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

[Sharob]

Auburn,  I'm kinda going through the same thing... I don't think mine is as sever.  I kind get this "floaty" dizzy feeling, cool tinlge in right hand and right ankle, sometimes around my eyes and top of head as well.  Warm pins and needles top of both thighs, and recently started noticing numbness on the last two fingers (both hands) to my elbow resulting in dull ache.

I work with computer? Yes, I've had a very stress year... I also moved/transplanted several trees in my yard in Sept 06.  My symptoms started 10/06???

I've had an MRI - no MS but I do have a cavernous malformation, but I don't think this is "an additional issue."  Have you lifted anything? Yesterday I light shoveled and light lifted and my body felt like the forth of July - shooting tinlge and pins and needles.  

Let me know if any of this sounds simular.

[Auburn]

Thank you all for your responses.  I go tomorrow for my cervical spine MRI.  However, I think this is truly anxiety related.  I have been on vacation for 2 weeks and the tingling finally went away, however now that I am back at work- the tingling has returned.  So, I am putting in my resignation tomorrow and going to de-stress my life!!!  Thank you all for your positive comments.  I will keep you posted on the results of the MRI!
Auburn

[lb154]

Hi Auburn, I hope you're still doing better. I was seriously doubting the anxiety diagnosis as well until one day I had a panic attack out of the blue, during a test (which I was having no trouble with) on a day that I had a ton to do. I started trembling really bad and could not stop, so I went straight to the medical center on my campus. At the last minute I decided to see a counselor instead, just becuase I knew the doctor wouldn't say anything new and I thought it would be good to see what kind of physical manifestations anxiety really can have. The counselor handed me a list of symptoms and said: "well, what do you think?" I had all 10 or 11 symptoms, including numbness, hot flushes, fear of dying, difficulty swallowing, shaking, etc. I was relieved to hear this but had another attack the next night while trying to sleep and had to go to the hospital..i seriously thought I was dying. They gave me an Atavan pill, gave me 2 more for the next day and sent me home. I can not describe the feeling I had the next day. I don't typically like taking pills, but even just this once, it was amazing to remember how calm and normal I could feel -- above all without fear. Suddenly I knew I would get everything done, and it would be alright, and I didn't worry. I realize I must have started having these symptoms because of stress and a bit of depression last fall and have literally turned myself into a nutcase by imagining all the horrible things that could be wrong with me (on top of other fears...career after graduating, relationship, etc.).
I'm now working on being a bit more of a minimalist than a perfectionist, meditating and retraining my thought patterns so as not to always fear and envision the worst and simply trying to take more time to relax and enjoy the moment.
To anyone out there having similar symptoms, consider anxiety if no other diagnoses seem to be correct...and don't wait as long as I did to start getting help.

[debdrega]

I also have recently experienced an annoying tingling in both hands. B12, diabetes, thyroid, etc. all ok.  I noticed these symptoms a day after a two  day virus, and a few days after working in the cold photographing a storm. I don't believe it is frostbite. I also noticed I woke to these symptoms after my hands were behind my head, bent at the wrist. I am a professional photographer and I worry about my use of my hands. All fingers are tingling? I also have a 25 lb grandson I pick up quite frequently during the day. I am scheduled for a nerve conduction test soon. Has anyone tried a particular massage therapist that knows the cure?

[aimeesue2]

Hi my name is Aimee from Michigan and I have the same thing and it started about september/october 05.. I have not gone to the doctor yet as i was going to make a call today but decided to jump on here and see if there was something out there...I'm sick of it and having to wake more then 5 times a night to change position and wake all the limbs up. It also happeneds when i sit in a chair with my legs crossed .  I was thinking maybe it's old age???? Why now and noone else i know has had it. maybe iam a little stressed but not no more then before it started..I'm 37 soon to be 38. From what Amber said she had all the testing done and it showed up nothing so really i don't want to do all the testing and have to pay for them either. If there is nothing  wrong.  Could ther be something in the BLOOD???  If anyone omes up with anything else. let us know...I see most of use it has started around the same time kind of weird...  Were we all in the same area??? I live in Michigan and have not been out in years...

Thanks...

Aimee

[hulahoop]

I've been experiencing tingling in my left arm and leg.  Like someone here said, it feels like something is frozen and then melting.  It also is worse at some times, almost coming on like a headache.  I've had the emg, mri of the brain and cervical spine, ct scan, angiogram of the carotid arteries and lots of blood work-all negative except for some arthritis in my neck.  I've had maiofacsial (sp?) massage that offers temporary relief.  Sometimes my body just feels "electric."  One of the things that I'm struggling with is falling asleep and then just as I'm drifting off I'm "shocked" awake by this electric feeling.  Has anyone experienced that?