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Avatar universal

Pins and needles - worsening symptoms

Dear Doctors,

I am a girl of 35 years, good health, normal weight etc.
I would apreciate your opinion to my problems.

November 2004 muscle twitching starts in calves. 1 month after a viral infection.
Spreads over the next months to thighs, abdomen, genital area, and arms.  

July 2005 , I wake up one morning with as strange vibrating, pins and needles feeling in my genital area.
The feeling persists, comes and goes durign the day but is there every day.
August 2005, the "vibrations" / pins and needles spread to legs, but are still worse en gentital area.

August 2005, MRI of head and lumbar spine, plus neuro examination is normal.B12, Thyroid function, calcium levels etc is normal.

September to december 2005, cold feelings in the legs comes and goes, cold feeling in scalp comes ang goes, a feeling of heavines in left side of face happens twice, lasts for a few minutes.
Twitches under the feet starts.

The worse thing is still the pins and needles feeling everyday in my groin, genetial area!

I am exercising without problems.

I am really confused, I am gettign scared and my thoughts about this is keeping me awake at night.

My questions:
Could this be MS?

Could this be myastenia Gravis?

Waht I fear the most is the paraneoplastic syndrome, what are your thoughts?

Is this some kind of neuropathy?

I am very interested in knowing if this could be a bening thing, We were planning to have kids, but I do not know what to do now. I don`t want kids if I have a malignant condition.

Thank you so much!
Jo.


37 Responses
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Avatar universal
I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunately so you should see your doctor about these issues also

Hopefully I can give you a few pointers though

First of all, the first thing to exlucde with the perineal symptoms is an STD and you should have a swab for chlamydia etc

After a viral infection, there can be a triggerred immune response to the nerves and one can see muscle or nerve irritation, manifested as fasiculations. It sounds like these resolved so therefore are more likely related to a postviral syndrome and not to your second set of symptoms.

1) there seems to be multple sensory symptoms without any objective evidence of a neuro system probelm by exam, MRI. While sensory symptoms can be present with MS, they are usually not the only manifestation and the MRI is usually abnormal in the brain or upper spinal cord (did you have a cervical spine MRI?)

2) Myesthenia gravis is a problem with the interface of the  nerve and the muscle and manifests with muscle weakness, not sensory symptoms.

3) There is an entitiy of a pure sensory paraneoplastric sydnrome, most classically isolated chin numbness which is quite specific for an associated tumor. There can also be a more widepread sensory neuropathy, sometimes presenting before symptoms of a tumor. However, this is very rare - there are some antibody tests available but they are expensive and should be ordered by your physician if he suspects this knowing your full story.

4) there is a generic screen for a sensory neuropathy that your neurologist can do that includes for instance diabetes, sjogrens syndrome, HIV, monocloncal antibodies etc. This is a good place to start. Tests like EMG etc are unlikely to be helpful in the absence of sensory symptoms only. One useful screenign test might be somatosensory evoked potentials of the median and tibial nerve to see if there is anything effecting the sensory pathways from the peripheral nerves through to the spinal cord. It is realtively inexpensive and easy to do.

Up to 30-40% of sensory neuropathies remain undiagnosed, so I would suggest getting on with your life as normally as you can, the chances that you have a malignant condition are quite low.

