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strange sensations and pain
For about a week I have been having random pin ***** feelings all over my body. They happen in completely random places and usually just feel like one individual bug bite (as opposed to a cluster of pins & needles). One will happen, then a minute later it happens somewhere totally different! I haven't noticed any pattern. It sometimes feels like whatever is pricking me is cold, and occasionally feels like a drop of water has hit me--but nothing is there. I also get a sensation like a mild sunburn feeling, but the dermatologist has told me nothing is wrong with my skin. It happens on my legs (mostly thighs) and lower back, and occasionally my inner arms above the elbow; this feeling developed a few days before the pin pricks and now comes and goes.
In the last couple of days I've developed a strange ache in my limbs, mostly on the right side. It feels like the pain I would feel if trying to stretch them when they're really tight, but it happens when I'm not stretching and not especially tight. There's a feeling of pressure like something is cutting off my circulation, but they don't feel asleep or "heavy" in the way that they would feel if they were asleep. I think my limbs fall asleep more easily when I'm having this pain.
This is the second time these symptoms have happened for me. The same thing happened four months ago, went through the same series of symtpoms (sunburn sensation, pricking, aches) and then went away.
I also get slight random twitches in my arms and legs, I don't know if this is new or I'm just noticing it because of the other symptoms. I have a lot of stress and anxiety (bad knots in back/neck, I grind my teeth during the night, sometimes catch myself tensing up for no reason). I am on 500 mg of Famvir a day for genital herpes, which I initially thought was the cause of the sunburn feeling. No numbness or actual problems with movement or coordination but all of this is really scaring me. Could it be MS or something else?
In the last couple of days I've developed a strange ache in my limbs, mostly on the right side. It feels like the pain I would feel if trying to stretch them when they're really tight, but it happens when I'm not stretching and not especially tight. There's a feeling of pressure like something is cutting off my circulation, but they don't feel asleep or "heavy" in the way that they would feel if they were asleep. I think my limbs fall asleep more easily when I'm having this pain.
This is the second time these symptoms have happened for me. The same thing happened four months ago, went through the same series of symtpoms (sunburn sensation, pricking, aches) and then went away.
I also get slight random twitches in my arms and legs, I don't know if this is new or I'm just noticing it because of the other symptoms. I have a lot of stress and anxiety (bad knots in back/neck, I grind my teeth during the night, sometimes catch myself tensing up for no reason). I am on 500 mg of Famvir a day for genital herpes, which I initially thought was the cause of the sunburn feeling. No numbness or actual problems with movement or coordination but all of this is really scaring me. Could it be MS or something else?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
The cause of burning and tingling symptoms depends largely on their distribution: what parts of the body they occur in.
(1) symptoms worst in the hands and feet: this can be caused by a process called a neuropathy. There are 2 types of nerves that provide sensation to the feet, large nerves and small nerves. A problem with either of these could lead to burning and tingling. There are many many causes to this group of disorders called "neuropathies". They include but are not limited to most commonly diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders such as lupus or a disease called Sjogren's, certain types of neoplasm, and certain toxins (such as lead). As I mentioned, there are several other genetic, metabolic, and hereditary disorders that cause neuropathy, and what tests need to be ordered depend on the history and physical examination of the patient. With small fiber neuropathy, the EMG/NCS test which measures how nerves conduct electricity and how muscles respond to them may be normal. In large fiber neuropathy, it will be abnormal. Small fiber neuropathy can be diagnosed with a skin biopsy and with a test called a QSART. If neurontin does relieve your symptoms, which it sounds like it does, this suggests that your pain is neuropathic, meaning arising from the nerves.
(2) Symptoms present on one side of the body versus the other, or in just one limb. Causes could include a stroke or the condition multiple sclerosis. These would best be excluded by an MRI.
(3) If symptoms migrate (move from one place to the other) and are intermittent, causes might include seizures, migraine disorder or metabolic problems such as low calcium.
Often these symptoms may reflect emotional/psychiatric problems related to stress (what is called somatization disorder). The latter is a true medical condition whereby instead of a patient experiencing depression or anxiety, they experience physical symptoms, and once the stress is addressed, the symptoms resolve. Fibromyalagia is another medical condition that leads to whole body pains, and is best treated with medications such as lyrica and neurontin, exercise, and physical therapy.
