Tingling sensations in feet/ hands/ legs, advice needed

[dan80]

Hi there,

for the past month or so I have been experiencing strange sensations in my arms, feet, hands and legs. They initially started as a cramp which affected my lower left leg (just below my calf) with my left arm also feeling week with shooting pains. I went to my local accident and emergency to have an ecg done which came back fine. The pains subsided after about a week or so however I am now experiencing tingling and slightly numb sensations mainly in my feet and hands (predomnately on my left side), these come and go in different areas but are pretty much constant throughout the day! They sometimes occur as a slow throbbing like sensation or can just be felt when pressure is applied to the area. I had a physical examination with a neurologist on Tuesday who could find nothing wrong with me, I was under quite abit of stress leading up to the first symptoms starting and the neurologist I saw believes that the sensations are linked to anxiety and advised that i could have an mri scan but this would be more for my reasurance rather than because he thought there was anything wrong with me.

I still feel concerned however, firstly because the sensations seem to occur randomly and not when Im feeling particularly anxious, I also find it difficult to understand how anxiety can cause such sensations, I have heard about panic attacks and how hyperventerlation can cause pins and needles but I've never had a panic attack and Im pretty sure Im breathing normally! I am particularly concerned as to why the sensations occur when I apply pressure to a particular area but then subside afterwards. The final thing that is getting to me is the concern that I may have the first signs of a neurological condition such as MS as I have heard that it can be difficult to diagnose.

If I could please have some information about the likelyhood of anxiety causing my symptoms and an explanation as to why they are occuring this would be very much appreciated. Id also like to know if the symptoms can persist for a while after my anxiety levels have lowered and if I should go have the mri done considering my symptoms and having a clear physical examination.


Thanks in advance,

Dan

[MG (Admin)]

Please could you tell us what was found the last time you had a full neurological examination.

[dan80]

Hi there, thanks for the reply,

I have only had a physical examination which included a few tests which I believe are standard physical neurological tests which all came back normal. This was two weeks ago now and the symptoms are still persisting.

Dan

[MG (Admin)]

Do you have the report...for instance..how were your reflexes? Strong or weak?