Random sharp and concentrated pains throughout body

[vitenspe]

Since I was a teen, I have had these random sharp pains throughout various parts of my body that will occur in concentrated bursts of pain in a particular area for short periods of time. Sometimes pain will re-appear in the same area throughout the day and other times it will appear at seemingly unrelated part of my body. For example, it happened today and began with concentrated burst of pain half way up my inner left thigh. This pain would intensify which would cause me to wince in pain and then release and then repeat all over again every 5-10 seconds for about a minute. This pain did not radiate anywhere but only within a specific point. Then this same stabbing sensation occurred half way up to the first knuckle of my right middle finger about 30 minutes later. Then immediately following this finger pain I felt pain in my right foot at the joint of my middle toe. I have no idea what causes this and both of my siblings report similar type of pain issues. Friends think this is quite strange. As a teenager, everyone called these "growing pains" but I am 30 years old and don't believe this title still applies. Any ideas on possible causes? A friend of mine recommended acupuncture but of course I cringe at the thought of needles.

[wakeybob]

Hi I have been suffering and I mean suffering from this for about 2 years. I am 37 and have very similar symptoms to your own. I may get a burst of sharp pains in my temples usually one side, it can happen for a few seconds and repeat for a minute or so. I may get a pain in my knee and then minutes later in my finger, or shoulder or wherever it wants to be. The thing is I am a mental health nurse and keep thinking am I going mad. My partner is sympathetic but gets a bit tired of me mentioning pains 5 or 6 times a night. I'm tired all the time and don't know where to turn.I also keep thinking I'm going to die in my sleep which is making life very miserable. Has anyone any suggestions

[kmh3780]

what have people told you about your stabbing pain issue - I am wondering myself - please let me know

[omapooh]

I also have had these symptoms for years - random sharp shooting pains anywhere in the body.  I have an autoimmune disease called Primary Billiary Cirrosis (PBC} and wondered if these pains were due to an overlap autoimune disease.

PBC symtoms include chronic fatigue and itchiness. And although it does affect the bones and joints I dont think it is with these random attacks of pain

[Pum]

I thought everyone got this. I certainly do and have done since my teens. I think it is a nerve thing or muscular as it sometimes (but not always) is related to some odd exertion I've done, like lifting something heavy. Stress sometimes makes it worse due to tense muscles "complaining" more when they are used. If it continues for any time or keeps coming back try a warm bath or spa. Wonderful for aches and pains.

Good luck

[Cyndi0808]

I, too, have had these symptoms of random sharp pains in various parts of my body for several years. The frequency and intensity was increasing up until a year ago.  Suprisingly, since I started using a pharmeceutical grade, high potency, superior quality supplement regimen (not all vitamins are created equal I've found out), my symptoms have just about disappeared!!  Could it have just been a coincidence?  Maybe, but I am not going to EVER stop taking them!  If anyone wants more information on what I've been doing, just post a request and I'll give you my contact information.

[Stephanee]

I have had these sharp pains too! I am 22 years old and just now started to get them. So thats why I looked it up on the internet. Is it normal? I don't have health insurance so I cant really get checked out. It happens at random times too. I usually pop some tylenol and it goes away. I always figure if over the counter medicine does the trick then it can't be that serious right? Am I having growing pains? Even at the age of 22???

[Laurent825]

Hi cyndi

I am a 21 year old female and recently just started feeling like this for about 3 weeks now, It makes me nervous that something is going to happen to me or that it is a serious health issue. i have been to 2 Doctors whom where not very helpful, I was curious to know which supplements you started taking. I have been reccomended B12 and wanted to know if that was what you were taking also?
Thank you for all of your help

[Ashbash787]

Hello,

I am supirsed to have found a very recent message board about this problem. I have been having these same pains for about 6 months to a year. I just went to the doctor about a week ago and they are running some blood tests on me to see what it could be. I'm still waiting for results. But I understand how horrible and annoying these pains can be. One day i had them all over my body that i did no want to move at all. I will post my results as soon as i get them to further help anyone who is looking for answers.

[bshores]

Hello, Much in the same here, I have had these pains for about 2 months now. It started off with walking pnumonia and then went to a serious sinus infection and now I have the sinus infection along with an ear infection that was and still is unnoticeable. I have had bad anxiety for the past 3 months that started with my job and has moved to my health as every little thing seems to make me think I am dying. I do ask that you all try this as I noticed it a week ago and have been keeping a close eye on it ever since. Pay close attention when you are doing something you love, such as eat ice cream, play video games, read etc... do you notice that it goes away until you start thinking about it more? If so your mind is just working overtime like mine and creating this illusion. Also, I have quit smoking for 1 full month now and I noticed that the pains increased big time when I did this, my bodies little way of saying add nicotine now!!! I still have the pains but they are less and less and seem to come on more when I think about them. If I come up with any other explination I will let you all know. I did hear that B12 does work. I had my blood work done complete and all came back normal as well. I will post with any other findings that I have and I encourage the rest of you to do the same so we all give each other hope and some assurance that we don't have some crazy bad disease. BTW I am 27.... if that matters.

[bshores]

Ok as promised I am reposting my findings from over the weekend. On Saturday I had a bit of a melt down emotionally, both from feeling like this all the time and like I said in the previous post - I have a lot of anxiety. After the total melt down I really felt a lot better. However, I also started taking a multi vitamin on friday so that possibly could have started its effects as well. So to my best estimate I either have a vitamin defficiency or it is all anxiety and I am causing these pains on myself. My ear infection is still there as I could not make it to the docs over the weekend and am hoping to get in today somewhere to have that problem alleviated. The wierd part about this ear infection is that I have probably had it for 4-5 months and never knew it, I had no symptoms with it untill recently when I started getting dizzy. I don't know if that has any affect on it as well. I will post again once I get done with the docs and start to recover from the ear stuff.

