Question Title: "Pins and Needles" and "Shocking" Pain

My mom, age 68 is suffering from intense "pins and needles" or "shocking" pain. She has this sensation in her upper thighs, buttocks, breasts, and arm pits. These attacks that she has begin when she feels a draft or takes off her clothes. They last for 15 to 45 min. and are so severe that she screams and cries from the pain. She has been having these attacks for about three months now, with several each day. She had these attacks about a year ago, they lasted for about two months, then they went away. This time around the attacks are more intense and are lasting longer. The only thing that helps is for her to keep covered up at all times and during an attack she wraps herself up in blankets. Thanks so much for any help you can give!

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Your mom should be seen by a neurologist. The distribution of pain (left vs right, which parts of limbs, trunk, face, etc) is important in figuring out what part of the nervous system is responsible. For example, certain kinds of strokes can result in pain in half of the body (as well as some other symptoms which would be looked for by the neurologist). Neuropathy (impairment of function of peripheral nerves) may be a source of her problem, but again figuring it out requires careful collection of data by interview and physical exam. Based on the data provided, I don't even know what the appropriate diagnostic test would be. Depending on the rest of the story, she could have MRI, EMG, EEG, etc.

I wish I could give you more specific information. You are certainly welcome to look into CCF neurology department - call 800 223-2273 and ask for extension 4-5559. Good luck. CCF MD mdf.

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