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Suggest Treatment For Tingling Sensation And Numbness In The Arms
Question: I have been having intermittent tingling/partial numbness in my extremities. It is usually in the back of my thighs (not front) and rarely my arms. Most of the time it is only on my right side. Sometimes I have mild symptoms on the left. At times I have an aching in my groin and then the sensation in the back of my thighs is decreased or has tingling. I notice that the tingling/numbness gets worse if I am sitting or bending forward. Sometimes it feels like my legs are weak or could give out, but I actually have normal strength and I have full range of motion. I don't really have back pain and have not had an injury. It seems to happen at random. What could cause this?
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from the description of those symptoms they do not seem to be related to a neurological lesion of the brain or the spinal cord. The distribution does not seem to fit with the territory of any particular peripheral nerve either. So neurological condition is not likely.
That leaves the possibility of a metabolic issue such as glucose and electrolyte alterations, alterations of thyroid function. For that reason some routine blood tests are advised to screen for that purpose such as blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel (in particular calcium and magnesium which changes may manifest such sensations), thyroid function.
If everything results normal and in the meanwhile there isn't any new symptom then I think the possibility of the issue being related to anxiety must be considered, anxiety may commonly manifest with such abnormal sensations.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from the description of those symptoms they do not seem to be related to a neurological lesion of the brain or the spinal cord. The distribution does not seem to fit with the territory of any particular peripheral nerve either. So neurological condition is not likely.
That leaves the possibility of a metabolic issue such as glucose and electrolyte alterations, alterations of thyroid function. For that reason some routine blood tests are advised to screen for that purpose such as blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel (in particular calcium and magnesium which changes may manifest such sensations), thyroid function.
If everything results normal and in the meanwhile there isn't any new symptom then I think the possibility of the issue being related to anxiety must be considered, anxiety may commonly manifest with such abnormal sensations.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Well I am going to see an endocrinologist, so I am sure they will test some of those things.
My PCP also said I may need to see a neurologist.
Does MS usually cause symptoms to occur bilaterally? Sometimes I have the sensation of tingling around my mouth or face. It doesn't last very long but it has been happening more frequently.
My PCP also said I may need to see a neurologist.
Does MS usually cause symptoms to occur bilaterally? Sometimes I have the sensation of tingling around my mouth or face. It doesn't last very long but it has been happening more frequently.
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
MS (multiple sclerosis) as the term multiple suggests may affect many brain or spinal cord areas, so can produce any type of system. Abnormal sensations may be part of it as well, may be bilateral if both sides of the brain or the spinal cord are affected.
However as I said the distribution doesn't fit with such lesions. When lesions affect spinal cord the whole body from that level downwards is affected. When in the brain on one side numbness is one half of the body and face. There is the theoretical possibility of both sides being affected but then it would have other lesions as well affecting other functions such as motor strength, vision, balance and coordination etc, unlikely to have only two lesions affecting only sensation. So that is why I said that the distribution is unlikely to be neurological.
That being said nothing wrong in your PCP taking extra care and having you checked by the neurologist, perhaps he might notice some sign which you haven't noticed.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
MS (multiple sclerosis) as the term multiple suggests may affect many brain or spinal cord areas, so can produce any type of system. Abnormal sensations may be part of it as well, may be bilateral if both sides of the brain or the spinal cord are affected.
However as I said the distribution doesn't fit with such lesions. When lesions affect spinal cord the whole body from that level downwards is affected. When in the brain on one side numbness is one half of the body and face. There is the theoretical possibility of both sides being affected but then it would have other lesions as well affecting other functions such as motor strength, vision, balance and coordination etc, unlikely to have only two lesions affecting only sensation. So that is why I said that the distribution is unlikely to be neurological.
That being said nothing wrong in your PCP taking extra care and having you checked by the neurologist, perhaps he might notice some sign which you haven't noticed.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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