One sided pins and needles, numbness-eposidic
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HI everyone, I am new to forums and this is my first try. Just looking for anyone who has similar type situation. My story is long but I will give you the Coles notes version. 2.5 years ago is when my journey started. I began with episodic pins and needles in my left leg. Within a few months it became leg, arm, neck foot and abs. Always been left side only. Minor ones will be pins and needles starting in leg then arm then neck chest. Severe ones will lead to,weakness and numbness to the point where I need to sit down. Always left side. They last from one minute to a max of 5 minutes. When I get one I will continue to have them most times about every 15 minutes usually 6 to ten times (max is 20 a day). I get them 25-28 days a month, almost everyday. Mostly in morning when I wake up. I Sometimes I will then have a single one later in the day. Stress or exercise can cause them most time they just happen. They started when I was running 5 km races. I have had been too many doctors, cardio, vascular, Nuro, internist. Had emg done, told it was central nervous, had many of the heart and vascular test, two many to mention. Lots of blood work, seen ms specialist which ruled out ms. Any ways MRI of spine and lumbar showed stenosis in c5 and c6. Brain showed some white lesions. Scans where done again at 6 months with no changes. At this point my neurologist says they are auras. Wants me to work on diet, controlling stress and start the drug aura topiramate. These have significantly changed my quality of because they happen daily. I am 49. Thanks any comments appreciated. By the way some Doctors think it’s more related to seizures, some think its spinal.
0 likes, 6 replies
paula69370 bill97758
Posted
My sympathy - been there done that. You mention stenosis of the spine. I'm no medic, but sounds to me as though nerves are being trapped. I honestly don't know why this hasn't been picked up. At your age it's certainly worth trying to treat you. I had similar symptoms, ended up having a spinal decompression op, which was only partially successful. I still have nerve pains in one leg and foot, mainly in bed, but the worst outcome was loss of balance. The surgeon took no responsibility. And I hear from varous quarters that he is not well-liked/respected. So if you do go for surgery as a last resort, please do check out who will operate. All good wishes.
bill97758 paula69370
Posted
Hi Paula, Thanks for the reply. Yes this avenue has been checked out. Not completely ruled out but most Doctors don't think this is it. The Stenosis I have is left neural foraminal Stenosis and right. There is no central stenonsis. The neurologist felt it is possible but it would be odd that it effected one side of the body with it not being central Stenosis. They did try facet injections in lumbar and C5 and C6. Nothing Changed. Did your symptons come in episodes? Or where they continual? My pins and needles never last more that a few minutes at a single time.
paula69370 bill97758
Posted
Hello Bill - my episodes would come on suddenly, mainly when walking. I had to stop to lean on a wall, or preferably sit if anywhere available. I also had a lot of back pain, which went when they put in the pins and posts to wrench a vertebra upright again. Although I have to use a walking stick for balance, it's better than dead feet. I am 75 and slowly falling apart - how on earth did i get to this age ???? Best wishes.
Zapamania bill97758
Posted
Hi Bill what did the neuro say about white lesions on brain MRI? I would have another look @ that by a different neurologist. In MS there is something called plaque. That would possibly denote MS. That's what a friend of mine had. I have never heard of auras except associated with mingraines. Right side of brain controls left side of body and vice versa. Hope the drug works. Keep us posted. Linda
bill97758 Zapamania
Posted
Hi Linda:
Thanks for the reply, I have seen two neurologist-both different opinions. The first was a MS neurolgist and she ruled out MS. Felt the marks on Brain where caused by life style, age, high blood preasure etc. ShewWasnt overly concerned with them but said it was not MS. She felt the pins and needles might be caused by my spine but she did admit that my symptons where not typical of that-I dont get much if any pain. The second Neurolgist felt they where from Auras, and yes Auras associated with Migraines. He felt I get the Auras with out headache. Or I could be having a type of seizure. The meds he is trying work for both. The oddest part about this is it is eposidic-happening daily for short periods of time. I can't really find a direct trigger other than stress makes it happen more often and hard exercise will make it happen-but not always. If I had to make one happen I likely couldn't.
Zapamania bill97758
Posted
Hi Bill glad to hear it's not MS. I get flash aura mingraines. I see a zigzag light across one eye. It just comes one after another. Afterwards I either get a headache or not. They are called auras. I think my trigger is bright light in a dark room like the computer or tv. So now I watch tv @ night with sunglasses on. Nuts! I had brain surgery about 20 yrs ago. It was an avm. Arterior Venus malformation. And before I found it I had pins & needles like you describe. The avm was on my right frontal lobe pins & needles on the left. I know you don't have that I'm just throwing it out there. Hope you find your answer. It can be frustrating. Linda