Tingling, pins & needles in hand and foot

[BirdByBird]

Hi, I've just gone through IVF and a week into the medication I started getting tingling, pins & needless and a feeling of numbness in my left hand and foot. I also get an off and off burning sensation in my left thigh too. It's only ever down the left hand side of my body.

I hoped it was just a side-effect from the IVF meds but they stopped a month ago and I'm still struggling with these sensations on and off most days and they are making me feel down down and anxious.

I of course spoke to my fertility clinic about it and they hadn't heard of that as a side effect before and so referred me to my GP, who also doesn't know what it is/what caused it/how to treat it.

They say could be some sort of nerve agitation and that I'd need to be referred to a neurologist for maybe an MRI scan.

It's really worrying me. I've tried to research it myself (I know not to pay too much attention to what I find out via google) and the symptoms bring up MS, fibromyagia, Parkinsons Disease (which my Granddad died from), chemical toxicity (i'm about to go for a blood test to check my vitamin levels now).

Was just wondering if these symptoms could all be caused by anxiety? I've never had them before in all the years I've suffered with anxiety and it seems very coincidental that they only came on a week or so after I'd started strong hormonal medications.

Any advice welcome.x

[Cmoinjoco]

I’m actually going through this now. My hands and feet and parts of my leg go numb/tingle/burn. My doctor said anxiety but didn’t really run any tests to rule out anything. I did have a clean CT scan a few weeks ago. I’m seeing a chiropractor for other issues and she said possibly a bulging disc, but I’m not sure! It really freaks me out. I’ve been dealing with this for over a month. The MS freaks me out.. but I’ve heard it would not just start suddenly with numbness/tingling? I hope we get some answers soon! Stay strong.

[BirdByBird in reply to Cmoinjoco]

Oh poor you too! But it's good to know we're not alone. If you've had a scan that'd rule out so many red flag things, so at least you have that huge reassurance. Try to focus on that if you can. It looks like this is a common anxiety symptom so I'm just trying to tell myself that it's harmless anxiety again. Harder than it seems though, obviously! I hope you've had a good day.

[JaneN40]

I’m having the same too - I’ve had this for a month now and I believe it’s anxiety. I’m trying to ignore it and focus on other things as I know it will pass. We must keep telling ourselves this. Easier said than done x

[Cmoinjoco in reply to JaneN40]

I am trying to ignore my symptoms too but it’s so hard! When I am busy I do not really notice the weakness/numbness/tingling in my arms and legs but moments like right now are so hard because it’s consuming my thoughts! I’ve never had symptoms last this long

[JaneN40 in reply to Cmoinjoco]

It’s really worrying and I’m exactly the same in having this for over a month now. I can’t believe anxiety can cause such awful and alarming symptoms but I’ve read so much online and spoken to people including my doctor who are convinced it is anxiety. I’m holding onto the fact it’a a bad phase and it will pass. Yoga stretches are good in morning - look up stretches for anxiety as it loosens up muscles etc. Also, go for short walks to get rid of the nervous energy. Wishing you a good recovery from this.

[BirdByBird in reply to JaneN40]

I keep trying to tell myself that it's only anxiety too and when I can manage to focus on other things, it doesn't bother me as much, so I'm trying to keep busy and distracted. I'm sorry you've got this too but it's nice to know we're not alone!

[JaneN40 in reply to BirdByBird]

Interestingly I did some diy and cleaning this afternoon - focused physical activity with radio on. No symptoms. See how long it lasts!

[BirdByBird in reply to JaneN40]

Oh well done! I too have had a good few hours or even a whole day when I haven't been too bothered by these symptoms and I have to remember that. If I can go one day, I can go another day, and maybe 2 days, and 3. And also that if it really was a terrible degenerative illness, it probably wouldn't come and go, it would just keep on getting more obviously worse and worse.

Keep on keeping on!

[JaneN40 in reply to BirdByBird]

Definitely - we soldier on. My house is going to sparkle