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Tingling Numbess Pressure in head
First of all, wow, I got in!
For over two years now, I have had numerous symptoms ranging from tinging in legs/arms, numbess in legs, pressure in head (not a dizzy feeling, just pressure), sporadic twitching in different areas, hard to enunciate at times, tongue tingling, sometimes I wake up and feel beaten up, like I worked out, pulling sensation in neck and under ears. I have had an eeg, emg, ncv, mri of head, cat scan of head, mra, chest x-ray, mri of chest, 2 stress tests, 2 ekgs, wore a heart moniter, blood work continuously, mri of sinuses, ent motion test, x-ray of lumbar hearing test, eyes checked twice, dentist check, I have seen a 2 neurologists, ent, gastrologist, been to the hospital three times in last year for numbness in legs, pressure in head. The only thing they have found so far, thank God, is low b-12 (165), have brought it up to 2000 (!!) with sublinquals and shots, and I dip into low sugar (slightly). I am 5'5 and 125 pounds, 36 years old. This is effecting my life, work, marriage, play. Spend alot of time sleeping just to avoid pressure in head. Please help with any advice. Thank you in advance.
For over two years now, I have had numerous symptoms ranging from tinging in legs/arms, numbess in legs, pressure in head (not a dizzy feeling, just pressure), sporadic twitching in different areas, hard to enunciate at times, tongue tingling, sometimes I wake up and feel beaten up, like I worked out, pulling sensation in neck and under ears. I have had an eeg, emg, ncv, mri of head, cat scan of head, mra, chest x-ray, mri of chest, 2 stress tests, 2 ekgs, wore a heart moniter, blood work continuously, mri of sinuses, ent motion test, x-ray of lumbar hearing test, eyes checked twice, dentist check, I have seen a 2 neurologists, ent, gastrologist, been to the hospital three times in last year for numbness in legs, pressure in head. The only thing they have found so far, thank God, is low b-12 (165), have brought it up to 2000 (!!) with sublinquals and shots, and I dip into low sugar (slightly). I am 5'5 and 125 pounds, 36 years old. This is effecting my life, work, marriage, play. Spend alot of time sleeping just to avoid pressure in head. Please help with any advice. Thank you in advance.
I have been having similar symptoms for over a year now and it really is unbearable especially since nobody has any answers or solutions. I am a 25 yr old male with constant tingling in my head, involuntarty head movements, dizziness, difficutly concentrating, and this is from the moment I wake up until i go to bed! I was treated for an acoustic neuroma (small skull base tumor) but all the doctors say that what i'm feeling is unrelated to the tumor or treatment. My neurologist attributes some of the dizziness to the tumor but the other symptoms to anxiety or depression. I don't think so however because I've had anxiety in the past and was able to deal with it just fine and my problems are so constant (even when i'm just chillin watching tv) that I think its completely physical - certainly with additional anxiety as a result of the physical symptoms. Nevertheless I was put on zoloft 50mg per day, and that actually helped at first for a few months but now the symptoms are back even worse than before. The hardest part is trying to be productive with my grad school work, as i'm trying to graduate in May. Luckily my research advisor is aware of my situation so he goes easy on me. Dragon you may want to ask your doctor about getting a gandolinium contrast MRI. Small acoustic neuromas won't be seen with a CAT scan but will show up with the MRI - but don't get freaked out, the chances of having this is very small especially it didnt show up on the CT scan. I'm just entertaining the possibility that we have some sort of rare side effect of this tumor so you should rule it out.
I have been experiencing quite similar symptoms to what you describe. I am a 22 yr. old female, and for the past 3 months I have been suffering from clenchibng chest pain, head vibrations/tingliness, my face feels like it goes numb, there is usually pressure in one spot of my head, and some episodes of panic/anxiety, yet usually due to me experiencing the physical symptoms since they are just so severe. I got EKGs and echo's done for the heart (since that was my initial complaint), and I have been previously diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse, yet it was too minor to be causing my problems.
During the last attack, I also got a knot pain in the lower center of my back which lasted for some time after the initial attack, yet it eventually passed.
During an attack before that, I felt pain in the back of my neck before receiving the true attack.
