Strange Sypmtoms

[Eric]

I have been having these strange symptoms lately and was wondering if I should be concearned. The only medication that I take is occasionally Vicoden for back pain. This usually only happens at night. It is NOT the same as my arm falling asleep due to lack of circulation. The reason I say that is I have been told by relatives that that is what it is. At night when I am lying in bed, I'll get a strange sensation in my skin all over my body. The best way I can describe it is it feels as if the nerves in my skin are OVER firing when I touch them. It is almost painful. It feels like an echo when I touch my arm or leg. If I lay still I am fine, but if if I rub my leg or arm under the covers it feels like the nerve receptors are going crazy. It almost feels like I am close to being numb, but not quite there. This feeling extends all the way from my feet, to my tounge. This is very hard to describe, but it scares me non the less. Thanks for your input in advance.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Helen:

I am not sure what to tell you.  Short, sharp pain can be many things.  Since it goes away on it's own that is a good sign.  But, see a neurologist and have it checked out just to make sure that it isn't something serious.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[helen]

I have periods of pain over my right ear radiating from the back of my neck up to the front of my ear. I have a history of migranes but I know this is not one. The pain comes and goes. Also have positional pain in my right shoulder upon certain movements. Every monring I wake up with a headache that goes away once I get up.  The GP I went to said it could be nerves reacting in my head!!
  Thank you

[CCF Neuro[P] MD,RPS]

Dear Ms. Foster:

There are other medications that might help you.  I would talk to your neurologist.

CCF Neuro MD

[CArol Foster]

I was diagnosed with MS and a perpherial neuropathy. I have a constant iron defeciency anemia, which is most likely an anemia of a chronic disorder..

I have been on tegretol for four years for cramping and pain. I had to get off it becasue it was causing me to have blood disorders. Since I have been off of it I have been having muscle spasms down near my lowwer intestines which will travel across my abdomen down to the back of my right leg which produces a lot of pain and then to my left leg which produces cramping. I had this for a long time and now the neurologists are saying it is not related to the MS.. I had been to many GI doctors. I had fibroids out and it is confusing to all.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dennis:

Sorry to hear about your aneurysm.  Likely, you are experiencing damage and effects from both the aneurysm and surgery.  Give it some time as you are still early in the process of recovery.  It will take many months before you reach the recovery level where it plateaus.  Give rehab your best shot, try and maintain your emotions the best you can and do whatever it takes to reach your maximum recovery.  It is a tough road.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Dennis Madison]

I have had seizures since 1987, never knowing why. On Jan.1 1998, on the way to work,I experienced a seizure fallin against a curb, and cutting my head open.Somehow I managed to walk the 8 blocks home. My girlfriend called the ambulance, and I finally was taken to E.R. after 20 min. of the E.M.T's asking if I had been drinking or taking drugs!!! I really dont remember much after that,until I woke up 10 hrs. later. I was life flighted to columbia and had surgery for anarisim,on the brain. The clot was the size of my fist. Since then I experience svere headaches,ringing of the ears,and my vision is undescriabable. I have severe mood swings,uneasy staying in 1 place for any length of timeand all in all ,totaly depressed.I am taking Dilantin ,xanex and aspirin.The Xanax were just recently prescribed.I just dont feel alive ,anymore andreally need Med. advice.My Drs. just dont understand. can you help me???PLEASE Thank You for any andal advise. yes, I have had several M.R.I's and C.T.scans.sincerly,Dennid

[DAVE SNYDER]

I went through testicular cancer January 1998. I had surgery
and usual 3 courses of chemotherapy at Indiana University Medical
Center. Since then all follow-up tests have been normal. A few
months after chemo I experienced painful feet when standing,
tenderness in fingertips, and ringing in my ears. That has not
stopped. I am now also having on again off again ache in my
groin and tingling sensations in my lower legs. The last couple
of months I have now noticed less than normal hair growth. Blood
work has been normal. Family doctor says I have a neurological
problem. He tells me polyneuropathy. I have been thinking about
a drive up to the Cleveland Clinic for some answers. Anything
you can tell me would be appreciated.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Eric:

I am sorry, but it is difficult for me to tell you what is going on.  The paresthesias might be alot of things, for an allergic reaction to something in the soap used to wash your sheets to a small fiber neuropathy.  It might be from the vicoden.  I would suggest that you see your neurologist.  But first, see if this same thing occurs when you lie down at other times, and even try to use your own bed, lets say on a weekend afternoon.  The second thing is to stop your vicoden and see if it is correlated.  The next thing would be to see if you approach bed on your side and not on your back.  If you still get the symptoms then I would try a new soap for the laundry.  If no effect then head off to the doctor and let him know what you have tried.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD