Unexplained sharp knife-like or bug-bite-like pain at night that awakens me.

[Pandama]

During the past year, I have been awaken at night quite frequently by a sharp knife-like or bug stinging kind of pain.  This pain has occurred on my back, legs, fingers, feet, or arms.  It is quick, fades fast, but is very painful.... so much so that it can wake me from a sound sleep.  I have searched the bed and bed linens for bugs or insects, have examined the area of the pain for red marks or rashes or bite marks, and nothing has ever been found.  My primary care physician, who I believe to be a good one, is baffled, and has no idea what is causing this problem.  Sometimes it happens several times a night, and sometimes not at all.  Has anyone experienced similar kinds of pain?  Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this pain?  
Pandama

[Tuckamore]

Hi Pandama,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us but sorry to hear about your mysterious pain.

Please forgive my tardy response. I apologize but have had some increased pain of late that has required more rest.

I think that nerve pain or in your case diabetic neuropathy is a good possibility as Sherry suggested. A good endocrinologist can help you with a diagnosis. Generally neuropathy does not occur until after a number of years following the onset of the disease. If it is well controlled you decrease the chances of developing neuropathy as well as decreasing the severity.

Circulatory issues can also account for the type of pain that you describe. You might also want to consult with a gerontologist. Gerontology is the study of the aging processes and individuals as they grow from middle age through later life. It includes the study of health and disease in later life. These physicians are considered the best at diagnosing a set of symptoms and detecting disease conditions in older adults.

I encourage you to seek our a diagnosis. I agree with you that it may be time to at least obtain a second opinion. Your current PMP may very well be a good one but just missing something or not thoroughly investigating your symptoms. You deserve more than an "I don't know."

I look forward to your updates. I too hope that you will become active in our community. Our members are supportive and informational. I am sure that you will fit right in with them.  Please keep us posted and best of luck to you.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[deekaybullet]

I have a reply but i want to make sure you receive this.

[rsgop17]

I experience pain below the ankle but is something like a mosquito bite lasts for a few seconds,  firstly I thought it to be a mosquito bite but realised it occurred while wearing shoes also. It comes then is okay for a few days the suddenly recurring. Am not diabetes also it occurs  only in the left leg

[Rhonda9381043]

I am going through the same exact issue and we DO have bed bugs. Sharp stabbing like pains yet there is nothing there. My advice is if you cant find bed bugs. Try taking a very hot bath and soak for awhile. When done, examine the bath water.I know it sounds crazy but some bed bugs hurt when they bite. They also like to hang around in your hair. I don't care what anyone else says about the two subjects Both of my statements are fact. I retrieve several bedbugs out of my bath most every time that I take one. It is repulsive. Having Bedbugs is tormenting. My advice is to contain everything possible in black plastic bags and seal. Set out in the sun or even in an automobile. But don't forget to first spray the item generously with 91 precent rubbing alcohol. Research online for more details. BUT get on it immediately...

[Pandama]

Thanks for the information.  As soon as I am able, I will get a second opinion.   Have been flat in bed and sleeping a lot as it seems I have a pinched nerve in my upper neck, lower back head area which has caused extreme pain and headache, and prevented me from getting any sleep.  Saw a doctor and got muscle relaxants and pain medication, but both are knocking me out, so am sleeping a lot.  It does seem to be improving, Thank God!    Will worry about the other when I can get some time to book an appointment.  Have just moved, so am trying to cope with the stress of unpacking and trying to find stuff, when I feel like I can do anything at all.  

[Pandama]

Thanks for the welcome, Sherry, and thanks for the info about Diabetic Neuropathy.  I had seen something on line about that aspect of diabetes, but my diabetes is new for me, and I'm just learning a few things about it.  Think I will work to find a specialist, instead of relying on my primary care physician.  

Good luck with your next hip replacement.  I have been very lucky with both my hip and knee replacements.  First, I had an excellent surgeon, one of the best at New England Baptist Hospital, which is noted for its orthopedic surgery and rehab departments.  Second, my surgeron was
very concerned that I got a lot of very good physical therapy.  

He's a good enough physician to know that his surgery is only really part of the process, and that intensive physical therapy helps to make him look like a much better surgeon in the long run!  So, I was truly blessed.

Thanks for the info....
Pandama
  

[namnam46]

Hi Pandama,

I apologize for posting so late on your post!! I want to welcome you to the Pain Management Forum. We are VERY glad that yo have found this Forum. I do wnat to be sure that you understand that there are NO Doctors on this Forum, just us CP (Chronic Pain) Patients that help each other with our expertise and experience from our own pain conditions.

I can tell from reading your profile that you will be a VERY VALUABLE member!!  :)

I'm so very sorry that you have had to endure ALL of the things that you have gone thru!!

I've experienced several of the same things that you have either myself or my husband. I have had my left hip replaced twice and I'm getting ready to replace the replacement that was put in incorrectly ( it's loose and MOVING all over the place :( ) in September. I also have Osteoarthritis, DDD, etc.  

I hope that your knee and hip implants are doing well. I know how GREAT it is when they are GREAT and how bad it is when they DON'T work.

I lost my husband to Diabetes and I KNOW how DEBILITATING that disease is. I'm so sorry that you are haviing to battle it!!

REMEMBER that I'm NO Doctor, HOWEVER, I have a feeling that what you are going thru at night may VERY well have to do with you Diabetes as My Husband dealt with this each day and night!! It was caused by his Diabetic Neuropathy. It affected the nerve endings in his body and he felt like he had BUGS crawling all over him at times.

Have you checked with you Dr.'s about this at all?  I REALLY feel that it would be WELL worth looking into for you.

I want to Welcome you and let you know how GLAD we are that you are here ONE MORE TIME!!!

PLease let us know what you find out and keep us updated......Sherry