What causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Your description of the sensory symptoms in your feet and hands is highly suggestive of a neuropathic problem. However, diabetes is a common cause of neuropathy in adults, but it does not seem to be on the top of the list of most probable causes for your symptoms. Because diabetic neuropathy is a gradual and chronic problem. It usually manifests around four to five years after diabetes initiation in persons who are not under diabetic treatment. Moreover, it extends gradually. Except in some rare cases, diabetic neuropathy first affects the toes and feet and then slowly extends upward. Therefore, your history of starting the symptoms two weeks ago in both feet and hands is not compatible with the natural course of diabetic neuropathy.

Your condition course is more suggestive of acute polyneuropathies or radiculopathies. Accordingly, the list of differential diagnoses encompasses some important problems such as autoimmune polyneuropathies like Guilian-Barey syndrome, paraneoplastic polyneuropathies, metabolic ones such as hypothyroid-related polyneuropathy or amyloid-related ones, and compressive or inflammatory radiculopathies, for example, due to a cervical discopathy or inflammatory ones.

To find the actual diagnosis, a comprehensive neurological examination is necessary. Moreover, screening laboratory blood tests are needed. A neurologist usually will conduct a paraclinic electrodiagnostic test that is called EMG (Electromyography) - NCS (Nerve Conduction Studies) to evaluate your limb's nerve function. Finally, an imaging study, usually a brain MRI, is needed to evaluate the presence of radiculopathy.

Kindly consult a neurologist to carry out the above-mentioned evaluations.

I hope this information will help you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I understand the appointment issue.

At present, to alleviate your sensory complaints, capsaicin cream may help partially. It is usually sold over the counter; however, do not use it if you are allergic to any pepper compounds or capsaicin itself. Other medications to alleviate neuropathic pain need a prescription. Drugs such as Gabapentin, Pregabalin, or Duloxetine can decrease neuropathic pain. You need to request your primary care physician to prescribe them for you. Finally, please avoid any significant physical activity or lifting heavy objects, and be aware of any weakness. If you feel progressive weakness in your legs, hands, or both, go to your physician or a hospital urgently. Please feel free to contact me if you need a second opinion or consultation.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.