Hi Judy. Larry has not experienced this but I wonder if you posted this in the message board under "Stroke survivor support" you may get more results.

Julie

Judy :

I also get that tingling sensations from time time, it comes & goes so I just plow through it on days like that. I am sure doctors can prescribe some meds for that, but I am afraid to take any unnecessary meds since they all have way too many side effects.

Asha

Most likely nueropathy --- Gabepentin or Elavil are the drug of choice to assist with this problem... Dan tried not taking his gabepentin for awhile -- it didnt work out so good -- the aching and pain he felt was awful... interestingly enough morphine does little to nothing to help with this pain - cause its not "real" it is a "trick" your brain plays on your body... it is like the amputees who still "feel" their legs after they are gone... same type of thing... your doc - no offense to him or her should know this - it is relatively common amongst stroke survivors... however I AM not a medical pro -- i have just had about every stroke side effect thrown at me as a caregiver to my husband...

Thanks all...I will post it in the stroke survivor support board as well.

Judy: I would suggest an evaluation by a Physiatrist - note the spelling, this is a muscle Doctor and there should be one at his Rehab or the Hospital where he was treated.

As Nancy mentions, it may be neuropathy, but the muscles are easier to rule out first. If he is experiencing overtoning, simple tests to rule out.

As to Neuropathy. There are nerves in the brain with insulation (white matter) and ones without (grey matter). The white matter have like homing devices. They will spend forever trying to find their way back to their damaged ends or hook up with other white matter. There is a lot of white matter in the brainstem - all the basic body functions are there. But his Neuro would know this.

My other concern is new exercises or an increase in exercise from PT? Could he have strained something, new chore or way of doing something?

So worth looking into. Your explanation really gives a lot towards the diagnosis. Tingles and needle are generally associated with nerve damage and the nerves trying to reconnect. There are no pain sensors in the brain - so you would not feel heat, sharp, stabbling. But think about things "tunneling" and that sensation. Call the Neuro, get the consult for the Physiatrist. Debbie

I will talk make an appt with his neuro and discuss the physiatrist with him. Nothing new in PT or any type of strain...I had thought of that. He has had some tingling, etc., but nothing this severe. Really causing him a lot of pain and discomfort. He is not one to complain, so I know it has to be bad for him to be down with it. What exactly is overtoning? Sorry I am new to all this. Thanks all.

H i Judy, I do now and then get tingling , some times on my right side, then on my left. It comes and goes. I noticed that if Iam tired, or over done it by walking to much, I get it really bad. So I go and laid down, relaxe and feel much better. I have not gone to my doctor who I like alot, but running away from more meds.

Yvonne

Judy: all muscles work in pairs-one flexor and one extensor. Sometimes in brain injury, one muscle gets more input than the other. When that happens with the big guy, overtoning. If you feel Bruce's affected thigh - the top is rock hard. When it gets over-stressed, the entire leg jumps all over the place and this happens in his sleep. That is the largest muscle in the body and it is getting way too much input. If it overpowers its smaller flexor, it will also over power everything else in his leg.

Now this does not happen immediately post stroke. It is most common at 9 to 18 months post stroke. Makes sense really, once the brain swelling goes down and stuff starts to reconnect. But what happened with us is NO ONE even mentioned it. It set Bruce back 18 months.

My thinking is that if this tingling and pain is close to his hip, other muscles may be overcompensating, causing stress and pain. If he has to swing his hip to compensate lower leg muscles, it may be causing a strain. But again, this is an easy check up with a Physiatrist. One less thing to rule out. And really Judy after speaking with the Neuro, you may find I am totally out to lunch. Just a thought.

The description of "tingling" almost always brings up nerve pain and as Nancy will tell you and any Diabetics here (for me it my Carpal Tunnel) finding a solution takes a long time. Heat and Ice don't work, or elevation. Rest will relieve some. But was just considering some things you might want checked out in the meantime. Debbie