[amandac12]

This is really weird because I thought I was the only one with this. I've been to a bunch of different doctors and they either don't find anything or they tell me I'm making it up. The only thing they have all said is that they recommended I see a therapist because it could just be stress and anxiety. I am a very anxious person. I'm 17 years old and I've been having these sharp pains for about 5 years now. It's really annoying because no one seems to know what's wrong. The one thing I did notice is that they started after I had an accident that caused a small hairline fracture in my lower back. Did anything similar happen to anyone else? Do we all have stress/anxiety issues? If we all have something in common that could be the answer.

[Cyndi0808]

Dear Lauren,

I know what you mean about the doctors not being very helpful.  I have been to quite a few over the years and have had several tests, including MRI for suspected spinal stenosis and had some neurological tests in the past.  All came out fine.  The doctors admit to not knowing the cause of the pain.

"What I take has a good amount of B-12, but also MANY other vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and other nutrients that all work synergistically and nutrient the cells at an optimal level.  It's been life changing for me.  If you want more info, you can go to this website: www.enrichyourworld.usana.com.  Please feel free to ask me any additional questions you may have.

[Cali1]

This is all so interesting because I started having severe joint pain all over my body a month after getting tendonitis in an elbow (very painful).  It was the most bizarre thing because the pain would constantly move around to different parts of my body.  My knee would be so painful I could hardly walk and then anywhere from a few minutes to several hours later, the pain would move to a different part or parts of my body.  This started 2 1/2 years ago and is not as severe as in the beginning, but it has never gone away.  It gradually got a better over a period of 7 months from the time it started, but it remains at that level where it stopped improving.  Now there will be periods of a few days to a week or two where it is very painful (like in the beginning), but most of the time it's bearable except for little episodes of very painful joints, especially in my elbows, knees, toes or hands/fingers.  In the beginning I also had a great deal of pain in my wrists and ankles.  What was really crazy and confusing was that this would also send my treated underactive thyroid out of control and my usual symptoms of my thyroid medication needing to be adjusted were really intensified (dizziness, "hypoglycemia").  I went to no less than eight doctors (multiple GP's, Ears/Nose/Throat + an ear specialist, Endocrinologist, multiple Rheumatologists - some are not nice at all, Neurologist, etc.)  who all promised to help me, but didn't diagnose anything, didn't help me in the least, and worst, my regular GP who I thought was great previous to this, thought I was dredging up old issues, would go off on tangents that I knew full well were not what the problem was, never "got" what I was telling her, and basically told me I'd just have to live with it without even trying to figure out what the problem was.  She flat out refused to acknowledge that my thyroid had anything to do with it.  I have since found a doctor who has helped me with the thryoid symptoms, so that is no longer a problem for me.  I started going to an allergist because I've always had environmental allergies.  He believed that my pain was caused by allergies and that in turn was throwing my thyroid off.  Great, I finally had answers!  I was so hoping that would be my miracle cure, but after 2 years on sublingual (under the tongue) drops to acclimate my body to my allergies, I have not been helped at all with my joint pains, nor my other allergy symptoms actually.  I've taken a multi-vitamin for many years, so I should be getting the proper amount of B12 (as suggested by earlier posters' comments).  It just sucks not having any answers!

[bshores]

Ok again as promised I am posting up some new results from my latest bout with the docs. It comes to find out that I didn't have a inner ear infection at all. In fact after visiting a ear, nose, and throat specialist (who was a total quack) didn't find anything at all and tried to tell me that I had vertigo - lol, whatever. Anyway, I change regular MD's back to my previous doc who I had had my whole life but had to change becuase his cronies stopped accepting my insurance. I went back to him and he said that my nose was extremly swolen on the inside and that was the cause of a lot of my symptoms (ear ache, stuffy feeling, chest....) I still didn't tell him about the pain all around my body becuase I wanted to see what else he had to say. This all came as a shock to me about my nose bieng swolen on the inside becuase I could breath just fine (or so I thought) and didn't really have any symptoms coming from that area. He put my on a steriod and a saline solution for my nose to get better. In the mean time since i had this diagnosis my pains have became less and less and are almost completly non existent anymore. I do notice them more when I am really stressed but I am working on that............. Ok, next bit of information. Because I am a research nerd I did a ton of research on this topic and made a lot of phone calls and did a lot of computer searching and found something that blew me away when I read it, not all the symptoms I had but most were covered by this. Please note that I have not tried this yet however it is herbal homeopathic remedy that covers what a lot of you are talking about in these posts, it is called Ammonium Muriaticum - do a Google search on this and take a look for yourself. I went down to my local health and wellness store and they had to special order it but it was only 7 dollars. I haven't got mine yet, but please read on this as I have and if any of you try it post up here if it helped. I will do the same..... However, I really feel as if most of you are just experiencing anxiety just like I am, hang in there and if you want to try this homeopathic stuff out with me than we can all check back in here and see if it works. I have bookmarked this page.... Good luck

[bshores]

