Tingling/numbness -Negative MRI

[Auburn]

I have had tingling/numbness in my arms/legs for 3 months. ARMS significantly worse than feet and SIGNIFICANTLY worse at night. I wake up with my arms "asleep" I have tingling/burning in hands and electric shock feelings in feet.  Eye exam- normal.  Negative brain MRI, Negative EMG testing that was completed on the right arm. Cervical spine MRI in 2 weeks. Neurologist states,"if it is not this-then it is not a nerve problem."

I am very frustrated to find a diagnosis.  I have been under much chronic stress for 2 years- husband deployed in combat-death of friends-new job- relocation.  I can totally accept the diagnosis of anxiety, if that is truly what it is.  However, can ANXIETY truly cause these symptoms?  They are present everyday.

2002- Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis (somewhere between T-2 and T-4)  Surgeon has said that the nerves have regenerated based on return of the sweating.  He is unsure if it is possible that the regeneration of nerves could be pressing on another nerve to cause the tingling/numbness.  What is your opinion?

So, my questions are- can anxiety cause these physical symptoms and do you think it is possible that the nerve regeneration could result in these type of symptoms?

Thank you so much for your time!
Auburn

[chicosalt]

A related discussion, Tell me it IS anxiety. was started.

[gatammy70]

I too, had those symptoms & after much surfing of the web, found Restless leg/arm syndrome.  I read something about this being related to a magnesium deficiency & immediately went out & bought magnesium vitamins. To this day, since taking 400 mg of Magnesium... I have yet to wake up with my arms tingling anymore.  Good luck!

[johnterry1004]

A related discussion, right side of head numb and neck finger tips was started.

[JoOntario]

Does anyone use products with Aspartame in them? or even Splenda?  It was suggested to me that I look into what I am eating and whether anything has either as an ingredient (a relative of the person had a reaction....one side of her face goes numb). Worth a consideration.

[heather_who]

I had pins & needles in the entire right side of my body, including my head.  Because this sensation reached my scalp, my neurologist said that the problem must lie within my skull.  Apparently, even damage to the neck doesn't affect nerves above the eyes?  But the MRI of my head was normal.  I read that, in extreme cases of metabolic neuropathy, the vertex of the head may be affected.

[goofydump]

Do any of you get the numb/burning/tingling in your face? I have it over my entire chin and both cheeks. This is where I notice most often. However, there isn't a day that goes by that it isn't noticed in my fingertips and left forearm. Last night the bottom of my left heel was numb and so was the bottom of my right big toe. From reading, it sounds like a lot of you only get the symptoms on one side?

[milty456]

Hello all.  I am a 28 year old male.  I started having symptoms last year.  Numbing of one side of my body, dizziness, palpitations, etc.  I felt like a stroke/heart attack was coming on.  I went for lots of tests(blood, sleep) and got an echocardiogram.  All negetive.  Doctor said it was panic attacks.  I tried clonozopam and it seemed to work.  I unfortunately am going back tomorrow because the attacks are coming back.  Interestingly enough, most of my attacks happen at night when im trying to get to sleep or while i am sleeping.  I too can't believe that it is stress.  It seems like it is anything but stress.  I am calm at night and don't really have much on my mind.  Who knows.  If you can suggest anything else i'd be most appreciative.

[heather_who]

I hope that everyone remembers to post test results (good or bad).  Clearly, some doctors are more interested and (self-?)educated in this field of study.  Most doctors (even neurologists) are clueless.  I am surprised to see that so many people are suffering the same symptoms with NO idea why.  This is not a trivial matter that can be easily ignored; we are all screaming in pain!  Surely, SOMEONE has done some research, and made some connections by now.  This is simply outrageous.  Most doctors don't even know what neuropathic pain IS, let alone what causes it or how to treat it!  FOUR doctors blew me off before I demanded to see a neurologist, who admits that this is not her specialty, but is willing to work with me.  Tests are underway.

