Menopause and paresthesia?
Posted , 157 users are following.
I would love some input on my strange symptoms.
I'm 50 years old. For many years, my periods have been very close together, very long, and with 2-3 days of exceptionally heavy flow. I know this weird period stuff is normal in peri menopause. Then, after one of these "normal" (for me!) periods in April, I didn't have one for 60 days - and when I did it again, for the first time in years I didn't have the heavy days. That was over 60 days ago and so far I haven't had another one since.
My FSH level in a blood test two weeks ago was very high - 117.
I tell you all this just as a little background - I already know I'm obvioulsy in peri menopause and nearing actual menopause.
But here's the reason I'm posting. Starting mid-May, all of a sudden I started having very consistent paresthesia in my feet and legs - a mixture of tingling, pins and needles, slight burning, static sensation outside skin, pricking... no numbness. It has been with me every single day since then - 3 months now. It's worse at some times than others, but always present to some degree (and usually very annoying and concerning). It is definitely in BOTH legs and feet.
I'm slightly low in B12 and hoped that was the cause - however, after 10 B12 shots over 5 weeks, I have no improvement. I've had various other blood tests, all normal. I had an MRI of my spine (all 3 sections) yesterday and it showed nothing. No MS lesions, no transverse myelitis lesions, no compression/stenosis, no disc problems, no tumors. Now I need to get a brain MRI and of course I'm concerned this one could show MS. However, doctors have told me - and my research confirms this - it would be most unusal for MS to present with paresthesia equally on BOTH sides, stay around consistently for so long without going away even briefly, etc... And I have zero other MS sypmtoms.
So assuming (hopefully!) that's NOT what it is, then it's becoming a real mystery. I've done some reading that suggests these weird tingling sensations CAN be caused by menopause - due to extreme hormone imbalance. Also, my hormones could have been out of whack for a long time what with all my irregular periods, AND about 12 years ago I had my hormone levels checked and supposedly at that time I had the estrogen level of "a post-menopausal woman." At the time my doc said that was a little odd, but ok, no cause for concern. Anyway, I say all this as a way to say perhaps I've been a little bit of a unique case as far as my hormones.
Does anyone think these symptoms COULD actually be attributed to menopause? Or has anyone had something similar happen to them? I've asked my doctor a couple times and she immediately says no, menopause couldn't cause this. I realize it's not typical, but is it possible? So far I have no hot flashes or night sweats, thank heavens, but maybe this is my own personal type of menopause hell?!
Any insight would be so very much appreciated. Maybe I'm grasping at straws, but it DOES seem an interesting coincidence that all these issues have come up right as I'm going through this different timing in my periods, obvious continued hormone changes, etc...
Thanks in advance for any help people might be able to offer.
I think I'm going insane. If this could be blamed on menopause, I would be SO relieved and could deal with it!!!
12 likes, 501 replies
maria76995 molly54321
Posted
Hi Molly, it's all the menopause I had the tingling in my knees in my head just ignore it...it will go way I don't get it no more all hormonal changes your going to fine once your periods end you are on to the next phase of life and eventually symptoms start disappearing with time hugs xxxx
wendy45871 molly54321
Posted
2 years have gone by since your original post
and I was wondering if you found out any reason and if it is still going on? I have exactly the same symptoms for the past 9 months. 51 yrs old-
debra16694 wendy45871
Posted
hi WENDY - do you also experience burning sensation or just tingling?
dawnym debra16694
Posted
Hi ladies
I have had tingling burning aches on a daily basis from March 😓 . I have had every test under the sun by a neurologist and everything is ruled out. The GP and Neurologist does not think it is menopause related, however I think it is based on others on this site.
I gave HRT a try for 4 months but unfortunately it did not relieve my symptons which others have found relief from.
Every day I get up I wish this burning tingling weird sensations would go. I feel they are easing gradually over time.
Hope this helps someone going through this
wendy45871 debra16694
Posted
Yes burning also (sometimes) under my toes. I've had this for about a year now both feet tingle, I feel it up my legs. hands tingle and on the back of my arms and forearms. I feel it into my face sometimes and I can feel my teeth humming.
it all started just in my right toes and progressively has gotten worse. it feels worse when I stand for a long time and at night it feels better but still there. It doesn’t wake me up.
it started when I turn 50 and also came along with anxiety attacks and floaty out of body feeling in my head sometimes dizziness I was diagnosed with vitamin deficiencies because of a mutated enzyme called MTHFR . I’ve been taking methylated B 12 along with other methylated vitamins and the and anxiety attacks are now gone and most of the time I feel pretty normal, except for the tingling. When this all started to happen I had just turned 50., Had my hormones checked with a saliva test and it said I was low and progesterone so I am doing the natural progesterone cream.