Ok again as promised I am posting up some new results from my latest bout with the docs. It comes to find out that I didn't have a inner ear infection at all. In fact after visiting a ear, nose, and throat specialist (who was a total quack) didn't find anything at all and tried to tell me that I had vertigo - lol, whatever. Anyway, I change regular MD's back to my previous doc who I had had my whole life but had to change becuase his cronies stopped accepting my insurance. I went back to him and he said that my nose was extremly swolen on the inside and that was the cause of a lot of my symptoms (ear ache, stuffy feeling, chest....) I still didn't tell him about the pain all around my body becuase I wanted to see what else he had to say. This all came as a shock to me about my nose bieng swolen on the inside becuase I could breath just fine (or so I thought) and didn't really have any symptoms coming from that area. He put my on a steriod and a saline solution for my nose to get better. In the mean time since i had this diagnosis my pains have became less and less and are almost completly non existent anymore. I do notice them more when I am really stressed but I am working on that............. Ok, next bit of information. Because I am a research nerd I did a ton of research on this topic and made a lot of phone calls and did a lot of computer searching and found something that blew me away when I read it, not all the symptoms I had but most were covered by this. Please note that I have not tried this yet however it is herbal homeopathic remedy that covers what a lot of you are talking about in these posts, it is called Ammonium Muriaticum - do a Google search on this and take a look for yourself. I went down to my local health and wellness store and they had to special order it but it was only 7 dollars. I haven't got mine yet, but please read on this as I have and if any of you try it post up here if it helped. I will do the same..... However, I really feel as if most of you are just experiencing anxiety just like I am, hang in there and if you want to try this homeopathic stuff out with me than we can all check back in here and see if it works. I have bookmarked this page.... Good luck

[bshores]

Well it has been a while since i have posted. I never did try that Ammonium becuase my pains have all but gone away. I am left with some twitchy muscles but thats also starting to dissapate. My doc thinks that I was in a depression possibly caused by winter but who knows, the jurry is still out. I started getting ocular migranes about 2 weeks ago but I know that doesn't or shouldn't have any correspondance to whats going on here. I wish everyone the best of luck and continue to pray, thats what I did. I also read a great book called "The Secret" which has really helped me a lot with everything. I have a follow up today with my doc so barring some unforeseen problem I think i am on the road back to recovery. I will post back here if anything changes. I hope you all are doing ok.

[russraka2]

     The most likely reason for the symptoms fading is the steroids that you were on for a short time due to the swelling in your nasal passages.  Most neurological or inflamitory conditions are helped by use of steroid treatments.  If these pains come back, you may want to look into a repeat.  Especially if it shows to be effective a second time.  You did say that the symptoms started to fade when you were put on the treatment for your swollen sinuses.

[bshores]

good call!! I think you are correct. they did almost completly go away. I am now off of the antibiotics and just on the steriod spray. Turns out I have a severe deviated septum that needs surgury. So hopefully once this all is done I will be good to go.

[WJRT]

I reckon it is stress/anxiety related.


When I was 13 I remember having these body pains, they might have been around before then too. I recall having what I thought was a heart attack when I was 13, pain in my heart area, it got worse when I inhaled too, I was scared but it passed and then the pain would go from place to place . . . arm, leg, abdomin (abdomen) . . . This seems to correlate with some muscle twitching I get.

Recently I've been getting this around my neck and temples too which is probably due to anxiety and panic which I have been in a constant state of recently regarding a head injury . . . which was minor, hit head on door while drunk, later started to feel really out of it, feeling of liquid in ears, dizzy, disorientated, stiff neck, fatigued . . .  I got a CT scan done at the hospital (after much insistence), I prayed for good news and that's what I got, a CT scan which depicted a normal and healthy brain.

So I reckon depression/anxiety/stress all contribute to this condition. Until all my symptoms are resolved I'll probably be a wee bit anxious but the key is to stay positive and optimistic . . . don't do anything you don't think you can pull off but make sure you take it easy . . . and maybe lay off the booze.


Stay good, people. God bless.

[Chelsie540]

i am now 15 and for as long as i have known i get these random  chest pains following up to these "pulses" of electricity throughout my body causing sharp pains in my body and breathing. i NEED to know what it is. I get them and I think I am seriously dying but no one will take me seriously.

[nuffim]

i am a 55 year old woman who has extreme anxiety and depression and worry constantly about everything, my children who are all having big big issues in life and my husband who has all sorts of problems can't even go into them all and i just have so many health problems i feel like a complete nuerotic basket case. i have severe back pains, and hernia pains, joint and knee and swolen finger joints, the list just goes on and on and now in the past few months have started getting sharp shooting itching pains everywhere! In the tips of my fingers in my cheeks in my calves thighs, arms forehead, hands it is just driving me nuts, but Doctors just keep telling me "i'm fine" well i'm not fine, whatever the heck this is is not fine. I have stenosis of the spine and the c's and l's are not what they should be, i guess what i am doing is venting and perhaps other people can recognize some of these symtoms, mother died of brain tumors at 43 father alive but has congestive heart failure, dementia, diabetes, colon cancer, was a nurse aide for 7 years and ruined my back and get so tired, forgetful, weak and frightened and take a variety of medications for high blood pressure and high colestrol and anxiety, nothing for pain, as Doctors all want to only prescribe ibupofen and after 6 hernia surgeries i cannot get relief from ibuprofen, somehow, i am just trying to say keep looking for answers maybe someone can help eventually, i try to not give up as the numbness tingling ringing in my ears chest pain doesn't go away so i've got to keep looking for answers.

[jillio]

I also indure the same pains everyone else.... Im thinking its stress related. I am constantly stressing about something... so that could be the cause, but then again ive had thse for quite a bit. I almost think theres something wrong with my blood! lol Its all over my body at different times. Ive had non stop headaches since and seems as though asprin and IB profen jsut dont work. grr

[Hezett]

Hey guys.....
I was shocked when i came upon this page.... only about 2 years ago you wouldnt find ANYTHING like this about Random Stabbing Pains on the interenet. How the heck else can you describe them????
I got ignored by MY doctor for 3 years. she tried telling me it was in my head, she tried to give me anti depressants which i refused, and she tried to give me a psychologist, as she assumed perhaps i was in pain (Let's check out her mental state, but not her claims or pain or  pain level)....
Stress made it much worse (I'd guess having your doctor ignoring your pleas for help when they're the only one who CAN help you can make you stressed out and guess what, lead to more pains)

FINALLY i demanded a neurologist.. and i got diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease. I NEVER would have linked my funny looking feet to my pain.....
but apparently that is why i get these pains.
Many people with CMT do NOT have these pains, however, which is why i'm still searching stuff on this.
I take Lyrica and sometimes Neurontin for the stabs... it does cut down on them by quite a bit but the Lyrica is about 60 dollars a month (I have no health plan).

