Extreme Pins § Needles

[sunnypnw]

I have experienced an extreme, continual "pins & needles" sensation throughout my body - arms, legs and torso - for stretches of days/weeks over the past several years.  I work in a very demanding field hours-wise and stress-wise, and believe this sensation is tied directly to stress/anxiety from work.  My first few years in the profession, I worked extreme hours, and experienced this sensation for a stretch of 2-3 days once/year, in each case during a stretch at work where I was extremely anxious about workload/not being able to get everything done.  Years 4-6, the sensations began to last for stretches of weeks at a time, in each case shortly after/during extremely stressful times at work.  During the past year, it recurred for a stretch of four weeks straight.



If I exercise, the sensation immediately goes away; however, it sometimes comes back within a day or two unless I continue to work out heavily.  I have never taken medications.



I am now at a critical point in my career where I need to decide whether I can continue to move forward, or whether I need to transition to something different as a result of this condition.  Needless to say, I would prefer that this condition not drive my choice.  However, this condition has gotten progressively worse in the past year, and I am so concerned about it now that I am thinking about it night and day - which of course is probably making this worse.  In just the past week, I have had my first "panic attack" and lost an entire night of sleep (I have NEVER had this problem).  Over the past few days, this pins&needles sensation has rsurfaced in my back and shoulders (no apparent stress from work other than concern about this health condition, and this condition has never been focused on one particular part of my body before).



I had a battery of general tests (cancer, etc.) run about six months ago - everything turned up fine.  



My questions: (a) Assuming this is caused by stress/anxiety, is this just going to continue to get worse unless I change my work environment, or is this something I can attack?  (2) If so, where should I start?  I plan to review "managingstress.com" this evening, but I guess I am asking whether psychotherapy, meds or something else is the answer?  I have to make a career choice within a few weeks due to a variety of circumstances, and really appreciate any feedback you can provide.  Thank you.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I would strongly recommend psychotherapy to begin with, and consideration of temporary anti-anxiety medications as part of the psychotherapy.