Aa
Burning Mouth, Tingling in Hands and Feet
For about 7 months I have had some symptoms I would like to compare to see if anyone else has experienced this.
I am rather stress and anxiety prone, alot of the problems come from my job and too many hours worked. I ended up in the emergency room last year with very strange symptoms that really scared me. After being reassured, they subsided almost immediately.
Forward to today: Starting in Feb this year I got this odd, off and on buzzing sensation in my chest..like a phone vibrating off and on. It moved down to my thigh. Then, a strange, almost tight/numb sensation in my cheeks..off and on. Then my feet started in with a sort of mild pins and needles buzzing/vibrating..my hands also burn and tingle. They tend to "fall asleep" very easily at night when I lay on them.
Another annoying this is my tounge is burning.
I was very scared again, and went to a doctor to see if a certain muscle relaxant had done this. She didnt seem to think so, and weirdly, everything suddenly stopped..no more problems, for one month. I thought I had managed to calm it down with some medical reassurance, but then...it slowly crept back in again. I am sitting here with a burning mouth, tingling hands and feet.
I bought a blood glucose monitor and tested my blood sugar in case this was diabetic neuropathy, Levels came back normal after several tests.
I can understand a tingling or burning sensation if you are suddenly jolted into flight or fight response..but for it to linger for months and months like this?
It is miserable living like this, I dread this is the rest of my life, with feet that buzz and tingle with every step. No amount of rest, talks with my therapist, relaxation or anything has helped. I am sad that I may have to go in for more extensive lab work, or an MRI.
:(
I am rather stress and anxiety prone, alot of the problems come from my job and too many hours worked. I ended up in the emergency room last year with very strange symptoms that really scared me. After being reassured, they subsided almost immediately.
Forward to today: Starting in Feb this year I got this odd, off and on buzzing sensation in my chest..like a phone vibrating off and on. It moved down to my thigh. Then, a strange, almost tight/numb sensation in my cheeks..off and on. Then my feet started in with a sort of mild pins and needles buzzing/vibrating..my hands also burn and tingle. They tend to "fall asleep" very easily at night when I lay on them.
Another annoying this is my tounge is burning.
I was very scared again, and went to a doctor to see if a certain muscle relaxant had done this. She didnt seem to think so, and weirdly, everything suddenly stopped..no more problems, for one month. I thought I had managed to calm it down with some medical reassurance, but then...it slowly crept back in again. I am sitting here with a burning mouth, tingling hands and feet.
I bought a blood glucose monitor and tested my blood sugar in case this was diabetic neuropathy, Levels came back normal after several tests.
I can understand a tingling or burning sensation if you are suddenly jolted into flight or fight response..but for it to linger for months and months like this?
It is miserable living like this, I dread this is the rest of my life, with feet that buzz and tingle with every step. No amount of rest, talks with my therapist, relaxation or anything has helped. I am sad that I may have to go in for more extensive lab work, or an MRI.
:(
Hi again..
I've been seeing a therapist since 2009, so I do have that covered. I also have a psychiatrist I see from time to time when I need sleep medication, but I have been thru the gamut with things like Xanax, anti depressants..I know how they work, how they make me feel, and I have decided they are not for me.
I know myself by now..yes, I am very hyper sensitive and easily irritated by things..barking dogs, noisy neighbors, things I cant change..and of course, job performance. I have a very highly specialized job which is creative and interesting by any standard, but it is very stressful, you constantly are cranking at a very high speed, and still there is too much work to do in a 40 hour week, and it spills over into weekends and I do not get paid overtime. We've had a big meeting about this as others are burned out too. There really isnt much to be done about it.
The season wraps in Feb, and at that point I want to take months off, if possible. I save money and can do it on unemployment. I just want to hike, garden and have time to myself. When I was able to do that last year, it took three months, and I finally started to feel a sense of peace and balance return. I feel I am living this hyped up, false life, running on a treadmill, hyped up, burned out but still having to hustle. Its ridiculous, but I bet this is the source of ALOT of people's stress. Fortunately, I have not taken up the habit of overeating or drinking to cope. I hike 10 miles a week consistently, but it cant tackle the weird symptoms and mental exhaustion.
Anyway, thanks for listening. Everyone is different, not everyone is going to react so intensely to every situation...I happen to be someone who reacts immediately and intensely. I think the sensitivity helps as an artist, but not as someone trying to keep their sanity!
I've been seeing a therapist since 2009, so I do have that covered. I also have a psychiatrist I see from time to time when I need sleep medication, but I have been thru the gamut with things like Xanax, anti depressants..I know how they work, how they make me feel, and I have decided they are not for me.
I know myself by now..yes, I am very hyper sensitive and easily irritated by things..barking dogs, noisy neighbors, things I cant change..and of course, job performance. I have a very highly specialized job which is creative and interesting by any standard, but it is very stressful, you constantly are cranking at a very high speed, and still there is too much work to do in a 40 hour week, and it spills over into weekends and I do not get paid overtime. We've had a big meeting about this as others are burned out too. There really isnt much to be done about it.
The season wraps in Feb, and at that point I want to take months off, if possible. I save money and can do it on unemployment. I just want to hike, garden and have time to myself. When I was able to do that last year, it took three months, and I finally started to feel a sense of peace and balance return. I feel I am living this hyped up, false life, running on a treadmill, hyped up, burned out but still having to hustle. Its ridiculous, but I bet this is the source of ALOT of people's stress. Fortunately, I have not taken up the habit of overeating or drinking to cope. I hike 10 miles a week consistently, but it cant tackle the weird symptoms and mental exhaustion.
Anyway, thanks for listening. Everyone is different, not everyone is going to react so intensely to every situation...I happen to be someone who reacts immediately and intensely. I think the sensitivity helps as an artist, but not as someone trying to keep their sanity!
You are under a great deal of stress right now. You already know that when you're not under stress your symptoms subside. This pretty much tells you that your symptoms are indeed from stress.
I understand what you mean about bills. They don't stop when we don't feel good. Do you have any other options as far as your job? Maybe something in another department that's not as stressful? If this is not an option I recommend you get in to therapy. It can really help you deal with stress and anxiety. The psychiatrist may talk to you about medication to get your symptoms under control.
Stress and anxiety can cause some really crazy symptoms. You've had a lot of testing done and you know your job is so very stressful so seeing a therapist might be the next step.
Dentists will usually check your mouth for anything abnormal. I know mine does. So, your mouth is most likely fine.
I understand what you mean about bills. They don't stop when we don't feel good. Do you have any other options as far as your job? Maybe something in another department that's not as stressful? If this is not an option I recommend you get in to therapy. It can really help you deal with stress and anxiety. The psychiatrist may talk to you about medication to get your symptoms under control.
Stress and anxiety can cause some really crazy symptoms. You've had a lot of testing done and you know your job is so very stressful so seeing a therapist might be the next step.
Dentists will usually check your mouth for anything abnormal. I know mine does. So, your mouth is most likely fine.
Thanks again...I have had dental work done this year, several visits, maybe I should have asked, nothing was said or noticed by either dentist, maybe I should have asked..but I keep suspecting stress. One odd thing was, when I originally went in to talk to my doc about it, I told her part of my "routine" was that I needed to sit and talk things out with a doctor, get reassured, and I knew this would have an effect on my symptoms. After months of burning and tingling, I left her office after just having a talk and everything stopped..immediately, and stopped for a month. I thought I had it beat, but..it slowly started to come back again.
Last year I was also having a terrible time at work, 56 hour weeks without extra compensation, I could not stand my boss. I got so upset one night I was crying all night, got no sleep and felt so horrible the next day I went into the emergency room with what felt like a numb sensation in my cheeks and legs, the burning mouth, and an extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. While waiting for the doctor, I decided to step on a nearby scale, and was shocked to see I had dropped more than 25 pounds in the last ten months. After some quick tests the doc chalked it up to anxiety. I still could not get over the huge weight loss..the last time that had happened was when I got divorced.
I quit that job a couple months later, got one that wasnt as bad, then took time off until the end of last year. It took at least three months of not working..at all..to finally start to feel better.
