tingly, prickly feeling all over

[Beth79]

Hello,
My problem started about a month ago when I noticed pins and needles/tingly feeling in bottom of feet.  During that week it spread to my legs, along w/ pains in my legs, and to my arms, hands, face, and head.  I am new to this town so I didn't have a GP, so I went to the ER and they ran CBC and urine test...they tested for everything they could.   Also did heart monitor, EKG, pulsox, etc.  Everything came back 100% normal.  So, I went to see a GP finally and she ordered MRI of head, Cspine and Tspine w/ and w/out contrast...absolutely nothing abnormal on any of the tests.  That is good, except now in the places that used to tingle a little now feel sorta prickly...and now I also feel a hot or burning sensation in places on my arms, hands and sometimes legs and face.  People are passing me off as anxiety or hormones, but I just don't know about that - I'm 28 y/o female.  Anyone have any ideas??

[Caring111]

Caicosbound, Very comprehensive self-testing.  Kudos to you!  I am a 38 y.o. female who has had tingling in my face and told my chiropractor who also is part naturopath (I haven't had the heat sensation though - herpes zoster comes to mind when I read some of these posts with the prickly heat).  She recommended adrenal supplements (she has them at her clinic) as my adrenal glands were exhausted from stress.  They seemed to work as my symptoms went away in a few weeks.  I have the tingling again though re-emerging so I likely need another round of supplements (and to get more sleep).  To those on this post, I would recommend seeing a naturopath prior to just buying the supplements. I like the detox suggestion from some on this post. I've never detoxed in my life and I do like drinking a glass of wine at night.  Maybe it's due.  

[caicosbound]

Thought i would post my case here.

I am 42, executive in pharmaceutical development.  I do not exercise regularly but i am in "semi-fit" shape, at 5 foot 10 and 185 pounds.  Since OCT 2010, i have suffered from the following symptoms:

1. "pins and needles" the emerges typically from the middle of my back, and can spread only a bit, or all the way around my chest, to my scalp, down my arms, or down my legs if severe

2. a "flushing feeling" that typically accompanies the pins and needles, as if my core temp just increased 0.5 degrees

3. a sensation, only briefly, of increased heart rate (although i have measured it and this appears to be false)

These symptoms occur fairly consistently upon the following:

1. when i am wearing one layer too many in a warm room, or on a warm day

2. when i stand directly in the hot sun (or lay on a beach on Mexico) for a few minutes

3. when i am in a particularly stressful situation

For the first month, i ignored this and assumed it would self-resolve.  In NOV-DEC 2010 timeframe, when it appeared to be sticking around, i began to grow concerned.  A little research led me first (instantly) to MS, which i was certain was not possible at my later age.  Could my nerves be demylenating?  I thought this highly unlikely.

I immediately began "testing" myself in situations to determine what caused the P&N response.  I tried:

1. Very hot showers (YES)
2. Standing in hot sun (YES)
3. Lying to a complete stranger at a store (YES - stress response, when i got caught due to a mis-matched phone number in their system)
4. Hyper-exercise (YES after doing 30 push ups very rapidly; and same upon climbing a rope ladder)
5. Intentionally wearing too many layers in a warm environment (YES)
6. Moderate hiking (NO) and generally moderate exercise (NO)

The P&N effect will typically last 5-20 seconds and will resolve when i either remove excess clothing, move to a cooler location, or remove myself from the stressful situation. I haven't really tested how long they last if i don't move/remove myself, and i will try that soon.

I then began to work with physicians and to research the drugs i was taking.I saw two internal medicine physicians, who both referred me to a neurologist after inconclusive blood tests. They both suspected anxiety or panic attacks.  Note that i am about the calmest person you could meet, and i don't feel that i get panic attacks at all.  I realize that my "feelings" aren't conclusive, but i suspected this was a false diagnosis/idea.  The neurologist was at UCSF, and was unfamiliar with my presentation, and had me take an EEG.  The EEG was negative.  The neurologist prescribed an anti-anxiety med as a test and suggested i see a cognitive psychiatrist.  I tried the med and it didn't help at all.  I really didn't think this was caused by anxiety, primarily because i have no enxiety when i'm laying on a beach in mexico.  Also, i bought a wrist-type blood pressure cuff and tested my self when the P&N occured or immediately thereafter.  I had no spikes in BP.

