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What Causes Burning Hands, Itchy Legs And Diarrhea While Tests Are Normal?
Question: For weeks I have an altered sensation on left side of face and head. Two weeks later I noticed an altered sensation on small area of left thigh above knee. My reading eyesight also sees to have been affected. Over the course of the five weeks I have been experiencing strange sensations all over my body, burning hands, itchy legs, feeling of water on my face, tingling etc. I also seem to be getting pins and needles more often but that does not last. I had some mouth symptoms but that seemed to clear up until today when my tongue feels a bit strange.
I was admitted to hospital and met neurologist. He did not seem to be concerned and said my situation was more than likely transitionary and would pass. I had a brain mri scan and a spinal mri scan. Both were clear. The neurologist said the heat was off and I did not have a serious condition like ms. He said my optic nerve was also fine. More than likely it was viral and would pass. He prescribed no medication.
However, I continue to have the symptoms and am very weak. My stomach is also sick and I have bouts of diarrhea. Should I be happy with the neurologist's opinion? How long do you think it will take symptoms to pass? Am I better to get back to work as soon as possible?
Thank you
I was admitted to hospital and met neurologist. He did not seem to be concerned and said my situation was more than likely transitionary and would pass. I had a brain mri scan and a spinal mri scan. Both were clear. The neurologist said the heat was off and I did not have a serious condition like ms. He said my optic nerve was also fine. More than likely it was viral and would pass. He prescribed no medication.
However, I continue to have the symptoms and am very weak. My stomach is also sick and I have bouts of diarrhea. Should I be happy with the neurologist's opinion? How long do you think it will take symptoms to pass? Am I better to get back to work as soon as possible?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
I agree with neurologist opinion, should get back to work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for coming again at Healthcaremagic.
The fact that you have had a brain and spine mri is very reassuring. It was unlikely that the symptoms were related to MS or any other threatening brain lesion but it's good to have definitely ruled it out. I am assuming that since you were visited by a neurologist he hasn't found any other abnormality on physical exam to indicate any muscle or peripheral nerve condition. I am also assuming that since you were admitted in a hospital you have also had some blood tests to screen for infections or possible metabolic abnormalities to be responsible for those symptoms (if you have some reports and discharge papers I would be happy to review them, you can simply snap a photo and upload them in the report section of the site).
So taking all that in consideration I would agree with my neurologist colleague, there is no indication of something threatening going on, symptoms may be the aftermath of a viral infection and should gradually improve in the next few months. At times psychological factors may also play a role, the initial shingles infection inciting some anxiety which often manifest with abnormal sensations, causing more anxiety and so on. Anxiety is also a common trigger for gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome which may be an explanation for your digestive symptoms.
I would encourage you to return to work and other prior activities, naturally without exhausting yourself, but shouldn't limit your activities anymore, it should help you to return to normal soon.
I remain at your disposal further questions.
I agree with neurologist opinion, should get back to work.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for coming again at Healthcaremagic.
The fact that you have had a brain and spine mri is very reassuring. It was unlikely that the symptoms were related to MS or any other threatening brain lesion but it's good to have definitely ruled it out. I am assuming that since you were visited by a neurologist he hasn't found any other abnormality on physical exam to indicate any muscle or peripheral nerve condition. I am also assuming that since you were admitted in a hospital you have also had some blood tests to screen for infections or possible metabolic abnormalities to be responsible for those symptoms (if you have some reports and discharge papers I would be happy to review them, you can simply snap a photo and upload them in the report section of the site).
So taking all that in consideration I would agree with my neurologist colleague, there is no indication of something threatening going on, symptoms may be the aftermath of a viral infection and should gradually improve in the next few months. At times psychological factors may also play a role, the initial shingles infection inciting some anxiety which often manifest with abnormal sensations, causing more anxiety and so on. Anxiety is also a common trigger for gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome which may be an explanation for your digestive symptoms.
I would encourage you to return to work and other prior activities, naturally without exhausting yourself, but shouldn't limit your activities anymore, it should help you to return to normal soon.
I remain at your disposal further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The neurologist didn't think I had shingles. He said he didn't know exactly what viral infection was. All he could do was rule out things. He did do a basic physical exam. I had a range of blood tests which were clear. You are suggesting I forget about the mouth symptoms and not to worry about them. Is it likely more unusual body sensations might arise as result of this episode before improvement occurs?
I will strive to follow all advice I have received and regain previous energy levels. Any suggestions there?
Thank you for your help.
I will strive to follow all advice I have received and regain previous energy levels. Any suggestions there?
Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
I know that it must be frustrating not being told a precise specific cause. But sometimes we can't explain everything and can only rule out conditions which need treatment leaving a few of the cases where all results normal as due to stress or a viral infection.
Not reassuring as that may seem I am confident when saying that those abnormal sensations of tingling, numbness etc represent nothing serious. Those represent common complaints in everyday work for a neurologist. When they are distributed the way you describe them, in different areas not anatomically related, they are in the majority of the cases not due to any lesion of the brain or spinal cord, most commonly due to anxiety. Usually I do not even ask for a MRI unless I find something on physical exam. In your case the neurologist has been extra careful and done MRI which further increases the level of confidence. I am assuming blood work included electrolyte panel, thyroid function and vitamin B12 levels as well as possible causes. The pattern of distribution is not typical for a peripheral neuropathy either.
So yes I would suggest to simply not worry. Now that you say the neurologist didn't think you had shingles (I had accepted the diagnosis of the first doctor as automatically correct) I would actually put anxiety before viral infection as the most likely cause. In that case it is precisely returning to normal activity, maybe adding activities like yoga and relaxation exercises which should help.
Let me know if there is something else I can assist you with.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
I know that it must be frustrating not being told a precise specific cause. But sometimes we can't explain everything and can only rule out conditions which need treatment leaving a few of the cases where all results normal as due to stress or a viral infection.
Not reassuring as that may seem I am confident when saying that those abnormal sensations of tingling, numbness etc represent nothing serious. Those represent common complaints in everyday work for a neurologist. When they are distributed the way you describe them, in different areas not anatomically related, they are in the majority of the cases not due to any lesion of the brain or spinal cord, most commonly due to anxiety. Usually I do not even ask for a MRI unless I find something on physical exam. In your case the neurologist has been extra careful and done MRI which further increases the level of confidence. I am assuming blood work included electrolyte panel, thyroid function and vitamin B12 levels as well as possible causes. The pattern of distribution is not typical for a peripheral neuropathy either.
So yes I would suggest to simply not worry. Now that you say the neurologist didn't think you had shingles (I had accepted the diagnosis of the first doctor as automatically correct) I would actually put anxiety before viral infection as the most likely cause. In that case it is precisely returning to normal activity, maybe adding activities like yoga and relaxation exercises which should help.
Let me know if there is something else I can assist you with.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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