I had blood-work done: for electrolites, thyroid tests 3 times and all came back fine, as well as other tests which all came back fine also.
I also got a cat-scan done of both my chest and my brain, and both came back fine. The only thing that showed up in the brain-scan was some calcium deposits in between the two hemispheres, but the doctor said it was minor and there were no signs of inflamation, so it wouldn't be causing the problems I am receiving.
I was stressed before from schoolwork, as well as fighting these problems during school and all it did was add MORE stress, since I got behind in schoolwork as I was trying to finish up college since I was graduating in December. The attacks came on SUDDENLY, and I have had them since then. The heart problems came on EVERY DAY since the first night of Oct. 30th into the 31st. I was told it could possibly be a reaction to stress...and that what I am experiencing could be panica attacks in reaction to all the stress I had.
Yet I want to rule out any other possibility. The attacks come on without warning, and I have woken up in the middle of the night before from more attacks. In fact, I am up right now from just fighting another attack, and feel at a loss. I just want to make sure I am being diagnosed with the right thing.
Another thing that you may want to know: since they at first assumed it was my Mitral Valve Prolapse, they put me on Toprol XL for the heart problems, and it seemed to work GREAT for awhile, yet then I got more problems again. Since my EKGs and echo's came back fine, they then assumed maybe it was my nerves from stress, and so put me on Zoloft 25mg. I have been on it for about 4 weeks now, and about 2 days after starting the medication I began receiving the head tingliness, numbness, vibrations, cold hands, panic/anxiety, and overall just feeling plain exhausted afterward. I got it since then about once a week. However, I was told that the med. wouldn't be causing my symptoms. Now it seems to be getting MORE frequent, as it has happened 3 times in a row in the past 2 days and it is becoming unbearable.
PLEASE HELP!! I am at a loss. Is it panic disorder/stress reaction, or something that maybe they are missing?
During the last attack, I also got a knot pain in the lower center of my back which lasted for some time after the initial attack, yet it eventually passed.
During an attack before that, I felt pain in the back of my neck before receiving the true attack.
I had blood-work done: for electrolites, thyroid tests 3 times and all came back fine, as well as other tests which all came back fine also.
I also got a cat-scan done of both my chest and my brain, and both came back fine. The only thing that showed up in the brain-scan was some calcium deposits in between the two hemispheres, but the doctor said it was minor and there were no signs of inflamation, so it wouldn't be causing the problems I am receiving.
I was stressed before from schoolwork, as well as fighting these problems during school and all it did was add MORE stress, since I got behind in schoolwork as I was trying to finish up college since I was graduating in December. The attacks came on SUDDENLY, and I have had them since then. The heart problems came on EVERY DAY since the first night of Oct. 30th into the 31st. I was told it could possibly be a reaction to stress...and that what I am experiencing could be panica attacks in reaction to all the stress I had.
Yet I want to rule out any other possibility. The attacks come on without warning, and I have woken up in the middle of the night before from more attacks. In fact, I am up right now from just fighting another attack, and feel at a loss. I just want to make sure I am being diagnosed with the right thing.
Another thing that you may want to know: since they at first assumed it was my Mitral Valve Prolapse, they put me on Toprol XL for the heart problems, and it seemed to work GREAT for awhile, yet then I got more problems again. Since my EKGs and echo's came back fine, they then assumed maybe it was my nerves from stress, and so put me on Zoloft 25mg. I have been on it for about 4 weeks now, and about 2 days after starting the medication I began receiving the head tingliness, numbness, vibrations, cold hands, panic/anxiety, and overall just feeling plain exhausted afterward. I got it since then about once a week. However, I was told that the med. wouldn't be causing my symptoms. Now it seems to be getting MORE frequent, as it has happened 3 times in a row in the past 2 days and it is becoming unbearable.
PLEASE HELP!! I am at a loss. Is it panic disorder/stress reaction, or something that maybe they are missing?
