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Neurology (Expert Forum)
altered skin sensations
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altered skin sensations
by spenjo, Aug 26, 2005 12:00AM
I posted a while ago about altered sensations in calves. Thought it was strain but some changes since then. I now have mild burning and altered skin sensations in my shins and outer calf area bilaterally. This feeling has spread to my outer lower thighs above knees. I have also felt it in my arms bilaterally - bicep/tricep area and lower outer forearm. Feel mild tingling occasionally in upper back (this could be stress) and occasional change in sensation near jawline. My skin also feels hyersensitive with mild burning, lingering feeling when touched. Worse on right but present bilaterally. I notice this more when I sit. No other symptoms. No weakness, fatigue, loss of reflexes or loss of sensation (temp, light touch, pricks), no numbness, no heat sensitivity. I remain very active with no impairment. No problems sleeping, walking, running, etc. Just this odd mild burning skin sensation. It does not seem to be worsening, just spreading. This does not seem to coincide with conditions I've researched. Any suggestions? Could this be MS? Could this be b12 deficiency or hypothyroidism? I can't believe anxiety could do this because I do not feel overly anxious at this time. Had blood work in Dec 04. TSH .51, potassium 3.0, MCV 96 and glucose 81. Everything else normal too. No other tests. I started taking b12 a few days ago. Just neuro exam by PCP. Should I schedule appointment with neurologist? What should I have checked or be concerned about?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for the input.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for the input.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Aug 31, 2005 12:00AM
With purely sensory symptoms that have spread over time as you describe it is inlikely to be MS
You should seek a neurologist opinion about a cause for a sensory neuropathy. Some test that can be done are a careful look for diabetes or pre-diabetes, a paraneoplastic syndrome, amyloid, or HIV (if you have risk factors). Your potassium is a bit low so this may need to be looked into. A cannot be more specific so you should follow up with a neurologist
You should seek a neurologist opinion about a cause for a sensory neuropathy. Some test that can be done are a careful look for diabetes or pre-diabetes, a paraneoplastic syndrome, amyloid, or HIV (if you have risk factors). Your potassium is a bit low so this may need to be looked into. A cannot be more specific so you should follow up with a neurologist
I have tried unsuccessfully to post a question to the doctor, any advice?
But, my arms and legs burn too. I HATE THIS! It's hard to focus!
I was able to post on this board about a year ago JUST BY LUCK! You just have to pop in at the right time.
Good luck and let us know what the ENT says.
When are you scheduled to see him/her?
Sherry
The RA did not present with burning and I have not experienced burning of my extremities. My disease has been moderate at times with a few flares when I was in my 20's. It was in remission for a while when I was pregnant seven years ago. I am currently in between meds and I am trying to find something without horrifying side effects. My doctor is well known in the field and I have a lot of faith in his advice. I have all the hallmarks of RA. Around the same time I began experiencing these facial sensations, my thyroid started acting up. The dosage of my meds was changed twice in three months. I am also being treated for anxiety and I am feeling better. The hyperventilation thing is very interesting and I definitely think it is part of the equation. Every MS message I read about that includes these sensory symptoms also have complaints about balance, vision, fatigue - etc.
How interesting to read your posts, since i have similar symptoms. I am a 44 y/o female with an unremarkable medical history. I have low cholesterol and low bloodpressure. I've been getting cold sores on my lips since my 20's and have taken acyclovir since then as needed. This past year they have increased in intensity and frequency. In November I woke up and had a high pitched ringing in both ears. It is constant and has not gone away for even one minute. In February I had an episode of vertigo that lasted for about 12 hours. I frequently get kind of a motion sickness feeling at times since then. I've had one other episode of vertigo but it only lasted about 1/2 hour. Since June I've been having a burning sensation on the skin of my arms, upper legs and face. It's been pretty constant but some days it hurts worse than others. If I rub it, it really hurts, like a sunburn, and the air conditioning blowing on it hurts. For years I've had this same burning sensation in my left hip area that would last a few days and then go away. Before the burning started I went to an ENT and neurologist at the clevelland cinic. My thyroid studies or normal, basic bloodwork and glucose normal, MRI of the brain normal, neuro exam normal, hearing normal. My vitamin b12 level was 311. (lower end of normal) and an immune panel was normal. I was put on valtrex daily to see if that would help, which it hasn't made any difference except I haven't had any cold