Good luck
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Avatar universal
Hi there: I noticed your post and could not help but wondering if your viral infection may have triggered these unexplained neurological symptoms.  I also had a viral infection and rash in the fall of 2001 and shortly after experienced internal vibrations, pins and needles pain, cramping, footdrop and intense pain in my left leg and foot.  Sorry, to say these symptoms have worsened and my quality of life is impaired since I have problems, walking and with balance and coordination, besides weakness. Like most people experiencing neuro symptoms, mine are also worse in the evening and night. At first my  nervous system was really out of whack.  I couldn't whistle or wink but that ability has returned.  But my reflexes are still hyperactive and I am still hypersensitive to stimuli.  I would vibrate internally and any electrical noises or humming would seem to set it off.  I would sit and watch my leg tremor and couldn't do a thing about it.  My tongue and lips tingle and I get electrical like shocks in my foot, toes and fingers.  It doesn't hurt to touch my hands or feet, as the pain originates from the inside through the nerve endings.  I still don't have a diagnosis and everything organic has been ruled out. MRI's, EMG' and an EEG have all returned normal as well as my B12 levels, although I get monthly injections and take oral B12 meds daily.  My family history has four of my direct relatives with Pernicious Anemia and MS does run in my family, but not in my immediate family.  I do have a history of allergies and my ANA was elevated but they can't figure out why.  I also had Bell's Palsy, chicken pox as an infant and unexplained neurolgical pains for many years.  I am now retired in my late fifties and healthy in all other aspects.  So, I am wondering if the virus and rash I had, somehow contributed to these symptoms and how many more people out there may be in the same condition.  I would recommend that you keep a journal of your symptoms and start investigating your family medical history to see if any others may have similar problems.  My mother died of a brain hemmorhage at age 48, so I was very concerned that I had taken a stroke but that was ruled out.  However, people ask me if I did take a stroke due to my problems with walking and my speech.  Somedays it is normal and other days I cannot seem to get the words out or stutter.  Go figure!!! I knew what it was like to be normal for 55 years.  I also do not have depression or suffer from anxiety as that has all been ruled out. The only prescribed meds I take are Gabapentin, for the nerve pain and Detrol, for my over active bladder.  They first suspected I had MS or a problem with my upper motor neurons misfiring.  It may end up that I will develop MS but they won't prescribe anything to halt the progression of my symptoms until I receive a diagnosis.  How many other people out there are also "lost in limbo" with no diagnosis or treatment, yet they experience the deterioration in their condition and abilities.  I have left sided weakness with no explantion and I am sure if doctors had to walk in their patient's shoes for a day or so, they may be more understanding of what they undergo each day.  Good luck and I hope that your symptoms are only temporary.  If you find any similar background material in our cases, please get in contact with me.
The Canuck
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Avatar universal
Have you checked what medications you took for treating your infections, to rule out that you are not suffering a long term adverse reaction?

Viral infections do not require antibiotics, but sometimes they are prescribed. If you took any antibiotic of the quinolone family like cipro, levaquin, avelox, floxin, or the like, you should check first of all whether you are having a delayed, long term sensitivity, so common.

Try to make a list of all the drugs you took up to one year prior to your symptoms, and since then, like the abovementioned antibiotics, inmunosuppressors, strong medications for special health conditions, antirheumatics. Also consider your exposures to chemicals at work or during your leisure activities.

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Avatar universal
I also have very similar symtoms as you guys do.  I am 42 yo female.  In 1992 had a weird rash followed by eye pain and floaters. About 6 months later developed all over twitches,fevers, elevated liver enzymes, weird rashes, weakness , numbness, tingling, more eye floaters, strange visual disturbances, left leg dragging and so on.....I had the whole gamut of tests.. MRI brain, spinal tap,EMG.  all normal.  The neuro I saw said I had a central nervous system disorder but that he had no idea what it was.  Anyway, it went away after a few YEARS.  Only to return again this year.  I have twitching, weakness of arms and legs, numbness, tingling, face numbness, more eye floaters, weird rash again etc... I have had over the past 8 months..2 MRI's of the brain, 2 MRI's of the cervical spine, thoracic, lumbar MRI's, EMG, evoked potentials were done today, lab work.  All results have come back normal, except evoked potentials as I don't have the results yet.  I know what you are going through, no one can figure this out.  My one suspicion is lyme since I had the bullseye rash in 1992  prior to my symptoms.  I'm going to see a specialist in Feb.  It's just so scary.  I feel like my life is over.
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Avatar universal
I have had the same problems (35 y/o male) - has anyone rec'd any advice from any of their DR's?  

