HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Strange Electric Shock Sensation In Limbs?

default
Posted on Sat, 19 Mar 2016
Question: Hello, I have been having a strange sensation which can best be described as a recurrent sensation of electric shock, which starts in my brain/head and travels down my limbs - mainly my arms. It comes and goes... I will go for days/weeks/months without feeling this, but when it does happen (today) it occurs every couple of minutes. When it occurs, it feels like it is a zap in my brain. It lasts for a second or two, then goes away for a few minutes before it happens again.Although MRI results were insignificant, it was noted that I have "white lesions" in my brain.
I take ambien to sleep.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please visit an experienced neurolgogist for an examination

Detailed Answer:
Good morning from XXXXXXX OH (actually, I in XXXXXXX ...but only on business...I'm from XXXXXXX ..ever been there? They shot Spiderman here! LOL). At any rate, thanks much for writing to us and I hope I can shed some light on what's going on. I would be much better able to answer your questions if you could either upload some representative images from the latest MRI obtained on your brain or the radiology report or both.

Also, if you were my patient I would obtain a cervical spine film since the symptom of radiating shocks into the arms may be due to a cervical spine problem of some sort.

Obviously, my attention is spiked a bit when you tell me that "white lesions" are in the brain. That is why I would like to see the films or the report to see in what context they are using those words and if they might give us a hint as to numbers of lesions, distribution, and size.

Nowadays, neurologists don't typically get lumbar punctures when dealing with your types of symptoms or looking for demyelinating types of problems (this is what is referred to by the "white lesions") so I'd be curious as to what they were looking for. There are other entities of a demyelinating as well as nondemyelinating nature that could cause the same so I'd talk to the neurologist about ruling out everything. For example, I think it would be very reasonable to get the following chemistry tests on your blood:

Free T4, Total T4, TSH, ESR, CRP, Lupus anticoagulant, B12, folate, Vitamin D, D2, D3, ACE levels in serum

Once these labs have been drawn AND a thorough neurological history and examination have been performed then, there may be a better understanding as to what's going on.

I hope these answers and suggestions address your concerns adequately and you are inclined to rate this with HIGH STAR RATING as well as CLOSING THE QUERY. I am always ready to answer more questions for you, however, and you can always contact me by writing me at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi


Once again, thank you so much for soliciting our services. I hope this gives you a bit more insight into what could be going on and at the very least gives you some ideas of what you may discuss with your private doctor when talking about next steps.

Naturally, I wouldn't get in your way AT ALL if you wished to jump a big bird and come visit us in XXXXXXX ...perhaps, you are tired of such warm and tepid weather in XXXXXXX California (we KILL for sunlight! LOL)....but we do have some of the most interesting and popular tourist attractions in the world with the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, NASA XXXXXXX Research facility, LeBron XXXXXXX ...I know you got Kobe! Well, my Le Bron will eat YOUR Kobe! HAHA! And then, there's the XXXXXXX Orchestra....of course, you have the Boy Wonder Dudamal and the LA Philharmonic...but still CYO is world class stuff.......but most importantly you have ME...a neurologist and headache specialist who sees all sorts of patients similar to you...so as I said, you are welcome to come and spend a few lovely days here while we put some of these issues to sleep. Your call....

Be well....

This query required 20 minutes to read, research, review, and respond to fully.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Strange Electric Shock Sensation In Limbs?

Brief Answer: Please visit an experienced neurolgogist for an examination Detailed Answer: Good morning from XXXXXXX OH (actually, I in XXXXXXX ...but only on business...I'm from XXXXXXX ..ever been there? They shot Spiderman here! LOL). At any rate, thanks much for writing to us and I hope I can shed some light on what's going on. I would be much better able to answer your questions if you could either upload some representative images from the latest MRI obtained on your brain or the radiology report or both. Also, if you were my patient I would obtain a cervical spine film since the symptom of radiating shocks into the arms may be due to a cervical spine problem of some sort. Obviously, my attention is spiked a bit when you tell me that "white lesions" are in the brain. That is why I would like to see the films or the report to see in what context they are using those words and if they might give us a hint as to numbers of lesions, distribution, and size. Nowadays, neurologists don't typically get lumbar punctures when dealing with your types of symptoms or looking for demyelinating types of problems (this is what is referred to by the "white lesions") so I'd be curious as to what they were looking for. There are other entities of a demyelinating as well as nondemyelinating nature that could cause the same so I'd talk to the neurologist about ruling out everything. For example, I think it would be very reasonable to get the following chemistry tests on your blood: Free T4, Total T4, TSH, ESR, CRP, Lupus anticoagulant, B12, folate, Vitamin D, D2, D3, ACE levels in serum Once these labs have been drawn AND a thorough neurological history and examination have been performed then, there may be a better understanding as to what's going on. I hope these answers and suggestions address your concerns adequately and you are inclined to rate this with HIGH STAR RATING as well as CLOSING THE QUERY. I am always ready to answer more questions for you, however, and you can always contact me by writing me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi Once again, thank you so much for soliciting our services. I hope this gives you a bit more insight into what could be going on and at the very least gives you some ideas of what you may discuss with your private doctor when talking about next steps. Naturally, I wouldn't get in your way AT ALL if you wished to jump a big bird and come visit us in XXXXXXX ...perhaps, you are tired of such warm and tepid weather in XXXXXXX California (we KILL for sunlight! LOL)....but we do have some of the most interesting and popular tourist attractions in the world with the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, NASA XXXXXXX Research facility, LeBron XXXXXXX ...I know you got Kobe! Well, my Le Bron will eat YOUR Kobe! HAHA! And then, there's the XXXXXXX Orchestra....of course, you have the Boy Wonder Dudamal and the LA Philharmonic...but still CYO is world class stuff.......but most importantly you have ME...a neurologist and headache specialist who sees all sorts of patients similar to you...so as I said, you are welcome to come and spend a few lovely days here while we put some of these issues to sleep. Your call.... Be well.... This query required 20 minutes to read, research, review, and respond to fully.