I stepped far left, and tried a Chinese accupuncture specialist that was highly rated on YELP in SF.  The accupuncturist correctly noted that i had considerable back trauma (bulgin disk c5/6, compressed t5/6) and suggest i see a chiropractor. This felt right to me, as i had been wondering if this was a "structural problem" that had inflammed a nerve, now causing me to be susceptible to heat and stress induced responses that presented as P&N.

I have seen two chriopractors since, and while both have been "fun" (i enjoy getting my back adjusted) there has been no change at all in my symptoms.

So let's look at my drugs and bloodwork. My labs have improved considerably since i adjusted my diet in early 2010 (reduced sugar intake and reduced calorie intake, and tried hard to eat more greens, basically).  My glucose is now under 100.  My CHOL is under 200 but only by the grace of simvastatin.  My HDL is sub-par at 30.  My thyroid is chronically low.  Liver looks ok.  Kidneys look ok.

I have suffered from GERD, hyperthyroidism, and hyperlipidemia for decades, and for at least 12 years i have consistently taken simvastatin, protonix, and levothyroxine.  I also take baby aspirin daily only because my family has a history of heart diease/attack.

The low thyroid could come into play here...by why now, more than a decade after diagnosis and treatment?  The long-term simvastatin could be the culprit - i've seen many reports of simva-induced effects, but they seem to be more serious than this....but the less serious adverse effects could be significantly under-reported and therefore not associated well???

I can't find anything to suggest that the aspirin or protonix would cause this.

I take vitamins, not any parrticular brand for any particular reaon, but i am consistent for about 6 months at a time, and they are multi-vit types.

I should have my vit levels tested, but i suspect they will be within normal range.

So that brings me to the present.  One year into this, multiple care providers visited, no answers yet. I am wondering if this could be caused by:

1. chronic simvastatin
2. inadequate vitamin levels (B, etc)
3. something i ahven't considered yet

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Caicosbound

[honey6868]

I have had  this prickly burning sensation under my skin.. mostly my face. for yrs. its continuing to get worse. and with it is burning on my tongue and lips, under my ribs, thru my legs. arms, i get hot sweats. I am currently haveing  blood tests to heck for hormonal problems, and b12 deficiantsy. hopefully  the hormonal problem will be the answer. You may want to get checked out for this also

[HappyFace6]

Hi Belle
I am sorry to read what everyone is going through.
I am a female 67 yrs.
I had the same experience as you yesterday..went to ER with numbness down my right side with all the prickly feeling, I thought I was having a stoke...all my blood tests and xrays came back normal..and I have a bladder infection..Dr. didn't know what this prickly feeling is.
Also, I am having a Cat Scan for my head and Ultrasound for my neck.
Like everyone here in the Forum..I have the same things going on with my body. Started a year ago.
What I found on the internet was when it's hot,  the sweat glands are blocked and aren't doing the job of cooling the body temperature.
I put ice packs on my body to feel better, but it only lasts for a few minutes and then it starts up again.
I exercise, eat well, I look after myself and the only meds. I am on is Pepcid and Prevacid for acid reflux.
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. I thought I was the only one with this condition.
I have no other solutions. So as I find the answer I will share this with everyone.
HappyFace

[meta17]

I too had stabbing, electric shock feelings in my scalp, arms and legs.  It would drive me crazy and get worse during the evenings.  Tried everything and nothing worked.  Finally, I stumbled on the source of this nightmare - I wore a cheap watch made in China 24/7.  The symptoms stopped in one day when I stopped wearing the watch!  I wonder how many people suffer from these symptoms due to toxicity absorbed in their system from certain jewelry?

[Kate96]

I'm fourteen and I keep having all these weird tingly feelings all over body, mostly in my feet and arms. It started last night I started getting really panicky about it, thinking there was something wrong with my arteries and veins, I started shaking and couldn't sleep for hours. I researched it a little today and the only thing I found that maybe it was something to do with having an anxiety attack but i'm honestly not sure.

A few more details. I'm just over 5ft and I'm eight stone. I'm pretty lazy since its the school holidays and most of the time I sit around reading. I'm just wondering if its the lack of exercise and movement that's making me like this. I also have been going to sleep pretty late (one or two O'Clock) then getting up at 12 the next.

Any help would be great.