Should I see a neurologist?

Posted by gigiraj @gigiraj, Mar 27, 2019

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice. I posted to the Digestive Health Group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gi-disorder-and-internal-shaking/) about heart palpitations which have then since stopped. My main problem is constipation, which has plagued me for five years. As of late, I've had a few brain fog episodes and internal vibrations (seem to originate from pelvic area) as well as sensations of pressure sliding up and down arms. I do feel vibrations and tingling similar to when a limb falls asleep but I don't know if that is because I have poor circulation (I used to bike 4 miles a day so not sure why I would have poor circulation).

My doctor heard the word "tingling" and instantly referred me to a neurologist. Does this sound serious enough for that? or should I be going to a GI or cardiologist?

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Definitely, check with a good neurologist. Good luck to you :-).

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@gigiraj A neurologist will tell you what specialists they think you should see and order tests. They will probably check your thyroid function, because if it is too high, it causes heart palpitations ( so can asthma and breathing issues), and too low thyroid function causes constipation and fatigue and weight gain. Tingling can be aggravated nerves and/or circulation issues. I have thoracic out syndrome which would be an example of that due to compression of nerves and blood vessels in my shoulder. If dietary changes and drinking adequate water don't help the constipation, it could be thyroid related. That would be a good place to start.

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@jenniferhunter

@gigiraj A neurologist will tell you what specialists they think you should see and order tests. They will probably check your thyroid function, because if it is too high, it causes heart palpitations ( so can asthma and breathing issues), and too low thyroid function causes constipation and fatigue and weight gain. Tingling can be aggravated nerves and/or circulation issues. I have thoracic out syndrome which would be an example of that due to compression of nerves and blood vessels in my shoulder. If dietary changes and drinking adequate water don't help the constipation, it could be thyroid related. That would be a good place to start.

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Oh wow, that's good to know. I thought they just did brain scans and stuff. Thank you!

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Yes Neurologist first, Endocrinologist second. Hypothyroidism can cause brain fog, constipation and the internal tremors. Good luck!

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@kathystl

Yes Neurologist first, Endocrinologist second. Hypothyroidism can cause brain fog, constipation and the internal tremors. Good luck!

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@kathystl oh okay, thank you. I did do tests at my campus' health center for thyroid twice and they both came back normal 🙁 so here's hoping the neurologist will be able to direct me where I need to go.

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@gigiraj l see a neurologist to rule out seizures after my liver disease and also my TBI. I have a cardiologist for my heart and now l am going to a internist doctor and they are like PCP but they are

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If this helpful, my Mayo neurologist ordered all kinds of tests. I saw cardiologist there that way. I was tested for lots of ailments, I have a autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis like my profile says, seems to affect my whole, and yes there's tingling.

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Some of the things I have thought about reading what you wrote...first....papaya is great for constipation. The natural fruit. Not from a can. It has digestive enzymes that will regulate your stomach. Try it. It works wonders. Eat it daily. Another thing...Did you see a good internist first? I suggest a full CBC panel and urine culture to start. Another thing...you seem very fearful, which I understand. Your thoughts are everywhere. I do know that movement in what you are feeling in your arms, and tingling may call for a neurologist, but I am just a person, not a doc. Do not be afraid of a neuro doc. He is just another doc that studies brain and nerves. I also suggest something like yoga. Something to ground you.....Best wishes.... Lori Renee

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@Erinmfs

If this helpful, my Mayo neurologist ordered all kinds of tests. I saw cardiologist there that way. I was tested for lots of ailments, I have a autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis like my profile says, seems to affect my whole, and yes there's tingling.

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@user_chdb5e8ac thank you, that's good to know. It's good to hear that neurologists can refer patients, I thought it would be a one-stop shop kind of thing. I'm looking up Myasthenia Gravis right now and will keep it in mind but the frustrating thing is that there are lots of different disorders/diseases that I've been looking into and I'll vaguely fit 3/10 symptoms but not all. I am also seeing a Mayo Neurologist so hoping they can get me a bunch of tests!

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@lorirenee1

Some of the things I have thought about reading what you wrote...first....papaya is great for constipation. The natural fruit. Not from a can. It has digestive enzymes that will regulate your stomach. Try it. It works wonders. Eat it daily. Another thing...Did you see a good internist first? I suggest a full CBC panel and urine culture to start. Another thing...you seem very fearful, which I understand. Your thoughts are everywhere. I do know that movement in what you are feeling in your arms, and tingling may call for a neurologist, but I am just a person, not a doc. Do not be afraid of a neuro doc. He is just another doc that studies brain and nerves. I also suggest something like yoga. Something to ground you.....Best wishes.... Lori Renee

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@lorirenee1 Thank you for the suggestion!! Natural fruits like prunes have definitely been helping (vs Colace and Miralax which don't do anything at all) so I will definitely try the papaya. I had never heard of an "internist" before you and @techi suggested it. I have been looking for a PCP so I'll asking about the CBC panel/urine culture. I've had lab tests at the campus health services and they all came back normal but I'm......not sure I trust that, considering what's been going on.

And I'll consider yoga because you're right, I'm very fearful. I can suppress it on most days until I see a weird spot on my arm or my muscles twitch and then I get really panicked. I appreciate that you picked up on that, it's hard to keep under wraps.

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