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Phantom drops of water on shin, arm. Symptom?

puncturedbicycle profile image

I haven't been diagnosed w PA, but tests showed as soon as I stopped supplementing b12 my levels were falling like a stone and I had symptoms (numbness, foot pain, restless legs, tinnitus). A private doctor offered a b12 injection and I thought, hmm, I can do that myself, so I got info via the b12d site. I did the loading dose + doing monthly (subcutaneous) injections for about a year now. Also have lichen planus and am on ldn and levo/liothyronine for Hashi's.

I've had a recurring feeling of a drop of cold water on my bare right shin, exactly like if you were wearing shorts and dripped a single drop of cold water on your shin. Often it will happen somewhere (on the street or in the kitchen) where I might have trod in a puddle or dripped water on myself, so I look down to find my leg thoroughly covered in my dry trouser leg and/or sock and no water to be found. It happens a few times then goes away for a while.

Today the same thing happened on my right arm, below the elbow, as I'm sitting on the sofa typing.

Is this a thing? :-) Anyone else have it? Benign neuro phantom or important symptom I should bring to the gp?

I googled it and it could be an early symptom of peripheral neuropathy - ? But not much other info.

Thanks in advance. :-)

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19 Replies
LtAngua52 profile image
LtAngua52

Yes I get that too. I just put that down to neuropathy as well. Only on my legs and face so far. I did have a spate of feeling as if a hairdryer was being blown on my shins, so hot, but of course nothing there. One of the joys of low b12!

Galixie profile image
Galixie

I occasionally get that symptom. For me it usually feels like a drop of cold water on my head. When my B12 level is good, most of my symptoms go away. I've been fortunate that my B12 level has been kept at a good place for the past year, so I've not experienced that symptom lately.

I've always thought that it was benign (but annoying!), so I've never bothered a doctor about it. If you find it alarming, you might want to mention it the next time you have an appointment.

Valgal5 profile image
Valgal5

I have had this symptom for years, although I was only diagnosed with PA this year. In the past, I was sent to neuro, and they didn't find anything. I totally understand being concerned, and I sometimes hid the symptom thinking I was going bats feeling water in my hair and dripping down my legs. Mention it to your doc when you go next time. Just know that not all docs are aware of this symptom.

Fennella02 profile image
Fennella02

I've had this intermittently - calves and face, backs of hands. I do think it's neuropathic in origin but as it hasn't persisted for more than a week or two, I haven't worried about it.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

Thanks so much for all the replies!

I have never approached a doctor about b12 (had one private doc who was sympathetic and informed but no others) but have had symptoms for many years. The thing is I have just injected, maybe a week ago - ? There was maybe a longer-than-normal gap between last two injections, but hard to imagine I'd have 'run out' within a week or two...

Glad to hear no one knows this to be anything but an odd or annoying tic.

Thanks again. :-)

Lisahelen profile image
Lisahelen

I get this, on my arm, like a rain drop when im in the car its most noticable as no open windows etc.

Sallybones profile image
Sallybones

I've had the same for quite long periods and I'd feel my leg to wipe the non existant water away!! I also sometimes felt I could feel heat near me and I would check the radiator to see if it was on!!! It wasn't and I actually knew it wasn't but it felt so real. Lots of odd symptoms like that but they come and go, rise and fall then a new one comes along.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support

I'm not a medically qualified person so I wonder why you are "doing monthly (subcutaneous) injections" whereas the recommended Treatment of cobalamin deficiency

is:

"Current clinical practice within the U.K is to treat cobalamin deficiency with hydroxocobalamin in the intramuscular form outlined in the British National Formulary, BNF,

Standard initial therapy for patients without neurological involvement is 1000 μg intramuscularly (i.m.) three times a week for two weeks.

The BNF advises that patients presenting with neurological symptoms should receive 1000 μg i.m. on alternative days until there is no further improvement.

However, the GWG recommends a pragmatic approach in patients with neurological symptoms by reviewing the need for continuation of alternative day therapy after three weeks of treatment "

Or are you using Methylcobalamin?

Danstags profile image
Danstags

Hookworms...definitely a hookworm infestation. I had similar ecmxperiences in every way...it was hookworm nightmare.

HiNRG profile image
HiNRG

I woke up and within minutes had the sensation of a cold drop of water falling on my ankle in the same for exact spot. It happened about 20 times, no matter how I moved and then stopped.

Creative-Critter profile image
Creative-Critter

I have been having same sensations. It feels so much like a drop of water that I look around for the source. Happens on both my forearms. Sometimes thigh. It is kind of creepy wish I knew what it was.

