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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Burning / tingling / loss of sensation on one side (head, neck, shoulder)
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Burning / tingling / loss of sensation on one side (head, neck, shoulder)
by miss s, Apr 20, 2001 12:00AM
I am a 24 yof. For several days I have experienced some loss of sensation on the right side of my face (lips, nose, cheek, chin,around ear). Sometimes it burns and tingles too. In the last two days, the loss of feeling has spread to the back of my neck, my whole shoulder, and the very top of my arm - all just on the right side. I have had a normal CT scan. Am scheduled for a brain MRI next week to rule out MS. I have only seen my PCP, not a neurologist. I was hoping you might have an idea as to what might be causing this, and what other tests I should have done. Are there other symptoms I should watch out for this weekend when it will be hard to contact my physician? I am nervous about how it seems to be getting worse over time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P]-M.D.-RPS, Apr 20, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Miss:
Sorry that your having problems. I will assume that your in otherwise in good health with no vices, never been sick, no chronic illness, never been in an accident, are not pregnant, etc. I will also assume that your neurological exam is perfect with no loss of muscle strength. I will also assume that there is no family history of chronic illness such as lupus, etc. First, my guess is that this is not MS. I might be wrong but the progressive nature of just a sensory paraesthesia would not be classic for MS. When they do the MRI of the brain, have them include the cervical spine area. Your description has a nerve distribution sound to it and you might also have a spinal process going on. There are a large group of things that may give you something like you describe. The list would take me a few hours to present. What initial testing will do is reduce this list of possibilities. You might have anything from a tumor to post-viral syndrome to anxiety. The most likely things are non-specific such as anxiety etc. But many things such as infections, congenital problems flairing up due to minor trauma, toxins, neoplasms, drugs, vascular malformation, autoimmune disease, and "we don't know" can cause such symptoms.
I would see how things go, and if the progression continues notify your physician.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry that your having problems. I will assume that your in otherwise in good health with no vices, never been sick, no chronic illness, never been in an accident, are not pregnant, etc. I will also assume that your neurological exam is perfect with no loss of muscle strength. I will also assume that there is no family history of chronic illness such as lupus, etc. First, my guess is that this is not MS. I might be wrong but the progressive nature of just a sensory paraesthesia would not be classic for MS. When they do the MRI of the brain, have them include the cervical spine area. Your description has a nerve distribution sound to it and you might also have a spinal process going on. There are a large group of things that may give you something like you describe. The list would take me a few hours to present. What initial testing will do is reduce this list of possibilities. You might have anything from a tumor to post-viral syndrome to anxiety. The most likely things are non-specific such as anxiety etc. But many things such as infections, congenital problems flairing up due to minor trauma, toxins, neoplasms, drugs, vascular malformation, autoimmune disease, and "we don't know" can cause such symptoms.
I would see how things go, and if the progression continues notify your physician.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Thought I'd share this with you all as well. I'm older, and have spent a good deal of my life active. I sure don't want to become a "tingling" old lady! Good luck to you both.
Pegi
I'm in good shape, & exersise daily.
Thanks