Weakness, Numbness, Tingling in extremities

[ski4life9]

About 3 weeks ago I had a bad cold.  I had a terrible sore throat, runny nose, and eventually a bad cough.  The primary symptoms were gone within about a week, and the cough has just now subsided.  About 2 weeks ago my left pinkie finger began to twitch slightly.  The twitching lasted approximately one week.  Over that week I began to notice tingling and very slight numbness/weakness in my other extremities.  (hands and feet)  Now I am experiencing weakness in my hands and forearms, as well as my legs and feet.

The twitching is essentially gone now, however, the numbness/weakness is constant.  I can stand still without moving, and I can walk fine.  However, when I'm walking I do feel slightly "off".  It feels as though my legs are not responding exactly as they should.  The past few days I have also began to feel soreness and slight pain in my arms and legs.  (the pain is not debilitating, and I have not had the urge to take any medication to ease it)

I am also feeling generally faint/tired.  In the mid afternoon it gets to the point where I need to take a nap.  This is very unusual for me.  I am very concerned that this is going to impair my ability to work.

I visited my doctor 1 week ago and he suggested that I am overbreathing as a result of stress.  He did not perform any tests, he simply diagnosed my problem as stress after I informed him of my current life changes taking place.  I took a job in NYC and quit my job in LA.  I suppose I am a bit stressed, but I don't feel particularly stressed.  Also, the symptoms do not seem to subside with rest.  

[CareBayer]

Look up Peripheral Neuropathy. I've been doing some research because I thought my symptoms were heavily related to MS, but the more I read about peripheral neuropathy the more think my problems are related to it.

[cilycoed]

Hi,

You say there is a medication which will help with PN pain. I have had PN for over three years now [v badly in both legs and feet, extending to my buttocks, and R hand extending to top of arm now] Dr's seem to think that the blood condition I have has caused damage to the long nerves in my body. I also have a Vit B 12 deficiency, but they don't think thats the reason for the PN. I have been afraid to take any medication, other than panadol, in case it gets worse, and I might need something then. I have found though that if my bed is warm at night, I will sleep soundly, so I use electric blanket to warm bed, and turn off when retiring, then put an extra blanket over my feet and legs.

Blessings
cilycoed

[graham]

Hi there

Sorry you have been having these symptoms which no  doubt must be worrying. I obviously cannot say I know what is causing them, but I can say that you should definately get your vitamin b12 level checked.
It can cause symptoms exactly as you described, it certainly did with me. Low vitamin b12 causes damage to you peripheral nervious system if undetected and untreated. Eventually it can cause damage to your central nervious system so it is important to rule this out as a cause before it causes damage, or further damage.

One thing I would ask you to do when you get this checked, is to ask what your result was. You want to know what your b12 level was and what the "normal" scale in the lab was. Many doctors unfortunately dont have a great understanding about this condition and think that if your level is anywhere in the so called "normal" range, that you are fine.
This is not the case. If your level is either low normal or borderline, it can cause excatly the same damage as if it were deficient. To explain this, if the normal range is  for example 155pg/ml to 1100pg/ml, then if your level is anywhere in the 200's it has to be suspect. If it is low 200's or high 100's (above 155)  then you certainly need further tests done. I know this because they missed my low normal levels for a long time and it was only when I became deficient that it was diagnosed and treated. I have ended up with permenant peripheral neuropathy and other damage when it didnt need to happen. Please dont put off getting this checked.

Good luck
Graham

[mellie2008]

I also had an episode with my hands and feet they went numb and they where then stuck i couldnt move them on top of that i was driving , i was picked up by ambulance and my blood presure was high and i was having trouble breathing for about a week before the insident
the ER also told me it was stress and panic ,and or anxiety and gave me some pills i still am having a breathing problem i also think it may be somthing more serious

[Katijanae]

The question about your insurance coverage is something to ask your new eemployer.  Many insurance policies that are group coverage do allow full coverage, regardless of previous condition, but you are wise to ask before you go to a doctor.  Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that can be treated with medication, but not cured unless it is caused by an underlying condition.  If you can see a doctor without loosing coverage, I would encourage you to seek a second opinion now.  Blood tests can rule out an underlying condition.  If you are diagnosed with PN, there is a Yahoo Group that can help you understand and cope with your symptoms, and there are medications that can help with the pain that will eventually be a problem.  For the burning sensation in the feet, I use a shea butter product available at Bath and Body Works.  It puts out the fire and helps me get a good night's sleep.
Stress can cause a lot of physical symptoms, but it's my opinion that you can't know that is what is causing your symptoms until a physical cause is ruled out.  
Hugs,
Katijanae

[ski4life9]

CareBayer,

My symptoms are certainly consistent with Peripheral Neuropathy.  The answers I've found based on my symptoms are so vague, and the anxiety is certainly not helping with the symptoms.

I am also about to start a new job and I am concerned about my insurance.  I don't qualify for insurance for 3 months, although I currently have COBRA from my last job.  I'm concerned that if I am diagnosed with something now, my new insurance will not cover me.  (due to exclusionary clauses)  Does anyone know if that is possible?  I was told that if I do not have a lapse in coverage, they have to cover me.  (is that true?)

[CareBayer]

I also have been having the same symptoms you have been experiencing too. The pin and needles, tingling, burning sensations, weakness in both my hands, and left arm. Also when I am at work in the middle of the day lately I've been experiencing fatigue. Since I just stated a new job I cannot get insurance untill August......bummer. I've been using Motrin for the pain when I need it. I certainly can understand what you are going through first hand.