Anyway I hope that helps somebody, feel free to add me to your msn if you'd like to vent. :) I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!!!!!!!!!! ***@****

[Hezett]

I am hezett

on msn :)

[obi2na]

hi every body i believe i can share in your pain because it has just started happening to me. Mine started with few sharp pains in my heart area and as i have noticed has gradually spead to my neck, head, and to my arms today. I have indeed noticed as someone said earlier that the pains never come when i am having fun or I am concentration on something interesting. However, once i do think about the pain or am not carried away by some activity, the stabbing pain reappears and often in different body parts at different areas. I have also felt it in my right foot for the first time today. What I suggest is that we all discuss negative aspects of our lifes to find out if we do have something in common. the things that I think might be connected to this problem are 1. i have smoked a lot of cigarettes constantly for over a year and half, not smoked only for a total of about 7 days in that time frame and usually smoking a packet of 10 daily. 2. I am more often than not pessimistic about events even before i started feeling these pains.3. I have not been exercising regulary for over 2 years. 4. I have not been eating healty for over 4 years.5. dint not drink a lot of water for the past 5 years. i would like us to give an outline of our negative habits so we can evaluate and check if we have more than one thing common that may be causing our pains. Good luck everyone. however i must advice you all to think positively as i have rarely-if at all- felt the pain when I am in a happier mood. obi

[Laurent825]

Hello All

I havnt posted since Feb..Well I ended up going to the Dr again and I was prescribed an anti-anxiety med-BuSpar. I took that until about July, and stopped because I felt like I didnt need it anymore. After i stopped taking it I felt GREAT. I believe in the winter I had the absolute worst pains due to stress from being in college and working full time. I also have moderate anxiety and I get stressed out easily. Now that school started again in September the pains are starting to come back again and I have had 2 panic attacks due to the sharp pains, especially the sharp pains in my heart. Iam not sure weather to start up the anxiety medicine again or not. my anxiety has increased over the years and I have become scared to take pills..Iam thinking about going to get accupuncture...or going to see a natural healer. ....does anyone know anything about this??

[Hezett]

Natural remedies are cool but do not fall for anything homeopathic, its all BS.  I do not feel I have anxiety even though I do have stress. For me, These pains have been going on for more than 15 years! That means when I was still a kid, exercised, ate great, drank enough water, etc etc. Sometimes the stabbing pains make me flinch; therefore myself personally i would not go for acupuncture. I also do not like pills, Lyrica got rid of some of the stabbing but made me feel drunk and clumsy and stupid all the time, and neurontin wasnt much better. The pains got worse when something tragic in my life happened and worse still when i did no physical activity at all.  I try to stay positive and have good hobbies which amuse myself, and I try to stay active but I do find if i work my body too much I'm sore for days.

[Hezett]

also i thought i'd ask, Do you guys have scoliosis (crooked spine)? you never know.... (I do)

[mandolimoo]

I have the concentrated, sharp, shooting pains.  Mine are in 2 places at the same time.  It always seems to happen when I have or am getting a cold.  I think maybe because my immune system is busy or down.  THis week I've been getting the pain in my ear lobe and in a spot the size of a dime on my upper thigh.  Where does it come from???

[blah22]

I also have had these pains for quite some time.  I am almost 26 and have dealt with anxiety in the past.  I also get stressed out very easily.  My stabbing pains will come at any time.  I can be riding in the car and all of a sudden scream out in pain (which can be quite startling for the driver).  I have had these pains in many areas: including my ear lobes, hands and wrists, feet and legs, and my sides.  It is usually a quick stabbing or throbing pain that lasts a short time and then is gone just as quickly as it came.  Unlike many of the people above, I usually will not get another pain for quite some time after.  There have been times when I will not have another pain for days.  Although on occasion one pain will lead to another within minutes, but always in a new spot.  I've noticed the pain in my hand and wrist seems to be the worse, to the point where I need to stop what I'm doing and hold the aching hand with my other until the pain subsides.

[Floyd573]

I have had this problem for years. I was so nervous to check out what it could be until now and I have to say that I am relieved that it is not a life threatening disease. I get really bad throbbing pains on the left and right sides of my legs, my wrists, left arm, and just recently my left side of my chest. It is so annoying especially when iam trying to sleep or study because all I will think about is when the next pain will arrive. Does anyone have any suggestions on anything I can do? I am a full time student trying to get my life back together, and any help would be awesome.

[teecer1234]

This problem comes and goes and, presently, is acute for me.  Try researching neuropathy on the net -  might give some leads.....

[obi2na]

Hi guys! on september 16th I posted a message about the pains i was experiencing which were random sharp quick and stabbing pains in any part of my body for a very short time. mostly occured when going to bed when i wasnt doing something interested. I read a post from bshore about how u never notice the pains when ur doing something u enjoy. well, i decided to think positively and when the pains came i decided to take my mind off it as well and say and believe' its ok, i'll be fine' . i did that together with drinking  alot of water, jogging and stopped smoking and eating better. this was extrememly beneficial guys!!!!!! in due time not even up to a month i didnt even notice any pains. I believe even if u cant do all the things i mentioned then start with the positive thinking( believing dat it will go away) and stop smoking. if u can increase ur water intake and exercise a bit go ahead and then for the more determined regulate what u put into ur body. give it a try and get back to me with what u've observed i honestly believe that if u try these things i've mentioned u'll notice a difference. it worked 4 me.