Michael39 profile image
Michael39

It's not a medical thing. It's a spiritual thing. I have cool drops of water splash on my skin everyday. Some times they're tiny drops on my ankle, shin or face and sometimes they're huge splashes of cool water on my shoulder or arm. This has been happening for years to me. I thought I was the only one. Truth is...we are being blessed by something. I'm not sure what it is. I've been thinking about telling a priest but then it'll just be a Catholic thing. I was raised Roman Catholic and the only way I could explain this strange phenomena is that the cool drops or splashes of water are blessings. I don't know what you believe in or what your spiritual background is but it sure as hell ain't a medical thing. Think about it...cool drops of water splashing on us from nowhere. It happens to me mostly in my house when I am laying down. But where does it come from? Wish I knew. Maybe you should start considering that it may be God!

JVan23 profile image
JVan23

This started happening to me very recently, like within the last 3 months. It's very strange, especially describing the sensation to someone else they look at you like you're crazy. I've felt l these cold drops of water on various parts of my body, mostly my lower legs, arms and around my shoulders. It's such a real feeling I look expecting to see water droplets everytime but there is never anything there, nothing to wipe away. Nice knowing I'm not the only one experiencing this odd sensation. I'm 29 and in good health, dont suffer from pain really..just average for someone who works in healthcare on their feet alladay but nothing to be worried about. Thanks for sharing!

LolaSam profile image
LolaSam

Common symptom of MS.

Mihai24 profile image
Mihai24 in reply to LolaSam

But if nothing is shown on IRM and nobody confirms that it might be MS, it is almost impossible to be confirmed, without experiencing any other symptom of MS that might be even more painful and disturbing.

Carlton1313 profile image
Carlton1313

I have been experiencing the same sensations. It’s like there one droplet of cold water lands on a part of my body and I freak out because there’s nothing there.

Has anyone tried anything herbal to treat this?

I’ve booked in to see a psychologist to manage stress and anxiety.

Could someone please elaborate on PA for me and Neuropathy?

Raunak08 profile image
Raunak08

This has happened to me a number of times over the years, the most recent being a couple of hours ago which has got me here. It's always the same I am indoors, its it is not raining, there is no sign of leak in the ceiling and for no apparent reason I feel a small drop of water on my skin.

Today it was three or four times on my hands arm but I have felt all over the body over the years. I feel it the most when I expect it or think of it .I have also felt it when my legs are under the table.

For more information you can read discussions section and significance section from this Evidence for the involvement of peripheral cold-sensitive TRPM8 channels in human cutaneous hygrosensation (journals.physiology.org/doi...

Human skin wetness perception: psychophysical and neurophysiological bases (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Mihai24 profile image
Mihai24

I am experiencing these symptoms for 5 months now and it is terrifying....I have done any test possible, cerebral IRM, EMG, EEG, cervical Doppler, blood tests, allergy tests, gland tests, gastrointestinal tests, but nothing came back with a clear understanding of what can cause these sensations and doctors keep telling me that nothing is wrong and redirect me to a psychiatrist, most probably to take some anti depressive and anxiety pills. I took Gabapentin for 2 months, calcium and B6&B12 supplements, but nothing helped. Only Gabapentin gave me some small relief and I was able to sleep without feeling the sensation when I would wake in the middle of the night. After stopping this medication, it all started back with higher intensity.

A particular neurologist told me that this is the standard procedure of doctors, as when they are unable to give a diagnosis, they redirect to anti depressive to exclude any "anxiety and stress" disorder.

When this started I was not very stressed, but I did work with a lot of monitors and late hours and I still think that it might be something physical that is inflamed, such as neuro-muscular excitability and some nerves damage.

Has anyone else found relief of these symptoms with other practices? Acupuncture, yoga, medication etc.

Thanks guys!

Raunak08 profile image
Raunak08 in reply to Mihai24

This has happened to me a number of times over the years, the most recent being a couple of hours ago which has got me here. It's always the same I am indoors, its it is not raining, there is no sign of leak in the ceiling and for no apparent reason I feel a small drop of water on my skin.

Today it was three or four times on my hands arm but I have felt all over the body over the years. I feel it the most when I expect it or think of it .I have also felt it when my legs are under the table. It doesn't depend on the wetness but on how wetness sensors are working. For more information you can read discussions section and significance section from this psychology journal- Evidence for the involvement of peripheral cold-sensitive TRPM8 channels in human cutaneous hygrosensation journals.physiology.org/doi...

u can also check this [](ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

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