Pricking sensation all over the body

[drkapil]

Dear doctor,

I am a dentist from India and I want to discuss a very problematic situation of me. I have read several forum on internet and found this is a neurological problem and that is why I am contacting you.

I am badly experiencing pricking sensation all over my body for the last 5-6 years especially in winters. The problem getting worse year by year. I took suggestion from of my doctor friend and he said I will be alright gradually. But it didn't happen. I feel lancinating type of pain all over my body particularly more in the feet. It seems someone threw me in a jar of pins and needles. Problems aggravated by some triggers like sunlight, heat, anxiety etc. I feel I should take bath or wet my body with water. It gives me soothing sensation immediately. Couple of years back I took some anti histamines but it didn't help.  

I visited one skin specialist in my country and he gave me several instructions like avoid eating rice, milk products, use moisturizer soaps and also to take immunoglobulin test which was normal. Also I had suggestion from on of my doctor friend that I should try VIT.B12 and I have nerve degeneration and condition is "subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord".

I am really confused due to my condition. Please help me to take me out of this situation or recommend me a good adviser.

Best regards,

Dr Kapil Singla

[HelpUU]

I've the same symptoms & it only starts during the winter. I think in summer the symptoms isn't seen due to sweating. So it has to do something with the endurance of the body,do exercise in the morning & try to control your breathing. It'll definitely help.  

[drkapil]

Hello Dr Sharma,

Thank you for your quick support. I am little confused as the symptoms you explained I have only one (pricking sensation all over the body) and that visible only in winters. I think multiple sclerosis is too early to diagnose.

I hope you have understood what I am trying to explain.

Best regards,

Dr Kapil

[Dr Sharma]

Hello sir, I can understand your concern. These neurological symptoms could be due to a chronic demyelinating condition called multiple sclerosis where the disease phase is characterized by active phase and remissions. It has multiple symptoms and signs and is a diagnosis of exclusion. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are loss of balance, muscle spasms, numbness in any area, problems with walking and coordination, tremors in one or more arms and legs. Bowel and bladder symptoms include frequency of micturition, urine leakage, eye symptoms like double vision uncontrollable rapid eye movements, facial pain, painful muscle spasms, tingling, burning in arms or legs, depression, dizziness, hearing loss, fatigue etc. The treatment is essentially limited to symptomatic therapy so the course of action would not change much whether MS has been diagnosed or not. Apart from clinical neurological examination, MRI shows MS as paler areas of demyelination, two different episodes of demyelination separated by one month in at least two different brain locations. Spinal tap is done and CSF electrophoresis reveals oligoclonal bands suggestive of immune activity, which is suggestive but not diagnostic of MS. Demyelinating neurons, transmit nerve signals slower than non-demyelinated ones and can be detected with EP tests. These are visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked response, and somatosensory evoked potential. Slower nerve responses in any one of these is not confirmatory of MS but can be used to complement diagnosis along with a neurological examination, medical history and an MRI in addition, a spinal tap. Therefore, it would be prudent to consult your neurologist with these concerns. Take care.