[Meag68]

Hey all! Wow what a surprise to know there are this many people going through the same thing. My pain has been as long as I can remember as posted above I also chalked it up to being growing pains however am 23 now and fed up lol. I get random sharp pains in my hands and fingers, shooting pains down my legs and also a strange feeling as if warm liquid is being poured on certain areas of my legs at times, in which I always look down thinking someone spilled tea on me or something... most of the random body pains are tolerable, but the ones in my toes are the worst. My toes go numb easily, and the only way I know how to describe the occasional pain is one of my toes will feel like it has filled up with too much blood and will burst or something (horrible thought I know) this website has helped a lot I will be writing back after a doctor visit so I will post an update and it's not much but I found a little something on the web:

Sharp Shooting Pains

shooting pains in body would probably be something to do with the nerves. This is probably harmeless but if experienced over a long period should be investigated by a doctor. It can be a sign of a more sinister problem such as Multiple schlerosis. You do not say if it is accompanied by any other symptoms so if it isn't , it is most probably a passing phase of an imbalance in the body. Please see a doctor rather than worrying. Best wishes.

Explanations from other WikiAnswers Contributors:

    * Most likely it's a lack of some vitamin or mineral or something your body needs (potassium possibly). But if it is really bad and isn't getting better, you should call your doctor and talk to them. It could be more serious.

    * Carpal tunnel syndrome can begin with a tingling or numbness in the fingers. Adjust your workspace and consult a doctor if the symptoms do not decrease.

    * Lyme Disease can cause sharp pains shooting down the arms and/or legs.

    * I would think it would mean a pinched nerve.Or, your body can be lacking some mineral...maybe your dehydrated....

    * Metabolic disorders

    * Low levels of B=6

    * Certain types of neuropathy

Sometimes its just gas, especially if you are getting sharp pains in the top of your back, i never thought gas would go there but it does, try a Simethecone tablet, see if it goes away. You can get sharp pains in the bowel if your are constipated.

Or if you have been in one position for a long time, then get relaxed, it can happen then.

[LAJ23]

Hi all,

I, too, am dealing with these random pain issues.  I'm a 36 yr. old female and this has been happening since my late teens.  I have noticed that it definetely seems to be much worse when I'm stressed - like now (my husband lost his job, we're about to lose our house, I can't afford to have a b-day party for my 7 y/o son, etc. - all this happening within the last year.  Prior to that, we were a financially stable middle/upper-middle class family).  This weekend has been a particularily bad time and I feel particularily worse over the last few days.  I can't help but feel that stress and depression have a lot to do with the pains I'm experiencing.  I also have Lupus and I'm afraid a flare has fired up.  While I have insurance, I can't afford the bills that come even after insurance coverage kicks in, so I'm afraid to go to the doctor - just more stress of unpaid bills.  Any thoughts?

[Dee_24]

Hi... I too face such problems similar to your for aleast 3yr now, I've took lot of test, CRP in my blood seems to be little high, except that all or ok,,, still don't know wat is the issue... please let me know if you guys came to know about this...

[Gambling]

I have something similar to these pains to except only in my central lower spine, (the first time I must have been between 7 and 9 years old, and  I was trying to fold up one of those scooters when it happened) I am now 15, and my last pain so to speak was about 5 minutes ago, I was squirming in pain for about 10 minutes was near enough constant, the only thing I may of done to trigger them is bending down frequently to pick up a football as I was practicing kick-ups in the back garden. The odd thing they can sometimes not bother me for a couple of year, then I get them quite frequently for a few months.I can live with them although I'd rather not, but I'd prefer it to any kind of surgery or treatment, but I found just know that deep breaths can gradually but rapidly, if that makes sense, can make the pain go away.

[Gambling]

I've also noticed in this forum (as most of you probably had) it seems to first appear in teenage years, so maybe it's puberty related, and can be a constant thing after it. Just a thought.

[nallard]

Hello to all that have a ton of unanswered questions; I'm currently a student at Saint Cloud State University; it has an excellent medical/science program; I'll be heading to Medical School at the University of Michigan.  I'm an outstanding student, and I've found an extremely knowledgeble site about Somatoform  Disorders (the chronic random pain issues) I'm going to post a link it's a bit lengthy, but extremely helpful.  I hope that this can help you all!!

[Hezett]

is anyone trying a TENS machine for this?
(again, i get random stabbing pains all over me, I am weak, I have slightly irregular feet and I have been diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease)

[Chinz13]

I am a 26 year old female and been having sharp pains all over my body. I have not seen a doctor about this, because of the thought of “am I going crazy”? Well about 2 years ago I had a eye that twitched for about a year, after going to the doctor he though it was caused by stress and put me on and anti-depressant cybalta, well I took the pill for maybe a week tops and the twitching stopped and never returned...until approx 6 months later but turned into twitching and throbbing muscle all over my body and now I am experiencing sharp random pains all over my body! What I find intresting, is just like bshores, I also just went to the doctor with ear pain and my nose was inflammed. Doctor said my ear was fine and to use nasel saline solution to open up my nose. Well we will see what happens, I may result in going to the doctor if it continues.

[B_Duong]

Hi.
I'm a 15 year old girl, and for about 4 years now, I've been having these sharp pains all over my body, usually in my chest area and down my arms. I went to see my doctor several times about it, but he simply said it was just growing pains. Last year, I was in an accident and the pains started to intensify. My doctor blamed that on my spine being knocked out of allignment, but I don't think that's the reason because it still occurs even after treatment. I'm still unsure of why I'm getting these pains. Can someone help?

