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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think pins and needles isn't normal

58 replies

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:02

Please don't flame or suggest I'm trying to self diagnose via the internet. I'm really not.

I'm a long term mumsnetter but have name changed for this.

I've been through various problems since last year which led to a neurologist visit, MRI and lumbar puncture. I've had the MRI results (which show brain lesions) but not the LP results yet. I'm back at the neurologist soon for those results and hopefully a diagnosis.

What I'm asking though is, when you sit down with legs stretched out on your sofa, or lie in bed, is it normal for you to have pins and needles in your feet or legs? I'm writing a list/diary of symptoms to take with me but I've had this for so long that I genuinely don't know if it's usual for people to have it or not? I'm posting here as I'd prefer not to limit responses to those who have a health issue already.
Thanks if you got this far. I'm trying to quell the rising panic about a diagnosis and this probably isn't the answer but I at least feel like it's keeping me busy.

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ItchyKondera · 20/05/2019 10:05

Not in m legs, but I regularly get pins and needles in my hands and fingers, it doesn't seem to be linked to how i am sat, or what I have been doing, sometimes its both at the same time, sometimes just one and can last about 5 - 15 minutes. I've had it for years, no idea what causes it.

I suffer from depression and anxiety, so always put it down to one of those random and annoying symptoms

blackcat86 · 20/05/2019 10:11

It depends. If everytime I laid down on the sofa stretched out normally I got pins and needles I might be a bit concerned. If I'd fallen asleep on my hand, got into a weird position, had the cat crushing my leg etc then I would consider it totally normally.

WorriedMami · 20/05/2019 10:15

I came on to say yes, it's normal it often is for me. If I lie on my side on the sofa or sit on the loo too long. However, I've just been referred to neurology (for another reason) so now I'm worried.
I often have pins and needles in an arm or my head when I wake up, it started in pg and when I raised it with the midwife she said it was a vitamin imbalance. Can I join you in your quest to quell the rising panic?

Smolo · 20/05/2019 10:27

Not in my legs but I frequently get pins and needles in my fingers and hands and they go numb. I've no idea what causes it.

Wellthatsit · 20/05/2019 10:29

I don't think it's normal, no. I have it, but I have MS. If your MRI has shown lesions, there is a possibility that you do have something like MS. I know that's not what you want to hear, but I want to reassure you that even if it MS, you can lead a very normal life.
I have no visible disability, and lead a normal life. I just pace myself a bit more than some people, and have some annoying invisible symptoms (like pins and needles) but that's no different than someone with a bad back for example.
Getting a diagnosis will mean treatment to stop it progressing, so knowing about it is better than not. Please don't panic (I am not being flippant, I mean this genuinely). It is good that you are being properly investigated by a specialist and will get answers.

Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:31

@WorriedMami please don't join the panic party. It's not fun here 😊

I was worse in pregnancy. I'd often have dreams where my hands were dying and wake myself up to find I'd fallen asleep with hands on my bump. These days I wake with numb hands or my little finger goes numb when I'm driving.

I obviously don't know what your issue is but what I will say is getting referred is a good thing. You will be thoroughly checked and if there is a problem it will be found.

I started with trigeminal neuralgia. I'm now being looked at for MS. Never imagined any of this was on the cards this time last year.

I'm sorry if I've made you panic.

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Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:35

#Wellthatsit

Thank you for the reassurance. I'm pretty much resigned to getting an MS diagnosis and the sooner the better in my eyes as then I can hopefully start on some DMD and stop further progression.

My main issue is fatigue but for years everyone has just assumed I'm really lazy

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Abbazed · 20/05/2019 10:36

It's not good. Stop taking and emergency appointment.

ifpossible · 20/05/2019 10:36

Have you had problems with your eyesight in particular your optic nerves?

Abbazed · 20/05/2019 10:37

Oh op I am sorry xxx hugs

WorriedMami · 20/05/2019 10:37

I started with trigeminal neuralgia. I'm now being looked at for MS. Never imagined any of this was on the cards this time last year.

My main issue is fatigue but for years everyone has just assumed I'm really lazy

Shit. This is me.

nolassie · 20/05/2019 10:40

I suffered from sort of pins and needles - not as severe as when I’ve sat awkwardly but was very noticeable and worrying. I have them in hands and feet and can come on even when walking. They started at a time of huge stress and long working hours but continued past it. During that time I’d googled it and became terrified of the MS diagnosis which dominated the results raising my stress levels again.

