Fluctuating numbness

[goldmyne]

Male, 45, very good health, 6’1” 185 lbs.
For 7 weeks, I have been experiencing fluctuating numbness that varies in location - my left leg and foot, pinching/burning palms of both hands, pins/needles both hands and feet. Numbness in my tongue and lower front teeth, and left tear duct pins/needles  On occasion, I’ll get a short bout of hoarseness. All short-lived and will vary in location each day. It seems to be related to pressure on my left lower back just to the left of the tail bone area. I rarely have any numbness when walking/standing. I use a treadmill with no issue. The numbness occurs when sitting/lying down. I can get into sitting/lying positions that stop the numbness. I can create it by returning to certain positions. This leads me to believe some kind of pinched nerve, etc.

I first had trouble with my left leg. I could not stand on it for 30 secs., it felt like it was asleep. After the 2nd instance in an 18 hour period, I went to the ER - thinking stroke.  CT, Chest X-ray, EKG, blood, etc. All looked normal. My Gen. Dr. ordered an Ultrasound of the Carotid Arteries and MRI of the Brain. He checked my throat for the hoarseness. All tests looked good.
Saw a Neurologist - full exam. Ordered MRIs of my upper/lower spine and an echocardiogram. Blood tests for B12, Folate, Sedimentation Rate Westergren, Lyme Ab Screen, thyroid, ANA, Thrombosis panel. All tests  were "un-remarkable”. She thought it is a virus that will run its course.

I look great on paper. No loss of strength - but very annoying and frustrating as it seems to be related to pressure on my pelvis/hip area. I am posting here to get any advice on next steps.

[Joanna Fong, MD]

Hi goldmyne,

Intermittent, migrating numbness in multiple location can be due to several things:
1)  Spinal cord abnormalities, such as nerve impingement from spine disc bulging/herniation
2)  Peripheral neuropathy, such as small fiber neuropathy.  
3)  Demyelinating disease, such as multiple scleorsis
4)  Stress

I agree with your neurologist.  Laboratory testings such as B12, folate, ESR (sedimentation rate), Lyme, TSH (thyroid), ANA are a good place to start.  Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy.  Blood test such as HbA1c can be added to your current study.  However, your pattern of sensory changes is atypical of small fiber neuropathy.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that can presents with asymmetric sensory deficits.  MRI brain and spine can detect MS lesions.  MRI spine also can detect any spine disease such as nerve root or cord compression.

Lastly, stress can cause sensory symptoms that are transient.  

Thank you for using MedHelp forum.  

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[ella2007]

I have so many of the same symptoms! UGH. So frustrating! I had an MMR vaccine right before my left leg and left side of face went numb. Have you had any vaccines lately? It made me think of that for you because your nurse said it may be a virus.