Sensory disturbance

Question 1

Site

Answer 1

Where are you experiencing the sensation?
Is it just in that one spot or does it also extend/descend?
Is it the same on both sides?
Have you experienced it in any other part of your body?

Question 2

Quality

Answer 2

How exactly does the sensation feel?

Do you experience any other sensations elsewhere on your body?

Question 3

Severity

Answer 3

How is it affecting your life?

What does it prevent you from doing?

Question 4

Time Course

Answer 4

Did the sensation start suddenly?
How long have you had the sensation for? 
Does it come and go?
Is it worse at night?
Has it been getting worse?
Has it been spreading?
Is it worse after activity? (for positive signs)
Has this ever happened before?

Question 5

Context

Answer 5

What were you doing when the sensation started?

Question 6

Relieving Factors

Answer 6

Is there anything that makes it better?

Have you tried taking anything to make it better?

Question 7

Aggravating Factors

Answer 7

Is there anything else that makes it worse?

Question 8

Associated Features

Answer 8

Have you noticed anything else with the sensation?

• Pain
• Visual Disturbances
• Fatigue
• Muscle weakness
• Other sensory disturbances
• Muscle Atrophy

Question 9

Differential Diagnosis

Answer 9

MS – visual disturbances, muscle weakness, family history

Stroke - family history, past history of MI, high cholesterol, hypertension, sensorimotor loss

Trauma – context (recent surgery, injury)

Nerve compression (eg carpal tunnel, disc prolapse, etc.) – possible pain, past trauma, possibly worse at night

Cancer – Loss of muscle mass, loss of weight, fatigue, loss of appetite, family history of cancer, age, fever

Diabetic neuropathy – age, overweight, high blood pressure, prolonged high blood glucose, family history

Excessive Alcohol consumption – alcohol history