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Been Having Pins And Needles In My Hands And Feet,

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Posted on Mon, 2 Mar 2020
Question: Been having pins and needles in my hands and feet, with nerve type pain in my left shoulder that wakes me at night for a year now. I also have extreme bouts of vertigo/dizziness that cause nausea. If I lay down the session does ease. I get slight sensation changes in my big toes and sometimes the odd finger, with intense burning sensations in my feet and index finger. I have also started recently with severe knee pain that can last a few seconds to a few minutes. I have had 2 MRI scans and 2 CT scans. A cavernoma was discovered in my medulla. However I was informed this could not be causing my symptoms. (Although I do question this).. Recently I have been having trouble finishing sentences/conversations and finding some words, sensations have started in my lip and face with pins and needles in my right cheek that are there permanently with eye lid twitching. Little muscle twitching in my hands also especially both thumbs. If I use my hands for any awkward or difficult work, like putting in screws with a screw diver the fingers may spasm for a few minuets following. Over the past 2 days it has all got worse. I have felt dizzy, shaky (eventhough I am not shaking on the outside), I keep seeing little dots infront of my eyes and the worst symptom is intense buzzing / pins and needles feeling in my thumb, so bad at times I couldnt use it or the sensation would make me feel sick. I intend to make another appointment with my neurologist. But the medical profession to date, which has included at least 5 different GP's a consultant neurologist a consultant neuro surgeon and a consultant psychiatrist all tell me that its migraine related with some possible trigeminal neuralgia. I am a 46 year old male. To be honest I am at my wits end as I feel trapped in a body that no longer functions as normal.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cavernoma may be the culprit. Other conditions to consider also.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.

I have read your query.

It is possible for the cavernoma in the medulla to result in symptoms like those provided by you.

Migraine also may be a possibility, and its symptoms may be controlled with appropriate treatment. In your case, the use of antidepressants such as amitriptyline, for example, may help.

Other possible conditions to consider are low vitamin B12, anemia, etc.

Blood tests are necessary for this purpose.

Discuss with your Neurologist for these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (21 minutes later)
I have had numerous blood tests and all have been normal so I don't believe its anaemia or a deficiency of any kind.

If it was the cavernoma, which i have been informed I have had from birth then why would it start to cause symptoms now? when the MRI and CT scans show that it has not had a bleed?

Can it cause symptoms without bleeding? as I have been informed the risk of bleeding is around 3% so I should not be concerned.

I have also been informed it is non operatable without significant risk to life
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
i would explain as follows.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional info.

It is true that cavernomas are mostly inborn vascular lesions, but, some cases may be linked also with radiation exposure.

It is not clear why they become symptomatic without significant bleeding at a certain point, one possibility is any minor hemorrhage.

As we grow it may press on brain formations too.

When it is considered risky to be treated surgically, symptomatic treatment is the main modality to be followed.

An alternative to open surgery is stereotactic radiosurgery.

Hope I helped you.

Feel free to ask if you have further questions.

Regards.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4500 Questions

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Been Having Pins And Needles In My Hands And Feet,

Brief Answer: Cavernoma may be the culprit. Other conditions to consider also. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service. I have read your query. It is possible for the cavernoma in the medulla to result in symptoms like those provided by you. Migraine also may be a possibility, and its symptoms may be controlled with appropriate treatment. In your case, the use of antidepressants such as amitriptyline, for example, may help. Other possible conditions to consider are low vitamin B12, anemia, etc. Blood tests are necessary for this purpose. Discuss with your Neurologist for these issues. Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.