Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Tingling Sensation In Hands And Burning Pain In Feet?
Question: Hi, I had a caudal epidural injection (cortisone type was "dex ...." something) two and a half weeks ago for lower back pain. It increased my pain for 7-10 days and gave me more burning pain then I had had in my lower back. Then the pain started to even out, but heat sensations started. After going back to my doctor last week he got my bloods tested and sent me for another MRI. No sign of inflammation or any nerve damage was the verdict. But since 10 days after the shot I have had heat sensations up my upper spine, neck,(even ears) shoulders and triceps that lasted a few days then turned into burning aching, tingling hands (particularly left hand) and now for the past 2 days burning tingly feet which feel like I have walked bare foot across a stoney pathway. I am a 44 yr old woman and have had no nerve issues ever in the past. Do you have any ideas on what this could be? My doctors have no answers.
Brief Answer:
Earlier Nerve Root Inflammation followed by Diabetic Neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am happy to answer your queries. I have read your question with care and understand that you have had
(1) Pain for 7-10 days, More burning pain then you had had in my lower back. Then the pain started to even out
(2) Heat sensations started. No sign of inflammation or any nerve damage was seen in MRI. Heat sensations up your upper spine, neck,(even ears) shoulders and triceps that lasted a few days then turned into burning aching, tingling hands (particularly left hand) and now for the past 2 days burning tingly feet which feel like you have walked bare foot across a stoney pathway.
The First Set of Complaints were because a Nerve Root was involved during the process and got inflamed. This is a common occurrence in Epidural Injections. It will resolve spontaneously by itself in a week. And, in your case, it has resolved by 10 days. Since you took the MRI after 10 days, there was no sign of Inflammation or nerve damage.
The Second Set of Complaints are because of Diabetic Neuropathy. The Injection you got is a steroid (cortisone). One of the side effects of steroid is temporary exacerbation of diabetes. This causes Peripheral Neuropathy. Peripheral Neuropathy will present with heat sensations, burning, tingling hands, tingling feet. If you are not a diabetic, this too will settle down within weeks. If you are a diabetic, you may have to take measures to control your blood sugar and augment nerve regeneration.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Earlier Nerve Root Inflammation followed by Diabetic Neuropathy
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am happy to answer your queries. I have read your question with care and understand that you have had
(1) Pain for 7-10 days, More burning pain then you had had in my lower back. Then the pain started to even out
(2) Heat sensations started. No sign of inflammation or any nerve damage was seen in MRI. Heat sensations up your upper spine, neck,(even ears) shoulders and triceps that lasted a few days then turned into burning aching, tingling hands (particularly left hand) and now for the past 2 days burning tingly feet which feel like you have walked bare foot across a stoney pathway.
The First Set of Complaints were because a Nerve Root was involved during the process and got inflamed. This is a common occurrence in Epidural Injections. It will resolve spontaneously by itself in a week. And, in your case, it has resolved by 10 days. Since you took the MRI after 10 days, there was no sign of Inflammation or nerve damage.
The Second Set of Complaints are because of Diabetic Neuropathy. The Injection you got is a steroid (cortisone). One of the side effects of steroid is temporary exacerbation of diabetes. This causes Peripheral Neuropathy. Peripheral Neuropathy will present with heat sensations, burning, tingling hands, tingling feet. If you are not a diabetic, this too will settle down within weeks. If you are a diabetic, you may have to take measures to control your blood sugar and augment nerve regeneration.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank Dr Mascarenhas, you have put my mind at rest as I was starting to feel like I needed to rush to hospital!
I am not a diabetic to my knowledge so I do have two other questions regarding the burning, tingling feet sensations. Today I am getting a few sharp pains in my heels and heat sensations on the front of my calf muscles plus buzzing sensations as well as some deep aches in my lower legs and knees. My hands have calmed down but I have heat sensations on my forearms and some strange pains and heat sensations popping up elsewhere around my body too, that don't last for long. Assumedly this is all symptomatic of peripheral neuropathy as well?
