Tingling - A Barometer Of Anxiety

[purple butterfly]

I am wondering if anyone experiences constant tingling in their hands and feet. I have had these symptoms for about 5 years after radioactive thyroid treatment to treat a hyperactive thyroid . The endocrinologist said it was impossible to have chronic tingling after the thyroid was stabilised. A neurologist has done all the tests to rule out MS or any other neurological issues.The tingling is definitely a barometer of how I am feeliing.

My psychologist thinks the treatment was the last straw in a history of anxiety, that I now know is due to PTSD. I have been diagnosed with PTSD for about 6 months. I was married for 30 years to an alcoholic, who died two years ago and a history of subtle emotional neglect and abuse from an early age (all another LONG .....story for another time). It is only since my husband died that PTSD has surfaced. I never felt grief just suppressed anger.

It would be great if any one has any suggestions to help control these symptoms. I am currently on 90 mg of Cymbalta. This is helpful sometimes, but not in times of triggers or stress. I am trying mindful meditation and trying to stay grounded, especially by walking.

Any suggestions would be gratefully accepted.
Purple Butterfly

 

[purple butterfly]

Just seen my T and I am looking at exploring what behavior / emotion my anger has been transformed into. I don't feel anger, I am usually numb, scared or anxious. I have just wondered whether the constant tingling in my hands and feet is a barometer of anger. I guess time will tell.

 

[simplekindofgirl]

Purple butterfly- I do not have tingling, but I do feel my heart beat/pulse at the ends of my fingertips on a constant basis. When anxiety is higher, it becomes more intense. I did not have this prior to PTSD. Did you have this symptom prior to PTSD?

 

[Srain]

Hey PurpleButterfly, I just saw this thread and yes, I get these same sensations with anxiety and paranoia. I call my fear "paranoia" because that's my need to acknowledge that these symptoms left unchecked really do go to such an extreme.

I first noticed the tingling and numbness prior and during Migraine episodes but have since found it happens when hyper-alert. I wonder if it can be traced to disruption in breathing techniques?

Hugs,
peace and healing,
Rain

 

[maddog]

I think that any intense emotion that is being suppressed (whether consciously or unconsciously) can often displace into a physical symptom or pattern of symptoms. I know I experience this with out of control shaking and trembling, which is an indication to me that I am more frightened, anxious, distressed or otherwise emotionally aroused than my mind is capable of processing at the time. Fever-like sensations are another less common, even more extreme, manifestation for me, and at its worst I can honestly feel as though I am coming down with the flu - the psychological flu, as I've been known to refer to it.

The unfortunate thing about this form of displacement is that it can trigger anxiety and emotional distress all its own - afterall, who hasn't worried that unexplained tingling or numbness is a sign of impending stroke, or a racing eratic pulse is indicative of a heart attack rather than a panic attack?

In some ways I think our bodies are much better at displaying and subsequently resolving emotional distress than our minds are, it's just that they only get called in on the act when the distress is already very extreme.

Maddog

 

[Srain]

I'm curious, do you often experience a sore throat as well? I tend to get these along with literally losing my voice.

Good points, Maddog! I so often forget this vital information even as I repeat these symptoms, argh.

 

[shell]

I get tingling and body numbness all the time, I was discussing it last week and was asked whether I thought it was due to the rape or my mothers abuse. I've noticed I seem to get it during flashbacks of the rape, although my face can tingle as soon as I get slightly anxious about anything. I been suppressing most emotions since about six months ago, when I was not coping, it got worse then.

 

[Ted Moen]

Tingling is a pretty common anxiety symptom. I get tingling in the extremities and scalp. It feels like a headband. When we perceive threat, our bodies redirect our blood flow to support intense reaction to the threat (generally to key organs and systems, away from extremities). It's part of a flight or fight response. Theraputically, it tells us something has triggered stuff and set off some intrusive thoughts and feelings and we need to take a break from what we are doing and process the intrusive thoughts and feelings, or at least be very careful about whatever we do in our current situation and in any decisions we make.

Ted

 

[purple butterfly]

Thank you so much for these replies, when no one initially responded to this thread I thought it must just be an individual oddity!
Srain: I have wondered too if it is a result of continual shallow breathing.
Simplekindofgirl: The tingling appeared before I was diagnosed with PTSD, but I have suffered from trauma all my life. It started after radioactive thyroid treatment and has never stopped. At the time I was terrified of this treatment and was a trauma in itself.

It is so comforting not to feel alone.

 

[simplekindofgirl]

((((Purple butterfly))) You were and are never alone.

 

[Gamereign555]

Indeed. One of my first tells of anxiety is the tingling on my hands, feet, face and my nose. If you did have something else, ptsd would only aggrivate it more I'm sure. I also get tingling or numbness along my ribcage area where the diaphragm is, even cramps.
Just take a look at the number of views, people out there are curious about this so you must not be alone.

 

[purple butterfly]

Thank you gamereign555

I am still not sure about other people's experiences with tingling.
I am so appreciative of any experiences people can describe with body tingling.

Thank you everyone that has posted. One of my concerns is that I am never without tingling in my fingers and toes , it is just about degrees of tingling!!!!!!!!!!!