Not sure how I missed you reply, since it is the first one, but going back I just now saw it. Thank you sooo much for replying. I have had an eeg and a 24 hour sleep deprivation eeg to check for siezures. I passed that test also. They now have me on Topamax, as I noticed you mentioned in your post. My symptoms went away for about three weeks, but as of Monday night, I could feel some of them coming back. I keep trying to pinpoint what I have done differently (no added stress) to bring it back on. But I did notice that I am starting to get my headaches back this week too. I have not been tested for Lyme Disease, and when brought up, they usually just smile at me and move on. I live in Florida. I have been to a gastrologist (I think he was called) and discussed my low b-12, he did some blood work and that was about it, didn't seem to concerned. I am going to check my MANY blood workups to see if I have had my MMA (Methyl Malonic Acid), Homocysteine, intrinsic factor level and parietal cell antibodies, as you suggested. THANK YOU again.
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe are not specific for any one disorder, but are most likely related to chronic daily headache and possibly depression/anxiety. There is a lot of data that I do not have, and it sounds like you have had an extensive workup that 'did not find anything'( which doctors should never be comfortable with that statement-without seeing exactly what tests were done, what the results were and examining the films for themselves). A low B12 is concerning (although yours is not low to the poitn were we would expect to find severe or irreversible disease) and can cause some of the numbness/tingling sensations that you describe. Along with a B12 level, I would suggest that your MMA (Methyl Malonic Acid), Homocysteine, intrinsic factor level and parietal cell antibodies are checked as well to evaluate the cause of your B12 deficiency. The feeling of being beaten up/worked out in the morning is concerning for possible nocturnal seizures. An EEG (electroencephalogram or 'brain wave test') is a snap shot (usually only 20 minutes) that can record 'footprints' of seizures/epilepsy, but if you do not have a spell while connected to the EEG, then a seizure disorder cannot be ruled out. Asking your spouse if he/she has seen any spells/convulsions during the night may be helpful. If this happens on a repeated basis then you may need to have an admission of overnight EEG monitoring to capture on of these events. Another possibility would be a REM sleep behavior disorder (these people act out their dreams). The head pressure sounds like chronic daily headache, but may also be a transformed migraine (I would need more history). You have probably heard of our typical treatments if you have been to 2 neurologist already, including elavil(amitryptiline) at night, topamax, zanaflex (tizanidine), nadolol, etc. These medications once started will reduce or eliminate your headaches within 3-4 weeks. There are several ways that prevent this from working. The number one reason people in your situation have refractory headaches (headpressure) is analgesic overuse headaches (also called rebound headaches). Taking common analgesics such as tylenol, motrin, narcotics, ultram etc more than 3 days per week can Give you headaches. These 'rebound headaches' are very difficult to treat and do not respond to our typical methods until the analgesic overuse is stopped (no more than 2 times per week). The second is anxiety/depression. When people are depressed then their pain is amplified and will not improve (despite therapy) until the depression/anxiety is addressed. For this reason many refractory headache patients are given an antidepressant on a trial basis in attempt to improve their headache control.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe are not specific for any one disorder, but are most likely related to chronic daily headache and possibly depression/anxiety. There is a lot of data that I do not have, and it sounds like you have had an extensive workup that 'did not find anything'( which doctors should never be comfortable with that statement-without seeing exactly what tests were done, what the results were and examining the films for themselves). A low B12 is concerning (although yours is not low to the poitn were we would expect to find severe or irreversible disease) and can cause some of the numbness/tingling sensations that you describe. Along with a B12 level, I would suggest that your MMA (Methyl Malonic Acid), Homocysteine, intrinsic factor level and parietal cell antibodies are checked as well to evaluate the cause of your B12 deficiency. The feeling of being beaten up/worked out in the morning is concerning for possible nocturnal seizures. An EEG (electroencephalogram or 'brain wave test') is a snap shot (usually only 20 minutes) that can record 'footprints' of seizures/epilepsy, but if you do not have a spell while connected to the EEG, then a seizure disorder cannot be ruled out. Asking your spouse if he/she has seen any spells/convulsions during the night may be helpful. If this happens on a repeated basis then you may need to have an admission of overnight EEG monitoring to capture on of these events. Another possibility would be a REM sleep behavior disorder (these people act out their dreams). The head pressure sounds like chronic daily headache, but may also be a transformed migraine (I would need more history). You have probably heard of our typical treatments if you have been to 2 neurologist already, including elavil(amitryptiline) at night, topamax, zanaflex (tizanidine), nadolol, etc. These medications once started will reduce or eliminate your headaches within 3-4 weeks. There are several ways that prevent this from working. The number one reason people in your situation have refractory headaches (headpressure) is analgesic overuse headaches (also called rebound headaches). Taking common analgesics such as tylenol, motrin, narcotics, ultram etc more than 3 days per week can Give you headaches. These 'rebound headaches' are very difficult to treat and do not respond to our typical methods until the analgesic overuse is stopped (no more than 2 times per week). The second is anxiety/depression. When people are depressed then their pain is amplified and will not improve (despite therapy) until the depression/anxiety is addressed. For this reason many refractory headache patients are given an antidepressant on a trial basis in attempt to improve their headache control.
