Tingling/pain in arms/legs and extreme dizziness

Zander1983

About 3 weeks ago I started to to get a tingle down my right arm. I've always had chest pains on and off and at first I thought it was related as I would get a chest pain and then the pain would radiate down my arm. I went to a GP who thought it may be a pinched nerve.



However, within 5 days the tingling, pins and needles and pain had spread to my left leg, then my right. Then on about day 6 I developed constant light-headedness and a feeling of imbalance when standing.



I went back to the GP but again he didn't think it was serious as I passed a thorough neurological workout (touch your nose, stand with eyes closed etc).



Then my fingers started to stiffen and my right arm became heavy and difficult to lift so I went to A&E. They originally thought it may be heart related - which I doubted as I've always been very fit and have always got excellent results in heart and blood pressure tests (my resting heart rate is around 48 and I have slightly low blood pressure).



Anyway I passed all those tests with flying colours. Next I got a chest and brain CT scan which I also passed. The head neurologist in the hospital then examined me - including a thorough neurological workout - and it was his opinion that while I needed an MRI on the head and spine, he didn't think it was anything sinister. I had the MRI a couple of days later (I was in hospital for a total of 5 days) and straight after it my vision became extremely blurred. This really freaked me out as I've always had excellent vision.



My MRI came back clear and the hospital doctor said they would discharge me. He said that modern science has been unable to diagnose anything. So he wants me to wait 4 weeks, and if my symptoms don't improve in that time, he'll put me on a migraine drug called amitriptyline.



In total I have seen about 5 doctors. All if them believe this is nothing sinister. All of them have said the symptoms appear to be unconnected. A virus was mentioned as a possible cause by a few of them. I spent 5 days in a state of the art hospital undergoing all sorts of tests, all of which came back negative. This has ruled out serious diseases such as MS and MND.



Yet still my symptoms persist. Every day I have extreme dizziness, fatigue, feelings of imbalance when I stand and walk, tingles in my arms and legs, joint pain in my arms and legs, weakness in my legs and blurred vision. Because I feel so dizzy and not sure of myself, this has also lead to anxiety. I am a long-time meditator though so anxiety has never been a big issue and Im good at handling it.



Work is difficult to get through as a result. With the dizziness and fatigue, my thoughts aren't clear. I also worry about the drive to work given my blurred vision and exhaustion.



The 10 days before I developed these symptoms were slightly more stressed than usual - I was moving house and also had a terribly exhausting trip to London (which involved a lot of alcohol). Maybe this left me run-down.



Could this be some sort of virus? It looks like I have some sort of nerve damage, however it happened. Can something like this just repair and resolve (as the doctors hope it will)? What else could this be?



Im planning to take life easy, go to bed early and eat well over the next few weeks in the hope it rights itself.

EDIT:
I spoke to my GP this afternoon and he wants to check for lyme disease

Whiplash85

Hi, I have had something very similar to you for the last 3 weeks. I visited the doctor who attributed it to stress and anxiety and that my body had been put under a lot of physical exertion recently. For me my symptoms are body tingling and pins and needles and the very odd tremor. I have a bit of bloatedness too along with a bit of tiredness but nothing too drastic. Its the tingling that is the most unnerving thing for me. 
I have consulted doctor google and come up with all kinds of ailments that might be affecting me and proceeded to frighten the life out of me. I am thinking I might go get my bloods done to cross a few other possibilities off the list. Failing that I am at a loss of what to do. Since I have experienced these symtpoms I have tested my body endurance and output and there has been no fall off so that is a bit reassuring. But like you I am totally at a loss to rationalise it and may take your lead and rest up, eat right and see does that work.
I would be grateful if you could fill me in on your progress or any further updates and  I will do likewise.

PPN2893

Hi, I'm by no means a doctor but I had similar symptoms a few years ago and was seen by a neurologist. My symptoms weren't as severe as yours sound but I am surprised that a lumbar puncture wasn't suggested. I know of at least three different conditions that were suggested to me (one being Lyme disease), all of which usually would have a lumbar puncture to confirm or rule out. Had the neurologist mentioned doing one of these?

Zander1983

@PPN2893 Yes a lumbar puncture was mentioned but after I was given the full battery of tests - all sort of blood tests, a chest x-ray, a CT scan on the brain, an MRI on the brain and spine and multiple tests on the heart - the doctors felt a lumbar puncture was pointless as all the tests were clear. In total I saw about 7 different doctors, including a neurologist, and all of them said they didn't think it is anything sinister. A few of them put it down to a virus and they think the symptoms will resolve themselves.

@Whiplash85 Sounds very similar to me. I was constantly testing my strength and endurance and also found no drop off even though I still felt week. You'd be better off going to a good GP though. My GP was spot on - from one physical exam he told me he was sure it wasn't anything serious, that tests would be clear, and that most likely it's a virus. Seems like he was right. Im 4 weeks in since my symptoms appeared. Still having them, though I feel ever so slightly better. Im just going to be patient and NEVER EVER google symptoms again.

timsnewbridge

Could you share the results of your MRIs and x-rays? Do you remember doing any of the MRIs while bending your head forward and backward?

