Migrating tingling

[Laura32]

Dear doctor,

      Thanks for your time.  I have a perplexing symptom that I would really like your input on.  I had a child in Feb.  All was completely fine with the pregnancy and delivery.  Six weeks following delivery, I had a stressful situation in my life.  I worried alot about my stressor, actually I worried constantly about it.  A week later, I suffered terrible panic attacks for four days.  (I had no history of anxiety prior to this.)  After the anxiety left, I had two weeks of terrible hot flashes all over my body.  The day these ended, my tingling started.  It's actually more like a prickly, burning feeling.   I have it from head to toe.  It only lasts for 2-3 seconds though in one particular spot and then it is gone. However, it migrates throughout my body.  Some days it is so extremely frequent and annoying.  Other days it is mild, but I have had it every single day for the past 8 mos.  Had MRI which showed several punctate white dots in the deep white matter.  However, neurologist seemed very confident that this is not MS, given the location and appearance of the spots, in conjunction with his neurological exam.  I have no other symptoms.  Had alot of bloodwork which ruled out any metabolic causes.  He also said that the tingling with MS would not migrate like this and that it is usually localized.  My question is,  have you ever seen a patient with only this symptom for this long without it being MS?
Do you agree that it wouldn't migrate?  Could a severe week-long episode of panic possibly irritate nerves to cause this symptom?  Any other possible causes that you can think of?  Thank you so much for your time.  

                            Laura

[Patti]

Dear Laura,
  I too have migrating tingling and burning sensations.  Mine all started a week after I hurt my back.  I have been having it for about six months.  I feel it in my feet especially and my hands.  It really seems as though it jumps around.  It is very frustrating.  Have you tried having your Vitamin B 12 level checked.  I am low and started shots for this problem.  SOmetimes a Vitamin B12 defiency can cause neuropathy.  Please feel free to e-mail me at ***@****

God bless you,

Patti

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Laura:

I am sorry that your having such problems.  I would agree with your physician that migrating symptoms are usually not associated with MS.  What may be causing your migrating paraesthesias? I am not certain.  Yes, it may be you have some underlying anxiety but I would think that you have some other symptoms.  I imagine that the good news is that all of your work-up thus far has been negative.  With a normal neurological exam, including sensory examination, most of the worrisome things have been ruled out.  I am not sure why your sensory symptom would be affected out of proportion to the other nerve processes.  

I am sorry that I am not much help.  But, it is very unlikely that your symptoms are due to MS.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD