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What Causes Tingling Sensations In The Back And Numbness In The Hands?
Question: I have been having a wide range of strange symptoms which seem to be totally unrelated.About seven years ago, I felt a tingling sensation go completely down my spine. This happened on two or three different occasions. Then, three and one-half years ago, I was standing, talking to someone, when I just fell. I did not get dizzy or faint or lose consciousness, I just fell.I had several falling episodes, some with injuries, over the next several months. Then, they just stopped. Now, within the past 2 months, I have had loss of balance with and without falls; I am using a walker to get around, I have numbness and tingling in my hands and sometimes my feet, I have bladder and bowel incontinence not related to my falls, I see white flashes of light for just a second or two; sometimes I have blurry vision,and it seems as though Iam more weak than usual and tire out easily.
Brief Answer:
Multiple Symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Thank you for your question. I've read your concerns and I've read other doctors' opinions and a number of these same concerns as well.
I agree with you that when taken in isolation they seem to be unrelated and do not appear to point to a specific underlying common cause.
However, in order to fully evaluate you and be sure that there is nothing significant causing these problems my recommendation is that you be seen by a neurologist for a full examination and history since some of your symptoms could certainly be generated by problems within that axis of the body. The neurologist will do an appropriate full evaluation, order appropriate blood work which could include electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, complete blood counts, inflammatory markers, nutritional assay for vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D as well as thyroid and perhaps even parathyroid studies for symptoms of fatigue and tiredness.
Of course, imaging studies of the spinal cord may also be indicated to evaluate for the bowel and bladder incontinence as well as the drop attacks though those seem to have spontaneously resolved so they may not need to be looked at right now.
For flashes and headaches imaging studies of the brain may be useful and/or a headache workup for primary cephalgias as well.
I understand that you recently had an EMG/NCV study and that it was normal. It is correct that in studies such as EMG, if there are no focal complaints suggestive of a radiculopathy or neuropathy that when one side is tested and found to be normal the other side does not need to be tested. That is accurate.
If after a thorough examination and appropriate testing nothing is revealed then, there is the possibility that your symptoms could be related to anxiety or depressive mood disorders which can often times mimic organic disease.
If your question was adequately responded to could you do me the favor of CLOSING THIS QUERY?
I sincerely hope you start to feel a bit better sooner rather than later and recommend you speak to your doctor about some of the items I've mentioned to see if they agree to implement any sort of workup for your symptoms.
This query has utilized a total of 34 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Multiple Symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Thank you for your question. I've read your concerns and I've read other doctors' opinions and a number of these same concerns as well.
I agree with you that when taken in isolation they seem to be unrelated and do not appear to point to a specific underlying common cause.
However, in order to fully evaluate you and be sure that there is nothing significant causing these problems my recommendation is that you be seen by a neurologist for a full examination and history since some of your symptoms could certainly be generated by problems within that axis of the body. The neurologist will do an appropriate full evaluation, order appropriate blood work which could include electrolytes, liver and kidney function tests, complete blood counts, inflammatory markers, nutritional assay for vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D as well as thyroid and perhaps even parathyroid studies for symptoms of fatigue and tiredness.
Of course, imaging studies of the spinal cord may also be indicated to evaluate for the bowel and bladder incontinence as well as the drop attacks though those seem to have spontaneously resolved so they may not need to be looked at right now.
For flashes and headaches imaging studies of the brain may be useful and/or a headache workup for primary cephalgias as well.
I understand that you recently had an EMG/NCV study and that it was normal. It is correct that in studies such as EMG, if there are no focal complaints suggestive of a radiculopathy or neuropathy that when one side is tested and found to be normal the other side does not need to be tested. That is accurate.
If after a thorough examination and appropriate testing nothing is revealed then, there is the possibility that your symptoms could be related to anxiety or depressive mood disorders which can often times mimic organic disease.
If your question was adequately responded to could you do me the favor of CLOSING THIS QUERY?
I sincerely hope you start to feel a bit better sooner rather than later and recommend you speak to your doctor about some of the items I've mentioned to see if they agree to implement any sort of workup for your symptoms.
This query has utilized a total of 34 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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