[JoOntario]

Same thing...I dont feel any of this when sleeping. But I do find if I havent slept 'longer' I tend to feel queazy for a second or two. Actually I find at times, more symptoms when I am tired.  Another unusual pattern is I find I am better on the weekends...so does this mean I am stressed at work and part of the problem.  Or is it maybe back/spine problem??  I too am told I overreact...how not!!!???  Sitting there working away and boom!  Weird sensation number ??...Other symptoms I do have that I did not mention previous...face is red when i wake, worse after shower or heat, sometime neck as well.  Other odd one, when I ended up getting other colds, the symptoms disappeared, but, then again, my symptoms seem worse during the week when I dont get as much sleep.  My husband also went thru testing at hospital for what they considered was part of his panic attacks.  While testing him they found some unusual symptoms; heavy achey legs and arms, he could barely walk up the stairs.  This is a man who could run up stairs without thought, physically active, went to neurologist, and they did mega tests, MRI, blood work,so far nothing....symtpoms slowly disappeared.  Well talking about the unusual circumstance that both of us had strange symptoms...we realized he too had a terrible cold a week prior to all this happening.  As today once again my arms and hands felt like the blood was draining...sitting at my desk...all I could do was fight the tears.  Obviously and of course we are going to be stressed...who wouldnt!?!?! One symptom that has subsided is the headaches, I realized how badly I was clenching my teeth after seeing an ENT specialist.  He said my one side was swollen.  Noticed lower back pain off and on since had these symptoms as well?  Same feeling as I had after having son (with epidural).  Curious as to whether that could be a similarity???  All I know is I wait for my next appointment with doc to see next steps...last time she told me that sometimes you have to learn to live with it....easy for her to say. Finding other with the same has given me some of my sanity back.....thank you:)

[goofydump]

It seems like there are quite a few folks out there with these terrible, "weird" and definitely unexplained symtoms. I am just counting the days until I can see my doctor. The thing that strikes me most odd about my symptoms is they don't bother me, at least not that I am aware, during the night while sleeping. I also don't notice any of them when I first wake up every morning. I find this odd. Maybe it isn't. Like I've said, I am absolutely a worrier, so maybe mine is stress related somehow although reading everyone battling the same issues, I'm not certain. Another thing I find odd is that the areas that feel like there is a tingly/burning sensation almost feel "cold" somehow at the same time. Especially if I'm outside and it is windy. I just hope that one day we all will finally have someone tell us, "this is what you have" and it not be nerves or stress related. I don't want a doctor telling me it is all in my mind! I'm just really glad I found this site. Maybe somehow it helps to chat with other people going through the same thing.

[JoOntario]

I too have had all these unusual symptoms...started end of January after a terrible head cold.  I havent been that sick with a cold as far back as i can recall.  From that point on I struggled to get over the cold and I never felt 100%.  It was as if weekly I'd start to feel a tiny bit better.  Shooting sensation across from ear to cheek on left side then tingling sensation for a couple days, terrible headaches with shooting pains, ear had been bothering me all the time, earlier on terrible nausea and dizziness at times (weirdly enough always at same time of day)cold sensations over different areas of head, nubness, tingling, in toes, under nose, between thumb and forefinger...list goes on.  Today it was a new one, right arm felt as if all blood was draining out.  Have done the thyroid, diabetes, all the blood work, CT, Neurologist tested me for MS - negative...very frustrating. Seems as i am in a cycle of about 4-5 weeks where it starts to subside and then starts again with different symptoms...my next attempt...chirpractor??? glad to see i am not the only one out frustrated...

[goofydump]

I'm really not sure how to make this short and still have it contain everything. I was really happy to find this site. What happened to me is this: I found a small area on my right lower leg that looked "different" to me than the left leg. I am a worrier by nature(just ask my husband, he'll tell you I'm not happy if I'm not worrying). I did sort of dwell on the area and looked it up and came up with all sorts of bad things. This was cut short due to me coming down with Strep Throat. It has been going around where I live. I was treated for that and was feeling much better within four days. About a week after I started feeling better however, I started noticeing all kinds of "weird" symptoms. My chin followed by my cheeks especially underneath the eyes became sort of numb. This probably isn't a good way to put it, because if it is touched, I certainly feel it. It then started to feel a bit "prickly" and finally there was a burning sensation making me want to pick up the nearest thing I could find and put it on the area to cool it off. Ice, you name it. This all concerned me too to say the least as everything you read online about the matter suggests it must be something horrible. I then started to get the same numb/prickly/burning sensation on both my forearms and legs. I get the numb prickly feeling in my feet and my fingertips just get numb. I've also been experiencing some joint pain in my fingers and toes and right knee. I am seeing my doctor, but as he is the only one I trust in the office, I'm having to wait unti the end of the month to see him. He's quite popular. This tme seems to be taking FOREVER and gives me way too much time to do searches on Google!! I've now started getting terrible headaches in the back of my head and beside my right eye. I'm trying to convince myself that if I had something horrible it would have shown up by now. I had a complete bloodwork done 8 months ago which only showed my cholesterol to be a bit elevated. All the other numbers were great the doctor said. My papsmear in September was negative as was my mammogram in January. I also had pretty extensive dental x-rays done in February that only showed a cavity. Do my symptoms and the way they all started sound like anything you've heard of before. I'm going crazy!!

