What Causes Intermittent Poking Sensation In The Upper Right Quadrant Of The Back?

Posted on Mon, 9 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 9 Apr 2018 Answered on

Mon, 4 Sep 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : i have an intermittent "poking" sensation in my upper right quadrant of my back... it comes and goes... and seems to be more present when I am very hungry or just after meals. I also have some foot/leg swelling, which is making me anxious (I am very sedentary - sit most of the day)... because of a possible heart problem. I am wondering if my "shortness of breath" - also intermittent, settles down when I get busy - is partially related to health anxiety. I am a smoker, long-term, and have an inoperable voicebox polyp for many years.
Can you give me a sense of the reason for the "poking" sensation in my back.. not pain, per se... just "poking".
YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Paresthesia/Spine involvement

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The oxygen saturation and blood pressure are normal. The poking sensation you referred is most likely paresthesia which refers to a poking or prickling sensation. The spine (especially cervical and thoracic region) should be examined and an MRI can be advised based on the level of suspected lesion/pathology. It can be due to degenerative spine, compression vertebral fracture, osteophytes leading to nerve entrapment at one or more levels need assessment. Nerve conduction studies can be done to look for other causes including demyelination. B12 and folate deficiency can also present in this way and should be measured in the lab as part of the workup in consultation with your doctor.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad