Okay, I need some help here...

For the last few weeks, occasionally when I stand and start walking, I suddenly feel tingling down my arms and across the back of my neck at the base. Then the tingling also starts at the top/temples of my head. Then I start to feel light headed. I race to sit down, and I get kind of short of breath, but I make sure to breath slowly so I don't hyperventilate. I almost fell down the stairs this morning, but had the smarts to sit down as soon as I felt it come on. It couldn't have been low blood sugar; I'd just had an egg.

I don't know if this is MS related, or if it's cardiac, or if the pcp should handle it. So I haven't called anyone.

Any ideas, friends?

I used to have that when I was starting a relapse. I hope that's not what you're having.

Also, it can happen if you rise too fast or turn too fast...or have vertigo coming on.

Debbie,
I would suggest getting in to see your PCP or Neuro and have it checked out...better to be safe than sorry.

I'd get checked out, as Snoopy suggested. Better safe than sorry for sure!

It could be anything from low blood pressure, to migraine, to a medication side effect (have you recently changed medications, including over the counter?).

I have to be very careful when standing, and stand up very slowly. I have low BP, and I am used to getting really really light headed when standing up (I've had my vision go 'black' and had to grab the kitchen counter before after standing up quick to rush to the kitchen).

The tingling etc + light headed/dizzy had me thinking migraine. Again, best to get checked out and I hope you feel better.

Didn't you just have an episode of chest pain and tingling/numbness in your arms? Sounds like the doctor needs to investigate a little further and find out what's causing these sx.

I get light headed, too, if I stand up too quickly or move my head too quickly. It's not dizzy like a spinning sensation but just a feeling of unbalance that makes me unsteady on my feet.

I hope you'll tell your doctors about this and let them try and decide what's causing all these sx. Feel better....

Yes, Kitty, I ended up in the ER several Fridays ago from chest pain/tingling in arms...they thought it was MS related after doing ekg and echocardiogram...

I have also been experiencing double vision every day the last couple of weeks, but only for an hour or so. I have read here that it has to last more than 24 hrs for it to be a relapse, so I haven't called the neuro...besides, every time I call/see him, he pooh poohs all sxs, so I don't bother calling anymore...

I feel better today...I hate going to docs...I know my pcp thinks it's all stress related, since my inlaws are also her patients, and she knows how stressed I am about having them under my care...she told me last month to back off of being so involved, or my health would take a severe hit, as I'm already unhealthy...but if I feel funky again this week I will call her...

hi debbie,

it's too bad that your drs don't give your sx's validation.
maybe you should consider someone who will listen to you.
i'd tell your dr (i'd call your pcp) that your sx's are real and have been going on long enuf that you could rule stress out. it's time to start looking at other options.

it may not be MS related.

when i was working my job was so physically demanding (12 hr day) that my BP was sky high. that job was trying to kill me. when i retired i got healthier.
so, some of it could be stress related. but, i'd still look into it further.

let us know.

I have dizziness and trouble standing too. My balance issues are steming from a combination of spreading RSD and degrading cerebral atrophy. Talk to your neurologist. Your condition may be a case of nerves shorting out near the cerebral area. Just a thought...

Jimbo

1st question is blood psi before & after you stand? Blockage? Bad valvae? Eating enough? Ear issues? I reduced fish oil from 3000mg to 1000mg cause I was getting a bit dizzy.

When I got my spinal cord injury & lay flat for 3 months, they had to little by little raise my upper body with wedges. 3 months after that in rehab hosp they strapped me to tilt table for 1/2 hr/day. Heart had to get use to pumping again.

Call the PCP just to be safe. And if they rule out anything heart related you can call Dr Wynn and let him know. At least it will be on record then. I've had this in the past and it might have been med related, stress or MS. I know how you're feeling, because when you have so much going on, it can be hard to know just what is causing it. Just try not to worry about it too much. At least if you get it checked out you should be ok.