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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Constant pins & needles!

78 replies

Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 14:46

Posting in AIBU mainly for traffic but also AIBU to wait another 2 weeks?

I've been having increasing pins needles the last 2-3 weeks. Started in feet and has spread to lower limbs arms and sometimes in the hands/fingers. It's been quite painful at times. It also feels like my legs go dead more quickly, very low tolerance for sitting down without legs quickly feeling odd

Called GP who asked if I had signs of infection ( I don't) or swelling( I don't) and that I should call back in 2 weeks if not resolved. Feels like I always get that response no matter what!

Should I be worried or just wait it out another fortnight?

OP posts:
TulipsHere · 27/04/2022 14:54

How old are you op?

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 14:57

I'm 40

OP posts:
Giveitall · 27/04/2022 15:38

Lack of Vitamin B12? aka Pernicious Anaemia?
Diabetes?
Spinal issue pressing on nerves?
Keep a journal of symptoms before you see GP. This might help focus your mind on what might be causing it.
Make sure you get as many tests done as possible.
Try not to worry until you’ve seen Doctor.

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 16:53

Thanks, yeah I'll keep a record. Don't have diabetes ( as far as I'm aware)

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 27/04/2022 17:07

Lack of certain vitamins can cause this, as can minerals. Get yourself some decent multivitamins with added minerals and see if it helps at all.

Think it might be the B ones but everyone has low D anyway.

BunnyFree · 27/04/2022 17:07

Some people have reported this after having covid

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 18:07

@BunnyFree interesting as I had Covid about 6 weeks ago!

OP posts:
Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:10

I've had this for going on 5 years now with no diagnosis. Mainly in my feet it never goes away.

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 18:15

@Whulfc86 wow, so sorry. Have the Drs given any explanation or tests?

OP posts:
Edinvillian · 27/04/2022 18:16

My workmate had similar and it got progressively worse. He was diagnosed with Lymes disease. Have you had a tick bite recently?

Lochjeda · 27/04/2022 18:18

Iv got magnesium deficiency and pins and needles can be a symptom. Id push for a full blood test to check for deficiencies.

BlimBosh · 27/04/2022 18:19

It could be a wide range of things, from lack of vitamins to Multiple Sclerosis.

Any other symptoms?

Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:22

I had a spinal MRI to rule out MS, I've had a CAT scan and a chest x-ray although not sure what they were for.

I've had blood tests which did show low B12, I had B12 injections for a year my level was normal but no difference to the pins and needles.

I had tests where they checked my nerves can't remember the name of it but the pass electricity through different parts of the body to check the nerves response, all came back well above normal. They also did the same sort of test but in my muscles, also came back normal.

So no diagnosis and the neurologist didn't seem to have any other ideas of what could be causing it.

Discovereads · 27/04/2022 18:22

To add on, undetected heart conditions can cause issues with peripheral circulation. As you are 40, you should be able to get a top to toe wellness check on the NHS and with those symptoms this should include an ECG to test your heart function.

Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:23

I was 30 when it started

FlibbertyGibbitt · 27/04/2022 18:23

Go to your GP. Can be a sign of MS.

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 18:27

Discovereads · 27/04/2022 18:22

To add on, undetected heart conditions can cause issues with peripheral circulation. As you are 40, you should be able to get a top to toe wellness check on the NHS and with those symptoms this should include an ECG to test your heart function.

Thanks. I did consider circulation issues because my feet are always so cold and often go numb.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 18:28

Thanks for all your replies, sounds like it could be the symptom of a lot of things. I do have MS in my family but not sure if it's genetic?

OP posts:
CherryRipe1 · 27/04/2022 18:40

Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:22

I had a spinal MRI to rule out MS, I've had a CAT scan and a chest x-ray although not sure what they were for.

I've had blood tests which did show low B12, I had B12 injections for a year my level was normal but no difference to the pins and needles.

I had tests where they checked my nerves can't remember the name of it but the pass electricity through different parts of the body to check the nerves response, all came back well above normal. They also did the same sort of test but in my muscles, also came back normal.

So no diagnosis and the neurologist didn't seem to have any other ideas of what could be causing it.

I've been in a similar situation as you but in my hands as well. MRI, CT scan, had those Neuro conductive thingy tests too, also above normal reflexes. Neurologist ordered blood tests and turns out I have Sjogrens syndrome. Neuropathy causes pins and needles & mines gone berserk post Covid & booster. There are a few other things that cause it as have been mentioned here. You've had bloods done @Whulfc86 but always worth getting follow ups, full blood panels. @Ninspeedles Full blood tests needed to start the jigsaw puzzle.

Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:53

@CherryRipe1 I'm glad you got a diagnosis. I looked up Sjogren's Syndrome but I don't have any of the other symptoms. I actually have had no other symptoms at all just the pins and needles.

@Ninspeedles When they do blood testing I would make sure they do a full panel that includes B12. I had multiple blood tests before they ordered one that includes B12

Original poster
Ninspeedles · 27/04/2022 18:59

@Whulfc86

Thanks I'll remember to ask that

OP posts:
CherryRipe1 · 27/04/2022 19:08

Whulfc86 · 27/04/2022 18:53

@CherryRipe1 I'm glad you got a diagnosis. I looked up Sjogren's Syndrome but I don't have any of the other symptoms. I actually have had no other symptoms at all just the pins and needles.

@Ninspeedles When they do blood testing I would make sure they do a full panel that includes B12. I had multiple blood tests before they ordered one that includes B12

That's good! Hopefully one day you get an answer or it goes away. Good luck @Ninspeedles . I hope you also find out what it is & it's something benign.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 27/04/2022 19:45

It can be. My mum had it and as there are different varieties of it now I think that it can run in families. Worth getting checked I think.

Tryingtobeanembryobanker · 27/04/2022 21:21

Hi @Ninspeedles, I had very similar symptoms in January 2020 after a bad cough/ virus and was diagnosed with MS. I don’t want to scare you with that, but the pins and needles started in my feet and worked their way up my legs to my saddle area. I’d also had a bout of pins and needles just in my feet about six months before.

If you haven’t had anything like this before, they won’t diagnose MS and they’ll probably say it’s clinically isolated syndrome.

My doctor told me to go to A&E and luckily they did an MRI on my back and then the next day on my head. It was quite scary but when I got the diagnosis of MS, I was relieved it wasn’t a brain tumour tbh.

Of course, it could be something completely different but just wanted to share my experience. There are lots of treatments for MS now (if it is that) and the sooner you go on them, the better.

In the meantime, I’d try and rest as whatever it is, it may be your immune system still recovering from COVID. Please keep us posted.

BlimBosh · 27/04/2022 21:55

As I mentioned above.. MS. My extremities are also cold.

They 'think' MS isn't heredity but a higher proportion of people with MS have relatives who have MS over those who don't.

If bloods come back okay, push for an MRI

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