Tingling in legs and scalp

[minx]

I am a 59 year old female, and for the past 8 months or more, I have been getting tingling up the left side of my face, and half of the left side of my head. This happens on passing urine, a full bladder, and sometimes a bowel movement. When this occurs, I also get a funny feeling in my upper abdomen, similar to being on a roller coaster. If I touch the back of my neck, I also get tingling from my thighs down into my feet.

I also get the tingling, if I get excited or afraid. This seems to come up from my spine, to the back of my head, which gives me a strange and weird feeling all over my head, as if something bad is about to happen, and I get short of breath.

I have also had tests done for a Pheochromocytoma, due to blood pressure spikes, chest pain, facial flushing/pallor,tremors, anxiety, rapid heartrate and headache. These symptoms occur together when I have the attacks. When the attacks subside, after about 20 minutes, I am freezing cold, which seem to be inside my body rather than outside. I am also very intolerant to heat.  

I have had urine tests, Ultrasound and CT scans, which came back normal.

I would be grateful for any advice, about these on going problems.

[minx]

Hi,Arcticablue,

Thank you so much for your comments. Sorry, I am late in replying, but I have not read the posts for a while. I will look up Lyme disease, and Babesiosis. I also had Sarcoidosis, some years ago and finally have an appointment with a Rheumatologist,after waiting 18 months. I live in the UK and the waiting lists are very long. I had an ESR blood test done 18 months ago, which came back high at 231 but for my age should be around 30  

I will mention to the Rheumatologist, about Lyme disease, and Babesiosis.

Thanks once again for replying.

[arcticablue]

I thought I might add that the testing for tick-borne illnesses is a complicated matter.  That is why it is even more important to see a Lyme Specialist.  I had several false negative test results when my body was full of the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria.  I was so sick and even had a bulls-eye rash to prove that I had the disease.  The normal doctors kept making up all sorts of excuses for why I felt the way I did.  It was a nightmare until I founf a doctor who knew that my symptoms matched those of Lyme and referred me on to a specialist.

[arcticablue]

Have you ever been bitten by a tick?  You might check into tick-borne ilnesses such as Lyme Disease or Babesiosis.  I was bitten by a tick over a year and one half ago.  Doctors tried to tell me that there was no such thing as tick-borne illnesses where we live, but that is so not true.  I became very ill and had many of the symptoms you have described.  Your symptoms sound like Lyme, and if it does turn out to be Lyme, please go see a Lyme Literate Physician because regular doctors and infectious disease specialists will be of no help.  Contact ILADS or another Lyme Association and have them refer you to a specialist in your area.  I see a great specialist who knows what he is doing.  With Lyme disease, you get all sorts of symptoms.  Please check into this and don't delay.  If it is a tick-borne illness you don't have any time to spare.  The longer you wait, the more sick you'll become.  Good luck!

[minx]

Thanks, so much for your comments. I started taking Magnesium tablets, a few weeks ago. It is also interesting that you mentioned Thyroid problems. I was taken off Thyroxine about 4 months ago, because my Dr was not sure if I needed to take it. I am due to have a blood test now, to see how my thyroid is reacting. When, I had a blood test 2 months ago, my TSH level was borderline.

Although, I have had some of the symptoms for quite a few years, I wonder if I was on the right dose of Thyroxine, 50mgs which I started taking 9 years ago.

Perhaps, the next blood test will determine this.

Thanks again.

[LukeL]

Sounds like panic disorder or anxiety realted although it is quite rare for it to occur so late in life with no prior history. I would get a full blood test done to check for thyroid levels. In the mean time you may want to go on magnesium supplements as the symptoms of anxiety are sometimes assosicated with a lack of this mineral. The pills are quite cheap in the store and have very little side effects other then a possible change in bowel movements.

Discuss this with your doctor also are you post menopausal?