“Pins and Needles” sensation (arms, hands, upper back)

Posted by otter2154 @otter2154, Apr 18, 2021

So it’s looking more and more like I have persistent asthma. A recent HRCT revealed nothing of concern per my pulmonologist, a radiologist, a cardiologist. There was no bronchiectasis and my upper right lobe is apparently the sole asthmatic lobe as it is the one producing all the mucus (and it’s been very busy). I have to work pretty hard at times to remove the mucus; aggressive throat clearing, forced coughing ... it gets tiring! At times I “thump” my chest to get it moving. Lately I’ve been having a “pins and needles” sensation down my arms, into my hands, and in my upper back. It’s generally gone in the mornings (I actually sleep well) and reoccurs as the day progresses. I think it’s from the (at times) aggressive and ongoing throat clearing and forced coughing. (Or perhaps a side effect of Symbicort.) has anyone else with excess mucus issues experienced this same issue?

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@otter2154 - if it's not one thing, then it's another! Right? I'm glad that you have your lung issue straightened out even if it's not ideal. It sounds as if you have a pinched nerve, or you are sleeping incorrectly. Have you changed your position for sleeping recently?

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That’s so true. The nerve thought makes sense ... I may be irritating nerves with my improvisational mucus removal techniques. I sleep in the same position every night, all night, pretty much as long as i can remember, which is on my left side. This is seemingly good though as I think it drains the mucus from my problematic right lobe (which may be why this doesn’t bother me at night). Maybe I need to find some less violent ways to get this stuff up and out.

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@otter2154

That’s so true. The nerve thought makes sense ... I may be irritating nerves with my improvisational mucus removal techniques. I sleep in the same position every night, all night, pretty much as long as i can remember, which is on my left side. This is seemingly good though as I think it drains the mucus from my problematic right lobe (which may be why this doesn’t bother me at night). Maybe I need to find some less violent ways to get this stuff up and out.

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@otter2154- I didn't suggest that it is related to your thumping and bumping. It's a good thing to try and lessen it and go from there!

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I have coughed, cleared and thumped for a lot of years, and maybe I'm just lucky, but that has never caused any pins and needles. I would say you more likely have some kind of nerve entrapment/impingement in your neck or spine that occurs when you are upright, but not while asleep. It would be worth a consult with your doc, and maybe evaluation by a physical therapist.
Do you notice any particular activity or position causes it or makes it worse?
Sue

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@otter2154 How frustrating to still not have solid answers.

Members like @fnglover @lucky1038 @thomason @1065408 @fiesty76 @oldkarl @rvan @dulwich @rits @godfather2 @bump have recently discussed similar issues and may be able to offer suggestions, information, or support.

May I ask if there are next steps?

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would have been nice to have an answer, I thought maybe it was lost ...

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@sueinmn

I have coughed, cleared and thumped for a lot of years, and maybe I'm just lucky, but that has never caused any pins and needles. I would say you more likely have some kind of nerve entrapment/impingement in your neck or spine that occurs when you are upright, but not while asleep. It would be worth a consult with your doc, and maybe evaluation by a physical therapist.
Do you notice any particular activity or position causes it or makes it worse?
Sue

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Thank you. It’s my own theory of course, yet I do think this may be from my forced coughing and the way I “slap” my upper chest to loosen the stuff. I think I’ve now noticed that it worsens immediately after doing this. Short term I’m going to handle this more gently to see if there is improvement. If it persists, I’ll reach out to my PCP.

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@erikas

@otter2154 How frustrating to still not have solid answers.

Members like @fnglover @lucky1038 @thomason @1065408 @fiesty76 @oldkarl @rvan @dulwich @rits @godfather2 @bump have recently discussed similar issues and may be able to offer suggestions, information, or support.

May I ask if there are next steps?

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Thank you for looping in others. At least for now, I think I may be causing this with my forced (at times violent) coughing and chest “slapping” to loosen the stuff in my upper chest. If it persists after taking a more gentle approach, I will advise my Dr.

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@otter2154

That’s so true. The nerve thought makes sense ... I may be irritating nerves with my improvisational mucus removal techniques. I sleep in the same position every night, all night, pretty much as long as i can remember, which is on my left side. This is seemingly good though as I think it drains the mucus from my problematic right lobe (which may be why this doesn’t bother me at night). Maybe I need to find some less violent ways to get this stuff up and out.

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Hi Otter. I too suffered daily with coughing and choking trying to rid my lungs of the mucus. Tussein Mucus and Cough has helped tremendously in thinning the mucus to a point where coughing is minimal. Tussein is similar to Mucinex but its emphasis is on mucus and not cough. It’s available on Amazon, or perhaps your local pharmacy carries the brand. Mine did not. Tussein was recommended by the hospital while recovering from pneumonia.

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