NEUROLOGY COMMUNITY
Acute onset sensory symptoms--help!

Acute onset sensory symptoms--help!

I have developed acute onset of paresthesias -- I hope you can offer some ideas.

I am a 38 year old female. 5-6 weeks ago I developed blepharospasm of my left lower eyelid.  I have have had this a couple of times in the past for a few days when I have been under a lot of stress.  I am currently very stressed and attributed it to that.  3 weeks ago I noticed tingling in my legs -- like the feeling of your leg being asleep, but less intense. It occurs over most of the day, lasting several seconds at varying locations along my buttocks, posterior thigh, and lateral calf. (It does not "radiate" down my leg -- just occurs in various spots in that distribution).  It is bilateral, but more on the right.  A few days later, I started to get similar paresthesias in my arms (mostly over the triceps) and trunk (shoulder blades, flank, nipples).  It seems to be worse when I am sitting or lying down, better when standing.

One week ago I started having occasional pain with it.  First it was a focal aching/boring pain (most often in shoulders, forearms, between shoulder blades).  Now it has become a pinpoint stabbing pain like someone is sticking a hot needle in my skin.  These occur at various locations including my arms, legs, fingers, toes, face.

I have had a few focal muscle flutterings, but no weakness or GI/bladder symptoms.

Past medical history: For many years I have had sporadic, recurrent itching of the ulnar aspect of my left hand and tingling over my left shoulder blade. I saw a neurologist for this 3 years ago, and had a cervical MRI. I was told a bulging disk in my neck was causing it.  Otherwise I have no medical problems. I am not a diabetic.  My only medications are for melasma (started Azelex cream about six weeks ago).

My family history is unremarkable.  I drink a glass of wine a week or less. No tobacco product use.  I have no dietary restrictions (not a vegetarian).  I exercize regularly. Did have a tick bite about 10 years ago.

No recent travel, no upper respiratory tract recently. Did have a couple days of diarrhea about a month ago. I moved into a new house a couple of months ago (built in 2000, and use a britta filter for drinking water). I was using a homemade natural hair dye made of sage -- until I read that sage contains thujone which in toxic amounts can cause paresthesias.  Don't know if can get toxic levels through the scalp?

I saw a neurologist a week ago. On exam motor strength was normal.  Decreased pinprick in bilateral 4th-5th fingers. Brisk DTRs.  3 beats of clonus. Babinski down. Gait, heel-toe, balance normal. Cranial nerves intact.

He thought it was my cervical disk getting worse. Had brain MRI (with and without contrast) and cervical spine MRI. Both were normal.  About 18 days after the symptoms started, I had an EMG/nerve conduction study on all 4 limbs. Only abnormality was right ulnar motor low amplitude of 4.0, but no conduction block or focal slowing.

Electrolytes (including magnesium and phosphate) are normal. Thyroid function tests normal.

Does anyone have any ideas what the etiology could be?  The symptoms are very uncomfortabl and I am very scared.  (I won't be offended if psychogenic is a possibility-- in fact I hope it is, because it would give me hope that it will go away once I am less stressed).

Thank you!
Related Discussions
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Mood Tracker
See what affects your mood
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Pain Tracker
Track location and severity
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Blank
Moody Me
Have more happy days!
Download Now
Top Neurology Answerers
620923_tn?1335125657
Blank
selmaS
Allentown, PA
1475492_tn?1332887767
Blank
Sidesteps
Seattle Area, WA
338416_tn?1260996698
Blank
jensequitur
Fort Worth, TX
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
ggreg
NC
999891_tn?1330652344
Blank
rod44
Cork city, Ireland
1548028_tn?1324616046
Blank
ku111
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank