Should I be worried?

I've been experiencing strange "feelings' in my extremeties for over 10 months. I get " tingles" that seem to go up both my legs and arms, and sometimes (mildly)in my back.( not L'hermitte;s as I understand it). I ha ve had a cervical and brain MRI, evoked potentials, blood work to rule out diabetes, lupus,RA , ANA and EMG and NC - all normal. The neuro says this is not MS or a CNS problem. Within the last month or so my hands have been feeling kind of painful -as I would imagine arthritis would feel.
Could a spinal compression cause these random tingles?  I also get some muscle " jumps" (not a lot). Would this fit a DX of Benign Fasciculations? I have to feel that this is not normal, but yet I don't know how worrisome it is. What further testing( if any) should I request? What could be causing these tingles? Can anxiety alone do it? If so, would a medication ease it? Thank you for any help you can give!

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Tingling:

I would not worry about ALS, a normal neurological exam with fasciculations would rule this disease out.  The normal cervical and brain MRI would also make the diagnosis of MS low, more so in that your symptoms have not been waxing or waning.  A radiculopathy would not produce sensation going up an extremity, but it would radiate downward and be enforced by coughing and sneezing.  I am not sure what sort of etiology your symptoms might be from but certainly benign fasciculations would be a possibility.  The many normal tests would also suggest that this may be the cause.  Anxiety and fatigue often make the symptoms worse with benign fasiculations, just a warning.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[ellenc]

Thank you for your reply. If you could just answer one more thing, does BFSusually included the tingling I mentioned? ANd could   lumbar or thoracic MS lesions cause these feelings? Thank you.

[pacca1000]

You have the very same symptoms as I am experiencing right now.  If I were you I would ask for a nerve conduction study and EMG.  Sounds like you have Peripheral Neuropathy which is what I have.  Do you feet hurt in addition to your hands??

[ellenc]

Yes, my feet hurt, but I did have an EMG and N/C and they were normal. I almost wish they weren'e so I'd know what this is.

[Tony]

i too have experienced a tingling sensation in my hands feet & legs. However I believe it to be from the medacine Topamax that I take. Reason for my belief is because as my doctor went up on the topamax level the tingling got worse & when my doctor went down on it I noticed the tingling sensation to dramatically slow down. I would greatly appretiate it if someone could give me more imformation on the medacine topamax.

[pacca1000]

My first NCS and EMG were negative. Four months later, and afater a nerve biopsy, I had severe damage to the myelinated axon, and was officially diagnosed with sensor/motor polyneuropathy.  If your symptoms continue, you may want your doctor to repeat the tests in about six months or so.  Best of luck to you.  This is a horrid illness, difficult to diagnose, and neurologists no very little about it.  I have found my best luck with a pain clinic.