Tingling - Heat

Hey all. I'm 21 years old (today) and a Junior in college. Let me preface my question with this: my grandmother whom I never met died when my mom was 12 of MS. So it is in my family.

Recently, I've been noticing painful "pin-*****" tingling on my shoulders and down my back/spine (I guess). The first time I noticed it, I was in the shower. It felt like someone was poking me with tons of needles. It subsided within seconds, but at times, comes back relatively soon. I was at work the other day, and was very warm from running around doing things for work, and the same thing happened. It went away quickly, but it was painful/annoying and disturbing.

Likewise, last night, I went to the mall. It's been 30 degrees here, so I bundled up. I was wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and a fleece. I was sorta warm/hot when we were walking around, and it happened again out of nowhere. It's not like anything I've ever experienced before.

Also, two weeks ago I chewed something, and my jaw popped. Now, around my temple, there is a pain when I open my mouth. It seems joint oriented, or muscular. Yesterday, it seemed to start a little bit in my other side of my face. It was popping when I chewed, but it subsided and hasn't hurt like the other side.


(Also, I could just be stiff from a hard 13 hours shift right now, but my arms have been giving me dull pain that is unusual to me. And I've also experienced some fingers that go numb at the tips at random times for a good while. I don't recall  pinching a nerve or a funny bone to make this happen.)

Just thought I'd ask here what you guys think is going on. Should I be concerned/seek an exam?
Thanks

[Deb61]

Welcome to our forum.  If you're concerned about neurological symptoms, I'd see a neurologist.  It could mean anything--pinched nerve, being tired and exhausted from going to school and working lots of hours, arthritis, sleeping on the area wrong, muscle inflammation, etc., etc.  

What you've mentioned about your jaw sounds like TMJ disorder.  The causes of this can be many things from TN (trigeminal neuralgia), temporomandibular disorder, to excessive gum chewing or tension headaches/migraine headaches or stress and tension.  

It would be impossible to tell you how significant your symptoms are.  I don't know your odds if a second degree relative (grandparent) develops MS.  I can't ease your mind about this because I haven't paid attention to the actual numbes.  Maybe someone on the forum knows this information.  I do have a first-degree relative with MS (my sister) and I have MS.  I worry about my daughters (same age as you--23 and 19), but so far they aren't showing anything wrong with them--not even remotely.  My parents do not have MS and my grandparents did not show any signs of MS.  

I can speak about your grandparent dying from MS (or MS-related symptoms).  This, I know, is very, very rare now.  We have medicines to help slow down the disease, MRI technology to monitor the effectiveness of treatment, and brand new medicines that are just coming out that are even more effective than the ones we have now.  Most of them slow down the progression and help to prevent the progression to a more progressive form of the disease.  The great majority of us now live somewhat normal lives without the use of a wheelchair.  

I am not suggesting this is what you have or to even be concerned; however, you are voicing concern yourself, so it is worth seeking a specialist's opinion if for nothing more than to put your mind at rest.  

Deb

[UA08]

Thanks, Deb!

The jaw issue is new, and has never happened before. That's why I was wondering.

I also have had numerous other symptoms dating back to last spring that I've read can be associated with MS. I have had bad heartburn since this past Spring, as well as dysphagia. I know I'm just throwing things out there, but I have no clue what to look for/ what is going on. Thanks for the response Deb!