Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Pins and needles in lower legs and face

Hi - I am a 30 yr old male, 5-9, 145, in good shape and in good health. I have never been in an accident, had major surgery, or gotten hurt very badly. I have never even had a major illness, but am now having some problems that I think are neurological. I have scoured the internet and read countless postings but nothing seems to match what I am going through. I hope someone here can help me figure things out.

I started experiencing the following symptoms in early March of this year (2009):

- tingling/pins and needles/ numbness in my right leg from knee down on the calf side, sometimes including foot, lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to several hours - almost feels asleep/waking up
- after a few days, same thing in my left leg, less frequent, less intense
- same thing in my chin and cheeks (under the eyes), occasionally in the neck
- moderate back pain, area where neck hits back
- tightness/ high tension in both shoulders
- symptoms continue to come and go, sometimes disappearing for days at a time.
- Example - Tue and Wed of this week I felt fine, Thurs all day, all symptoms, as intense as ever. Fri moderate, today mostly fine, tomorrow ???

I usually don't take anything, but if the sensations are very intense I will sometimes take an aleve or advil. I don't know if it helps or if the feelings just go away, as they come and go during the day.

In addition, I had some weakness in my right shoulder and legs, the feeling you get after a vigorous workout where your muscles feel very fatigued, only without the workout. This seems to have passed.

I saw my general doctor, he thought it was spinal stenosis and ordered an MRI and referred me to a back specialist. MRI showed mild cervical stenosis, central canal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and kyphosis mostly in C4-C5 and C5-C6. The general doctor did all kinds of blood tests, and I was normal (dead center of the range) for literally all the things they test for.

The back specialist told me that these conditions would not cause the symptoms that I have and suggested I see a neurologist. He also said that if you gave 100 people my age an MRI, 30% would have mild stenosis like me and that it shouldn't affect me in any way (just to avoid contact sports, etc.). I have an appt with a neurologist in June.

Has anyone had similar symptoms or have any idea what might be causing this? If so what worked for you, what should I try?

Thanks in advance
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
shb

i almost have the same symptoms as you have. i have pain right behind the knees on both side and pain in thighs. I have been having this for 6 weeks. MRI of lower back showed minimal degenerative disc. Chiropractor thinks the symptoms may be related to this which I doubt it. Last week the same feeling migrated to the hands.

I have neuro appt on wednesday. I shall post back then. Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Viv82 - Thanks for the response. I don't think that it could be gout as that is usually in the big toe and I haven't had any pain there. I more have a pins and needles feeling, not pain. Also, there is no visible swelling or bruising, etc. The most concerning thing to me is the feelings in my face, and I don't think that gout could affect that.

Still, I appreciate the suggestion and will look into it next dr. visit if whatever is causing my symptoms is still unknown.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
shb12358,

It could be gout. Check your uric acid levels. Symptons are similar in gout. Some times, these issues- get accelerated due to pollans in spring.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease