Cold spot on skin

[vrman]

Hello to all,

I have developed unusual cold spots throughout my body.  It began about 2 months ago in November.  It started with cold sweaty feet.  I work in an air conditioned office, yet my feet would sweat profusely and constantly be cold.  I better shoes, socks and now apply talk daily to control the moisture which has elevated that part reasonably well.  The cold persisted however.  Strangely it feels only cold on the surface of the skin for the most part in smaller patches raging from about the circumference of golf ball to the size of a large orange.  It feels like I had an ice bag in one spot for a few minutes.  Almost feels a little numb, very cold like one would imagine the onset of frostbite would feel.  At first it started in parts of the feet, like the surface, the ankle, sometime just above the ankles on either side.  It then moved up to shins, thighs, forearms to the point where I feel these cold spots everywhere.  They vary from place to place and seem to be expanding.  Today I feeling it in about 7-8 spots around my body such as the knee, foot ankle, elbows, forearms and right eyelid.  Feels very uncomfortably cold, yet is not cold to the touch and no discoloration.  I’ve been drinking a little too excessively and regularly lately and have struggled with alcohol for many years.  I fear it may be related.  Alcohol related neuropathy was my fear but those specific symptoms alone doesn’t seem to fit the profile.  My doctor doesn’t seem to think it’s a circulation related and does not know what to make of it.  He is aware of my consumption issues.  I’m also on the antidepressant, Wellbutrin and have been taking it for over 6 months. Doesn’t appear to be one of the side effects. Anyone out there having similar symptoms or have any idea what this may be?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I’m getting quite concerned.  

Thanks

[iceblock]

I suffer from exactly the same thing!! I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and my neuro tells me this has nothing to do with it and basically says he doesn't know what it is. I feel like he doesn't believe me... feel like how I was many many years ago when suffering from other symptoms and told it was in my head, and many years later we discovered it was 'literally' in my head by the way of lesions...

Anyway, I'd like to share my symptoms with this as it happened to me again last night which is why I am now searching for others who have experienced this and was hoping someone may have been diagnosed with something as it's damn frustrating when doctors and neurologists look at you as if you have two heads and think you make it up. If only they could experience it then they to would be concerned and want to know what it is that's causing it.

My first experience with this was a few years ago. My first extreme cold spot was right in the centre of my chest. It woke me up and it was summer time, I was dressed and even had the sheets etc; over me. Yet there was this spot so cold it was like I'd had an icepack on it. The whole area gets that feeling you get from leaving an icepack on too long where it's numb but it also pains! I tried everything to get that part warm and nothing worked. It disappeared after a few hours and I told my GP and neuro and they shrugged their shoulders and I was told not MS.

Next episode I woke again with it on the back of one leg. Even the sheets underneath that section were like a block of ice. Once again couldn't get it warm. This was in winter and I was completely covered up and extremely warm everywhere else. It also disappeared the next day. A few months after that the other leg got it and last night my left forearm and hand had it. I put on thermal gloves and heated heat packs and wrapped my forearm in it but still nothing really works. It warmed it a bit to stop that burning cold feeling but it was still extremely cold. Today it is gone again!!! I've had the chest one twice now as well.

It really is frustrating not knowing what is causing this. If it's not MS, then what the hell makes it happen. I get so sick and tired of medical professionals telling you there's nothing wrong. If only these things happened during the day I would go to the GP and say feel this. To which I'm sure her hand would come leaping off my skin pretty quickly given it's absolutely freezing, not cold, but freezing...

Out of curiosity Piepiper, do you have MS? or any other autoimmune disease? Also is there anyone else suffering this that has been diagnosed with MS or any other autoimmune disease?

So please keep me informed if any of you get a diagnosis of any kind.

[bobfromOz]

Three weeks ago i started getting some numbness and tingling in toes on my left foot. within a few days i had it on both feet and hands, then a bit on left side of face and all round my neck and back of head.

Over the last week, the tingling sensation has gone and while the numbness comes and goes, i have the same cold patches that you all describe.

I went to see my GP two weeks ago and I've had an MRI and no problems there.  I've had blood tests and nothing wrong so far.  The GP says its stress related.  My neck is very tight so it could be some pinched muscles or nerves etc.  

I'm also having a lot of trouble sleeping since this, not sure why but like iceblock said, im sick of doctors telling me there is nothing wrong.  The cold and numb patches are driving me nuts.

I'm back at the GP next week, will let you know if I get any more information.

[bobfromOz]

One last thing I thought of, I've been prescribed Nasonex for hayfever and I've stopped taking it since Ive had these symptoms.  I've also experienced anxiety attacks which ive never had before - and cant think of any reason why I'd have them.

This is what other patients have experienced using this spray.  It might provide some clues for others who are using this or something similar.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20762&name=NASONEX

[ColdSpot]

Hello,
I don't wish to be another unsolved case, however it was comforting to know that I'm not just "cold".  These cold spots have attacked all areas of my body at one point or another.  Today it's my left bicep and my right and left anterior thighs and my right foot.  Today is certainly not one of my better days with this problem. I am wrapped in a blanket at my desk with a small floor heater blowing on me and I can feel the cold through the blanket on my leg.  My doctor is sending me for testing next week, she's worried I may have some type of Muscular Dystrophy?  I had an MRI with normal results.  I have no chronic conditions, I am active healthy 36yr old.  We need answers.  I'm going to print this and bring it to my doctor.

[ponotoc2]

About a week ago I started to feel a cold spot on my upper thigh. I am very active, 61 years old, and although I was diagnosed with crohn's disease it has been inactive for over 25 years. I go for regular yearly checkups and have no medical problems at all and I'm not on any medications other than over the counter allergy meds, nose spray, etc. I feel kind of silly going to a doctor for a cold spot that occurs only a few times a day. Has anyone been told anything other than this being a vein, circulation, etc. and has anyone been sent for further tests? Thank you. Mary

[ImOK_Now]

I had similar problem.... Feel cold patches on some parts of my body especially in the morning, and at night will be slight burning sensations.  Sometimes its painful and sometimes not.  Went to doc and took vitamin B complex and just after 2 days taking it, 90% of all the problems above are gone!
May be u all can try to check for Vitamin B deficiency especially B12