[B_Duong]

Also, I've checked with my doctor and I've had several blood tests to check for any defiencies but it seems that I'm perfectly fine. I do suffer from depression and I've been taking anti depressants for about 3 months, and I don't recall feeling any sharp pains during that time. I just recently stopped taking them and they have returned. Could that be why?

[SmithersMarkus]

I T   I S   S T R E S S

I started reading this forum being a sufferer myself of random shooting pains all over my body and coincides with when I started suffering with RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) like symptoms about 10 months ago.

I know you are probably now wondering why I am mentioning RSI symptoms within this forum topic, and that maybe I have incorrectly added this into this forum... well it is intentional so please read on this may well still help you.

The RSI like symptoms I was suffering from considerably worsened in very quick succession, in a matter of days. The trigger for this at that time was seemingly unknown.
I instinctively blamed the source of my pains upon the fact that my occupation relies heavily on the use of a computer, and putting these pains down to excessive use.

The pains in my hands, arms and shoulders became unbearable. The more I read into RSI the more concerned I became of my problems, as they matched my symptoms perfectly.

I visited my GP about my RSI problem and told him what I thought was the cause, I had to literally self-diagnose myself to him as he really struggled to believe or advise me on what it could be and what could be done about it.
Much to my despair my problems 'in his opinion' were most probably musculoskeletal and told me to take anti-inflamitaries.
I was very skeptical about his conclusion but never the less followed his advice and took them.

Unsurprisingly they did nothing.

In frustration and desperation I carried on painfully scouring the internet for answers. Reading an abundance of information on RSI, I tried many of the tehcniques that I came across in the hope that they would alleviate my chronic aches and pains.
Some of these that I tried were:
Taking regular breaks, swapping the mouse to my other hand, exercising, stretching, reducing my time on the computer, correcting my posture, etc etc etc.

But nothing worked.

I was so stressed and depressed about it I came home from work with the pains ever prominant, no matter what I had tried nothing worked.

Once I awoke in the middle of the night in bed at the epicentre of this ordeal with a burning sensation through my hole body, it was surreal and I could not believe this was actually happening. I thought I was going mad.

As you can probably imagine I was worried sick and very depressed about my problems, and I subsequently felt that I now had a seemingly very bleak future in my chosen profession.

I had problems sleeping with worry about what was happening to me, on top of that, there were other very stressful events occurring and it felt like the whole world was caving in on me.

My faith in the internet as a source for the answer was ever diminishing, due to all that I tried so far being unsuccessful.
I unenthusiastically carried on nevertheless, and was drawn to the Wikipedia link for their definition of RSI, of which I had avoided all this time.
Little did I know that this would be the turning point of my ordeal.

Just as I finished reading the 'ever-so familiar' Wikipedia definition, I was drawn to an external link at the foot of the page (no longer there) called 'Rachel RSI' .My girlfriend is called Rachel which is what drew me to it.

This link lead me to a personal story of a woman called Rachel who incidentally 'had' suffered the same symptoms as me but had made a more or less complete recovery.
I read her story and I couldn't believe what I had read.
In a nut shell she put the cause of her physical pain symptoms down to 'emotional pain' and stress that she had repressed, her mind could not cope with the level of stress and started to express it through pysical pain. She believed in a theory sourced from 'Dr John Sarno' and it was his theory that convinced her it was all psychological.
I was certainly sceptical of her story initially and if it wasn't for her supply of further external links to other people I may well have disregarded her miraclous recovery and put it down to an isolated stroke of coincidental luck.
When I read other peoples stories and how they recovered the same way, I was dumbfounded and it was then that it dawned on me that this IS what was happening to me. It was this belief that that immediately gave a massive leap forward towards my recovery, and the effects were immediate. I felt my blood flowing through my veins in my arms and hands and with that went some of the pain.
It felt like a massive release when I believed that this was infact the source of my pain.
It all started to make sense as I myself have deep down repressed feelings and as my stress levels increased, so did my physical pain.

I went ahead and purchased the book she recommended called 'The Mind and Body Precscription' by Dr John Sarno which aided her recovery.

I only read about one thrid of the book as I was more or less fully cured  of my pains.

I am so relieved and so grateful of my miraculous outcome, as it has not only now secured my occupation, but I can now use a computer for as long as want, when I want, I sit on an unergonomic chair, I don't take breaks, I don't do stretches...... ok maybe I should.... but I don't 'have' to as all my symptoms have now gone.

Why is this relevant to MY aches and pains I hear you ask?

Because YOU are possibly getting these aches, pains etc. for the very same reason. S T R E S S and repressed emotions.

I get aches and pains even now periodically, but they are not JUST in my arms and hands, they are all over my body. They are and WERE nothing to do with RSI, these pains only occur when I get stressed, angry, worried, depressed and tired.

Look at this website:
http://podolsky.everybody.org/rsi/
(originally the link from Wikipedia - Rachels RSI)

Dr John Sarno is quite possibly the answer to all your aching problems.

I hope you believe my story and I hope this can help you.

