Had Carotid Endarterectomy on the Left Side, Tingling & Numbness on the Right Side Now

Dear Ask The Doctor: I recentl had a leftside carotid endartectomy. Complications developed and I had 4 mini strokes and a convulsion post op. I have recently been experiencing tingling and numbness in my right hand and arm. My GP doesn't know the cause so my specialist has ordered a duplex carotd artery ultrasound. Do you have any advice please as this is worrying me?

Dear Jenny: I understand your apprehension, and things will clear up with results from the duplex scan of the carotid artery, but meanwhile there is a possibility that your symptoms are related to the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing carpal tunnel syndrome. Your hand and arm may feel tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, middle finger and partly in the ring finger, especially in the middle of the night when the sensations are so strong that you are awakened by it, followed by relief in a few minutes by changing the the position of your hand. This condition often corrects itself over time with rest and motion/stretching exercise of the wrist, anti-inflammatory medication, splint.  In some cases surgery may be required.