I hope this has been helpful.
Hi: I am so glad that I have found this site.I have many of the same symptoms that you have.my symptoms are the back of my head is numb,my legs and arms are numb & tingling my right eye is drooping a lot,I am so tired all the time and I sometimes feel faint.
I saw my DR on Tuesday this week and he did a few test such as check my reflex look in my eyes ext.then he sent me to the hospital for blood work chest x-rays,yesterday went for CT scan of my brain.These symptoms started a few moths ago but never lasted for more then a day or two so I never seek medical assistance for it. But now it`s been over a week and i`m a little worried. Maybe it is lime disease and not something more serious. I`m from On Canada and we have deer ticks.
I wish you the very best and hope that you will find out the cause of you illness soon.
viamac
I saw my DR on Tuesday this week and he did a few test such as check my reflex look in my eyes ext.then he sent me to the hospital for blood work chest x-rays,yesterday went for CT scan of my brain.These symptoms started a few moths ago but never lasted for more then a day or two so I never seek medical assistance for it. But now it`s been over a week and i`m a little worried. Maybe it is lime disease and not something more serious. I`m from On Canada and we have deer ticks.
I wish you the very best and hope that you will find out the cause of you illness soon.
viamac
Here are my symptoms: Constant pressure in head, constant tension in forehead, shakey vision, horizontal vertigo. I too was give a negative elisa Lyme test. Check out my story at Robertmillerfoundation.org and you will see what 6 doctors missed before I finally went to a school of medicine.
Shanghai SD:
You said that your post was removed.
It's still here, in the archives.
http://medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34400.html
If you look at the numbers on the left side of that thread, by the names and dates of the people who responded, you'll notice that there are gaps.
That is because some of the responses were removed.
Shangs, I answered you and referred you to a support group to find more information.
Wishing you the best,
Carol
You said that your post was removed.
It's still here, in the archives.
http://medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/34400.html
If you look at the numbers on the left side of that thread, by the names and dates of the people who responded, you'll notice that there are gaps.
That is because some of the responses were removed.
Shangs, I answered you and referred you to a support group to find more information.
Wishing you the best,
Carol
manysymtoms,
I agree totally with Shanghai. I to have been dx with lyme disease and spent two years trying to figure it out. I did have a lumbar puncture and am glad I did for peace of mind. It is not a fun procedure but can rule out serious disease like MS. If you would like any information on Lyme disease feel free to email me. ***@****
good luck,
Lesley
I agree totally with Shanghai. I to have been dx with lyme disease and spent two years trying to figure it out. I did have a lumbar puncture and am glad I did for peace of mind. It is not a fun procedure but can rule out serious disease like MS. If you would like any information on Lyme disease feel free to email me. ***@****
good luck,
Lesley
Hi
You both sound like the hundreds of people whom were finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease, including myself.
Often with Lyme disease all bloodwork, testing etc is all fine, even the test for Lyme itself is notoriously innaccurate....the doctor on this board told me this and also told me my symptoms sounded like Lyme disease.....he was correct. Unforunately they have taken away the thread.
You need to be tested at a reputable lab and see a reputable Lyme Physician.
Even if you dont recall a tick bite there is still a chance.
Please dont hesitate to investigate this as a possibility, it should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Good Luck
Shangs
You both sound like the hundreds of people whom were finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease, including myself.
