tingling, electric shock feeling

[Mae29]

On Monday, Oct. 20 I had a lumbar facet injection for back pain and epidural for tail bone pain.  Tuesday morning when I stood up I experienced tingling numbness from my right foot up to my head lasting only a few seconds but residual of numbless for approximately 10 minutes.  Walking seemed to help.  Advised to go to emergency and had the following tests: 2 ct scans - head and spine, xrays, eeg, caratoid (sp?) scan, blood tests, 2 MRIs head and spine.  The first ct scan showed a mass that was "inconclussive" whatever that means and the MRI showed no sign of a stroke.  I was released with no instructions for follow up.  Very good blood pressure, heart rate, no speech problems, walking problems etc. Could any of these symptoms be caused from the injections?  If not, any ideas to check.  I am 1 79 year old female in good health except for pain.


This discussion is related to Numbness. detailed info. intresting need help..

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
“Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Zyrtec. This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Zyrtec.” Refer: http://www.drugs.com/zyrtec.html

Hence talk to your doctor about adjusting your medication.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Mae29]

Here I am again 8 months later.  Started having anxiety attacks and was prescribed first Xanax then Ativan.  Noticed when taking 3 times daily that the tingling and numbness all but disappeared.  Then got on a web site that gave me many, many side effects of anxiety.  Among 10 pages numbness and tingling were listed as side effects of anxiety attacks.  Can't quite get everything right, but have noticed that if I drink more than one coffee or ice tea, I have breathing problems. Will rectify that immediately.  I also have many allergies including something about mast cell that has been resolved if I take a Zyrtec a couple of times a week.  Claratin doesn't work at all. Is it safe to take Zyrtec while taking Ativan?  Thanks for your help.

Mae29

[Mae29]

Thanks for your reply.  Had an appointment with Internest on Friday to peruse the results of all the tests.  Not much help there, as I was told since all these tests other than age related "stuff"were bascially negative and there was nothing he could do for me and to go relax and take a walk.  Think I should change doctors or my attitude??? Evidently the so called mass was calcification.  I have an appointment on Monday with the pain management physician for follow up.  The neurologist in the hospital indicated there "could be" nerve damage from the injection, and that the doctor shoud take responsibility.  However, everything I have researched indicated this would be the case if there was an infection at the injection site.  I was still experiencing the same tingling effect last night - not in my foot but rather the calf of my right leg.  It did not go to my head but lasted considerably longer than previously.  Finally took a pill and went to sleep.

Thanks again,

Mae29

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Thanks for the post.

I think you should also think in terms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) where the blood supply to brain is temporarily cut off.  You have the classical symptoms. The first CT showed an inconclusive mass. What did the second one show? A hemorrhage in the brain however minor can cause TIA apart from other causes. Other tests that can be performed are complete blood count with platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and electrolyte and glucose levels.

The site of the injections should be checked for infection. Rarely an infection too causes neurological symptoms.
Please discuss these possibilities with your doctor. Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted.