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Original poster

Pins and needles - anyone?

26 replies

missjulie · 21/01/2011 22:46

Hi all,
Have any of you got regular pins and needles in your hands (right up to almost your elbows), and also your feet (almost up to knees)?
It started when i was in week 12 or pregnancy, my DD is now 9 months old, and it is STILL happening!!!!! From week 12 of pregnancy onwards, up until lately, i have been told by the doctor to "monitor it"!!! Very helpful!!!!

I see an osteopath for back troubles, and he is worried it may be trapped nerves.

I have stopped mentioning it to the doctor now, as they don't seem that bothered. Keep telling me the same thing! I was at the doc last week for something else, not my usual doc, and he must have been reading my record cos he asked me about the pins and needles, totally took me by surprise!!!!! Anyway, he is wanting to do a neuro exam on me next week! Progress!

Just wondered if anyone else has this?

I know about carpal tunnel syndrome, but the doctor said they don't think this is what i have.

It can be quite debilitating. Occurs several times a day - whether i am sitting, or using my hands, or sleeping etc.....

Will be very interested to hear your thoughts ladies!

Thank you

x

OP posts:
MotherJack · 21/01/2011 22:53

My thoughts...

My son gets pins and needles in his arms and legs as a matter of course, as do other people with his condition. I'm sure lots of other conditions bring this about too, but my son (and loads of adults I know through forums) have an Arnold Chiari Malformation Type 1. It is relatively rare, so probably no need to worry. As I understand it, the first notable symptom is headaches. So, if you don't have headaches it may well be trapped nerves... and from personal experience I would see a chiropractor for trapped nerves rather than an osteopath.

Smile
skirt · 21/01/2011 22:57

Yeah I get it every night in my right hand little finger and its a royal pain.

Original poster
missjulie · 21/01/2011 23:26

Thank you MotherJack, i do suffer from headaches, have since i was 14 or so (now 34 years) - developed into migraines......so not sure if that is really relevant. Haven't heard of that condition before. My heart does go out to him though, so frustrating.

Skirt, yes, it is a royal pain!

OP posts:
MotherJack · 21/01/2011 23:39

I don't want to frighten you, Missjulie, but chiari headaches are often confused for migraines. Chiarians are frequently misdiagnosed. As I understand it, diagnosed chiarians have caesareans as the strains of natural childbirth are well known to make things worse.

Do you have any other symptoms/quirks/things you are used to but other people don't have them?

Original poster
missjulie · 21/01/2011 23:44

I had a caesarian last April, but that was due to other complications - after 4 days of hell, then finally being 4 hours fully dilated with a 8 wk prem baby, and my head was banging, i remember!
Digressing, sorry!

All my other quirks, are just post pregnancy quirks, this is the only thing that i think is weird, others are just oedema, sciatica, etc. etc

I have a doc appt next Wed for a neuro exam, i might just mention these to him. Must go have a look at a medical dictionary!!

Thank you

OP posts:
MotherJack · 22/01/2011 00:04

Nope - not digressing. Entirely relevant.

GP's are generally not aware of chiari malformation. My son's GP told me she knew what it was as it was previously known as budd-chiari. WRONG!

Is it your GP that is doing a neuro-exam or a neurologist/neurosurgeon?

Original poster
missjulie · 22/01/2011 00:07

It is just my GP on Wed, the first line of enquiry, i guess!

OP posts:
MotherJack · 22/01/2011 00:20

Well, that's good. Just make sure you tell them everything, including the headaches. Ask them about Chiari, but make sure you know about it before you go.
Will you come back and tell us how you feel it went?

Original poster
missjulie · 22/01/2011 00:21

Thank you, I will research it before i go.
Thank you for taking the time to chat.
Yes, i will let you know how it goes!
xx

OP posts:
blinks · 22/01/2011 02:23

have you had things like B12, thyroid checked?

Original poster
missjulie · 22/01/2011 12:57

Blinks, no, i haven't.
I have been mentioning it to the doctor since a year past November, and they just keep saying to "monitor it". Saw a new doc recently, who is the one who wants to do a neuro exam on Wed, so this is the first things to be checked. Perhaps he sill take bloods?

OP posts:
Original poster
missjulie · 22/01/2011 13:14

Just thinking MotherJack re the headaches, i have suffered from bad headaches since i was 14, all are at the front of the head though, and then, in my late 20's developed into migraines, all behind my left eye, with the photophobia symtpoms etc etc, including having to lie down in a dark, quiet room etc....and would last 3 days.
On reading a little today, it says the headaches associated with the condition you talk about are mainly in the back/posterior part of the head?

OP posts:
MotherJack · 22/01/2011 15:33

I've just done a quick poll of my chiari mates.. all but one gets their headaches at the front (which is what my son gets, but no point in questioning him - he's 6! He never had pain in the posterior of his head though) - many of them talk about pain behind the eyes and 3 of them get severe photophobia with them. One of them suggested that migraines are all part and parcel of chiari. They are affected by whatever kind of headache/migraine they have for up to a week, but mostly 2 or 3 days.

It will be a miracle if the doctor you see knows anything about chiari, so I would suggest that you try to convince him to send you for an MRI... but it sounds like he's on the ball by pro-actively inviting you in for a test.

As I say, I don't want to worry you, but you have 3 symptoms of it - pins and needles, headache/migraines and banging in your head whilst giving birth and I think it's well worth asking the question.

Good luck for next week and looking forward to your update Smile

Original poster
missjulie · 22/01/2011 15:43

Crikey!!!
Thank you for doing that!
Mmmm!

yes, hopefully, this new doctor, is more on the ball. Shall see what Wed brings. Shall have a good chat with him, and suggest MRI.

Thank you!

Hope you have a good wkend.

Shall keep you posted! xx

OP posts:
Original poster
missjulie · 26/01/2011 00:49

So, seeing the doc tomorrow for the neuro exam, am all geared up and ready with my list of questions!
Shall keep you posted!
Hope you had a lovely wkend.
X

OP posts:
MotherJack · 26/01/2011 16:32

Hi Missjulie - how did things go today??

Original poster
missjulie · 26/01/2011 22:02

Hi!
I feel it went really well.
He did a full neuro exam (bearing in mind he is a GP), we had a big chat, and we discussed Chiari sciatica, and Chiari malformations, migraines etc.....he does not think it is this as my headaches and pins and needles do not coincide. However he is listening to me, and appreciates this is not normal. He took bloods today, to test for any vit or other deficiencies which could be causing it, and he is going to do some research he said. He is puzzled by it. I have some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands, but not all of them. He said if the bloods come back fine, and if he has no luck after doing some research that he will write to the neurologist, who shall probably wish to do tests such as MRI at the hospital. I have to go back next Wed to discuss blood results, and to take it to the next stage.

Many thanks for your advice, and for asking re today. Hope you are well. xx

OP posts:
MotherJack · 26/01/2011 22:27

I'm good thanks. And I hope you have been well these past few days too. I'm so glad this new doctor seems to be taking you seriously.

I need to say, however, that headaches and all other symptoms of chiari do not generally occur simultaneously. I don't even need to do a poll on that Smile Most GPs are puzzled by Chiari - even with an MRI diagnosis of Chiari, most GPs don't understand it - so my best advice to you, from the bottom of my heart is, now you have an understanding ear do not give up until you have an MRI which confirms it is not Chiari. You do not want to wait until you have it's sidekick, Syringomyelia, to find out if it is. And an MRI might tell you what it is if it isn't. Win win.

As an aside, have you ever had whiplash/been in a car accident?

Original poster
missjulie · 26/01/2011 22:29

Thank you!
I too am pleased he is listening! I shall keep on harping on, don't worry!

No, never had anything like that. Why?

Glad you are good.

Am having a very productive few days!
As of today, i am a SAHM! Handed in my resignation today, and am very happy!

x

OP posts:
MotherJack · 26/01/2011 22:58

Ahh. it can sometimes bring it on... as can lots of other things, but car accidents are notable. Hand on heart, it's the weirdest, most damnable thing I have come across. I'm going to metaphorically prod you until you end up getting an MRI. Whilst your GP probably suspects neurological he has not one clue about chiari. I am stating that as absolute fact. Tell him that you will set me on him, and I'll bring my son Wink

Incidentally, it's very rare for such young children as mine to be a) symptomatic and b) diagnosed. Most chiarians develop over their lifetime, starting in teens and usually with headaches. You have to be almost obsessed with it, like I am, to know that. GPs aren't.

I'm sure you don't have it. But I want the proof Wink

Wow - SAHM, eh? Good for you. I have my own company so my boss is very understanding of my need to not work out of the home IYKWIM Wink

Original poster
missjulie · 26/01/2011 23:11

Lol!!! What a good boss!!!!
I shall require prodding!!! Thank you!
Am away to bed right now, but shall catch you later. Had very little sleep last night, as DD was wide awake and wanting fun and games until 3am, and i had to get up at 7!
Night night, thank you. xx

OP posts:
Original poster
missjulie · 02/02/2011 07:14

Got the doc today, to get my blood results, and see what the next step is. Keep you posted.
Hope all is well with you. x

OP posts:
MotherJack · 02/02/2011 13:46

Oooh, yes - please do Smile

All well here - son in school so am having a clearout whilst he isn't about to decide he wants everything!!!

Original poster
missjulie · 02/02/2011 17:14

Glad all is well. Do you fancy popping in here to do some clearing out? Lol! Hope he doesn't mind!

Well, blood test results back, all normal. Despite the fact that i asked for them 9 1/2 months ago, i have now been given diuretics, to see if it helps with the oedema i still have, and as a result helps the pins and needles. Did a diary for 24 hours, and got pins and needles 24 times!

Got to go back a week on Fri for more bloods, to test for things less common - may take up to 3 weeks to get results.

When those results come back, if things are no better, referring me to neurologist.

Got a few other post birth probs discussed too, some with good news and others bad!

Thanks for caring. x

OP posts:
MotherJack · 03/02/2011 22:20

Have sent you a personal message Missjulie - check your inbox (top of page next to log out/log in) xx

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