[mpkmpk007]

At least I now feel in good company.  This is week 2 of each night waking @ 2:30am with 3 fingers of each hand numb, tingeling and swollen.  Also wrists and knee joints swell, ache and become weakened.  Initially I was able to take motrin, change position and rub my hands to thaw them.  During the course of this last week I seem to have added sporatic outbursts of this condition and headaches during the day with today being the worst.  AND there seems to be come type of progression happening as tonight it was numbness and tingling which turned into an unbearable burning sensation.  After 45 minutes it seems as if most of the burn is gone and I'm left with residual numbness in the tips of 3 fingers.  My GP drew tons of blood work last week, mentioning Parvo Virus and hypothyriodism.  

I've never had anything like this before and I've clearly not had it for as long as many of you writing in this comment forum.  I've always thought I had a decently high stress tolerance, do work with computers and have been relatively and overall pretty healthy (no diabete, high b/p, etc.).  I'm not sure how you all tolerate having had this for so long, this condition is giving me more anxiety than 2 kids a full time job and anything else I've ever encountered......

I'm sorry to say this but I do feel better knowing there are others out there getting by with this.

[Belge66]

I have been suffering with tingling and numbness in my left foot and primarily in my big toe (left). Weird tingling in my hands and top of both thighs occasionally, too. Problem came on suddenly when I got a very severe tingling numbness sensation in my left foot about three weeks ago. It was painful but the pain subsided in about a week but some of the above sensation remains. I am 39 years old. Went to the doctor's-no circulation problem, he thinks it's a neuroma of some sort in the foot although ankle reflexes are weak. CBC taken was super normal, everything in line. Tested for HIV-negative, too. Taking B-complex vitamins. This afternoon is my first good time in awhile. Does not keep me up at night, praise God. I withdrew from all refined sugar about two weeks ago thinking maybe it was diabetes but sugar very normal. Staying off sugar regardless, why not? Was on lithium for about nine years and about two months ago dropped lithium after nine months of a slow reduction from 900 mg daily to now nothing. All mood swings were due to a previously undiagnosed persistent anemia (severe-hemglobin down to 6.7, hematocrit to 26.7 and *no* ferratin left). No cause for anemia found after multiple probes and scopes but a transfusion and iron supplementation over nine months got me to very good levels on all. Thinking maybe thalessemia minor (of Mediterranean ancestry so it is possible). Feeling great otherwise. Could probably lose ten pounds. Feel weak but all strength seems to be there when put to the test. I am wondering if lithium withdrawal is causing this or some anxiety problem. I go to neurologist's next month.

[heather_who]

In addition, my right leg feels cold (inside, and to the touch) and bloodless (no color surfaces - even with deep scratching) due to vasoconstriction caused by autonomic neuropathy.  This is also affecting my intestinal motiliity (slow movement), heart rate and blood pressure (light-headed with standing).  The pain and numbness are caused by sensory neuropathy and motor neuropathy accounts for the muscle twitches and vibrations.  All blood tests normal.  No lyme disease, blood glucose okay (no diabetes - which commonly causes peripheral neuropathies).  At a loss!

[heather_who]

