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What Causes Tingling And Numbness In Body?
Question: Dear Doctor:
I am a male, 44-year's old. I do not smoke and I do not drink. Blood tests on kidney and liver show normal function. Blood tests show no diabetics. The complete blood picture shows normal values
Lately, I have been under severe pressure and then since a month ago, I developed a case in which I feel that a set of pins are hitting the inside of my skin, all over the body. This causes an itchy feeling on a point but the skin does not turn red. The pain is not a constant area in the body but moves from point to point.
These symptoms get worse if I eat something salty but no other food correlation is noticed (I already stopped all fish, XXXXXXX banana and chocolate)
The blood analysis of total IGE showed a value of 7 (Normal on that test was from 0 to 120).
The symptoms get worse if I become thirsty or if I become nervous or if I move from hot to cold or from cold to hot
If I carry a bag on my shoulder, then the feeling become worse in the area affected by the bag's weight but continues to exist throughout the whole body
I found that the symptoms become better if I take vitamin B, and it become better if I eat dairy products. I found that a humidifier in the room makes me feel better.
The doctor said I do not have dry skin.
Could you please let me know what could be going on?
Many Thanks
Best Regards
I am a male, 44-year's old. I do not smoke and I do not drink. Blood tests on kidney and liver show normal function. Blood tests show no diabetics. The complete blood picture shows normal values
Lately, I have been under severe pressure and then since a month ago, I developed a case in which I feel that a set of pins are hitting the inside of my skin, all over the body. This causes an itchy feeling on a point but the skin does not turn red. The pain is not a constant area in the body but moves from point to point.
These symptoms get worse if I eat something salty but no other food correlation is noticed (I already stopped all fish, XXXXXXX banana and chocolate)
The blood analysis of total IGE showed a value of 7 (Normal on that test was from 0 to 120).
The symptoms get worse if I become thirsty or if I become nervous or if I move from hot to cold or from cold to hot
If I carry a bag on my shoulder, then the feeling become worse in the area affected by the bag's weight but continues to exist throughout the whole body
I found that the symptoms become better if I take vitamin B, and it become better if I eat dairy products. I found that a humidifier in the room makes me feel better.
The doctor said I do not have dry skin.
Could you please let me know what could be going on?
Many Thanks
Best Regards
Brief Answer:
possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I have read your history twice. Your investiagtions are normal.
It suggests two possibilities.
One is Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause feeling of hitting pins, tingling, numbness in skin. You also feel some relief with vitamin B.
I suggest going for serum vitamin B12 level. If deficiency confirmed it can be corrected with injections.
If vitamin B12 comes normal, possibility of some allergy is only and you need to consult dermatologist for the same.
And last but not the least if dermatologist confirms that it is not allergy problem, possibility of some psychosomatic pain is there.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I have read your history twice. Your investiagtions are normal.
It suggests two possibilities.
One is Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause feeling of hitting pins, tingling, numbness in skin. You also feel some relief with vitamin B.
I suggest going for serum vitamin B12 level. If deficiency confirmed it can be corrected with injections.
If vitamin B12 comes normal, possibility of some allergy is only and you need to consult dermatologist for the same.
And last but not the least if dermatologist confirms that it is not allergy problem, possibility of some psychosomatic pain is there.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Chintan:
Many thanks for your detailed and prompt answer.
I forgot to say that the itching usually starts from one or two points and then spreads to other parts of the body; and that if the skin becomes wet with water (e.g., take a bath with warm water not too hot and not too cold), the symptoms become worse; I also forgot to say that I have chronic acid reflection that is treated with tums and acid inhibitors
I just have three more questions:
1- Can I have allergy if the total IGE blood test reveal normal levels? (Exact value is 7 and the normal range was given as 0-120)
2- If it psychosomatic pain, how can it be treated?
3- Are these symptoms some sort of complications resulting from the acid reflex?
Thanks dear Doctor very much
Best Regards
XXXX
Many thanks for your detailed and prompt answer.
I forgot to say that the itching usually starts from one or two points and then spreads to other parts of the body; and that if the skin becomes wet with water (e.g., take a bath with warm water not too hot and not too cold), the symptoms become worse; I also forgot to say that I have chronic acid reflection that is treated with tums and acid inhibitors
I just have three more questions:
1- Can I have allergy if the total IGE blood test reveal normal levels? (Exact value is 7 and the normal range was given as 0-120)
2- If it psychosomatic pain, how can it be treated?
3- Are these symptoms some sort of complications resulting from the acid reflex?
Thanks dear Doctor very much
Best Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
possibility of autonomic nervous system disturbance
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for follow up and more information and sorry for delayed response.
Chronic acid reflux is likely associated with disturbance in autonomic nervous system. Your symptoms of skin sensitivity to water, pain at different site of body and acid reflux favors this possibility. It can occur due to anxiety or severe stress if no other physical cause is found.
1. Yes in few patients allergy is possible without high IGE level.
2. Psychosomatic symptoms is treated with medicines like nortryptiline, duloxetine, levosulpride and so on depending upon symptom profile.