[ellen119]

I am also concerned because I started receiving the random sharp pains throughout my body -- probably about 4 months ago. I was on YAZ (for cramps and pms) and Adderall (adderrall) (for adult attention defecit disorder) at the same time for about a year, and started feeling faint while at work and in public. A couple of times I felt numbness in my face, and decided to go off of both. Many times I felt as though I couldn't fill my lungs up all the way with air -- so I would do breathing exercises.
I did research and found that both were responsible for causing blood clots and strokes.
Although I told my doctor my reasons for getting off of the Adderall (adderrall), he told me that sometimes people psychologically come up for reason to get off of drugs that benefit them -- telling me it was all in my head. He took my prescription down from 30mg XR to 20mg XR, although I've never filled it.
Many times throughout the day, I feel like I have strenuous pains in the middle of my back, and in my breasts. I don't want to go to an emergency care center, though, and have them tell me I'm making it up, after what my doctor told me.
I also feel weird pains throughout my body throughout the course of the day, at a couple of certain spots in my forearms, at a couple of certain spots in my inner thighs -- the pain will leave these areas and re-enter my toes for 30 seconds, then my fingers, sometimes my jaw, my neck, behind my ear, the back of my head -- all day this goes on.
I wonder if adderall (adderrall)/yaz could have created a serious problem. . . what if I go to the emergency care center and they tell me there's nothing wrong -- then what do I do???

[momhart]

My son (30) recently started having sharp pains in various parts of his body and last for a few seconds to about 10 minutes or so.  They happen in his foot, stomach, arm, cheek, ear, and other parts of his body.  We have been looking at going to a neurologist, not sure if it will help him.  We also found his blood pressure extremely high.  In our society today we have an over abundace amount of stress, I am sure that is no help at all.  I would like to know if there are specific questions, and solutions to look at from those that have already been down this path.  I am in a real remote area & my travels are at least 6 hrs each way.  Any suggestions, please email or post.   Thanks MOM !

[justliveyalife]

I too, kind of have the same pains that you guys are describing. I would say that mine is like...one day my knees will hurt really bad. They may hurt for one day, half a day, or a few days.....then it will be my wrists.....then a little while later it will be my hip. Mostly all joints. My hands fall asleep a lot...sometimes cramp up....my feet are ALWAYS excrutiating pain for the first several steps in the morning......and I am pretty much fatigued and muscle aches (everyday almost).

I've been to a Rheumatologist to be tested for several autoimmunes...the tests are neg then pos then neg again (nothing definitive). I would love answers.....this has been happening for 6 months. Very frustrating while I'm in college........just would love to feel like I used to again

[Gashtall]

I am about to turn 21, and I also find myself to have the same symtoms. It stated at about the age of 13. Most recently, my fingers have been giving me problems and my chest, and it feels like my muscles around my ribs. I also have muscles twitches, also in random places. Also I been waking up with numbness in my left hand, which I thought I was sleeping on it, but wake up laying on my right side. As a matter of fact, I probably have one of these pains at least once a day, sometimes lasting second to a whole day... the only place I haven't had these pains are in my toes.

[natalienoel]

Here's my story....Several years ago, I started having a pain in my hip and it would come and go throughout the day, every day. Whenever I took ibuprofen, it seemed to go away.  Went to the doctor for this several times and finally got a CT scan and it was negative.  Eventually after probably a year, the pain went away. I did start antidepressants sometime in there and may have contributed to it going away..not sure. Ever since then, I've had that pain maybe once a month or so.  A few weeks ago, I got really sick with the flu and went to the doctor and after that started having pains all over my body including the pain in my hip.  Sometimes I will wake up with it.  It seems if I don't think about it, it goes away.  I have the pains in my stomach, side, ribs under my breasts, middle of my back right under my neck, shoulder blades, forearms, and many more spots.  Most of the day I'd say I have pain somewhere.  I'm also a hypocondriac and thought at first it was in my head...Also when I was sick, I convinced myself that I had cancer...I know it's horrible...first it was leukemia because I was having night sweats, headache, fever, etc. and then I thought I had colon cancer...etc. Now, I think I'm freaking out with this pain thinking it is related to cancer somehow probably making it worse.  I saw many posts saying it is from stress and I hope that is it and not cancer.  BTW, I'm 25. I'm also not on antidepressants anymore and haven't been for a long time as I was TTC and had a baby about a year ago and have been breastfeeding since and told doctor my anxiety was under control so I didn't need it.

[D1E]

i as many others also have these problems and believe that they could be related to anxiety, stress and emotional problems
going to see a doctor monday
also a lot people here sound like hypochondriacs, looking for the worst in there health... Maybe that's another link in common

[natty4444]

Hello-

I had the pains most of you are describing.  The pain would be in my thumb, my right knee, my arm, my wrist, anywhere, and everywhere.  Most of the time, the pain would be momentarily but still FREAKED me out!!!!  My Dr. ran every blood test imaginable, and it came back that I was hypothyroid.  I had been on synthroid for 10 years, but still the high dose, was not keeping me within range.  She switched me to ARMOUR natural thyroid and I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!!!! NO more pains.  It took about a week and it' so amazing!!!!! Please all, get your thyroid levels checked...and if you need meds, DO NOT GO ON SYNTHROID-it just has T4, you will feel so much better on the natural ARMOUR which has a combo T4 and T3.

[jones87401]

Thank You all for all your postings.  I have been dealing with the same symptoms for just about 3 years now that you all are experiencing.  I've had all the same blood tests and MRI's and EMG's, even spinal tap, that you all have had, and kept getting told that there was nothing wrong with me even though I still believed that there was something going on.  I see now that I am not the only one that has this and I no longer feel like I'm going crazy.  I went back and reviewed my tests results and they fit directly into the symptoms for CMT disease.   At least I can rest assured that I know what it is now and I thank you all for your persistance in trying to find answers like I do.  If there is anyone that has questions or such, let me know.