Interestingly, I'm within the age range of most of the others that have posted here (36).  I've experienced a wide array of symptoms over the past 2 months.  Many of which have been discussed above.  Condition struck suddenly and violently (after about a month of twitching muscles throughout body).  Intense headache, stiff and sore neck, nausea, dizziness, faintness.  Right calf felt like it was going to explode, but no swelling.  Then entire right leg became excruciatingly painful and big toe on right foot became hypersensitive.  Fabric brushing across it felt like bee sting!  Doctor thought "sciatica" caused by pressure on nerve due to swelling from viral infection.  Sedimentation rate showed no swelling - not meningitis.  Neither Vicodin nor hydromorphone could touch the pain.  Pins and needles in right arm and right side of face, veins in right arm bulging = emergency room (stroke suspected).  That doctor thought "anxiety".  Lorazapam had no effect.  Pain became unbearable; icy-hot SEARING BURN in right leg.  Blood pressure (usually close to 120/80) dropped to 99/59.  Urgent Care doctor suspected MS.  MRI of brain normal (no lesions - no MS, no stroke).  Yet another doctor recognized unresponsive pain as NEUROPATHIC.  Prescribed Neurontin.  Symptoms miraculously subsided within 2 days!  Felt fine for a couple weeks.  Thought cause of pain (infection?) might have resovled itself.  Stoppped Neurontin.  Searing pain and pins & needles resurfaced within 2 days.  Started Neurontin again.  Relief!  Read that acupuncture can help with neuropathic pain.   Treatment reactivated pain!  Agonizing BURN concentrated in right buttock and back of right thigh.  Upped dosage 3 times - still not killing pain.  Can't sit or lie on right side or back for more than 10 minutes without crying.  Needle-jabbing sensations in fingers, toes, ankels, wrists.  Arms falling asleep.  Waking to sharp pains in dead arms!  Saw neurologist yesterday.  EMG and nerve conduction velocity tests only revealed 1 slow (large-fiber) nerve in right leg (didn't test arms).  Burning pain is caused by small-fiber nerves, which those tests don't detect.  Travel required for further nerve studies.  Awaiting results of MRI of neck and low back (done yesterday).  Frustrating condition that doctors don't understand.  Definitely NOT anxiety in my case.  I'm an artist working out of my nice home in a nice neighborhood.  I'm very happily married with a beautiful, brilliant daughter.  I struggled to get here, but I have absolutely no worries at the present time.  It is extremely frustrating and insulting to have doctors write me off as "anxious" when there is very little to indicate any such thing.  Tinlging limbs can be caused by a MANY conditions!

[Cindy77]

I'm a register nurse that works in an outpatient surgical place. I was diagnosed with hypothiroidism since 18 yrs ago.  I'm taking synthroid 125 mg my lab work is normal.  I noticed for the past 2 years that I had dizziness which I could handle it didn't interfere with my job.  However, I started having numbess and pain in my legs and then lately both arms feel the same way.  I had an injection of PCN-G 2 months ago this was my 4th IM injection since I had sorethroat for the past couple of days.  This time I got a horrible reaction as soon as the nurse got the needle out. I could hear fans going on inside my head, I heard the most minute things, I got so dizzy that I could berly walk, I saw lights all colors moving and a fear of dying or fear to eveything.  This reaction lasted like 5 min for me it was more than that.  This happend 2 months ago since then I still hear the fans going inside my head and at those moments I feel like I'm loosing control.  I continue working but 7 days ago woke up with numbess in both arms, nausea, dizziness, palpitations fear of dying.  I ended up being admitted for 4 days.  They couldn't find was wrong with me they found my levles of vitamin B12 extremely high 4017 pg/ml, foleate 75.53ng/ml, positive for mycoplasma and prolactin levels greater than 200 ng/ml. Cholesterol 213 mg/dl (my weight is 126 lbs 5'3 tall) They send me home with Levaquin 750 mg PO, wellbutrin XL 150 mg 1 tab po dayly, zocor 40 mg 1 tab po at bed time.  I have been 7 days taking this medications and my symptoms are worst.  I fear everything, I can't eat because I feel like if I don't have enough air to breath and swallow, have pghlems, my head feels weird, dizziness, numbness both arms and hands, I hear the fans in my head all the noises that repeat drive me crazy.  I started with diarrhea, feelings of unreality, fear of loosing control or fear of nothing.  I can't explain this anymore but they run all types of exams and they can't make me feel better.  I just want to be back to normal, please help me what's wrong with me?  I feel like I'm going crazy.

[Dee's mommy]

Hi,

I am experiencing tingling, numbness in feet and hands from last 3 weeks. They are worse at after I lie down to sleep and before I get out of the bed. I am taking vitamin B12 and folate. But I am feeling mild nausea. I am not sure if it is because of the vitamins. anyone else feeling that way? Due to stomach flue I had stopped these vitamins since I wasnt eating anything and the symptoms that had subsided started again and now they are there.
At times I have also felt tingling in my upper head/brain? and tip of tongue - making me think it is there at all the tips of my body... does it have to mean anything?? I dont know..
I am also doing some light exercises like moving the feet clockwise and anticlockwise, stretching toes back and forth, massaging my feet - seem to help a bit.
The symptoms just don't seem to go away and what about the confused mind?! hmm
I have an MRI scheduled soon.
After reading through all posts, I thought of adding in mine.

Thank you.

[snichols]

I picked up a new symptom which is really hard to describe.  It is the right leg, which has generally "felt" worse than the right.  It is like a buzzing, twitching feeling real deep inside and very subtle.  It generally runs down the leg.

