was part of the B vitamin thing.

[Bells]

I just remembered... Sometimes the tip of my big left toe goes numb... Maybe my right too? I'm not sure.

[WonderRandy]

I get occasional numbness in my fingers, and it's due to a misalignment in my neck that has caused a bone spur to grow into my spinal column....

that's just me tho...

[LovelyPerv]

My middle toes go numb sometimes...esp when wearing flip-flops...but it's still pretty rare...

My left index finger goes numb/sore as well, but that's due to an old injury. (In fact, at the time, I didn't consider it an 'injury' and never saw a doctor...it's the numbness/soreness years later that made me aware that something serious happened)

My arms will get kinda tingly if I lay flat on my back for a while.

These are things that existed long before going veg...so I don't see a connection...

If that were my body part, I personally wouldn't worry unless it was persistent, or went to other parts of the body as well...then, I'd see a doc.

[Bells]

I never had this before I went vegan. This started happening with my toes about two weeks ago.

[karenlovessnow]

I get numbness/tingling in my fingers a lot...supposedly due to carpel tunnel syndrome. Wearing a wrist brace at night helps. It's a lot worse at night when I'm trying to sleep.

[Silver]

I get occasional numbness in my fingers, and it's due to a misalignment in my neck that has caused a bone spur to grow into my spinal column....


My right hand and my lips went numb last month. It was scary and I called the doctor. It turned out to be a misalignment of a neck vertebrae! I got some massages and it went away. I recommend learning Tai Chi or Chi Gung.

[Lothar M Kirsch]

How about yout viamin B12 supply?
If it's worrying you, see a neurologist (perhaps you'll need an electrophysiologic exam).

[Bells]

My B12 should be fine. I take a vitamin B complex every other day to every day (I also take a vitamin D) and some of the foods I eat are fortified with it.

I might go see a doctor... We'll see. Does anyone have any other ideas of what might cause numbness in fingers and toes?

[inkie51]

Bells, a number of things can cause numbness...have you used a pair of sissors recently? I used a pair to cut out a felt set and afterwards my index finger was numb for hours. Felt so strange.

Do you have any medical books? If not, buy a Merck Manual. It is in any book store. They are worth the price but are not expensive. I highly recommend it. You may not understand all the terminology but if you also buy a Medical dictionary, that will help. The Merck Manual is not a big "heavy medical term" book but that the person on the street can understand it.

Numbness of the extremities can be caused by Raunaud's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and even carpel tunnel and no doubt several other things. If the numbness continues I definitely would go to a Neurologist and get checked.

[TigerLover]

I get numb limbs a lot. I have a problem with my back & neck muscles, as they are weak. When I exercise my back and abs to make them stronger, the numbness and pain goes away. When I stop the health club or exercises like I am doing now, the pain, numbness and tingling returns. This is also accompanied by a "pulling" sensation at my joints (i feel like a puppet on a string or something). There is actually a spot on my back that is numb 90% of the time, and when i touch there, my back doesn't feel a thing. This is from a certain vertebrae strangling the nerves there and pressing on the muscle and causing the nerve endings of the skin there to not feel anything.

I see a chiropractor often to keep my back in shape and ease tension. The only sure cure for me is exercising to maintain muscle mass, this forces the vertebra to stay in line. I lost my health club membership and now winter in chicagoland is keeping me indoors. I used to do push ups and sit ups and now I'm too lazy and have gained nearly 20 lbs. You can only imagine the pain and numbness I experience. If i don't visit the chiropractor at least 2x month, I am in such discomfort I could scream. Not from pain, but just discomfort, numbness, tingling, and this constant aching.

It may only be cooincidental that this seems to have started when you became vegan. I would imagine it would take more than a few weeks for symptoms like these to occur from veganism. If so, then your diet must be very non-nutritional.

I would see a doctor about it and don't second-guess anything. It may not be related to your diet at all, and you wouldn't want a more serious cause to go undetected.

[greensgood]

An increase in circulation might diminish the numb feeling. This is why exercise helps it go away, because the heart is pumping more and circulating faster to the rest of your body. Feet and hands tingling/numbness are the first sign of poor circulation...
try rubbing hands together to increase circulation.
stretching helps.
get your heart rate up however you enjoy (running, dancing, jumping jacks)
these things might help.

[Libellula]

i have a numb right middle fingertip. It's cos it got closed in a car door and caused minor nerve damage.

[Eclipse]

I injured my back too last winter, because of how long the injury lasted I think there was a hairline fracture involved. Thing is I was having numbness problems before this incidence so I don't think they were related.

[animallover7249]

I get numbness/tingling in my fingers a lot...supposedly due to carpel tunnel syndrome. Wearing a wrist brace at night helps. It's a lot worse at night when I'm trying to sleep.

Same. (Same reason, too.)

[Bells]

It may only be cooincidental that this seems to have started when you became vegan. I would imagine it would take more than a few weeks for symptoms like these to occur from veganism. If so, then your diet must be very non-nutritional.

I would see a doctor about it and don't second-guess anything. It may not be related to your diet at all, and you wouldn't want a more serious cause to go undetected.

I've been a vegan for over six months and I have a good diet.


An increase in circulation might diminish the numb feeling. This is why exercise helps it go away, because the heart is pumping more and circulating faster to the rest of your body. Feet and hands tingling/numbness are the first sign of poor circulation...
try rubbing hands together to increase circulation.
stretching helps.
get your heart rate up however you enjoy (running, dancing, jumping jacks)
these things might help.

I usually run or walk every day, do light weight training, stretching, push-ups etc. every other day, and ride my horse every other day... Exercise does not always help the numbness go away and it can stay numb for a few hours... I do usually have cold fingers and toes, though.