Secondly, my muscular skeletal physician suggested I take Lyrica to calm everything down as he had no explanation for my symptoms. I have been highly sensitive to numerous drugs over the past 9 months ( I had a hysterectomy last July done vaginally) and am reluctant to take nuerological drugs due to the side effects I got from Endep last year. He has been adamant I need to take it but I don't feel in pain, just moreso that I have heat, tingling and some numbness sensations. What are your thoughts on me needing to take this medication or others for this neuropathy?
Many thanks for your time.
XXXX
I am not a diabetic to my knowledge so I do have two other questions regarding the burning, tingling feet sensations. Today I am getting a few sharp pains in my heels and heat sensations on the front of my calf muscles plus buzzing sensations as well as some deep aches in my lower legs and knees. My hands have calmed down but I have heat sensations on my forearms and some strange pains and heat sensations popping up elsewhere around my body too, that don't last for long. Assumedly this is all symptomatic of peripheral neuropathy as well?
Secondly, my muscular skeletal physician suggested I take Lyrica to calm everything down as he had no explanation for my symptoms. I have been highly sensitive to numerous drugs over the past 9 months ( I had a hysterectomy last July done vaginally) and am reluctant to take nuerological drugs due to the side effects I got from Endep last year. He has been adamant I need to take it but I don't feel in pain, just moreso that I have heat, tingling and some numbness sensations. What are your thoughts on me needing to take this medication or others for this neuropathy?
Many thanks for your time.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Peripheral Neuropathy can cause the symptoms you have mentioned
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Welcome Back.
The Symptoms you have mentioned "few sharp pains in heels and heat sensations on the front of calf muscles plus buzzing sensations as well as some deep aches in lower legs and knees. hands have calmed down but have heat sensations on forearms and some strange pains and heat sensations popping up elsewhere around body too, that don't last for long" all can be due to Peripheral Neuropathy
Pregabalin (Lyrica) does not cure Neuropathy. It gives symptomatic improvement. Hence, If you are comfortable without Pregabalin, there is no need to take that.
Hope you found the answers helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Peripheral Neuropathy can cause the symptoms you have mentioned
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Welcome Back.
The Symptoms you have mentioned "few sharp pains in heels and heat sensations on the front of calf muscles plus buzzing sensations as well as some deep aches in lower legs and knees. hands have calmed down but have heat sensations on forearms and some strange pains and heat sensations popping up elsewhere around body too, that don't last for long" all can be due to Peripheral Neuropathy
Pregabalin (Lyrica) does not cure Neuropathy. It gives symptomatic improvement. Hence, If you are comfortable without Pregabalin, there is no need to take that.
Hope you found the answers helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you again Dr Mascarenhas and I have one final question for you. If the doctor that administered the caudal epidural accidentally caused a nerve injury during the procedure could I have these same symptoms? My doctor is an experienced physician but he didn't use X-ray or ultrasound to ensure needle placement and although he's been doing these for years I wondered whether I have some nerve damage rather than a reaction to the cortisone?
Brief Answer:
Nerve Injury will take longer time to heal and may present with weakness
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Nerve Injury will present with complaints like Weakness, Difficulty in Urination, Difficulty is passing motion etc. Nerve Injury may take a longer time to heal.
Since your symptoms had subsided by 7 to 10 days, it is just an inflammation
Hope you found the answers helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Nerve Injury will take longer time to heal and may present with weakness
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
Nerve Injury will present with complaints like Weakness, Difficulty in Urination, Difficulty is passing motion etc. Nerve Injury may take a longer time to heal.
Since your symptoms had subsided by 7 to 10 days, it is just an inflammation
Hope you found the answers helpful.
If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Many thanks Dr Mascarenhas you have greatly helped me understand what is going on when several doctors I am consulting in Australia have had no explanation for me.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome ! Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
You are Welcome :)
You are welcome ! Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Detailed Answer:
Dear Madam,
You are Welcome :)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