I eventually went to the doctor who asked about blackouts etc ordered a blood test and prescribed a depression medication that should relieve symptom. Nurse who took blood was very chatty and after asking why I was getting the test said she had similar in lead up to menapause and then went on to say stress also brings on these symptoms. I could’ve kissed her, she just normalised it. I never took the med- (the list of side effects was massive and if gp had mentioned them and one in particular I’d have refused it) but ‘fizzy’ feelings reduced massively after that chat. I still have them but much more rarely. They don’t bother me too much now I know they’re just normal for my body now and there’s no underlying problem (nothing showed in blood test). Googling pins and needles with menapause and stress brings up alternative results.
I wish you well with your diagnosis

Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:41

@ifpossible my eyes are blurry and often I see things out of the corner of them that aren't actually there. So yes. I'm also aware of Optic Neuritis as being a symptom so I wouldn't mess around with pain or loss of vision if it happened

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Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:45

@WorriedMami has your GP referred you to neurologist and ordered an MRI for you?

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BrillyPribble · 20/05/2019 10:45

Those of you with pins and needles - have you had a b12 blood test done?
I had pins and needles and nerve pain in my face and was always always knackered. I didn't realise but those and other symptoms (breathlessness, 'sighing' a lot and feeling like you can't get enough oxygen, palpitations, numbness, weird nerve sensations, clumsiness, brain fog, 'losing' words) are symptoms of b12 deficiency. I didn't realise how many symptoms I had until I started treatment. B12 deficiency can be misdiagnosed as CFS/ME and MS so is always worth checking if you have this type of symptom.
It's tough to get diagnosed as b12 levels are set very low in this country (and vary by region) but if you have had a test and it was below about 300, I'd suggest having a look at the pernicious anaemia society website.

DustyMaiden · 20/05/2019 10:48

I second the B12, that wasn’t experience too.

Bambamber · 20/05/2019 10:50

No it's not normal if your not lying funny. Pins and needles is something a neurologist will be looking for, that includes any unusual tingling sensations

WorriedMami · 20/05/2019 10:52

Waiting for the appointment to come through.
I had a blood test which came back ok although I don't remember the actual values. Doctor said everything was ok except vit D

Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:55

@BrillyPribble I've actually got some high strength B12 tablets which I intend to start taking once I've run it past the neurologist.

I've read they are good for treating nerve pain. I understand that a b12 deficiency can mirror MS symptoms but I'm not sure it would cause brain lesions or have an influence on the markers they are looking for in the LP I had, so personally I'm not sure I have a deficiency (but will be clarifying if this was checked in the blood tests I have had as part of all this), but hopefully this will help others who are reading and are concerned

Thank you

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ifpossible · 20/05/2019 10:55

@FieryBiscuits14 The reason I ask is because I have a close relative with a condition called NMO (Neuromyelitis optica) which also causes brain lesions, ON and other similar symptoms to MS. She was actually misdiagnosed with MS at first as NMO is considered to be a fairly rare condition. I am not in anyway suggesting you might have this or trying to worry you further. I just thought I would mention it for you to take a look at and see what you think. I really do hope you get to the bottom of it soon as the stress & worry of not knowing is not something you need right now.

SeaToSki · 20/05/2019 10:56

Traditionally pins and needles ina limb is called parasthesia and is a sign that the nerve running to that limb is being compressed / compromised in some way. If it goes on for long enough it can cause permanent nerve damage. But it can also happens from a few nutrient defficiencies and also medication side effect. Pregnancy often causes it in the hands as you retain water and that causes your tissues to swell. In your wrists the nerves have to pass through a small space in the bones called the carpal tunnel, its very easy for them to get compressed there. Your elbow is another common compression point ad your nerves run around the outside if the bone and if you are always leaning on your elbow on a desk (for example) you can compress the nerve. Systemic nerve diseases could also caise it, but from the body attacking the myelin covering of the nerves and damaging them that way, rather than it being a compression problem.

So in general, if you have regular and especially consistent pins and needles, you should talk to a medical professional about it

Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 10:58

@WorriedMami

I ended up going private to see the neurologist initially but as my GP had ordered an MRI at the same time I actually had it about a week after I'd seen the neurologist.

I think if you have TN and are under 40 there are guidelines that say you should have an MRI, so maybe ask your GP if they can refer you for one now.

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Todamhottoday · 20/05/2019 11:03

I have pins and needles/tingling then complete numbness in my hands during the night, went to the doctor and was diagnosed (looking at other factors) with carpal tunnel in both hands..

But this also happens when sitting too long in the same position.

Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 11:27

@SeaToSki that's very helpful thank you

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Original poster

FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 11:29

@ifpossible thank you, I've probably come across that via Dr Google during a midnight panic before now but it's good to have an awareness of these conditions

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