Electric Shocks & Running Ants - daily sensations on left side of body for 6months

[daniwolf]

MY SYMPTOMS: For the last 6 months (minimum) I have had, what feels like, 'electric shocks' in my left side of my body (occasionally on the right side but predominantly on the left). The sensation used to occur randomly, approx twice a day, and felt as if it was travelling: in my left foot, then immediately in my upper left leg. Now it is more frequent; predominantly in my left arm, but sporadically everywhere.  
Yesterday my whole left side of my face was tingly and almost numb for approx 5mins.
Sometimes it feels like a travelling electric current, other times sometimes just a bolt.
I have seen my  GP - who took and confirmed my bloods are fine.
But she has now prescribed Amitriptyline, which I am reluctant to take as, as I am aware, it is used as an anti-depressant, which I would rather avoid.
My vision is fine, I have not experienced any dizzyness, and have not discovered a pattern or a connection to what may cause the sensation which is not going away, and only becoming more frequent.

The GP mentioned that a neurologist would be a referral to consider after trialling the Amitriptyline - but because I would rather not take an unnecessary prescription - I would like to enquire about the private process and the cost of seeing a private neurologist.

Please kindly advise?

[Aphrizzy]

Hi Daniwolf. Am having the same feeling. Could you kindly advice what you did to get better. I went to a general doc and he prescribed some antibiotics cox when they tested I had an infection but this seems more than just that. Plz advise what I could possibly take to get a remedy. It's such an uncomfortable feeling. Thanks

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
I am sorry to hear about your medical problems.  I am sorry but I do not know how much it would cost to see a neurologist privately. You could call up a clinic and ask.

I do appreciate your reluctance to take amytryptiline. It would be best if you could talk to your GP and voice your concerns and ask her to refer you to a neurologist.

One possibility of pain in one half of body is a nerve compression high up in the cervical region. Poor posture while sleeping, sitting on computers or jobs for a long time, uneven bed, exposure of back to cold air while sleeping can cause a discomfort for a few days.  Take a multivitamin, plenty of fluids, and an OTC analgesic. Apply a local analgesic and apply a heating pad and see if it helps. If this does not help, consult a neurologist.

Also, please get your blood pressure checked. Pain in one half of the body can also be due to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, severe anemia, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritic changes of the vertebrae, calcium deficiency, low Vit D, electrolyte disturbance, peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes or hypothyroidism or Lyme or lupus.

Some of these causes have probably been looked into, while others need to be investigated. Please discuss in detail with your GP.
Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.