What Causes Constant Cold Sensation In Upper Back?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jan 2016

Question: Hello...for several weeks I have had these chills in my upper back. Seems like cold water on my back but my back is not wet. Any advisement?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
may be peripheral neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible that it is neuropathy, specifically peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy refers to abnormal function of the nerves with peripheral neuropathy- nerves that are in the periphery, not in the brain or spinal cord

The nerves are responsible for sensation and neuropathy can result in abnormal sensations.
Some persons may have burning (instead of the cold feeling you are having), sticking pain, numbness, tingling, crawling sensation etc

In many cases, it is temporary and resolves on its own

Some causes are: (1) vitamin b12 or folate deficiency
(2) infection such as shingles
(3)diabetes
(4)trauma to the nerves in the area
(5)liver or kidney disease
(6)side effect of medication
(7)exposure to toxins
(8)neurological diseases such as ms or stroke
(9)some autoimmune diseases such as lupus
(10) in some hormonal disease eg in some cases of abnormal levels of thyroid hormone

You can consider: (1) monitoring for now if the symptoms are not very disturbing OR

(2) visiting your doctor for an assessment which would include physical examination and may also include blood tests for vitamin b12, folate, liver function and kidney function tests, diabetes screening

(3)there are medications that can help you

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (14 hours later)

Thank you for your advice. I do have peripheral neurapthy in my hands and feet resulting from chemotherapy in the past. In your reply you mention there are medications that can help me. Are these OTC or do I need to acquire a prescription? I do not have a primary care physician other then my oncologist. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
gabapentin, lyrica, tegretol, amitriptyline, cymbalta

Detailed Answer:
HI

These are prescription medications.

Medications such as gabapentin, tegretol, lyrica, amitriptyline,nortriptyline cymbalta.

These meds fall into the categories of anti seizure meds or anti depressants. This is the original intended use but it has been found that they reduce nerve pain in persons who do not have any depression or seizures.

This is the reason that they are used to help reduce this type of pain, they alter the nerve conducted pain.

Please feel free to ask anything else

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

One more question.

If I was to go to a doctor to acquire a med, what type of Doctor should I go to. Is my encologist the right person? Would it be a neurologist. Urologist? Or someone else? I think I need some help with this pain and discomfort.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
any doctor can prescribe but neurologist may be best

Detailed Answer:
HI

A neurologist may be the best persons out of the specialists mentioned though these medications can be prescribed by any doctor

If anything else unclear, you can let me know

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar