[Quent]

The Left side of my mouth is numb and doesn't move properly plus now the left side of my tongue is starting to feel funny. I'm 24 and I am a welder. This only happened 2 days ago but I'm starting to worry because I can't even spit out my toothpaste properly. I have had lots of muscle issues in my neck and back for the last 6 years. The neck pain gives me terrible headaches.
What could be causing this numbness now?

[joypulv]

Reasons underlying numbness can range widely from very serious to practically nothing, a pinched vertebrae nerve or strained muscle pinching a nerve.

First thing to do is look very critically at how you work, how you bend and tilt and use your arms, etc. Many problems trace back to a simple matter of changing habits. People who sit at computers all day have similar problems.

You don't say what your insurance plan covers, but you do need to see a specialist, I think. But because of the vagueness of it all, you are going to have to do a lot of the sleuthing on your own, and you are going to have to pinpoint the exact places on your back, neck, and face that hurt or are numb, and so on, and also go over your work details. Is your welding helmet heavy, do you always tilt your head to one side, etc.

I went through something like this, and ended up after over 30 years getting the best results from a chiropractor, who not only described which nerves were involved, but who also treated it.

THIS IS NOT TO SAY that your condition isn't totally from something else, even something more serious and rare, such as a blockage or tumor! But a doctor will always start with the most common.

[tickle]

My first thought was a minor stroke. There is not an age range for strokes; see your doctor for a full check up and blood work.

[smoothy]

I agree go see your doctor... tell them everything... let them decide if further tests are needed or if its anything serious or not.

Better safe than sorry.

[Quent]

I set up an appointment for a massage on Thursday & Tuesday but I have to tell you that now my left eye is starting to feel heavy! This is really weird.
Reply to joypluv-I don't have any insurance yet but will soon form my employer.

[smoothy]

You have money for massages twice this week... but not to go to the doctor?

[Quent]

My first thought was a minor stroke. There is not an age range for strokes; see your doctor for a full check up and blood work.

Can't you feel if your having a stroke?

[J_9]

Sounds like Bell's Palsy to me. Save the money you were going to use on massages and use it to see a doctor instead.

[Quent]

You have money for massages twice this week... but not to go to the doctor?

Its actually free for me to go to the dr. I live in Manitoba. But I can't afford to take off work and dr's are only open the same hrs I work! I don't mean to make it sound like I'm avoiding the dr. I'm a guy and was kind of hoping it was just a muscle or nerv thing. I'll go to emergency after work.
Thanks.

[smoothy]

As others have mentioned... if it was a mini-stroke... its important to catch it early and receive treatment... it might be a number of other things... but some of them would need prompt attention if it was... sure it might be nothing... but is it worth taking those chances, Glad you are going to emergency after work today... if I developed those symptoms... I would have gone straight to the doctor right after they happened.

[tickle]

Its actually free for me to go to the dr. I live in Manitoba

Technically speaking, and I live in Canada too, our healthcare in any province isn't actually free, our employers pay the premium to the government, but I am old enough to remember when it was deducted from my pay check.

Sorry guys, know its sort of off topic, but I just had to clear up that word 'free'.

Tick

[Quent]

So just want to let everyone know I just got back from emergency and it turns out I have BellsPalsy. They put me on steroids and it should go back to normal but doesn't always. Thank you everyone for your replies.

[J_9]

BOOYA! I nailed it! Glad you got this taken care of and that it is something simple and treatable.

[smoothy]

Yes... same here too... glad its something treatable.

[tickle]

Way to go J!! Yes, glad it is treatable !

[Alty]

Technically speaking, and I live in Canada too, our healthcare in any province isn't actually free, our employers pay the premium to the government, but I am old enough to remember when it was deducted from my pay check.

Sorry guys, know its sort of off topic, but I just had to clear up that word 'free'.

Tick

I just have to correct this. Employers don't pay the premium for health care, the government does. If employers paid for it, I wouldn't have any health insurance, nor would most of the people I know. At least that's the case in Alberta.

I too remember paying for it. Even when I was working I paid, it was never deducted from my paycheck. It was $18/month at that time.

Makes me wonder if ever province has different health care.

[tickle]

Alty, where do you think the government gets it? Tommy Douglas set up the same system in every province in the sixties, and that's when it started coming out of my pay cheque monthly in Ontario.

It obviously started out the same, but could be every province is different now.

[Alty]

Alty, where do you think the government gets it? Tommy Douglas set up the same system in every province in the sixties, and that's when it started coming out of my pay cheque monthly in Ontario.

It obviously started out the same, but could be every province is different now.

That's what I'm wondering. Before I married I was paying for my health insurance, $18/month. It never came out of my paycheque, it was up to me to pay it. Then it changed, no payments at all.

I've been a stay at home mom, working in between, since 1998. Not once was it ever taken out of my paycheque. Nor is it taken out of my husband's cheuqe, and he's the only one working now. We're all covered, hubby, me, and our two kids, as is everyone living in Alberta. I have many friends that don't work at all, and don't have a spouse. They're covered. Obviously it's not coming out of their paycheque, since they don't have one.

[smoothy]

Taxes... you all pay higher taxes to pay for the "free stuff" than you would if you didn't get it. Everywhere in the world...thats how the government gets the money to pay for the freebies.

[J_9]

Not only do you pay higher taxes, but your cost of living is much higher than ours. If I made what your hubby makes I would be living high on the hog, not living paycheck to paycheck. That is because our cost of living is lower, much lower.

Canadians DO pay for their healthcare, but in different ways than we do.