debra16694 dawnym
Posted
HI Dawn YES, i have struggled with tingling & electric shock in extremities for quite some time, but for me, the burning body parts really ramped up in March & i experienced it almost daily. It was so bad it sent me to the ER twice during this time - Oddly, this month it has been less - i am just wondering if their are just "bad" cycles and some monthly "cycles" that are not - mind you, i am 6 years post, but my acupunturist said it is when your hormones diminish, not necessarily when your periods stop. I have been praying for this to stop, because it literally drives me crazy & it always comes on in the middle of the night when i am trying to sleep - UGH!
Mddm13 debra16694
Posted
Debra I'm in the same boat. I have good days and bad. For me its just the tingling but during the day it is usually in my legs below my knees but at night it goes to my core. I am going on 4 years. I have done every test possible and all I get are looks from doctors that I'm crazy. I just want it to go away.
InnerGrace molly54321
Posted
Thankfully, these issues have passed for me. Mostly.I had all the tingling/burning and other crazy things going on. Lasted about 3 months amd now BAM! Just like that, they are gone. 3 months of being a hylochondriac in overdrive. Grant it, I do get very mild weirdness around the time I SHOULD have my period. Hopefully it will pass soon for you....
MarieLouise molly54321
Posted
8 months since the burning began and my feet are on fire. Hands are ok as long as I don't overuse notebook and iphone. Lots of tests and a handful of diagnosis: fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney stone, high chlolesterol. Oddly enough, gynae doesn't think menopause is the culprit.
debra16694 MarieLouise
Posted
hi Marilu - Yes, i have spoken to 3 drs about this & they all said it couldnt be hormone related - What do you think it is?
MarieLouise debra16694
Posted
Hi Debra,
I'm a biologist so I have the conviction that hormones can be responsible for some of these symptoms but maybe along with other underlying conditions that come with age. It's tricky to diagnose.
dawn68509 molly54321
Posted
I've commented before I'm nearly 2 years now with none stop pins and needles type tingling in all my limbs it's driven me insane no Where near getting any answers all tests are clear yet this continues with no break
kim44413 molly54321
Posted
Hello Molly and all,
Have just stumbled upon your entries. I'm 53 and entering Menopause evidently a bit later than many of you. I had some night sweats which then turned into pins and needles in my upper arms, then lower arms and now I have them in my thighs and calves. Sometimes I have them in my neck and chin area. I thought I was losing my mind until I found many of your comments.
I'm now sleeping better but feel almost as if I'm now paranoid. Doc prescribed Amitriptylin 10ml.
Have some of you also experienced perimenopause or menopause this way?
marianne19027 kim44413
Posted
yes!!!! Am 48 and am on 3 years and 3 months of maddening vibrating.....predominately in the shins and feet. Have had every test under the sun. Is very scary and driving me crazy!!!!!
dawn68509 marianne19027
Posted
Marianne im 2 years with none stop tingling in hands and feet to knees it is none stop i too have had every test under the sun bloods mris of brain and spine twice 4 nerve studies and 2 emgs all normal yet this continues none stop i dont know what to think ive just started gabapebtin 300mg 3 times a day hope it will help
marianne19027 dawn68509
Posted
They gave me Gabapentin and ive been hesitating taking it...may cave soon. Been waking up with nausea too for the past 2 weeks. Feel miserable!
kim44413 marianne19027
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Thank you for replying, Marianne.... this is all quite scary. Never imagined something like this would happen.
dawn68509 marianne19027
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I hate to take pills but i given in ill update if helping it is awful do u have it none stop
marianne19027 dawn68509
Posted
unfortunately yes
shona53538 marianne19027
Posted
hi guys ive had a rough time with all this too.i put it down to stress from my Husbands long experience with cancer as we tried desperately to save him .this caused me be susceptible to strep throats etc that went to my kidneys .and i was diagnosed with post herpatic neuralgia from a mild shingles without out much of a rash 3 years ago.ive had tingling burning numbness pain as if hit in the thigh sensations with cold patches and pops of cold sensations anywhere on my body .weird sensations on my face mainly lower right chin mouth area.band sensations on my lower right arm and leg ..seen neurologist .he said post herpatic.but ive read up soo much and i believe with the on off hot flushes its mainly been part of menopause ...things have started to improve .i still get odd things
menopause for me started 2010 im 58 .