About 1 year ago I had urinary problems (first I went too much then I couldn't go at all)and left penile, buttock and scotal pain.  Doc checked for STD's etc did all the blood and urine work and found nothing.  Sent me to a urologist who thought maybe Prostate - found nothing upon exam, urinalysis and CT scan of the bladder.  Both GP and Urologist couldn't explain so I got the old  Dx with Hydrocele and epidydimitis.  The symptoms subsided around March 05.

I stopped smoking about 2 months ago (after 20 years) and experienced numbness in my tongue and mouth - thought maybe it was normal for stopping smoking.  Then the numbness appeared bilaterally in both hands and feet 1 week later.  i currently suffer from bilateral numbness in the hands, feet, scrotal, penile and rectal areas (saddle), facial, cranial, lips and tongue area.  The then onset of the bladder problems came on again like before.

I have had MRI of the lumbar, cervical spine and brain - no lesions have been found - they obviously think that I could have MS (no one in my family has ever been Dx with MS) so I am set up for the evoked potentials and ultimately the spinal tap.  I am just wondering

1)  if maybe a viral infection could have brought this on
2)  Could the neuro be related to smoke cessation and unrelated to the urology symtpoms
3)  what other possible expalnation could there be so I can research it myself.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
Do a google search for lyme disease.  It can cause these symptoms.
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Avatar universal
I was tested for Lyme and as far as my rash goes, the doctor prescribed a cream, flouoderm 0.025%.  This was about three weeks after I had the rash and a slight elevated fever and flu like symptoms.  I attributed my leg cramps to menopause, until I just couldn't stand the pain anymore and went for tests.  They x-Rayed my foot and there was no sign of any injury and I had a back X-Ray as well. The last MRI showed slight spinal stenosis or degeneration, but that is normal for people my age.  Today the cramping was at the back of my leg and above my knee. During the last week, the pain is migrating more up my leg and at the back, and that has never happened before.  I THINK our problems may have stemmed from some type of viral infection, which triggured an overactive immune system to manifest itself in these WEIRD neuro symptoms.  But try to rule out any other incidents or investigate your own medical history.  I had episodes with that same leg going back to my 20's, but always thought I had sprained it.  So, maybe it was a pre-existing condition that was dormant and now that I am nearing my "Golden Years" with a weakened immune system, it has become active again. That is only a guess on my part, but think back to your medical history and any unexplained pain, weakness, mobility problems etc.  Yes, I also forgot to mention that I had three convulsions as a toddler from a high temperature.  I also have many food allergies and am very sensitive to fumes, inhalants, etc. Sorry, this post is long, but I am trying to come up with some common ground here, where we may all have similar experiences.  Check with your parents, aunts and uncles etc. as there may he a heriditary component to this.  I had an aunt with Pernicious Anemia and as long as I can remember, she limped and had to have special shoes made.  Also, all of my aunts had multiple strokes, although they lived to be in their 80's.  I hope that this thread continues and that we are able to help somebody out there.

Good luck ..................
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Avatar universal
I had almost identical symptoms except the my jawline was affected but not my genital area.  My symptoms started 11 months ago after a virus.  The symptoms as well as my anxiety peaked in July and they have been getting better since then but very, very slowly.  I too had all normal tests and neuro exams(but I was not tested for paraneoplastic disorders since this is expensive and was not really indicated).  The symptoms were just something I felt, but they never caused me any disability or loss of reflexes.  I kept a journal of everything I did and ate and noticed the symptoms were made worse when I consumed sugar in higher quantities and did not eat well, and the symptoms were worse in the evening.  I cut most refined sugar from my diet and started maore balanced meals. Neurologist believes this to be post viral and says it generally takes 12 to 18 months to heal, sometimes with residual symptoms that do not resolve.  I no longer have symptoms in my face, upper back, arms or thighs with only very mild symptoms in my calves.  

