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What Causes Prickly Feeling In Arms And Legs And Tightness In Chest?
Question: someone I am very friendly with was experiencing some uncomfortable symptoms this past weekend. She had a prickly feeling in her left arm and left leg.....and also a burning hot sensation in her left leg that kept her awake most of the night last night. she did not feel well this entire weekend and looked tired Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. She told me she had a tightening in her chest and stomach, and was experiencing some heart burn and loss of appetite. Monday night she left work to go to the emergency room for several hours because she really didn't feel right. They conducted several tests including a CATSCAN, but found nothing conclusive. She didn't feel well today after being awake all night, and went to the doctor's office again where they did more tests including an MRI. Her sister had a severe stroke at approximately age 43 in August 2005, but these symptoms do not sound like a stroke - no blurred vision, drooping muscles or inability to move limbs. At age 55, she has had no health problems up to now, is slim, and eats a very good diet. Her leg is not swollen, so it appears there is no tumor in her leg or arm that is blocking fluid flow, however I told her until she gets the results in two days that she should elevate her leg at a high level since the condition seems to get worse when she is lying stationary in bed or sitting at a desk. Perhaps she has a circulation problem or heart problem. Could it be angina or a partial blockage?
Brief Answer:
It doesn't seem to be ischemic cardiac angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern about a possible chest angina (an ischemic cardiac problem), it doesn't seem to be likely according to her complains history and pain characteristics (a prolonged pain that is modulated by posture: it's getting worse when sitting at a desk). A prolonged pain with those characteristics doesn't sound as of cardiac origin. A resting ECG coupled with cardiac enzymes test (blood exams), and a cardiac ultrasound would be helpful to rule our the raised suspicion (I am not sure if she could perform an exercise stress test at her conditions). But I believe that all these tests have been performed already. Could you bring the tests results (upload) please! There are specific cases, when patients with ischemic heart disease at low or intermediate coronary risk level, and inconclusive test results, have discriminated their hidden cardiac origin of complains by performing a coronary angio CT scan (a triple rule out protocol for studying aorta and pulmonary arteries too, would be preferable).
I don't know the results of her performed tests (blood and imagine tests). She performed CATSCAN and MRI, but, could you explain please, what body regions were investigated? Could you send the conclusions (upload) please?
On my opinion after checking routinely all body systems (inclusive careful physical examination, blood tests and some imagine tests) we should redirect our attention to neurological domains (although she hasn't blurred vision or drooping muscle, etc) as there are some neurological pathologies that could display such a clinical scenario. Yes, (if the above mentioned tests are OK) she has to consult a neurologist.
Hope to have been helpful to you! Greeting! Dr.Iliri
It doesn't seem to be ischemic cardiac angina.
Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern about a possible chest angina (an ischemic cardiac problem), it doesn't seem to be likely according to her complains history and pain characteristics (a prolonged pain that is modulated by posture: it's getting worse when sitting at a desk). A prolonged pain with those characteristics doesn't sound as of cardiac origin. A resting ECG coupled with cardiac enzymes test (blood exams), and a cardiac ultrasound would be helpful to rule our the raised suspicion (I am not sure if she could perform an exercise stress test at her conditions). But I believe that all these tests have been performed already. Could you bring the tests results (upload) please! There are specific cases, when patients with ischemic heart disease at low or intermediate coronary risk level, and inconclusive test results, have discriminated their hidden cardiac origin of complains by performing a coronary angio CT scan (a triple rule out protocol for studying aorta and pulmonary arteries too, would be preferable).
I don't know the results of her performed tests (blood and imagine tests). She performed CATSCAN and MRI, but, could you explain please, what body regions were investigated? Could you send the conclusions (upload) please?
On my opinion after checking routinely all body systems (inclusive careful physical examination, blood tests and some imagine tests) we should redirect our attention to neurological domains (although she hasn't blurred vision or drooping muscle, etc) as there are some neurological pathologies that could display such a clinical scenario. Yes, (if the above mentioned tests are OK) she has to consult a neurologist.
Hope to have been helpful to you! Greeting! Dr.Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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