Electric jolt sensations in face, hands, and ar... - Thyroid UK

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Electric jolt sensations in face, hands, and arms, with a side of chest pains.

ChipRoberts profile image
12 Replies

Hey all. I'm new to the community, came here looking for help on my issue, as I can't see a decent doctor until I'm off of home detention. My issue is this: For several days now I've been experiencing sensations similar to jolts of electricity in my face, both hands, and both arms. They started off as only coming up occasionally, but starting this morning they've been constant and pulsating, meaning they lessen to a point but don't go away, then become more intense again, repeatedly without letting up. This has been coupled with occasional chest pains. Some have been somewhat intense, but not too bad. Most though have just been enough to notice they're happening, and none of them have lasted much more than a minute or two. Has anyone else had this issue and been given a professional, official diagnosis of any sort? Is it anything to be too terribly concerned with? And help or professional/experienced advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: I would also like to add that in the past on a few very very rare occasions I've had these electrical jolt sensations, but only a few times, and they stopped coming up within a half an hour of starting. The last time before a few days ago was a little over a year ago. It also wasn't coupled with any chest pains back then.

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ChipRoberts
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12 Replies
BadHare profile image
BadHare

Hi Chip,

The sensation could be paresthesia: ninds.nih.gov/disorders/par...

Perhaps mention this to your doctor, for clarification, as the chest pains should be investigated.

I've had this for several years, & been informed it was one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It's lessened since I started taking NDT.

Mel

Hoxo profile image
Hoxo in reply to BadHare

Have you had your B12 levels checked? Neurological symptoms, and chest pain/palpitations can be a sign of B12 deficiency.

Or the other thing that can cause head jolts but don't think it applies to you in this instance is withdrawing from SSRI antidepressants.

mrcav profile image
mrcav

what I presume is that u might be having depression or a neurological problem if I am right better u consult a general physician and if needed under his suggestion better u approach the relevant doctor for your problem.

Angus1 profile image
Angus1

I would say it's hormonal as women can get these type of symptoms going through menopause. The jolts are in your nervous system so taking omega 3, magnesium, V B12 may help.

Please fill in your profile so I can find out a bit about you and your medical history.

regard Angus1

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Angus1

Angus, Chip is male. :)

5858 profile image
5858 in reply to greygoose

LOL

jjnz profile image
jjnz

Have you recently quit something , or stopped taking a medicine. ?

If not it could be "clonus" or it might be that you are deficient in something like magnesium.

If these jolts are as a result of ceasing or tapering down of antidepressants you should be able to trigger them occasionally by moving your eyes.these are commonly known as "headzaps or brain zaps"

Mouldyoledoll profile image
Mouldyoledoll

I have this regularly, and thought it was the seroxat I'm on, it gets worse when I try coming off it

Heloise profile image
Heloise

Some good comments below and questions only you can answer. If you have low thyroid numbers, that can certainly do it both from a physical standpoint with pressure against nerves and muscles or chemical with low B12, serotonin and dopamine. Short video explains. Something not often mentioned is the neck curve. If you find your head is too far forward it interferes with good blood, nerve and cerebral fluid flow. You could immediately start with a good ABSORBABLE magnesium and a sublingual B12.

youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_CP7l...

Hoxo profile image
Hoxo

I had them very bad after coming off Seroxat. It was awful. Like an elastic band snapping repeatedly inside my head. At the time (2004) my Dr had never heard of these side effects. Also happened to a lesser degree after coming off Prozac a couple years later. Then I went on NDT and not needed anti depressants since.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Welcome to the forum, ChipRoberts.

Chest pain should be investigated. My GP practice auto telephone greeting advises patients with chest pain to attend A&E immediately.

The electrical shocks may be related to the chest pain but may also be due to other reasons. B12 deficiency commonly causes electrical shocks, tingling and numbness.

b12d.org/b12-signs-symptoms...

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

Rett713 profile image
Rett713

Hi I had similar pains, started in one wrist/ hand for a year then suddenly in space of 24 hours spread to both hands, arms, left leg and face, didn't have chest pains though. I had no end of tests nhs and private saw rheumotologist, neurologist and no one found any explanation. All the gave me was pain relief and didn't treat the cause. They looked at my thyroid bloods and said they were normal so wasn't that. So all in all they were all useless. I had brain scans as well and nerve conduction tests on my wrists, all normal. As far as I know no one tested my B12, or if they did they didn't tell me so they must of presumed it was okay - this was before I did my own research. They ruled out MS, lupus and various other things. This went on for 18 months then I went vegan and gluten free, saw a naturopath and they suggested taking B12 and vit D and after a few months pains in arms, hands and face went but still have pains in feet. Have since switched to NDT and now taking iron as ferritin was low, and also upped B12 to 5000 lozenges (was on ,1000). I'm hoping when levels all 'normal' again I'll get rid of the foot pain as well. The only test I have left to do is adrenal one as have symptoms for that too, hopefully doing this week.

So I guess don't hold out too much help with the medical profession (I saw 2 private consultants and 2 nhs). They were useful in ruling out anything abnormal with brain scan and ecg and blood tests for MS and others (although we all know how unreliable blood 'normal ranges' are) but other than that you have to do your own research and change lifestyle and make sure you are getting the optimal levels of vitamins and minerals etc. That your body needs.

Good luck

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