Zander1983

timsnewbridge wrote: »

Could you share the results of your MRIs and x-rays? Do you remember doing any of the MRIs while bending your head forward and backward?

I dont have the results, they just said everything was clear. I didnt bend my head forward and backwards during the MRI. Why do you ask this? I just got word yesterday that the final round of blood tests were clear too. All tests were done in Vincents Private hospital.

timsnewbridge

Zander1983 wrote: »

I dont have the results, they just said everything was clear. I didnt bend my head forward and backwards during the MRI. Why do you ask this? I just got word yesterday that the final round of blood tests were clear too. All tests were done in Vincents Private hospital.

I don't want to scare you, but, while they said everything was clear, that's only as far as their knowledge is concerned and this is particularly true about the imagery. Sometimes there are significant findings on an MRI but a particular doctor may disagree. I ask about bending, because sometimes things that don't show up when lying down, do show up when you have weight and pressure on your spine. Here's examples of the lumbar spine:
https://www.f1spinalsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/conven1.jpg
https://www.f1spinalsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/spines2aa.jpg





Your symptoms sound like they could be a cervical or thoracic bulging or herniated disc. Even if they DID show on the MRI the doc may have just said 'nah'. I'd ask for copies of all scans you had done and all blood tests.


Not saying you definitely do have anything wrong with your spine, I'm jsut saying it's a possibility. It also sounds viral. Keep us upadated anyway.

Zander1983

Im going ahead with Lyme disease test. Armin Labs in Germany is the lab that has been recommended to me. Its expensive, but at this stage im getting desperate - all symptoms are worsening and getting through work is becoming harder and harder

timsnewbridge

Zander1983 wrote: »

Im going ahead with Lyme disease test. Armin Labs in Germany is the lab that has been recommended to me. Its expensive, but at this stage im getting desperate - all symptoms are worsening and getting through work is becoming harder and harder

Sorry to hear you're not getting any better. I'd suggest asking for multiple opinions from specialists. From my experience, they don't care here unless you're definitely gonna die soon. Never accept stress as a cause. Stress can have some physical representations but it's not got unlimited power and it can't cause unrelenting, severe physical symptoms. There is no body of evidence, nor even a proposed mechanism through which stress can cause nausea, fatigue, nerve pain and other symptoms you describe.
Let us know how the Lyme disease test goes for you.

wakka12

timsnewbridge wrote: »

Sorry to hear you're not getting any better. I'd suggest asking for multiple opinions from specialists. From my experience, they don't care here unless you're definitely gonna die soon. Never accept stress as a cause. Stress can have some physical representations but it's not got unlimited power and it can't cause unrelenting, severe physical symptoms. There is no body of evidence, nor even a proposed mechanism through which stress can cause nausea, fatigue, nerve pain and other symptoms you describe.
Let us know how the Lyme disease test goes for you.

Youd be surprised what stress can do, I was so afraid I had really high blood pressure that I made my entire body start to throb/rock with every pulsation of blood for a week straight, youd think that would mean high blood pressure but there was nothing wrong with it, you wouldnt think stress could cause that but well there you go. Regardless though, I think the OPs symptoms sound serious and he should definitely keep looking for opinions from nany different specialists

Zander1983

wakka12 wrote: »

Youd be surprised what stress can do, I was so afraid I had really high blood pressure that I made my entire body start to throb/rock with every pulsation of blood for a week straight, youd think that would mean high blood pressure but there was nothing wrong with it, you wouldnt think stress could cause that but well there you go. Regardless though, I think the OPs symptoms sound serious and he should definitely keep looking for opinions from nany different specialists

I wouldn't be a very stressed person. My symptoms appeared out of nowhere 5 weeks ago. I'd imagine with stress there would be a build up. I've also been practicing vipassanna meditation for about 10 years - which has the affect of completely dissipating any stress.

Im getting the lyme test done in a german lab - this is what the lyme disease centre in the Mater recommends. Not cheap - 409 euro. But at this stage I need answers so going ahead with it.

Pretzill

Zander1983 wrote: »

I wouldn't be a very stressed person. My symptoms appeared out of nowhere 5 weeks ago. I'd imagine with stress there would be a build up. I've also been practicing vipassanna meditation for about 10 years - which has the affect of completely dissipating any stress.

Im getting the lyme test done in a german lab - this is what the lyme disease centre in the Mater recommends. Not cheap - 409 euro. But at this stage I need answers so going ahead with it.

Sometimes a diagnosis is hard to find. Keep getting checked. I went through almost a year of symptoms and tests including mri's before I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. I too suffered dizziness and some tingling - pins and needles - but it was only a routine chest X-ray that showed some minor anomalies - before that Doctors were making out it was in my head. I had to have a biopsy to confirm it - but I remember an ace level blood test showing markers for it?

