[Newbie27]

Hi
Been to my GP this evening as I have been having mid back pain for three months, which I think it's posture, however mid June I started to develop intermittent pins and needles in my forearms and hands and in both feet, this only happens when I'm a sleep and sometimes wake up with dead arms maybe twice a week, or numbness
Pins in needles in my feet are a light feeling sensation however I have had full blood work clear, and diabetes clear cholesterol slightly raised,
My gp shocked me tonight saying it could possibly be motor neurone disease, or MS, I was mortified when he said this?...he said he would refer to to neurology to have some tests
I'm worried sick now shall I just wait or go private, and do u think he is right by saying possibly MND or MS they know how to scare folk

[Stacy2012]

Your dr is saying what it COULD be. Which could be anything at this point until you have real tests done. MS is thrown around alot when dr's don't know, especially when it comes to neurological symptoms.

Don't panic until you KNOW.

I would definately go to a specialist. You don't want to wait for symptoms to get worse.

[Newbie27]

Thanks for quick response
What other condition could it be
I'm really freaked out I'm only 38

[Stacy2012]

You will keep freaking yourself out with all the "what it could be" situations. Too many broad symptoms to ask that question, which is why the dr gave you the answer he gave you, MS, because your symptoms CAN be neurological.

Someone else here may venture to give you a guess, but really, it means nothing until you go to the dr and run some tests.

There are many people that have neuropathy on this board that are 20 years old. Disease does not age discriminate.

Your biggest piece of mind will come from knowing, not guessing.

Do you drink a lot of alcohol?

[echoes long ago]

Newbie, you have back pain. your pins and needles in your hands, forearms and feet could well be from impingement on you spinal chord from a bulging or herniated disk. It also seems to be at least partially position dependant since the numbness is worse after you sleep which could also indicate a back problem as a possible cause. is it your cervical spine that you get pain in?
its too early to know what is causing your symptoms. you need testing to find that out. your gp doesnt know either. in my opinion it was a stupid statement to make at this time.

[Susanne C.]

My symptoms at 37 were not very different from yours, except that my feet were always numb. I would wake up with my arms asleep several times each night. The first test my neurologist did was a brain scan to rule out MS, it seems to be in the forefront of a lot of doctors' minds these days, but it was ruled out.
I was found to have hereditary neuropathy, CMT, the diagnosis was complicated because I do not have a clear family history. Anyone with neuropathy in your family? My symptoms actually started in childhood but were brushed off as clumsiness and laziness.

[Newbie27]

no i dont drink alcohol, im just freaked out with the doctor saying it could be MND??

[Newbie27]

no there is no nuropathy in the family there is chrohns and my mum had bad circulation,
the dostor i saw last night quoted that it could be degenerative neropthay hence he said either MS, OR MND

[Susanne C.]

Originally Posted by Newbie27

no there is no nuropathy in the family there is chrohns and my mum had bad circulation,
the dostor i saw last night quoted that it could be degenerative neropthay hence he said either MS, OR MND

But he isn't a neurologist and you haven't had any testing done yet, right? It is terrifying to have a doctor throw out some scary guesses, but that is all they are. Please try not to get carried away with worst case scenarios, it is probably not one of those, he was just thinking out loud, which was irresponsible since he really is just guessing at this point. Many people here have had your symptoms, and most of us do not have progressive neuropathies.

[Newbie27]

Originally Posted by Susanne C.

But he isn't a neurologist and you haven't had any testing done yet, right? It is terrifying to have a doctor throw out some scary guesses, but that is all they are. Please try not to get carried away with worst case scenarios, it is probably not one of those, he was just thinking out loud, which was irresponsible since he really is just guessing at this point. Many people here have had your symptoms, and most of us do not have progressive neuropathies.

i went back to GP last night and saw the most senior GP at the practice he did an examination on my feet and touch stokes etc moving toes, said all bloods are ok, and he cancelled the referral to the neurologist he said just keep a dairy, he said its not motor nurone or MS i daont have the symptoms for that however today i went swimming only managed about 20 lenghts and was shattered normally d about 40 my back was kiling me after, last night i woke up with my arm bent and my right forearm was numb and ring finger and little finger numb. however im due to see a chriopatectioner tommorow im not having any manipulation just a digital posture analysis and they do in house plain X-rays? do u think it worth having a plain X-ray