Dizziness, pins and needles in arms and legs, tight chest
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone
I am a 36 yo male. Since 1.5months ago I started experiencing dizziness on an almost daily basis. The feeling is akin to 'floating', like I'm on a boat out on a choppy sea. Accompanying this is a pins and needles sensation on both my arms, and down my left leg, and sometimes this feels like there's lack of blood circulation in my limps or even the feeling of a rush of blood through my arms and left leg. On bad days, the pins and needles could radiate to my chest area and make me feel as if I'm having a panic attack or heart attack. I have visited the ER twice already when I couldn't managed the symptoms. They did an ECG, chest xray and blood tests on me - ruled out heart attacks and major lung infections. I've been referred to a cardiologist and neurologist for further investigation, but would need to put up with these symptoms daily which is affecting my life, while I wait to see the specialists. Throughout this period, I'm also continuing to have flu symptoms, such as feeling feverish and chills, and a slight sore throat.
Before these symptoms started, I had a bout of virus infection with slight fever and sore throat. And I wonder if what I'm experiencing now is a result of that virus still lingering in me and my blood stream. I also have slipped discs on my neck at C6-7 and C5-7. I have already saw my spine doctor who said while my symptoms MIGHT be caused by further deterioration of the discs' condition, its better if I saw a neurologist first.
Does anyone have the same experience, or any insights to what I'm experiencing?
0 likes, 11 replies
john49662 humwls96709
Posted
Hi Humwls,
Except for the pins and needles I suffer the same symptoms - and by pure chance I will be visiting a neurologist this afternoon - will keep you informed. I suspect my lightheadedness started a couple of years ago when I used to drive to work feeling slightly drunk, but was ok coming home. Then over the months things have got worse, and since mid summer I find it unsafe to drive or even to walk. I have been seen by two ear/nose/throat specialists who cannot find the reason - and my doctor and the hospital have taken any number of blood tests without result It is a complete mystery, but crippling non the less. I suspect, like you, it is some sort of viral infection.
humwls96709 john49662
Posted
hi John, thanks for your reply. Let's keep each other posted. How long have you been experiencing this?
rocksolid humwls96709
Posted
A few thoughts here. You might want to rule out Lyme disease. Also you both might want to talk to your neurologist about Occipital Neuralgia. I have similar issues and it looks like it might be coming from my Occipital nerve. Look it up to learn more. You may also want to get a MRI of your cervical.
jack11633 humwls96709
Posted
been through this this for years now. this is how it starts for me. Same mystery virus for me as well. mine develops into much much more and tons of wacky symptoms. I too have cervical damage from a car accident they claim nothing that could be connected to any of this stuff. I have been seeing an infectious disease doctor for years he's stumped too, but I do have "pots" which i think is coming from whatever disease this is. I flare almost every Oct they just gave me prednisone and it seemed to work somewhat. I've talked to lots of people with the same thing and they get diagnosed with migraines or mav....look into TMJ, of course lyme disease. I was initially told it was encephalitis from a virus but that was suppose to clear up around the three year mark. now its chronic??
john49662 humwls96709
Posted
Hi humwls, as I mentioned yesterday I had my appointment with a neurologist and he quickly came to the diagnosis that I have Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency. Best you look it up on the internet - but it seems that the bit of brain dealing with such things as balance is supplied with blood through an artery which runs through the back of the neck, and if this gets clogged up strange things happen. This makes sense to me as my dizziness is reduced if I press down on the top of my head with my hands, or if I look down - and is increased if I turn my head slightly to the right. He has booked me for various scans after christmas.
jack11633 john49662
Posted
and what virus would possibly cause this? Did the neurologist have any idea?
humwls96709 john49662
Posted
thanks John. Do keep us posted. Will also keep every one posted. U like you, I experience the symptoms everyday since 1.5months ago, at different levels of severity.
jack11633 humwls96709
Posted
also, wise to get second, third opinions - I have heard lots of diagnoses over the years. None the less I am interested in hearing the scans results bring.
humwls96709 jack11633
Posted
Will keep you posted. Yup, I have seen several general practitioners and none have been able to pin point the problem, as the symptoms are non specific and could really be 101 things. So got to wait for the specialists and scans which hopefully shed some light.
humwls96709
Posted
Hi all, I saw a neurologist today. He did various physical examinations and said my reflexes, strength, balance, and eye movement all seem normal, other than my retarded arm reflexes which is probably due to my neck condition. He suspects I have a condition call vestibular migraine which is a migraine condition that is causing this dizziness, while the pins and needles are caused by my slipped discs in the neck. He has ordered me an MRI brain scan and blood test to be sure it's not other conditions.
humwls96709
Posted
Hi everyone. Cutting to the chase - after all the checks and scans with everything coming back normal (i.e. No major heart condition, no stroke, no brain tumour or clogged arteries), I became pretty sure that I'm suffering from a panic/anxiety disorder, especially after reading up on this condition and finding how specific the symptoms are to mine.
I went to see a psychiatrist and true enough, he was unsurprised and diagnosed me accordingly. Am now under medication (Lexapro and Xanax) and seem to be feeling better slowly. Wish everyone happy new year and food health.
https://patient.info/mental-health/anxiety/panic-attack-and-panic-disorder