HomeAnswersNeurologytingling sensationCan multiple sclerosis cause face and limb tingling?

Does continuous tingling sensation on face, legs, and arms indicate multiple sclerosis?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nithila. A

Published At August 20, 2019
Reviewed AtOctober 9, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

About a year ago, I started with tingling symptoms on the face, which was most consistent but also arms, legs, and torso those are more intermittent on both sides of the body. At time B12 was low started taking it after a couple of months symptoms better. Also, I had regular neuro examination and normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and cervical spine. After a few months, I stopped B12 levels up then a few months after the same symptoms again and B12 low again. Started back on B12 symptoms went away in a couple of months. Last month it started signs yet, but still, on B12 it is very high 1270 so symptoms not due to that. Had another head MRI was normal. My cervical MRI did show moderate to severe changes throughout of narrowing of foraminal in all areas c3 to c7. Also flattening of ventral cord c3 through 6. I am anxious about it being multiple sclerosis.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. If your neuro exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and cervical spine are mostly normal, I believe that the symptoms may not be an indication of something serious. However, if the tingling persists, please get the following tests done. 1. Serum Vitamin B12 (to know if your supplements have worked). 2. Serum Vitamin D3. 3. Nerve conduction studies to check the conduction in nerves. I suspect all the tests will come out to be normal.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

In my note, I said my B12 was high now at 1270. I have not had vitamin D3 done. I had the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of head repeated, but the cervical spine was done about a year ago, but I had the same symptoms then.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Sorry for not noting the high vitamin B12 level. In the presence of normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and normal neuro examination, it is unusual to have multiple sclerosis. You may get nerve conduction studies done to rule out peripheral neuropathy.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

What about the coming and going of symptoms is how multiple sclerosis can be? Would it be odd to have peripheral neuropathy and have tingling in so many places? It is my face, arms and legs, and torso but arms and legs more left side some more intermittent on the right.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Coming and going of symptoms can be present in ms. But, in the presence of a normal exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is highly unusual. I agree that tingling over the face is not a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, and nerve conduction studies will help us understand if the tingling is due to any problem with the nerves. Other possibilities include anxiety and hyperventilation, causing tingling in hands and feet.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

With ms would the symptoms be the same when they come back? Seems odd for it to be anxiety and have it come and go. When I get this the symptoms last a couple of months. Some days better hardly any tingling then bad days. No other symptoms only I have this tingling.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a possibility in your case. But, as discussed, it is not the first possibility. Anxiety and neuropathy are more common than ms. As you said, it is also unusual for ms to have the same symptoms recur.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ambekar Sudheer
Dr. Ambekar Sudheer

Neurosurgery

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