3. Acid reflux itself does not cause these complications but it is one of the symptoms of the problem going on.
- Do you feel that you are going on some kind of psychological stress?
Feel free to discuss further.
possibility of autonomic nervous system disturbance
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for follow up and more information and sorry for delayed response.
Chronic acid reflux is likely associated with disturbance in autonomic nervous system. Your symptoms of skin sensitivity to water, pain at different site of body and acid reflux favors this possibility. It can occur due to anxiety or severe stress if no other physical cause is found.
1. Yes in few patients allergy is possible without high IGE level.
2. Psychosomatic symptoms is treated with medicines like nortryptiline, duloxetine, levosulpride and so on depending upon symptom profile.
3. Acid reflux itself does not cause these complications but it is one of the symptoms of the problem going on.
- Do you feel that you are going on some kind of psychological stress?
Feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Chintan:
Thanks a lot for your detailed answer.
I wanted to clarify that the acid reflex is due to a weak muscle between the stomach and the esophagus and is not directly related to psychological stresses
My answer to your last question is yes, I have been under severe psychological stress right before the current crisis started.
My questions are:
1- You asked me to take a serium Vitamin B12 blood test. I have taken an injection of B12 yesterday. Would this screw up the test results?
2- Now that you know more about my case, what do you think is going on? Is it lack of vitamin B12, allergy, or autonomic nervous system disturbance?
3- Is there any lab test that can tell with large certainty if I have allergy or no?
4- A skin doctor prescribed some cortisone treatment for me. The treatment uses two pills daily/week, then one pill daily/week, then half a pill/daily for a week, then half a pill every other day for a week. However, I am afraid to start it because I am worried about the side effects of cortisone and because I am not sure that I have allergy. What do you recommend me to do?
Many many thanks dear Doctor XXXXXXX Your guide is very much appreciated
Best Regards
XXXX
Thanks a lot for your detailed answer.
I wanted to clarify that the acid reflex is due to a weak muscle between the stomach and the esophagus and is not directly related to psychological stresses
My answer to your last question is yes, I have been under severe psychological stress right before the current crisis started.
My questions are:
1- You asked me to take a serium Vitamin B12 blood test. I have taken an injection of B12 yesterday. Would this screw up the test results?
2- Now that you know more about my case, what do you think is going on? Is it lack of vitamin B12, allergy, or autonomic nervous system disturbance?
3- Is there any lab test that can tell with large certainty if I have allergy or no?
4- A skin doctor prescribed some cortisone treatment for me. The treatment uses two pills daily/week, then one pill daily/week, then half a pill/daily for a week, then half a pill every other day for a week. However, I am afraid to start it because I am worried about the side effects of cortisone and because I am not sure that I have allergy. What do you recommend me to do?
Many many thanks dear Doctor XXXXXXX Your guide is very much appreciated
Best Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
better to try anti anxiety medicine first
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for more information.
If problem started after psychological stress, high probability is that it is due to anxiety and symptoms are more psychosomatic. In that case anti anxiety medicine like klonopin or ativan should be tried first. If you feel better with this drug diagnosis is confirmed.
Very less possibility of allergy is there. If there is no allergy actually cortisone can increase the symptoms.
1. Yes one injection of vitamin B12 can change the actual test reading. Still I suggest going for the same and completing the course of 5 injections.
2. It is autonomic nervous system disturbance secondary to excessive stress. Second possibility is of allergy. B12 deficiency can play role in both situations.
3. No, up to my knowledge no test can confirm diagnosis of allergy apart from High IgE level which is normal in your case.
4. If I were your treating doctor I would like to start anti anxiety medicines first as they do not cause any significant side effects if taken under doctor's guidance. However no need to worry about the short course of cortisone. It will not cause any serious side effects. I recommend it if anti anxiety drug trial fails.
If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service. In future you can contact me directly on this site if you wish with this link:
XXXX
by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page.
Take care and wish you early recovery.
better to try anti anxiety medicine first
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for more information.
If problem started after psychological stress, high probability is that it is due to anxiety and symptoms are more psychosomatic. In that case anti anxiety medicine like klonopin or ativan should be tried first. If you feel better with this drug diagnosis is confirmed.
Very less possibility of allergy is there. If there is no allergy actually cortisone can increase the symptoms.
1. Yes one injection of vitamin B12 can change the actual test reading. Still I suggest going for the same and completing the course of 5 injections.
2. It is autonomic nervous system disturbance secondary to excessive stress. Second possibility is of allergy. B12 deficiency can play role in both situations.
3. No, up to my knowledge no test can confirm diagnosis of allergy apart from High IgE level which is normal in your case.
4. If I were your treating doctor I would like to start anti anxiety medicines first as they do not cause any significant side effects if taken under doctor's guidance. However no need to worry about the short course of cortisone. It will not cause any serious side effects. I recommend it if anti anxiety drug trial fails.
If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service. In future you can contact me directly on this site if you wish with this link:
XXXX
by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page.
Take care and wish you early recovery.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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