Keeping a journal and controlling the anxiety really helped me throughout this process.  I would also suggest the same to you.  If this is what I experienced, it will take a long time to resolve with flares ups on occasion but you will slowly get better.  Don't get discouraged and best of luck to you.
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Avatar universal
Hello, I am a 34 year old female in pretty good health.  I have been experiencing burning sensation throughout my body.  At times, I also feel numbness and tingling.  This all started about 2 weeks ago when my right thumb and pointer finger felt like I burned them.  In addition, I have sinus problems and both ears feel clogged.  I have had blood work done, CAT of the head and chest xray.  These all came back normal.  I have been to my Neurolist who has scheduled me for a nerve test.  He thinks I have a pinched nerve somewhere.  Can a pinched nerve cause all of these sensations?  

I am really concerned about MS!

Please help!!  My axiety level is high!

Thanks.


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Avatar universal
Same symptoms here for 9 months. Started a few days after starting Amoxcillin for Staph infection.

Latest new symptoms are pressure sensation, ringing in ears and eyes look and feel like hell.

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Avatar universal
Have you seen a doctor about these sympthoms?
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Avatar universal
Yes (thank you)

I should have said "Same story here" (as all the above postings).
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Avatar universal
Can anyone help me? I dont know if any or all of this is related.  One month ago, i had a very bad migraine.  It lasted one week, terrible pressure along with the pain.  I dont know if its related, but after the migraine stopped, the next day the skin on my right thigh started to hurt, very sensitive, even clothes hurt to wear.  Then it travelled up to my hip area on one side then to the waist area.  Then the sore skin travelled over to the other side, and down my left leg.  Right down to the foot.  This process has lasted a month.  Then just when i thought it was gone, I suddenly started to have tingling pins and needles sensation up my legs and occasionally in my arms and even a little into the groin area.  Please help, i live overseas right now, and need someone to tell me if this could be something serious!  If anyone can help me please write! Or if anyone has had the same experience, and found out if its serious? thanks
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Avatar universal
Dear Doctor,

Thank you for your reply. It is much appreciated.

I hope you will se my short question here:

I do have the muscle twitches still, but the buzzing, pins and needles sensation in legs and genital area is the worse symptom.
( not inside the genitals :o) but under the skin...)

Could this be the benign fasciculation syndrome?

Would a blood test be able to detect antobodies for autoimmune deseases, and PNS etc? Or would I have to have a spinal tap?

Thank you so much!

Jo.



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Avatar universal
Hi everyone, just like you all I'm having these bizarre symptoms that my doctor is writing of as STRESS "it's in your head".  Here's my story.  I'm 32 and seemed to be healthy up until: in July, I had sexual relations an old beau.... I know.... Well, a month later I come down with these fluish like symptoms and really itchy skin all over my body.  I also had what appeared to be ulcerations on my hoo hoo (between the 2). Well, I went to the doctor and had them cultured for herpes, NOPE came out negative(I know the test is 50% false negative), I also had a papsmear and things came back normal except I did have bacterial vaginosis and went on antibiotics for it. I explained to my doctor how I felt - tingly, burning sensations all over my entire body, even my eyeballs!! I was itchy for 3 weeks straight - it was aweful and uncontrollable, would keep me up for hours at night, even my ears would get so itchy they'd burn.  I went on the internet and thought geez maybe i have hep C or something, went back to the doctors for more tests - nope, not that either.  Lyme disease - no!  MS? Lupus?  What is wrong with me??? I went back to the doctor, even though I have not had any more ulcers per say, however,I have been itchy in my pubic bone area with little pink bumps hardly noticable - some turned out to be ingrown hairs and most look like they are on a hair follicle, I also get this burning sensation there the most. I don't know - went back to the doctors again this time to have a herpes blood test, because I am convinced - NOT HERPES!!!  She told me I have no sign of herpes and that she believes this all stress related.  I don't know maybe these tests just don't work?? Do they?  I am going nuts - I had that first breakout thing - or whatever - that's what I'll call it.  Never have I had that type of ulcer thingy again - Also, after 3 months of the insanity, it went away for about a month and now is back.  My hips were killing me for weeks (the first time around - not now), my skin itchy for weeks, pringly tingly burning sensations all over my body, also one week my arms even killed beyond belief. What is wrong with me!!!!  I'm going to the gyno tomorrow - maybe to get another herpes test... that's all I can think it would be - what else would it be? Oh, along with this I also get sores in my mouth, I have 3 right now! Please help me!!!!!  Should I see a neurologist?


