Strange Sensations

Does anyone have this SX?

It's hard to describe, but it's a rush, almost an electric current-like surging through the body.

I never had restless legs syndrome but it's what I imagine that must feel like.

It's like an adrenaline rush, only it's very unpleasant and happens anytime during the day.

It feels like the chemicals wriggling, slithering through my arms and legs.

I wouldn't have mentioned it but it happens so frequently and it feels very uncomfortable . . .

wyntre

[wyntre9]

Great analogy.  I've never gone through detox but I think this must be one of
the symptoms people experience.

only I'm not detoxing - except maybe from the virus?

The sensation is an overall washing through and surging over and yeah, it does feel like a buzzing, only not a pleasant one.  It's irritating, and if it goes on too long I literally find myself wishing I could jump out of my skin.

If you've ever clenched your teeth really hard and not realized you were doing it and then it became a habit you didn't know you had and the next thing you know the dentist or the ENT or your PCP is telling you you have TMJ -

It's like TMJ of the body.

It's like accumulated toxins or tension.

But it's not physically painful.

And it's not just traveling along a major nerve, like the sciatic nerve.  It sometimes starts in the legs or the arms and can localize around the back and shoulders or throat but it's not confined to one area.

It's like the invisible itchies Ladybug used to get only it's a tingling not a scratching.

And if it wasn't starting to drive me off the deep end, I wouldn't have mentioned it.  Just needed some confirmation I'm not the only one . . .

And, no, I'm not on AD's.  Have the script but haven't filled it.

Thanks,

Wyntre

[DoubleDose]

I also get similar sensations, and they started shortly after I finished tx.  I am SVR and have been off therapy for well over three years now.  The 'electrical' feelings in my case, usually are in the spine, neck or shoulders and head.  It is a VERY nasty and uncomfortable sx, and I also thought it might feel like, or be, MS.  At night it can get really creepy, when you are trying to sleep.  I find that sleeping on either side is painful, and increases the electrical 'buzzing' feeling.  I try to sleep on my back now, which I do not like.  

I think that my problems derive chiefly from the interferon, and feel that it may be related to some sort of neuropathy, or central nervous system misfiring.  
I am concerned that it is feeling worse over time, not better.  

Also, Rosebud, if you are on benzodiazapenes for anxiety, they can cause similar sensations...especially when decreasing or withdrawing from the drug.  I took Valium in the '70's for muscle contractions and anxiety (probably from the Hep-C that I did not know I had), and I have to tell you that the withdrawal when I finally stopped was far worse than tx....felt like being electrocuted, and shocked throughout my body 24 hours a day.  I needed medical supervision to slowly withdraw from a small daily dose that I had used for years.  It took a full year of minute decreases to finally wean off the stuff.  They wrote a few books about Valium addiction.  Extremely nasty withdrawal!!!!  Be careful when you stop.

As far as the 'electrical' feelings from tx, and/or HCV, I think there must be major nerve related issues that cause a variety of problems for many of us...neuropathies, diabetic issues, nervous system abnormalities, autoimmune-like manifestations, etc.  I now worry that my body may never be 'right' again, and that I may experience chronic problems that interfere with life and good feelings for the rest of my life.  We will see.

DoubleDose

[rosebud57]

i can't say i've had that one though i've had many others. i get intermittent "sparking" of nerves like many firing off at different times in different places. had that one last night.

does yours travel up or down a nerve channel and end at the feet (hence your comparison to  restless leg syndrome). are you taking vitamins? potassium, calcium/magnesium might help.   i found myself taking to water more.  (baths, showers, swim) as it relaxes.

we get all manner of sx. don't we different every day.

[wyntre9]

"i get intermittent "sparking" of nerves like many firing off at different times in different places'

What do you mean?

[chcnme]

Yes indeedy I've had them.   I had them before they put me on AntiD's (was complaining about a weird buzzy sensation - I thought I had multiple sclerosis).  On Prozac, the buzzing feeling actually got worse.  To describe it - it's almost like an electrical current that runs quickly through the body, (I noticed my face area particularly but also other areas of my body, too)  -- and it was almost as if I could hear it, too -- (weird, I know - but it was real).  It felt like it was right up under the skin (hard to explain it), and when they first started happening, it was almost as if it struck so quick and so out of the blue that I wanted to whirl around and look and say "what in the he** was that!?"  (and I did, and realize it was nothing - nothing there but ME - hehe).  It's just a quick burst of .... the only way I know to describe it is -- buzzy sensations.  Mine got so bad on AntiD's  (SSRIs)  that I thought I would go insane!  They got better when I stopped the AntiD's, but I still notice them occasionally but not ANYTHING like I had them when on Prozac or Lexapro.  Not saying that it was the AntiD's that made mine worse,  but ... yeah - I think they did.  Mine are so infrequent now that I don't worry anymore if my day is going to be filled with strange buzzes.  Are you on an AntiD?   There have been reports of "buzzy sensations"  on some SSRI's (AntiD's) for some patients (not just the SSRI's).  Try to worry too much  (easier said than done, I know).  Remember - you're socking some major, heavy-duty tx drugs to your system - (and it's probably just barking back at ya some :)  I hope they'll get better for you soon!  

