New Neurological Symptom

[SueAnn]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone else experiences electrical shock type symptoms.  I have been getting what I can only explain as lighting bolt zaps that last about 30 seconds to a minute on the back of my legs just above the ankles.  They start in one spot then zig zag out from there.   They hurt so bad that I gab my ankle and utter a bad word or two.    

Then this morning I felt a couple lighter zaps on other body parts.   

I do see a neurologist and I have been put on Imuran to help slow everything down.  I also tried Cymbalta, but couldn't take the zombie effect that it gave me.  He did tell my rheumy he didn't think the neuropathy was progressive, but if this isn't progressive I don't know what is.

Any information would be helpful.

SueAnn

[Carolina]

Hi Sue Ann,

I'm not a professional, for sure.

But I do understand that when nerves tingle and zap like that, if you have neuropathy, it can be part of your nerves trying to function. 

It isn't further progression, but more like firing in an attempt to connect again or function again.

If that makes sense.

It is a misfiring or even 'some' regeneration of the nerve.  A sign of life, as it were.

This is from the Mayo Clinic site: 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-neuropathy/DS00131

Most commonly, peripheral neuropathy starts in the longest nerves — the ones that reach to your toes. Symptoms vary, depending on which types of nerves are affected. Signs and symptoms may include:

Gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your feet or hands, which may spread upward into your legs and arms
Burning pain
Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
Extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch
Lack of coordination
Muscle weakness or paralysis if motor nerves are affected
Bowel or bladder problems if autonomic nerves are affected

Hang in there.

Keep us posted.

hugs

Elaine

[Debbie48]

I too have the numbness, tingling, burning, etc.  In legs, ankles, and feet.  I get the "shock-like" feelings too.  Not sure whether nerves are healing or going through more damage. 

Sorry  you are going through it too.  I know how diffcult it is.  I'm awaiting results of a small nerve biopsy that was done a couple of weeks ago. 

Debbie

[Piebird]

Sorry to hear about the zapping pain.

I have had peripharal neuropathy for years. I dont have much feeling below the knees and have no reflexs in my ankles. Also, most Dr.s cant find any reflexes in my knees.

The shooting pain sucks but I found that mine only lasted for a short time. For me it did not become a life long problem. I would rather have no feeling then pain. Also I can now stub my toe without a problem

[Patty]

That is related to neuropathy - I have the same sensations. It is a sign that the nerves are not healthy. When my health improves, it calms down. You need to treat the cause of the nerve pain/damage, not just hide the pain with meds. It has been my experience that this is tough to treat, though and the best you may be able to do is to find a med to help with the pain. I hope it calms soon. I know it can be very painful and stressful.

[irish]

I have the electronic shock type pain periodically. I usually get it in my lower legs or lower thigh muscles. It shoots like a knife or burn and can be miserable.

Lately I havae been having it in my bottom or "perineal" area. Just shoots and burns and I am thankful as can be that it doesn't stay cause in that area it is miserable. It stops me in my tracks sometimes. Neuropathy I woulc bet. Irish

[Joe S.]

The main time I receive electrical pain is when a lightening storm is close by. It tends to shoot through my body.

[SueAnn]

Thank you everyone for your input.  The pain hasn't been as bad lately and I have been able to on the bad words that come out when it happens. 

I had tried Cymbalta on two different occations and I just haven't been able to deal with the side effects so I will have to figure something else out if it gets any worse.

SueAnn

[artsyamerican]

My first bolt of lightening - in my legs was sooo scary! After a couple of years sounding and looking like someone had a voodoo doll of me...making me jump around....I found out I had peripheral neuropathy based on an EMG.  I have since been put on Neurontin and watch my sugar intake.  I am a Type 2 Diabetic and man oh man...the sugar really gets things going (in a bad way).  My neuropathy has now spread to my toes, feet, hips, etc....which is horrible.  I hope things get better for you. 

[valene2009]

yes mostly in legs and arms. but have had them in my eyes..that is the worst..

[Luna]

Wow, this is a wonderful topic. I do get these shocks. In my hands. Especially my fingers when I am touching things. I mentioned it to my rheumy and he didn't say anything about it. I assume it is neuropathy. So this post is very informative.

Luna

[eyeamdry]

Yep, neuropathy.  Before my diagnosis, one of the things that was weird and unusual for me was that I would get "pokes" on the  back of my hands.  This time is was as if someone stuck a hot needle on my hand.  It would let up after a minute or so and then I would get them all over during the course of a day.  I should say all over the back of my hands.  I hardly get them now, but do have similar things in my arms and legs.  I also have the shock feeling you all talk about. Lucy

[soycoffee]

I have had neuropathy (as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) since 2001. My legs progressed from burning in one toe to numbness that at its worst was over my knees to mid-thigh.

I sought treatment and got it, from a neurologist specializing in peripheral neuropathy. I am amazed at the number of people on this site who acknowledge the pains but don't do anything about them, or maybe try Cymbalta.

I don't understand having neuropathic pain and not finding a doctor that treats, and medicine that works.

Treatment I've tried includes Neurontin/Gabapentin, an effective pain killer, and the following:
IVIg -- An infusion that works in the case of CIDP, may not for some other forms, in which case there are other infusions.
Methyl B12 sublinguals -- Actually turns back the clock on the demyelinating, I believe. Shown, in my case, by EMG. Check your b12 blood level first, because the first dose(s) will improve the blood test, before even improving the symptoms.
Methyl B12 sublinguals are a case of a medicine that induces a "healing crisis" -- so that the first two weeks to two months *could* increase symptoms.

So there are treatments that take away the pain and the numbness, and as someone said above, when the pain goes away, the numbness comes, and with the numbness -- I can attest to this -- comes falls, because you cannot feel the surface under your feet. With the falls comes head injuries and concussions and with concussions comes dementia!

The Neuropathy Association can help with find doctors who are competent to deal with neuropathy, if your rheumy or PCP is not .

Soycoffee, shaking her head (and wagging a finger at some of you )