shona53538
Posted
ps i could not get rid of the burning tingling sensations in my legs it drove me nuts .worse when not moving around i git to point where i called another dr in area where i live who i heard does natural medicine as well as my heart was doing rythm probs as well .which i had checked and was told anxiety (which guys i have to say after going through what ive been through with not just my husbands loss but also.my wee Grandson and motherinlaw and cousin and longtime girlfriend since we were kids all in 3 monthsa 19 months ago its no wonder.) this dr put me onto her naturopath ...unbelievable i go still 6 to 8 weekly she started me on low dose Apis tablets that look more like tiny beads and has increased dosage im feeling like a new person .i still get symptoms but not to that horrid degree that was so affecting my life..so good luck onr and all.you know your body better than any one i wish you all luck
debra16694 shona53538
Posted
hi shona - your post really intrigues me because...i too went thru an incredible amount of emotional stress the last 10 years with being the sole caregiver to my parents, my sisters abandoning me thru the process & a recent estrangement from my oldest son, not to mention loss from fire/mudslides. My burning/tingling/electric shocks started probably back 3 years ago if i think about it & i am 6 years post meno - i have tried to figure out if it was depleted hormones/anxiety or some deficiency that was causing it - i will say that after all the emotional stress/loss i have been thru i do think i suffer some weird form of PTSD - do you think this ever resolves itself or are we just damaged goods? i will look into those tablets. thank you!
shona53538 debra16694
Posted
hi Debra .i really am more convinced than ever its all the above i also ptsd from being in a fatal car accident 1980 but never diagnosed and all through my husbands cancer i was also looking after my parents .wuth virtualy no help from my big brothers .so i believe so much is anxiety prolonged wow someone else who has my symptoms..pleased to meet you though sorry you also have to have this..im in New Zealand .where are you
debra16694 shona53538
Posted
hi Shona - i believe we have exchanged posts in the past, because i remember you saying you were from New Zealand. Yes, i think all this emotional stress really impacts certain people differently. i know for a fact after going thru all of this that my nervous system has changed, maybe because of the lack of hormones, but my response to stress is heightened and i get anxious very quickly. i know for me, i cant eat anything sugary, because sugar seems to make my anxiety worse and i will get intense burning, tingling sensations. i truly think these systems in our body have all been compromised during this time. i just want it all to stop, i am so over all of it. i am not on hrt & i just try to take the usual supplements, but i am getting worn out by it all - i just want to wake up & be my old self. Btw, i am in California - i am also so sorry for your losses & dont discount the impact that those losses have had on your body/mind emotions - i think emotional health rules your physical health so best to find solutions to make you feel calm, and stress free...i know thats the challenge - wishing you serenity in the New Year!
dawn68509 debra16694
Posted
Debra i too have had major stress from loss in my life my nervous system seems to be haywire ,im 42 ivd had none stop tingling for 2 years i haven't had a seond break without it in all limbs , mine came on overnight ,all tests are clear yet it has gotten much more intense its at a point life isnt worth living everyday is a battle that never ends
debra16694 dawn68509
Posted
Hi Dawn - I am also so sorry for your losses, it is so hard & not sure why some people are just more impacted than others...i think this peri/menopause experience finds your weakest issue & just zeros in on them...in our case, the nervous system -
dawn68509 debra16694
Posted
Debra have u had tests to rule out other things and are u taking anything for it do you have tingling feelings none stop i also have twitches in my muscles too and feel like my hands are throbbing
shona53538 dawn68509
Posted
yep Dawn thats all part of it ..if youve been checked out like me .then yep menopause and high stress can do and cause so many weird things its about trying to be aware of your breafhing calmly and awareness of tension in your body .ie are your shoulders hunched up . like Debra my anxiety levels kuck in so fast to any pressure these days its awful but you have got to try to be aware of how tense you are
shona53538
Posted
kick not kuck lol
debra16694 dawn68509
Posted
hi dawn - my tingling has calmed down a bit, but i still get it. i used to get electric zaps like when you get shocked after plugging in something, but that is not as bad either. what i do suffer with now is burning like a sunburn without the redness that travels from back, nape of neck, chest, front of shins & tops of feet. i have also suffered from a weird total body vibration.
i have been to the ER over this, had many tests done (no MRi's though...cat scan yes. All 3 drs i saw kinda look at me like i am nuts & so i have just concluded from this forum that it has to be menopause/anxiety related. i dont take anti depressants HRT or anti anxiety pills. i do take a supplement that has ashawanda & valerian root when feeling stressed & try to take magnesium a couple of times a day plus B-stress vitamin. i am just praying it all goes away in due time