That was a good few years ago and I'm in remission now. But I never forgot the rounds of doctors, with puzzled expressions and my overwhelming fear of the unknown. Hope you some answers soon.

Zander1983

Lyme disease result was negative.

I've now seen 9 or so doctors and undergone an awful lot of tests, all of which have been normal.

Recently I have less pain/tingling in my arms and legs and more in my neck. I've a burning feeling in my neck and behind my shoulders and I feel very stiff. The worst symptom is still the constant dizziness/head-rush/brain fog. Since western medicine has been of no help, time to try eastern. Im now going to start acupuncture tomorrow.

timsnewbridge

Again, I'd suggest you get a copy of your upper spine's MRI - there's a strong possibility it's results were poorly interpreted.

Zander1983

timsnewbridge wrote: »

Again, I'd suggest you get a copy of your upper spine's MRI - there's a strong possibility it's results were poorly interpreted.

I've rang the hospital multiple times to try to get them to send my results but to no avail. Ill ring again today. By the way, this is a well-known private hospital in Dublin. When they were giving me the results, it was made clear to me that they have have done everything that modern medical science has allowed them to do, and they haven't missed anything. The not-too-subtle message was "don't try to sue us later". So I would doubt they missed anything on the MRI. But I'll try to get the scans. Where could I have them reviewed? I've already spent a grand or so on this issue, I don't want to have to spend another 300 euro to get another neurologist to review them...

timsnewbridge

Zander1983 wrote: »

I've rang the hospital multiple times to try to get them to send my results but to no avail. Ill ring again today. By the way, this is a well-known private hospital in Dublin. When they were giving me the results, it was made clear to me that they have have done everything that modern medical science has allowed them to do, and they haven't missed anything. The not-too-subtle message was "don't try to sue us later". So I would doubt they missed anything on the MRI. But I'll try to get the scans. Where could I have them reviewed? I've already spent a grand or so on this issue, I don't want to have to spend another 300 euro to get another neurologist to review them...

We can't allow medical advice including what you have suggested PM myself or another Mod should you have any questions

Zander1983

Mod edit

Zander1983

Mod edit re #16

One thing I thought of recently is that the weekend before all this started, I slept in a very uncomfortable position - I was at a friends house in London and we'd no room so i basically had to attempt to sleep on a large, uncomfortable armchair. Im wondering did I do some damage that night. I currently have a lot of pain in the neck.

Zander1983

Just an update here - while most of my lyme test results were negative, one was a weak positive. My GP said that since we've nothing else to go on, he's going to treat me for lyme. Im now 2 weeks into a 6 week course of antibiotics. So far no improvement. A new recent symptom is some nights I awake about 3am and I feel incredibly weak. Like it takes all my strength to turn over on my side. At the same time, I have a strange feeling in my head. My head is throbbing slightly and it feels like the room is spinning. Sometimes I feel waves of headrush and nausea. Also my entire body is quivering slightly. It can last for 2 or more hours. It's quite scary. My GP is saying to just wait, stay positive, and hope it improves.

I've made multiple attempts to get my MRI scans from the hospital, getting there inch by inch.

timsnewbridge

Hi Zander,

I'm really sorry you are having to go through all this. I hope your scans will be illuminating, because spinal abnormalities are the extent of my knowledge. Everything you've described can be understood in the context of spinal cord compression / inflamation. But obviously, there are so many other possibilities. I don't check back enough but I will continue to check this thread when I remmember, to see how you are getting on. I know it's a small comfort, but know you're not alone. Thousands of people in Ireland every year experience an illness and have a lot of trouble getting a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan, but a huge percentage get there in the end. At least your GP offerred to trial the antibiotics. Mine would have referred you on to a psychiatrist by now - never accept that suggestion in my opinion.

David.

timsnewbridge

I just want to clarify that my responses have been edited either entirely or in part so the words in comments from me are not exactly my own. I wouldn't like to have words attached to me that aren't my own, so if you want any clarification, please ask. I won't be able to help any further, but best of luck with getting a diagnosis and treatment!

LillyMay1234

Hi Lander1983,

I just came across your post re constant lightheadedness.
My teenage daughter is suffering from severe lightheadedness.
Its become debiltating. I am just after getting bloods dones and sent to Arminlabs in Germany to check for Lymes disease.
She finds bright lights hard to deal with and has floaters in her
Line of vision and fatigue as well and gets ringing in the ears sometimes too. She gets weird types if tremmors inside her body of late also.She has been diagnosed with POTS but I dont think thats what the problem is.

Did you ever get your lightheadedness resolved? Or has anyone else looking at this thread have had something similar and got it resolved.

Thanks for any advice on this. Its awful to watch my daughter in this state for over 9 months now.