Regarding your muscle twitching, the most likely possibility is benign fasiculation syndrome, abbreviated BFS. Benign fasciculation syndrome, which I will abbreviate as BFS, is a condition in which there are involuntary twitches of various muscle groups, most commonly the legs but also the face, arms, eyes, and tongue. If the diagnosis is confirmed and other causes are excluded, it can be safely said that the likelihood of progression or occurrence of a serious neurologic condition is low. In BFS, the twitches may be related to anxiety/stress, caffeine, and often occur after recent strenuous activity or muscle over-use. It is important in such cases to reduce stress/anxiety levels and to reduce caffeine intake.
When BFS is present but not particularly bothersome or disabling, treatment is not necessary. If severe and it requires treatment, there are a few medication options though this condition is not very common, and the research that has been done on its treatment is limited. Minimizing caffeine and stress, and treating anxiety if it is present, will improve your symptoms.
These are just some causes of burning/tingling. In addition, again I can not confirm that your twitches are benign without examining you and obtaining your history. I recommend you be evaluated by your primary doctor (family physician). After he/she evaluates you, he/she can determine whether or not further testing such as an MRI of the brain and/or spine or other testing is necessary. He/she may choose to refer you to a neurologist or other specialist based on his/her findings.
Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
The cause of burning and tingling symptoms depends largely on their distribution: what parts of the body they occur in.
(1) symptoms worst in the hands and feet: this can be caused by a process called a neuropathy. There are 2 types of nerves that provide sensation to the feet, large nerves and small nerves. A problem with either of these could lead to burning and tingling. There are many many causes to this group of disorders called "neuropathies". They include but are not limited to most commonly diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders such as lupus or a disease called Sjogren's, certain types of neoplasm, and certain toxins (such as lead). As I mentioned, there are several other genetic, metabolic, and hereditary disorders that cause neuropathy, and what tests need to be ordered depend on the history and physical examination of the patient. With small fiber neuropathy, the EMG/NCS test which measures how nerves conduct electricity and how muscles respond to them may be normal. In large fiber neuropathy, it will be abnormal. Small fiber neuropathy can be diagnosed with a skin biopsy and with a test called a QSART. If neurontin does relieve your symptoms, which it sounds like it does, this suggests that your pain is neuropathic, meaning arising from the nerves.
(2) Symptoms present on one side of the body versus the other, or in just one limb. Causes could include a stroke or the condition multiple sclerosis. These would best be excluded by an MRI.
(3) If symptoms migrate (move from one place to the other) and are intermittent, causes might include seizures, migraine disorder or metabolic problems such as low calcium.
Often these symptoms may reflect emotional/psychiatric problems related to stress (what is called somatization disorder). The latter is a true medical condition whereby instead of a patient experiencing depression or anxiety, they experience physical symptoms, and once the stress is addressed, the symptoms resolve. Fibromyalagia is another medical condition that leads to whole body pains, and is best treated with medications such as lyrica and neurontin, exercise, and physical therapy.
Regarding your muscle twitching, the most likely possibility is benign fasiculation syndrome, abbreviated BFS. Benign fasciculation syndrome, which I will abbreviate as BFS, is a condition in which there are involuntary twitches of various muscle groups, most commonly the legs but also the face, arms, eyes, and tongue. If the diagnosis is confirmed and other causes are excluded, it can be safely said that the likelihood of progression or occurrence of a serious neurologic condition is low. In BFS, the twitches may be related to anxiety/stress, caffeine, and often occur after recent strenuous activity or muscle over-use. It is important in such cases to reduce stress/anxiety levels and to reduce caffeine intake.
When BFS is present but not particularly bothersome or disabling, treatment is not necessary. If severe and it requires treatment, there are a few medication options though this condition is not very common, and the research that has been done on its treatment is limited. Minimizing caffeine and stress, and treating anxiety if it is present, will improve your symptoms.
These are just some causes of burning/tingling. In addition, again I can not confirm that your twitches are benign without examining you and obtaining your history. I recommend you be evaluated by your primary doctor (family physician). After he/she evaluates you, he/she can determine whether or not further testing such as an MRI of the brain and/or spine or other testing is necessary. He/she may choose to refer you to a neurologist or other specialist based on his/her findings.
Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful, good luck.
It sounds like you need to ask for MRI from your doctor. This could rule out MS depending on the findings in the MRI.
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