Burning / tingling / loss of sensation on one side (head, neck, shoulder)

[miss s]

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.

[CCF Neuro[P]-M.D.-RPS]

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

[Stephie]

I've been experiencing the same sort of symptoms.  I'm only 20, and also pretty scared that it is something awful.  So, I know how you feel.  I had MRI, came back normal.  So, I'm waiting for an appt with neurologist.  I posted a question yesterday.  They seem to think it's just anxiety.  I hope so!!  Try to take it easy...and good luck!!

[miss s]

Hi there. Sorry, I didn't see your post before.  I tried doing some searches, but I couldn't find anything quite like what I'm experiencing.  I guess it could be anxiety, as I do tend to be an anxious person.  However, my sypmtoms are pretty constant, not sporadic.  I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the docs can figure out.  It's just that not knowing is so hard...Good luck to you.

[Stephie]

I agree with you that now knowing is the hardest part.  At least it is for me.  Especially because I'm soo young...you are too!  I also tend to be an overly anxious person, so I'm hoping that's all it is.  I'm waiting for an appt with a neurologist.  Maybe you should also see one.  This site has helped me alot though.  I definately felt better after reading this.

[Amy]

I have had some of the same symptoms for a little over a year now.  They come and go, but when I'm tired or anxious they hang on for hours and sometimes days.  I also had the head MRI and all was fine.  I have no muscle weakness, but too was concerned about MS.  I have good days and bad, but I try to just keep on doing my activities of daily living the best I can.  I does get better, try not to worry because it only makes it worse.

[saintpegi]

I am 45, in fairly decent health (okay, I'm about 20 pounds overweight, but I walk every day).  Two days ago I noticed a tingling on my lower left lip.  I figured it was a cold sore coming on (I get them after exposure to the sun, and I'd spend Saturday last week pulling weeds in the full sun...I did finally put on a hat).  Anyway, the next morning, the numbness and tingling had moved to my chin and cheek almost to my ear.  It feels very similar to when I've had novicane from the dentist and the nerves are just waking up.  My teeth are numb along upper and lower jaw, too.  I'd seen a Chiropracter about 15 days ago, one of those free spine checks at the fair, and after he examined my neck, he asked if I ever had tingling in my shoulders, face or hands, because my first vertebrae was misaligned from my skull.  He said this would pinch off the nerve bundles and lead to temporary numbness as I moved and muscle tension changed during the day.  He said without treatment, it would eventually lead to nerve damage and recommended I follow up with my personal physician as soon as possible.  Since he didn't try to sell me anything, I pretty much blew off his comments...until a few days ago.  I'm planning on making an appointment with a chiropractor for early next week, as what he described makes perfect sense for the symptoms I'm having.

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

[Liz T]

Hey, I know what you're going through.  I'm and 18yof college student and i've had some tingling in my left arm and shoulder.  it seems to spread up and down, and sometimes goes away.  my doc says it's a pinched nerve, but i'm so scared that it's MS or something.  my doc also thinks it could be anxiety cause i'm prone to that.  reading this site really helped my stop worrying that it is MS, but i'm still scared.  hang in there.

[Mikki]

I'm a 35 year old guy and for the past year (maybe a bit longer) I get a tingling feeling on one side of my body (left side). It's in my face, teeth, arm, legs & feet. Sometimes it also feels like thete is a little pain in certain spots (like my hand & arm). I get it about once every 5 to 6 weeks. It may last a day or two, then it's completely gone. Any ideas on what this might be.
I'm in good shape, & exersise daily.

Thanks

[Ashjason]

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