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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Marci on April 13, 2001, at 22:01:15
I don't know quite where to post this, or how to find
out what is causing this.My skin feels somewhat deadened lately, sort of numb.
It also itches, particularly at night when trying to fall
asleep, the least little thing touching it sets me off, yet
when I go to scratch it feels numb, like the itchiness
is inside and I can't reach it. I also get sharp, stabbing pains
in my legs or wherever, usually at night when trying to
fall asleep. It often takes me a good couple hours to fall
asleep.I once had this numb feeling on Zoloft, but haven't
taken that for quite awhile. I recently went off of
Paxil (3 weeks ago?), then started on Effexor, for only
2 days before I lost my nerve to take it anymore.
That's been a good couple weeks I quit that.Since I'm off all antidepressants, I would think this
feeling should have gone away by now. Doctor says it's
anxiety, I don't know. I suffer from both depression
and anxiety.I'm wondering if it's the spastic colon medicine I'm on,
it's called dicyclomine (brand name: Bentyl), take one before
every meal. I've looked up the side effects, and none
say numbness or itchiness.Anyone have any ideas what is wrong with me? It's most
disturbing and I want it to go away! I'm also extremely
impatient lately, cranky and moody, and am easily
upset just by things like going to the grocery, I feel like
I want to scream, and I get this feeling of "unreality."I've posted before, but no one ever answers me.
Thanks,
Marci
Posted by JohnX on April 14, 2001, at 4:45:22
In reply to Skin feels numb and tingly/itchy, posted by Marci on April 13, 2001, at 22:01:15
> I don't know quite where to post this, or how to find
> out what is causing this.
>
> My skin feels somewhat deadened lately, sort of numb.
> It also itches, particularly at night when trying to fall
> asleep, the least little thing touching it sets me off, yet
> when I go to scratch it feels numb, like the itchiness
> is inside and I can't reach it. I also get sharp, stabbing pains
> in my legs or wherever, usually at night when trying to
> fall asleep. It often takes me a good couple hours to fall
> asleep.
>
> I once had this numb feeling on Zoloft, but haven't
> taken that for quite awhile. I recently went off of
> Paxil (3 weeks ago?), then started on Effexor, for only
> 2 days before I lost my nerve to take it anymore.
> That's been a good couple weeks I quit that.
>
> Since I'm off all antidepressants, I would think this
> feeling should have gone away by now. Doctor says it's
> anxiety, I don't know. I suffer from both depression
> and anxiety.
>
> I'm wondering if it's the spastic colon medicine I'm on,
> it's called dicyclomine (brand name: Bentyl), take one before
> every meal. I've looked up the side effects, and none
> say numbness or itchiness.
>
> Anyone have any ideas what is wrong with me? It's most
> disturbing and I want it to go away! I'm also extremely
> impatient lately, cranky and moody, and am easily
> upset just by things like going to the grocery, I feel like
> I want to scream, and I get this feeling of "unreality."
>
> I've posted before, but no one ever answers me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Marci
Hi,I'm not sure about the medication you are on, but you may want to consult with a neurologist with regards to the numbing/tingling/anxiety etc if your moodiness is not too severe (In which case a psychiatrist may be important). Your physical symptoms may be caused by anxiety, but it also could be excitotoxic like transmission. Probably you may be prescribed an anti-convulsant like Neurontin or Depakote. Anti-convulsants can treat tingling/numbness/headaches and many other ailments but they are also good treatments for mood-swings (often used as a 1st line treatment for bipolar aka manic-depression).
Good luck,
John
Posted by Marci on April 14, 2001, at 14:52:18
In reply to Re: Skin feels numb and tingly/itchy, posted by JohnX on April 14, 2001, at 4:45:22
> Hi,
>
>I'm not sure about the medication you are on,
>but you may want to consult with a neurologist
>with regards to the numbing/tingling/anxiety etc
>if your moodiness is not too severe (In which case
>a psychiatrist may be important).Hi!
The doctor I mentioned IS a psychiatrist. I
described the weird symptoms I'm having and he
didn't seem concerned. When I pressed as to what
could be causing this, he said most likely
anxiety.>Your physical symptoms may be caused by anxiety, but it also
>could be excitotoxic like transmission.Can you say that in plain English, please? :)
Thanks,
Marci
Posted by Sunnely on April 15, 2001, at 0:42:59
In reply to Skin feels numb and tingly/itchy, posted by Marci on April 13, 2001, at 22:01:15
Hi Marci,
Could it be restless legs syndrome (RLS)? Theoretically, the SRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Zoloft, Effexor, etc. may aggravate it due to to serotonin's effect on dopamine (inhibits dopamine action).
++++++++++++++++++
> I also get sharp, stabbing pains
> in my legs or wherever, usually at night when trying to
> fall asleep. It often takes me a good couple hours to fall
> asleep.
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 15, 2001, at 7:48:19
In reply to Skin feels numb and tingly/itchy, posted by Marci on April 13, 2001, at 22:01:15
This is cool: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Mood-stab-stim-for-anger.html
--It says its about anger, but it also mentions how to get rid of irritability
Posted by JohnX on April 15, 2001, at 22:35:16
In reply to Re: Skin feels numb and tingly/itchy, posted by Marci on April 14, 2001, at 14:52:18
> > Hi,
> >
> >I'm not sure about the medication you are on,
> >but you may want to consult with a neurologist
> >with regards to the numbing/tingling/anxiety etc
> >if your moodiness is not too severe (In which case
> >a psychiatrist may be important).
>
> Hi!
>
> The doctor I mentioned IS a psychiatrist. I
> described the weird symptoms I'm having and he
> didn't seem concerned. When I pressed as to what
> could be causing this, he said most likely
> anxiety.
>
> >Your physical symptoms may be caused by anxiety, but it also
> >could be excitotoxic like transmission.
>
> Can you say that in plain English, please? :)
>
> Thanks,
>
> MarciMarci,
Sorry for the scientific mumbo-jumbo. The neurons in your brain transmit messages using chemicals (neurotransmitters) and electrical means for stimulation. An analogy is how data is transmitted in a computer (your brain being the most sophisticated computer on earth). For some people the neuronal transmission occurs at unreasonably quick or slow pace. If over stimulation occurs in an area of the brain controlling motor (muscular) movement, it could cause epilepsy. If it occurs in an area of the brain that is associated with pleasure/alertness, it can cause mania. If it occurs in extensions from the central nervous system to the nerve sensors in your extremeties (hands/face/etc), then it can cause tingling or numbness. Anxiety is also caused by excessive stimulation in the anxiety part of the brain. Hence the suggestion for the anti-convulsant (nerve impulse clamp).
SalArmy4me posts a good link to a page that describes some uses of VPA (aka depakote, an anti-convulsant) for your symptoms.
-John
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