[GonnaBeAMommy]

Yesterday I had an extremely bad stomach ache from eating some bbq potato chips that apparently didn't agree with me. The stomach ache was really severe, and I was in a cold sweat and crying in pain. I also had one strange symptom: my upper body and face, particularly my hands and lower arms, went completely numb. My hands had no feeling whatsoever, and were cramped into one position (like a 'claw' shape, with my fingers stuck straight). They were completely stiff and I literally could NOT move them at all!

The numbness lasted for more than ten minutes, and then began to fade slowly. My hands were still a little cramped for awhile after that. Now, today, my fingers are sore from where they were stuck in that position.

I have had this happen twice before (each time from eating something different- once a salad, and once a taco or something). It last happened about six months ago, and then about four months before that. So not very often at all. Both other times, I also had the cold sweat and was in severe pain.

Does anyone have an idea as to what could have caused the numbness, and particularly the hand cramping? Is it possibly just my body's reaction to the severe pain, or is something else going on here? I have never heard of anything like this before.

I have a sensitive stomach in general but usually my stomach aches are not nearly so incredibly painful. Also, I don't believe it was anything like food poisoning, as all I ate this time was the chips- and my nephew, husband, and sister ate them too, with no problems.

I am female, 28 years old, not pregnant (and never have been). Haven't had any surgeries ever, nor done anything out of the ordinary lately. My only medical conditions are pretty much unrelated- asthma and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

[DoctorK]

The first thing you should do is to go to your physician. This may be what you say, just an stomach ache from eating something, or it could be a more serious situation and only by proper PE and some additional tests your doctor will find out