Often with Lyme disease all bloodwork, testing etc is all fine, even the test for Lyme itself is notoriously innaccurate....the doctor on this board told me this and also told me my symptoms sounded like Lyme disease.....he was correct. Unforunately they have taken away the thread.
You need to be tested at a reputable lab and see a reputable Lyme Physician.
Even if you dont recall a tick bite there is still a chance.
Please dont hesitate to investigate this as a possibility, it should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Good Luck
Shangs
Hi
You both sound like the hundreds of people whom were finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease, including myself.
Often with Lyme disease all bloodwork, testing etc is all fine, even the test for Lyme itself is notoriously innaccurate....the doctor on this board told me this and also told me my symptoms sounded like Lyme disease.....he was correct. Unforunately they have taken away the thread.
You need to be tested at a reputable lab and see a reputable Lyme Physician.
Even if you dont recall a tick bite there is still a chance.
Please dont hesitate to investigate this as a possibility, it should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Good Luck
Shangs
You both sound like the hundreds of people whom were finally diagnosed with Lyme Disease, including myself.
Often with Lyme disease all bloodwork, testing etc is all fine, even the test for Lyme itself is notoriously innaccurate....the doctor on this board told me this and also told me my symptoms sounded like Lyme disease.....he was correct. Unforunately they have taken away the thread.
You need to be tested at a reputable lab and see a reputable Lyme Physician.
Even if you dont recall a tick bite there is still a chance.
Please dont hesitate to investigate this as a possibility, it should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Good Luck
Shangs
Where do you guys live and did you get confirmation by way of a blood test or based on clinical diagnosis.i live in southern california. I have had three blood tests and seen a lyme literate doc in michigan and nothing. Just curious as to why there isn't more info being presented if it is afflicting so many people
Lumbar punctures cannot rule out Lyme disease and those with LD can present in the LP with oligoconal bands.
Hello,
You will most likely get no where with Lyme disease and an Arizona neurologist. I am presuming that you have travelled in your life, and thus, do not in anyway limit the possibility based on that simple variable.
If you are going to look for Lyme disease I am guessing that your closest bet is going to be travel to California to see a physician who specializes in Lyme pathology. I would suggest some research via "google" using the words "Lyme" "Net."
Good Luck!
JCmcc.
You will most likely get no where with Lyme disease and an Arizona neurologist. I am presuming that you have travelled in your life, and thus, do not in anyway limit the possibility based on that simple variable.
If you are going to look for Lyme disease I am guessing that your closest bet is going to be travel to California to see a physician who specializes in Lyme pathology. I would suggest some research via "google" using the words "Lyme" "Net."
Good Luck!
JCmcc.
I also have all the above symptoms except the major dizziness. I have muscle weakness all over..or just weakness really. This comes and goes. I work out and run still so I don't think it is exactly muscular related. I otice it more when I do everyday activities. I've had plenty of bloodtests and my doctor has just referred me to a neurologist. I'm going to go, but I still think perhaps it could be Lyme's Disease or something else. I live in Arizona though...not too many ticks here. I'm wonderng if it can be reaction to something like ammonia ( it's strange but it worsens after I get my hair colored) or even something like hidden mold or exposure to something I clean with... I'm just not sure who to ask or how far to take this. Thanks
That is interesting, same here. I wonder.......
well for people who are sensitive to medications those things can definitely have an effect. there is definitely a small minority who have adverse reactions. you just don't know if you were one of them. i had no idea what those meds were. i went to my doc complaining of feeling tired and not sleeping well. after 5 minutes she went to her pen and pad and wrote me those scripts. once i found out what they were i went off of them and thats when all hell broke loose. if you would like you can e-mail me at ***@****
They brought up doing a lumbar punch today in fact. I am kind of weary of doing one of those, it scares me. Have you had one? The only medications I have been on before this came on, were stress related medicines.
i have all of the symptoms you have plus ringing in the ears and feeling like i am on a boat or walking on a trampoline and other crzy feelings. did you say u had a lumbar puncture? have you ever been on any medications before. i am at a lost as well
no haven't had one. said that i don't need one. the reason i asked about the nedication is prior to me getting these symptoms i was on stress medication i.e xanax and lexapro. when i quit all my symptoms appeared
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