Now I am back at a similar job (I work in TV production..high stress) and I'm in more discomfort than ever. I am just completely, to the core, worn out. But when you have a mortgage to pay, and you need health insurance and everything, there is no option but to keep working and working. I struggle to set boundaries with my schedule, talk to my supervisors, I am trying to deal with this situation that seems endless these days.
This is why I strongly think this is psychosomatic, as I have had episodes in the past that crop up during times of high worry.
I dont understand why life has to be like this.
Last year I was also having a terrible time at work, 56 hour weeks without extra compensation, I could not stand my boss. I got so upset one night I was crying all night, got no sleep and felt so horrible the next day I went into the emergency room with what felt like a numb sensation in my cheeks and legs, the burning mouth, and an extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. While waiting for the doctor, I decided to step on a nearby scale, and was shocked to see I had dropped more than 25 pounds in the last ten months. After some quick tests the doc chalked it up to anxiety. I still could not get over the huge weight loss..the last time that had happened was when I got divorced.
I quit that job a couple months later, got one that wasnt as bad, then took time off until the end of last year. It took at least three months of not working..at all..to finally start to feel better.
Now I am back at a similar job (I work in TV production..high stress) and I'm in more discomfort than ever. I am just completely, to the core, worn out. But when you have a mortgage to pay, and you need health insurance and everything, there is no option but to keep working and working. I struggle to set boundaries with my schedule, talk to my supervisors, I am trying to deal with this situation that seems endless these days.
This is why I strongly think this is psychosomatic, as I have had episodes in the past that crop up during times of high worry.
I dont understand why life has to be like this.
If your blood sugar is running that low you probably should have something to eat every few hours. It does'nt have to be sugar. Actually sugar can make it go up to fast and that's not good. I'm talking about a healthy snack about every 3 hours.
I've done a little research on the burning mouth feeling you're having. I'm wondering if this is burning mouth syndrome? It can start out of no where, last for a few days, a few months or years and there's no known cause. Another thing I found is that anxiety can cause this. I already knew about that. Vitamins deficiencies can also cause your symptoms but you've had those checked. Thrush, which was mentioned above.
I would recommend seeing your dentist for a check up. If it's thrush your dentist can treat it. He/she can also check your salivary glands to make sure they're functioning properly.
I've done a little research on the burning mouth feeling you're having. I'm wondering if this is burning mouth syndrome? It can start out of no where, last for a few days, a few months or years and there's no known cause. Another thing I found is that anxiety can cause this. I already knew about that. Vitamins deficiencies can also cause your symptoms but you've had those checked. Thrush, which was mentioned above.
I would recommend seeing your dentist for a check up. If it's thrush your dentist can treat it. He/she can also check your salivary glands to make sure they're functioning properly.
Hi Remar, thanks. I actually had bought one of those home blood checkers before this test as diabetic neuropathy was one of the things I had heard of and was worried about. I have done a couple tests and it ranges in the 70's and 80's, sometimes with fasting and sometimes an hour after having a little to eat. The official blood test was 77 after about 7 hours of fasting.
I dont avoid sugar, I have some probably every day one way or another, but definitely not in the form of donuts, sodas, Starbucks drinks, etc. I pace myself with it.
The burning mouth is REALLY annoying. I suck on ice chips during the day at work. Sometimes it will burn for hours then suddenly stop. I tried one of those dry mouth washes just for the heck of it and it doesnt do anything. It's got to be internal...nerve related.
I was scared too that it may have been because I was taking Soma, a muscle relaxer, but even after taking it for about 3-4 months the symptoms were still there. Two doctors didnt think it was related.
Thanks again
I dont avoid sugar, I have some probably every day one way or another, but definitely not in the form of donuts, sodas, Starbucks drinks, etc. I pace myself with it.
The burning mouth is REALLY annoying. I suck on ice chips during the day at work. Sometimes it will burn for hours then suddenly stop. I tried one of those dry mouth washes just for the heck of it and it doesnt do anything. It's got to be internal...nerve related.
I was scared too that it may have been because I was taking Soma, a muscle relaxer, but even after taking it for about 3-4 months the symptoms were still there. Two doctors didnt think it was related.
Thanks again
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
