Pins and needles

[[He...]]

Hello I have gotten good responses on another forum support group, but thought I'd start a new thread devoted solely to pins and needles to get a more detailed explanation of what is going on with me, if anyone can explain it further.

 

I get a feeling of pins and needles that start at the top of both arms and go all the way down to my forearms, hands and fingers all day long. Is this what is called nerve pain or is it an entirely different wdsx?

 

I do NOT get burning.

 

It's just an awful and intense feeling of pins and needles that comes and goes all day long. If it is gone for a while, it returns when I move my arms. It's like a million little pins and needles are sticking me. It might not even be described as "pain" but more as a horrible feeling.

 

I might add that I have arthritis in my cervical spine. Don't know for sure if this is a maybe a pinched nerve and causing my newly acquired pins and needles or if it is actually a wdfx.

 

I know that pins and needles is a common wdsx but I am trying to decipher the difference between pins and needles, and neropathy, or are they different things but caused by the same nerve pain?

 

Thanks if anyone can explain this further.

 

Heathcliff

[[no...]]

Heath  type pins and needles into the search box  lots of threads on pins and needles  will come up   http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?action=search2

 

 

 

 

 

Love Nova xxx  :smitten:

[[Jo...]]

Hey heathcliff-- just letting you know i have experienced pins and needles in both hands and feet for a while (along with other strange sensations like burning skin, muscle zaps, etc..) I've been to two neurologists, 3 pdocs, orthopedist,  had MRI's on the brain, neck, spine, had 2 EMG's- all came back normal. It was at this point I finally accepted it could be w/d from years of taking z-drugs. Its been almost a  year and I can say that the pins and needles have improved significantly (about 70%).  When I first quit c/t they were intense for several months and didn't notice much improvement till about 10months in. I don't know if they will disappear fully for me.  I can't even say i even know 100% if its w/d, related -- but I believe it is.

 

Neuropathy pretty much describes a condition where there is damage to your nerves--pins and needles can be a sign of neuropathy.  However, you can have pins and needles and NOT have neuropathy (i.e. no real nerve damage).

 

All I can tell you is that PLENTY of people experience pins and needles/ parasthesia from benzos and Z-drug w/d.  My recommendation is to get checked out for neuropathy by a neurologist (he'll run a bunch of tests, EMG, etc..) and tell you if you have neuropathy--then maybe check an orthopedist (who can better asses if it could be related to arthritis in your spine. Arthritis in the spine can definitely be a cause).  If they clear you, chances are its probably W/D related.  If so.. there's nothing left to do but hope and pray it goes away.  Good luck. Keep us posted.

[[Kr...]]

Hi Peeps,

I had pins and needles in my hands prior to my jump (prior to even knowing that I needed to jump).  After which my hands 'peeled' and went bright red and felt raw.

 

Once I jumped, I had pins/needles from my knees down and from my elbows down.  This happened imtermittantly, and usually at night (but not always.  It was very painful during acute, but didn't happen often.    Now (I believe I'm between Phase 2 and 3 - getting some good windows, but also some weird waves), it doesn't happen often, but I still have 'raw' hands 60% of the time, my nails aren't growing properly and the tips of my fingers get very sensitive and painful at times.

 

@Joe23:  I have been worried about Neuropathy.  One Doctor took a look at my hands,  did a couple of tests on my feet and said 'neuropathy';  I chose not to believe him i.e. I am hoping and believing that it's 'transient' and that the WD symptoms are 'mimicking' neuropathy (someone here said the Ashton Manual mentions the 'mimick' of neuropathy).    I did have quite a numb part of the bottom of one foot for some months, but that is disappearing, so I am ever hopeful.

 

You appear to have had all of the tests that I am being denied, and I'm just wondering whether you have also had incredibly dry and raw hands and problems with your nails, and whether it improved.  (My hands seem to be improving but my nails are getting worse).  Hope you can help shed a little light on this.

[[Jo...]]

Hi Kristiana538

 

I can't say I experienced the peeling raw hands or the improper finger nail growth based on your description.  My fingers did get painful at times and then the pain would come and go. Now they are mostly gone. Some doctors don't like to give further testing (due to cost, insurance, whatever...) but I would recommend that you be your own advocate and insist on getting some tests done if you are worried.  Emphasize how worried you are, that it is impacting your quality of life and causing distress.  Sorry that this is the only "light" I can shed.  Its a good sign that the numbness in your foot is disappearing.. definitely sounds like WD..How long have you been experiencing your symptoms and been off meds.  Keep us posted.

[[Kr...]]

I'm pleased to say that since my first post, my fingertips are no longer painful (I no longer have to wear cotton, then rubber or nitrile, gloves, to do ANYTHING).    My nails are still frayed but have peaked above the quick so also not painful (fingers x'd).  My hands are still red, but I think this is a 'toxic' reaction to chemicals, experienced by some chemo patients.    It started with pin-prick pain all over the palms of my hands and prompted me to CT when I finally realised all my sx's were zopiclone related!! (then disovered via Ashton, that I'd been in 'tolerance withdrawal' for at least a couple of years).

 

I also had terrible pins and needles sensations waving up my upper torso, face and head,  whenever my stomach wouldn't empty (gastroparesis) and my Blood Pressure would spike high as well.  They were really painful sensations and I had to almost do a liquid, gluten free diet, until the nerves healed a little (I also used domperidone which I've been told is illegal in the States - it worked wonders, but I over-used it and eventuallly had a reaction - vertigo;  luckily my stomach is generally working reasonably now - although I'm careful not to eat much red meat - I have re-introduced dairy and wheat, but still have to eat small meals - large meals repeat the acute symptoms and make me very uncomfortable physically and mentally). 

 

Yoga helps too, and while I've walked and walked, I now have two callouses on each foot, which are a little worrying - once again I'm hoping it's 'transient' neuropathy.  Someone else said their butt-cheeks  has neuropathy too, and I have to admit, there are 2 numb spots where I sit, and after a long road trip, I did end up with an ulcer, which took cortizone cream to heal.

 

I haven't had more tests.  I don't think much could be done apart from what I'm doing.  However, I do have an appointment with a gastroenterologist, who I'm hoping with help me transition from omeprazole to carafate than nothing.  He will be able to refer me to a neurologist, so I'll have the conversation with him.  At almost 8 months out, I'm going to wait for a year before I want any definitive diagnosis on my health.  (ever - hopeful, despite this horrendous voyage!!!)

 

Thanks for replying Joe and @Heathcliff - I hope you're having some relief from our symptoms?  let us know?  I had similar with my hands and it was excrutiating (I also had it with my forearms and lower legs/feet during acute occasionally, but it passed).