[rosebud57]

just what i described it as, like little electrical impluses that randomely strike at different places and different times i have had this happen only several times  i would describe it more as a physical sensation of detox.  in my case it may be linked to either the tx drugs or the antianxiety benzo's which i don't believe i use too much of  but i have read that even low steady doses can cause tolerance (requiring more) so who knows. though i don't take much.
i will try to wean off these slowly by decreasing slowly,  as i didn't get any advice on how to go off anything from RN except "just stop"  

seems like chcnme has an experience more similar to yours.

[mauilady]

Boy am I glad I opened up this thread!  I've been wanting to ask about these "sensations" that I get on my back, but I couldn't describe them.  They're weird, just on my left side, around my shoulder blade, under the skin.  Not painful, or itchy, but annoying.  Happens a few times a day.  I'm not on ADs, or anything like that.  Just Neup., Int.,and Riba.  My skin is definitely drying up...  Can't wait til this s---'s over.  #!%&!

[wyntre9]

"felt like being electrocuted, and shocked throughout my body 24 hours a day. I needed medical supervision to slowly withdraw from a small daily dose that I had used for years."

Wow.  And that was from valium!  imagine what the stuff we're taking must be doing.

And, I know i can't PROVE it, but I swear it feels like chemicals zapping around under my skin - like they're partying hard in the blood.

[wyntre9]

Thanks for the suggestions.

As usual, it helps knowing I'm not the only one.  (I mean, I knew it before but your comments help confirm it.)  :)

[Myown]

I have it in my leg and left breast lately. Mine originally started BEFORE tx. It was all up my legs, like buzzing electrical charges. First I thought it may be the blood going thru my veins, dunno, but I never felt it before so that made no sense.

It did eventually leave, but now its back. It is very annoying. I don't even complain anymore to doctors cuz I've told them all over this last year and it seems they don't know what its from or they don't believe me.

I don't make this stuff up (symptoms). I tell all my doctors that except for once 6 years ago or so, I hadn't been to a doctor (except gyno) for at least 25 years. So they should at least listen to me cuz I'm not one to run to the doctors for every little thing. My track record proves that.

I do have a BIG feeling this buzzing is all hormone related from the liver disease. All these 'hot flashes' that even the guys are getting probably due to the effect the disease has on testosterone levels. It seems some of the guys have low testosterone which may make them be estrogen dominant, but just guessing and don't feel like researching. Tired of looking stuff up. Aren't you?

Wish the doctors had the answers, we wouldn't have the word "google" imprinted in our minds eye.

If you find out about the buzzing let me know and I'll do the same.

[wyntre9]

Hi MO,

I don't even bother bringing up most of my sx to the doctors, unless it's potentially major-organ life-threatening stuff - like the not being able to breathe too well.  

And it's my PCP who wants me to go for the echocardiogram and chest x-ray.  the gastro just said "your hgB's not that low (11.4) so I don't want to give you procrit."

And i don't want to take it, anyway.

Another question, (off the topic) about fatigue.  Has anyone else found they're sleeping half the day?  At this rate, (only 4 months into TX and at least 8 more to go) I can't imagine getting a thing done for the rest of the year.

And (since I'm whining anyway) does anyone have a dull throbbing on the right side just below the ribcage?  Is that liver pain?  It's been on-going for about a month, now.  

It's especially bad when I'm sitting at a normal 45 degree angle, like when I'm reading in bed.

I try not to whine but this sh** is getting really old . . . I can't imagine 30, possibly 54 more weeks. . .

Thanks all for listening.

wyntre

[mauilady]

Oh, and I can't seem to break out in a good sweat, either.  Even when I'm having a hot flash. Sometimes my body feels like it's suffocating.

[rosebud57]

do you think the drs. practice their look of disbelief when we tell them of the weird symptoms we have?  its not like its so new they have been hearing it for years..

i sleep all the time. i need to get to work so that's the main reason i stopped several weeks early. can't sleep at night. but sleep  about 12-14 hours a day. that is day not night.  night is for those weird creepy crawly skin and bone pain.

frontal headaches annoying some times more than others, but are always there causing sensitivity to light, movement. just want to close my eyes so the pain will subside. i guess that's why i while a way the whole day with my eyes closed.

i notice that i don't sweat either.

sure hoping this is not permanent.

[rosebud57]

i am only guessing but gallbladder is right side i think above spleen.  if you were lying down and pushed fingertips straight down you'd probably be touching top of spleen, i believe gallbladder is above spleen.  processes fats, so if you eat certain foods that are high in fat you would be aware of digestive problems and maybe gallbladder pain.  the speen i forget what it does but works with liver so if liver is inflammed the spleen can also become inflammed.

[rosebud57]

im all messed up thinking i know stuff...

http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/spleen.asp
http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/gallbladder.asp

[stangshelly]

well I am on week 58/72 and I do also have the symptoms of shock tx;) lol I have been on benzo's ie xanax for 18 yrs. I get mostly the restless leg syndrome, it stinks, but its not all the time. hubby is coming off morphine and man he gets the jolts bad sometimes.