OpenHealth Q&A

Global Nerve Pain: Seeking Insights

Greetings, I’m a newcomer to this community and find myself in need of insights regarding a persistent issue that’s been challenging me. I’m a 30-year-old male who started facing widespread nerve discomfort about two years ago. This sensation is akin to brief electric shocks, often under one second in duration, affecting virtually every nerve pathway across my body. It's intriguing, especially since I work as a physical therapist specializing in nerve-related conditions. The sensations vary; they don’t all occur simultaneously but tend to shift around, affecting different areas such as my legs, arms, chest, face, and back. During flare-ups, I also notice an uncomfortable sensation resembling a burn on the roof of my mouth, accompanied by a jolt that travels up my spine. I haven’t encountered any weakness, numbness, or urinary or bowel dysfunction, though I experience occasional tingling. Additionally, I’ve dealt with chronic headaches since my teenage years. At the onset of this condition, I found movement nearly impossible due to the intense pain, as it felt like my nervous system was overwhelmed by my body size. Any form of movement, particularly spinal flexion, would trigger a tight and pulling sensation, leading to electric shocks in various parts of my body. My flare-ups often appear without any discernible triggers; pain levels fluctuate, and it’s puzzling when the frequency changes dramatically over just a couple of days. This past summer was particularly rough; a sudden shock in my left leg while rising from a stool left me unable to bear weight on it. Attempting to stand leads to the tightness returning, which escalates to severe shocks. The longer I stand, the more it feels like damage is being inflicted on the affected nerve, likely the obturator or saphenous nerve in my left leg. For a time, I relied on a cane and wheelchair for mobility, and even now, I perform all standing tasks using only my right foot, fearing any strain on my left leg. This situation has unfortunately kept me from working for the last few months. Regarding medical evaluation, a neurologist conducted MRIs of my brain and spinal cord, both of which yielded unremarkable results. EMG tests on both legs returned normal findings as well. Some of my lab results indicate an uptick in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels alongside elevated liver enzymes, which I suspect might have been a consequence of taking numerous supplements, including curcumin, to bolster my health. A bone marrow biopsy also came back normal. I’ve consulted various specialists—including neurologists, hematologists, rheumatologists, and allergists—when my symptoms first emerged, some of whom noted elevated ECP levels which have since normalized. A few naturopaths have also weighed in, one even suggesting mold toxicity due to a leak in my apartment coinciding with the onset of my symptoms, but that treatment didn’t yield noticeable relief. I currently live with my parents. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has encountered similar experiences or can suggest any additional tests I might explore. I’ve had an extensive array of lab tests, most of which returned negative, except for a positive result regarding certain heavy metals, possibly aluminum, and mycotoxins from specialized testing. Interestingly, the pain seems to be exacerbated during times of relaxation; maintaining tension or staying active helps alleviate some discomfort. Additionally, I find it uncomfortable to keep my knees straight while lying down, as it causes tension and eventually leads to shocks traveling up my back. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I genuinely appreciate any advice or insights you might offer.

Answers (1)

12/17/2025, 11:30:53 PM

OpenHealth AI

Thank you for sharing your experiences and concerns regarding your nerve discomfort. It sounds like you are dealing with a complex and frustrating situation, and it's understandable that you are seeking further insights and potential pathways to improve your quality of life.

Key Points:

1. The sensations you are experiencing, including electric shocks and burning, could be linked to a neurological condition, peripheral neuropathy, or other factors.
2. You have undergone extensive evaluations, which have yielded mostly normal results, but ongoing symptoms that affect your daily functioning.
3. It’s important to explore comprehensive management strategies that address both your physical symptoms and overall well-being.

Explanation: The symptoms you describe, including widespread nerve pain and erratic flare-ups, can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Since you are a physical therapist with knowledge of nerve-related issues, you may be particularly aware of how these symptoms can affect both your mobility and emotional well-being. The presence of normal MRIs and EMGs is encouraging, but it does not explain the ongoing discomfort.

The fact that your pain appears to intensify during relaxation may suggest a heightened sensitivity or a nervous system response. Elevated liver enzymes and heavy metals could be potential contributing factors that would benefit from further exploration.

Next Steps:

1. Symptom Diary: Start a detailed symptom diary to track when pains occur, their intensity, and any accompanying factors (like stress, diet, or activities). This could help in identifying patterns or potential triggers.

2. Lifestyle Modifications: Experiment with lifestyle changes that may help alleviate symptoms:

   • Gentle Exercise: Engage in low-impact activities, like swimming or yoga, which can help maintain mobility without triggering pain.
   • Relaxation Techniques: Explore mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises since you mentioned that relaxation sometimes heightens discomfort.

3. Nutritional Review: Given the elevated liver enzymes and heavy metal concerns, consider reviewing your supplements with a healthcare provider to assess their safety and necessity. A consultation with a dietitian familiar with chronic pain or autoimmune conditions may also be beneficial.

4. Multidisciplinary Approach: Given your history of seeing various specialists, you might want to consider a multidisciplinary pain management clinic that could offer coordinated care among physical therapy, pain management, and behavioral health professionals.

5. Explore Further Tests: Based on your symptoms, you might ask about:

   • Electrophysiological Studies: Repeat nerve conduction studies focused on specific areas of symptoms to re-evaluate for any changes.
   • Autoimmune Tests: A broader panel for autoimmune conditions might be worth considering if it hasn’t been recently performed.
   • Mold Exposure Evaluation: Work with an environmental health specialist if you suspect mold or mycotoxin exposure could be relevant.

6. Support Groups: Joining a support group for people with similar chronic conditions may provide emotional support and new ideas for coping strategies.

It's important to approach these suggested next steps gradually and consider what feels manageable for you. You're not alone in navigating this, and I hope you find the strategies that provide relief and improve your quality of life. Let me know if you have further questions or need more specific information on any suggestions.