Take Care,

Jones87401

[ali53]

I am 27 and have been having sharp, shooting pains for probably 5 or 6 years now, maybe longer.  I never really payed much attention to it, because like others, I thought that everyone experienced this every once in a while.  I do not get it every day... just every once in a while.  It can be in any part of my body... lots of times through my ears, neck, hands, arms, etc.  It only lasts a couple of seconds at a time, but it is debilitating when it happens.  I will be cringing in pain and my bf thinks I'm crazy.  And I've asked him several times if he gets the same pains ever, and he always says no.  I have been treated for depression with medication for a couple of years now and I am wondering if it is a stress-related thing.  I have also had extreme sharp, shooting pains in my chest, especially when I'd breath hard, and I've gotten ekg's and stuff with everything turning out fine.  My dr. thought that this was just anxiety.  But I have never gone to any doctor for this pain that I've been experiencing.  Some people told me it might be fibermyalgia (fibromyalgia), but it is not a constant pain throughout my whole body.  Has anyone had any luck with diagnoses?  I don't want to waste my time going to doctors and getting tests if there's nothing they can really do anyway.  Thanks!

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Welcome to the forum!
Well chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia can be the possible diagnosis. Having said this I would still like to rule out other causes. Anemia, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance like that of sodium, potassium and calcium and an underactive thyroid all behave this way. These need to be ruled out first. Poor sleep patterns and sleep disorders are the other possibilities.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[ZombieCreepShow]

I get that too! I thought it was normal. I would get random concentrated pains mainly on random spots of my stomach, but right now its on my back (it was on my arm a few minutes ago). I've been dealing with this for years now (I'm 18 going on 19). It feels like something is trying to poke out. The pains aren't too bad. I don't wince or anything. But the ones on my stomach bother me a lot.

[italiangirl20]

Hi,
I have been experiencing this for the past 3 months.  My husband seems to think it's because I recently started chewing a lot of sugarfree gum.   He thinks that artificial sweeteners are poison.  I would like  to know if any of you consume artificial sweeteners.  
Thanks  

[LiL_KC]

Im 14 years old and i get sharp pains throughout my  body but i dont know how im getting these pains. I always worry if this is normal or theres something wrong with me.
Im on a traveling basketball team but it doesnt hurt when i play. but when im alone all the time it just comes and goes. my dad told me it would be growing pains. But sometimes my neck hurts like crazy. I just want to know if this relates to a disease or if its just being a teen. Please someone Respond to my Situation. THank you

[lynn166]

I too have these shooting pains and for the past week have had them in my fingers,wrists,arms,feet and now they are in places all over my head.
Am having blood test tomorrow and have been taking amtripiline tablets which help but make me so tired the next day.
Will keep you all posted.

[ParieValdez]

Im 16 years old, Im very athletic and usually never get sick. In the past few days thought I got sick with a fever, It finally went away but Im left with a sick weak feeling and those horribe stabbing pains. I get them in my heart, my stomach, my shoulders, my back, my butt, my legs, my knees, every where. They never seem to stop. They seem to get worse when Im in a cold room, like at school Its always freezing, I start kinda convulsing trying to keep warm. Everyone else Isn't as cold as I am, I get these sharp throbbing pains everywhere hard and fast whenever I start to shiver really bad. Im only 16 I shouldn't be hurting this bad everyday, should I? I esspecially shouldn't have that shooting pain in  my heart right,I dunno whats going on!

[AppelAnnaG]

I get random sharp pains in concentrated areas and I have since I was a young girl.  I am 22 now and what was called growing pains I know cant be growing pains anymore.  I had every test possible done and it was all negative.  My pains repeat in some different locations.  My lower and mid abdomen, the middle of my sides up near my rib cage, my neck, and a couple inches beneath my collar bone.  Usually they are shooting pains or it is like a radiating burning pain.  Usually hurts so bad that I cant move directions until it stops which is usually 10 seconds to a minute.  I have gotten no explanation for this either but it it really bothering me.

[Jambonio]

Yup, been reading up on all your guys comments, really interesting and help me a lot with mine.
I used to smoke weed and quit because it started giving me panic attacks, well at first I didn't know it was anxiety issues, I thought it was heart problems. So once I had found out it was panic attacks, I stopped actually having the attacks 'cause I guess my mind just finds it illogical to go into a state of panic over pains and discomfort when I know they're practically not real... Although it feels real, instead of the attacks now I normally just have sharp pains in my left side of my chest, sometimes in the right. I'm basically just dealing with it, I don't help myself much by staying up late all the time. Although whilst having the pains, even I start to think hmm... What if something is wrong? It's precisey those thoughts which will make it continue, jus' take your mind off it, go walk around, read a book, watch TV, listen to music. It should fade.
I'm 18 and had this for a few months now. I hope this can help you guys. 'Cause it can really get me down at times too. Stay positive. =D

[jaywoah]

Hi all,

I am 20 years old and experience random, sharp pains, as wells as electric feeling spurts in my nerves that last a very short time. But at other times my entire body will feel sore, sometimes I wake up in the morning and feel like I did an full body workout in my sleep. I am stressed but I don't think anything out of the ordinary. I also get random muscle twitches.

The only thing I've noticed that makes it seriously worse is every so often when I smoke pot the muscle spasms will get really crazy and won't stop... they move around my whole body. I literally won't be able to stop tensing my muscles.

I eat healthily, smoke cigarettes, I am a student and I work. I have also noticed that the symptoms are lessened when I am distracted, but find that the mental anxiety is almost always preceded by the physical discomfort. I feel tired all the time, even though I am a very energetic person. I am in college and this is supposed to be the time of my life, so it gets really frustrating.

I also get frequent digestive problems and heartburn. I have frequent abdominal pains, and have only been given pregnancy tests.

I was given an MRI and it came back normal so I was put on Paxil, which I took for maybe a month then stopped. I need another answer, but doctors just write me off.