I had my LP Thursday and will have several more tests this week (VEP, SSEP and EMG) and I see the neuro on Thursday.  I am hoping he has all the results because this is getting scary.  Honestly I'd rather know and deal with something than know nothing.

I'm in Michigan and my test at least the first ones were "emergent" because of the onset.  Now they are getting me in when they can.  My first appointment was the Wednesday before Easter.  So I guess it isn't taking too long.  I'll keep you posted.

[howtodeal]

to snichols:
wow - sounds like we are in similar boats to be sure...
my nerve sensitivity test revealed little, still waiting on MRI (not sure where u are but here  in ontario canada it takes a min. of 3 months to get an appt. if u are not an in patient in hospital...
my bloodwork and nerve test left nothing to go on so hope the MRI reveals something tangible.
i - like u sometimes feel its all but gone away and then realize I've just gotten used to things, with it having gone on almost 2 months now. Feet are definitely still the most noticeable. The numbness is still detectable in bum and thighs but I feel not quite as bad.
I truly hope you have some answers soon and that the symptoms soon diminish.
Best of luck

[snichols]

Wow, its great to see I am not alone.  I relate most to HOWTODEAL.  About 3 to 4 weeks ago I started with numbness in my perineal area (girl parts and inner thighs) then it went into my buttock and when it got to my heels I realized it was all the way down both legs.  4 MRI's 2 evoked potentials and I still know nothing (other than I have degenerative disc changes in my cervical spine).  Tomorrow I undergo a lumbar puncture, next week 2 more evoked potentials and an EMG.

I can sorta feel but not all the way.  The scariest part is I am getting used to it.  Sometimes I think it is gone, but it never really seems to leave the feet.  Also scary is the fact that I cannot feel inside my lower back, i.e. when I had a massage or when I bend or twist.  I don't feel any muscle tension or streching.

I saw a urologist Monday because I can't tell when I have to go, and if I can it generally appears as though I've waited too long.  I fear I am not completely emptying my bladder.  He recommended two more tests (kidney ultra sound and UROD).

Has anyone, especially howtodeal, found any answers?

With regard to the stress angle, I have never felt more balance in my life.  I have a history of anxiety and depression but take Wellbutrin and Lexapro and see a therapist regularly.

[JB06]

I have read the forum and I too have tingling, numbness, burning that started out in hands and feet now however it has spread up to elbows  and into right shoulder as of tonite. I have had extreme stress for past 2-3 years with job, being a single parent, and recently flew up to Me. to be with sick dad. I will probably go get all the tests to rule out stuff. I have had anxiety attacks in past with heart palpatations but never and tingling numbness in hands and feet before. What I am concerned about it has been constant for past week.Worse at nite. I had extreme lower back pain a week ago also. I could not even drive. My back has been out off and on for past 20 years however, but never as bad as it was last week. I am seeing a chiropractor. and he is helping. A message to Manduh(3/22/06)Have you tried getting a lyme disease test. The ringworm rash is a sign of it and tingling and numbness is also a sign. I have read also that lyme disease doesd not necessarily have  rash. so I am getting one next week to rule it out. I also feel like electricity goes off in my back and neck. I have difficult time swallowing at times also. After reading all of you I really think mine is stress.

[panem]

Hi again everyone.  Amazing how many of us have the dreaded tingling/numbness.  I have recently spent endless hours researching the problem and I can't seem to get away from STRESS!!! its just got to be the answer. I have been doing lots of swimming and walking and it seems to have helped a bit, as I have reduced it to one leg these last couple of days. Right now typing this my index finger tip is numb, but this could be the typing (one finger me) now here is something "pineapple" fresh of course not in the tin. Lots of stuff in them for this sort of prob. But above all trying to smile inside just a bit helps. Life is just so b..... stressful and creates so many problems. Cheers to all.

[numb me]

hi all you anxious tinglers, iam the same hands and fingers only, doc put it down to stress, it causes stress not knowing what it is am finding it hard to type this,it's like theres electrcity in my hands it started two weeks ago and now i cant grip my hands feel so weak, i even had trouble popping a tablet out the blister foil packs. thank goddness it wasn,t a child proof bottle.
I am suffering with stress but who isn't these days.At first i thought it was the computor then i thought it was really serious and it was gonna spread to my whole body, i had visions of me bedridden and dribbling.
i have just split up from my partner and left with what me and six kids could fit in one car,thankfully i had some where to go as i have a house of my own only to find out that the mortgage lenders wont let me have interest only,so arrears have got out of control owe