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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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.

OP posts:
BrillyPribble · 20/05/2019 11:47

Fiery just to note that if you were to have pernicious anaemia (not saying that you do!) which is an autoimmune disease which causes b12 deficiency, that taking supplements makes no difference whatsoever because it destroys the cells in your intestines which are needed to absorb b12 so no matter how much you ingest, it can't be used. Treatment for b12 deficiency is generally injections for this reason.

DoveBlue · 20/05/2019 11:49

I get pins and needles regularly in my shoulder blades last 15mins or so get it multiple times over a couple of days then not again for few weeks. I have fractured my back few years ago so do worry it is pressure on my spinal cord from my fractured vertebrae but then it goes and I feel silly about going to see the doctor so I am in the ignore phase too. Although now slightly panicky as often see things move at corner of my eye. Watching this thread with interest. Hope you get some answers OP

SeaToSki · 20/05/2019 11:57

I just remembered one more significant cause of parasthesias is a problem with the parathyroid glad (right next to the thyroid in the neck). It controls levels of calcium in the blood. If you have ever had thyroid problems and now have parasthesias you should get your blood calcium levels checked to see if your parathyroid is healthy.

AlunWynsKnee · 20/05/2019 12:22

I agree with everything Wellthatsit said. I also have MS and I live a mostly normal life. I get all sorts of random pins and needles and electric shock feelings as part of the nerve damage.

WrongKindOfFace · 20/05/2019 12:29

I get it, and it’s bad again at present so I’ve booked another gp appointment. Low b12 and low ferritin/iron seemed to be the cause when it happened previously. Once my levels increased I was miles better, I just can’t seem to keep my levels up.

Toddlerteaplease · 20/05/2019 12:35

I have MS. I don't get it in my legs but if I lie flat on my back with my hands by my side, my arm and hand goes numb. I have a large lesion on my cervical spine. Which is the cause of that.
MS isn't the end of the world OP. Feel free to PM me.

Chouetted · 20/05/2019 12:35

I noticed particularly that you say "with legs stretched out". Does it ease if you bend them slightly?

lovesagobletofwine · 20/05/2019 13:07

i used to get pins and needles lots turns out my folate was low

SmellNO · 20/05/2019 13:13

Can I just come at this from another angle.

My mum would get bad pins and needles in her toes and feet. It turns out that it was a clot in her leg, which in turn caused her a PE.
She unfortunately passed away.

Now, this is obviously worst case scenario. But maybe it's worth talking to the GP about.

I have MS. For me it's less like pins and needles and more like a strong fuzzy feeling - I can't describe it well, but I couldn't compare that sensation with pins and needles.

Either way, it needs to be properly investigated so push as much as you can to be looked at.
Wishing you well. Thanks

Whoops75 · 20/05/2019 13:25

I get this but have a trapped nerve and going to a neurologist tomorrow.

Hard to know if it’s related but puns and needles are usually caused by compressed nerves.

Good luck

Pericombobulations · 20/05/2019 13:49

I have this but it's the first symptom of ms I had. Had blood tests to rule everything else out. My pins and needles is permanent though. It originally started in my left leg and moved to my right hand which is when the neurologist saw me and gave me the MRI to rule anything serious out which it sadly didn't.

Like other ms sufferers I work full time but do walk with a stick as my balance is off. I also got optic neuritis just before I started a dmd and have been left with slightly worsened sight in one eye.

Good luck

Cottongusset · 20/05/2019 13:54

The symptoms you describe coupled with an MRI scan that shows lesions points to MS.

WrongKindOfFace · 20/05/2019 14:28

But as it can have other causes they should also be investigated rather than assuming it is caused by MS.

Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 17:38

@SmellNO is it more like your hand or whatever is vibrating or buzzing? I get that too but it's a separate sensation

OP posts:
Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 17:40

@Chouetted not really, it's pretty much there all the time and in any position

OP posts:
Pericombobulations · 20/05/2019 17:41

Do you get electric shock feelings down an arm or leg? They are another classic MS symptom, had them before but they have stopped for the moment?

Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 17:41

@WrongKindOfFace totally agree

OP posts:
Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 17:43

@Pericombobulations no, not in my legs but I had it once down my neck and I get it in my face as a symptom of trigeminal neuralgia

OP posts:
SmellNO · 20/05/2019 17:43

@FieryBiscuits14 Exactly that. Usually followed by some electric shock type sensations.
Full of electricity me Grin

FuzzyPuffling · 20/05/2019 17:49

I have persistent pins and needles in my lower leg and foot (one side only). I've been diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (an auto immune condition) but they are now looking at Antiphospholipid Syndrome which can cause pins and needles, among other things.

I take B vitamins daily, just in case and I've got a nerve conductivity test this week. (Not looking forward to that very much!)

Pericombobulations · 20/05/2019 17:50

@FieryBiscuits14 sadly sounds familiar, but your neurologist is the person best to judge. And like @SmellNO says, the pins and needles is similar but not quite that feeling. Pins and needles is easiest to describe it but its not quite that feeling. Plus a lack of sensitivity in that limb (not good when its your right hand, and you are right handed and a touch typist)

Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 20/05/2019 17:57

I get a lot of what I describe as twitches but which are more forceful than that sometimes in that they can chuck my head right back or make me do a pelvic thrust (not sexy).

Sometimes I also feel like if I tried to lift say my hand or foot that I wouldn't be able to, almost like it's not connected to the rest of me. But I can move it if I try.

And my memory is bollocksed

OP posts:
OnePotMeal · 20/05/2019 18:14

I'll second all the comments about B12 deficiency. I have it as well as Vit D, folic acid and iron deficiencies, and share many of your symptoms, OP: the pins and needles, twitching, weakness and terrible fatigue, and also brain fog. Most of my P&N and twitching is in my hands, feet and face. They go away after I've had my injection, but come back gradually. I also get magnesium deficient because I take Vitamin D (which requires magnesium for absorption) and without that I get stabbing pains in my head. Don't know if any of this is helpful, but I wish you well, OP.

Original poster
FieryBiscuits14 · 23/05/2019 09:49

For anyone following, I've seen my neurologist and have been referred to MS team. This is my first recorded attack.

OP posts:
user1496259972 · 23/05/2019 11:19

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

I have MS and people still think I’m lazy. Fatigue sucks. I’ve found regular gentle exercise has made a massive difference to it. To begin with the exercise meant I wasn’t able to function for the rest of the day and had to sleep but slowly and surely over a year it’s improved the mental and physical fatigue. I also take b12 and vitamin D.