tingling and very concerned!

[Rebs]

I am a 32 year old female who suffers with chronic gastritis and proctitis.  Anyway I have been experiencing tingling on and off for the past 5 months. I have it mainly (95% of the time)in my left hand and arm below my elbow but it can occur in other parts of my body, somestimes at the same time, most times not, it is like scattered patches in my left hand and lots of the time it affects just the top of my hand. I have had it almost canstant for the past week and I am so worried about MS!  occassionally my right knee will feel kinda numbish. I went to see a neurologist a month ago, who really felt that my problems were due to the fact that I have an awful lot of stress as a result of the chronic pain I experience with my digestive problems, she did a neurological check (ie. checked my reflexes etc) and reassured me that she most definately that I did not have MS, after that interestinly the tingling stopped.  However it has started up again and as I have had it constant now I am so concerned, I also have begun to get so fatigued, but I don't know if this is down to not sleeping well and worrying so much I seem to be focusing in so much on my symtons.  The symptons don't appear to be getting worse, and I have no other symptons at all. Please can you advise reassure  me, I just don't seem to be able to get MS out of my head!  and also could you expalin how even when one is relaxed or stressed you can experience tingling?
I want to thank you so much for the opportunity to write to you and get your oppinon
Best wishes
Joanne

[semm]

I know know you are waiting for reassurance from the doctor but I had the same experience last year.  After a MRI ruled out MS it all settled.  I am really wondering if stress can to this to you.  I often think our minds say we handle it well, but our bodies tell us otherwise.  I also think a good night sleep is crucial and not sleeping just won't help. In the meantime, I have gone from teeth clenching, jaw pain, facial pain, insomnia to a chronic burning headache on top of my head. I am in the long process/waiting time for a neurologist to figure this out and I had an MRI today.  See my posting "four month headache on top of head" a week or so back.  Based on my symptoms beginning similiar to yours, and knowing I have had job, family and financial stress that I can't change, I have a feeling in the end I will need a psycologist to determine how I handle stress and maybe a bit of dental work to deal with the teeth clenching etc. I am just waiting for the MRI results to go ahead with treatment ideas other than meds.  I hope if its stress you can deal with it know, before you end up in the mess I'm in. Good Luck!

[B12 in OR]

I forgot to say that B12 deficiencies are more common in people with gastritis, inflammatory bowel syndrom, irritable bowel syndrom, etc.

[B12 in OR]

Has anyone suggested getting your B12 level tested?  The symptoms you describe can be caused by low B12 levels.  It's at least something to have ruled out and is a fairly easy blood test.

[Tomorrow447]

Hello Bigshot,

I am sorry that you are having so much health problems as I so can relate. I also had the tingling as you describe. But I have many spinal issue's as well. I also believe that stress does so much harm to the body and could possibly be the culprit on some of my illnesses. My tingling turned into body jerking almost as if they are tremors. My neurologist had to try many different medications before he could find a combination of two meds that helped, which were Requip & Neurontin. But they also found that I have Polyneuropathy as well. After a couple of years of my health just deteriorating, I just recently found out that I am suffering with anxiety. I most definitely believe that all my stress has caused this. I will have to learn how to eliminate some of the stress in my life, but when you are ill, it is so hard to do.

But your tingling can surely be a neurological problem. I have also found that if one doctor can't seem to help you, then it is time to find one that will. You wouldn't believe just how many specialists I have. You should have testing to rule out any kind of problems. Also an EMG might tell if their is any kind of nerve damage. But the way I also suffer with digestive disorders. I hope you find a doc that can help you. If you need to talk, you can email me at ***@****.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet unfortunately. Your symptoms are not suggestive of MS though. You should still see your doctor on a regular basis though if new symptoms appear and to seek ongoing reassurance. Symptoms suggestive of MS include vision loss in one eye that resolves over one month, inability to balance or stand, objective weakness of a limb, inability to walk/spasticity etc. The most common cause of tingling in the arm and hand on one side is carpal tunnel syndrome, compression of the median nerve at the wrist. This can be easily identified at your neurologists office by a nerve conduction study, and is treatable.

Good luck