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Avatar universal
Oh, I forgot to say, on top of all this I had nightsweats for about a week straight.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed positive for herpes (never had an outbreak). After that diagnosis I went into "shock" and...

My leg's have been twitching, poping, tingleing, going numb and have had a feeling of pins and needles for the past few months. It is driving me crazy! I went to the neurologist, he zapped my legs and said my nerves were fine and he said I probably had restless leg syndrome (RLS) and put me on Requip. It does not seem to work all that well. The twitches come and go all day. I feel it in the thighs, behind the knees, calves, feet. I even noticed that I have two large lumps or a giant dent in my left thigh when muscle is fully flexed. Worried, but the Doctors keep telling me not to be. They say it is just my anxiety causing all of this. I would not have the anxiety it the twiching would just go away already! What is up with the thigh, I can see the damn muscle changing, how can this be normal and due to stress and anxiety? They say work out and it will go away, I am working out every day and the legs just seem to get worse! Can anyone relate to what I am going trough here???

Doctors seem to think I am a hypocondriac, I think it's for real. I just want to get better!!!
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Avatar universal
My comments will probably be of no use to you, but here goes anyway:

Do you take Niacin tablets?  If so, they  causes itching

Do you take Tamoxifen to keep breast cancer from returning?  Tamoxifen causes itching and a feel of pins and needles sticking, even in the hair.

Have you had chemotherapy?  Taxotare , one of the chemotherapy drugs,  causes itches, etc.  Also sweating.
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Avatar universal
Did you have any dental work in the past 15 years that included use of Sealapex, Dycal, etc.  This could be root canal or fillings.

See:

http://www.icnr.com/dentalsealants/DentalSealantToxicity.pdf
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Avatar universal
I am newley diabetic (well into my 3rd month now) but I have all the symptons you all discribe, my legs and arms are itchy, sore, pins and needles, tingley, burn hot etc, and i have been like this for almost 3 weeks now.  my legs are also becoming increasinly restless, and exercise isnt helping. I have lost alot of weight, am taking metformin which dont normally have these sort of side effects, but i am also on anti depressants and sleeping tablets.  I have looked up neupathy, but thats mainly in the feet, mine seems to be anywhere but my feet :(  Any ideas, I am scared of what the doc will say, but its driving me mad, I am getting grumpy etc
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Avatar universal
I was lurking around this thread because I have the same symptoms: itchy rash on arms, back, and legs; tingly numbish feeling in hands, feet, face; flu-like ache;pain in hips, knees, shoulders, neck; gerd. This all started the day after I had three fillings placed. I never put the two together because the fillings are composite. A couple of posts ago someone mentioned dycal and other dental materials, that made me think ..HMMMMM. I have a mouth full of composite resin fillings. I had all of my amalgams removed 17 years ago because of the toxic mercury, but maybe I just traded one poison for another. The lesser of the two evils. Did anyone else have dental work before symptoms started?

Gini
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Avatar universal
Have you taken any antibiotics in the past?
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Avatar universal
I took Suprax about 5 years ago when I had a flu. I had my spleen removed after a car accident in 97 and the doc was thinking I might have had Pneumonia. I avoid them and all pharmacuticals like the plague.

Gini
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Avatar universal
What ever happened with your Lyme test? Did you happen to have any dental work done prior to each episode?  I know how you feel... life being over and all.

Gini
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