It might be an odd numb spot on your back, a hand that gets tingly, or a foot that burns so bad you can't bear to take a step. Those are all nerve sensations called paresthesias, which can also make you itch or give you a crawling sensation. Paresthesia is common in those of us with fibromyalgia, and it's also associated with peripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy drugs, multiple sclerosis and migraine.
I have a lot of paresthesias, all over the place. I can't handle even the lightest touch on some spots on my back and legs, and it's not because of allodynia -- it's because of a sensation I can only describe as an intensely painful "tickle." My rheumatologist/acupuncturist was stunned at how sensitive a spot on my back was during one session; I'd jump when she got about an inch from my skin, even though I couldn't see her hand. I also have milder ones, like some numb spots on my left foot and random tingles in my hands.
Paresthesias don't seem to make sense. They're typically associated with damaged nerves, which isn't part of fibromyalgia (though it's common in some overlapping conditions.) So why do we get them? Nobody knows for sure, but 2 likely candidates, based on what we know of the condition, are:
- Central Sensitization: over-active central nervous system believed to be at the core of fibromyalgia.
- Ischemia: essentially, when a body part "falls asleep" due to low blood flow. We're all familiar with the pain of the blood returning to a foot that's asleep (call reperfusion), and some researchers believe that's behind at least some fibromyalgia pain.
When paresthesias aren't painful or disruptive, they're not something that needs treated. When they are painful, you've got several treatment options, which you can learn about in the Painful Paresthesias section of 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain. The doctors most likely to understand paresthesias and how to treat them are neurologists. My neurologist actually told me, "No one believes in these things except us neurologists, 'cause we see them all the time."
What kind of paresthesias do you get? Are they painful or just odd? Have you found anything that helps? Share your experience by leaving a comment below!
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- The Monster List of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
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I’ve always had numbness in my left foot and a lot of pain in both feet. I also get lots of strange sensations in my legs (creepy crawly feelings, stingy, burning feelings, and restless legs. For years, I took Flexeril (a muscle relaxant) which helped a lot but I’ve been off that since I started on Lyrica two years ago. Lyrica has helped me a lot in general but I need to be on the maximum recommended dose (100 mg three times a day) to get the pain relief I need. The only problem with that is that it worsens the “fibro fog”. But I have to live with that!
Other than the medications, I haven’t tried alternative methods of pain relief like acupuncture since I’ve always been “needle phobic” but maybe I’ll give in one of these days and give it a try.
I suffer this awful tingling pain in my wrists, forearms, and legs. If I am able, I take hot showers and hot baths as often as possible. I also use a massage hand held tool and rub across the pain for at least 10-15 minutes. I find that it does help. Also, lots of prayer!!!!
In January, 2009 I slipped on some ice and slammed my left knee into the sidewalk. I’ve developed some pretty bad arthritis due to that fall.
But what I’m wondering about is, now when I wake up and take my first few steps, my whole left leg feels like it’s on fire. I’ve thought that the nerve running down the outside of my leg had been damaged in the fall. But my OS doesn’t think so.
Well, then could it be my fibromyalgia rearing its ugly head? It’s only on my left leg, above and below my knee.
I was diagnosed with FMS in 1993. It has been progressive ever since. I was able to get myself into remission in the summer months for years with dedicated excercise and the use of 10 ml Amyitripteline at night for sleep, relaxation, pain relief and urgency issues. Added xanax a few years ago, again very small dose of 12 1/2ml (1/2 of a 25ml pill) at night or when very anxious. Both work wonderfully. Added many supplements, meal adjustments, etc. but now at 53 do not have many good days. This all began with muscle pain and fatique and now in later years is all about nerve pain and WOW! its not fun!! Just started seeing a acupunturist.(sp?). Biggest concern is if progressive, what comes after nerve damage, pain, etc.? Full disability? Still work, but for how long??? Help any info great!
I’m a weird case because I’m a treated male hypothyroid patient who realized very early on into my treatment that I have co morbid Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but is actually a mix of it and FMS. I had a brain MRI done a bout two years ago and was negative for apparent neuro diseases. I’ve suffered neuro type symptoms with my “syndrome” including muscle weakness and joint aches. My thyroid treatment is too well optimized to be causing these ongoing symptoms due to insufficient treatment.
Now as of late my very occassional nerve type aches have increased, so I have a neurologist appointment escheduled for late next month. I have the bruning sensation and tingles of the feel but also have stabbing pains in lots areas of my body. I for example, have a stabbing pain in my right mid-thigh area that then travels up to my side, causing an ache there and then swirling around my upper back (very weird). This causes a person to have anxiety reactions, especially at night when trying to sleep but I feel certain, despite my need to rule out another problem via a neurologist, that mine is CFS/FMS related.
All I can say is that these syndromes cause some mighty strange bodily sensations!
i get an excruciating burning pain on the right side of my mid-upper back. my left big toe is almost always numb as well, i plan on seeing a doctor tomorrow, but does anyone have any remedies?
amd53 I have been battling fibro and cfs. for approx. 10 yrs. now and recently (approx.6 mo or so) i began to have bad muscle spasms/parastheisa. Lyrica is known to have these 2 side affects but does not state them on their list. I am in so much more pain than you can begin to imagine. I can hardly move at times. I was always very active and it is tiresome to be so sednetary. At the age of 50 yr my BMI was that of a 40 yr old. now God only knows. Any suggestions would be most grateful. Thank you Kindly Ann Marie
I started with a spot on my upper left back, relatively small area but the pain was intense. I had a burning sensation, almost like my skin had been burned. Clothing touching it, my blanket, or light touches would send me through the roof. A firmer touch would make it feel more numb than painful. Cold chills were also very painful. I was treated for shingles without a rash but it didn;t help, I took Elevil, and nuerontin..no help. It has been about 3 years since my first complaint above and I have new spots. On my left outer thigh above my knee, i have something called meralgia parthesethica. I started feeling a cold area on my leg, I would think some water was splilled on me but when you would look down it would be dry, it then turned numb and the painful burning came on. My mid to upper back, both sides has a new area that is numb, like a pin and needles feeling or a crawling sensation. It is annoying but doesn’t bother me unless I get cold, then it feels painful. My symptoms get worse after I have done too much, either physically or if i get too stressed. Starting cymbalta today and hoping for some relief.
I’ve had CFS/FM for over 20 years, and nerve pain has always been part of the constellation of weird symptoms. Right now I’m experiencing nerve pain on one side of my torso and upper thigh. I just went through hurricane Irene, which was extremely stressful, and I’ve always noticed the nerve pain comes on when I’ve been stressed or when I am about to have a bad bout of unexplained fatigue. I haven’t found anything to help it.