Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Lower back, legs, feet pain, numbness, stinging
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Lower back, legs, feet pain, numbness, stinging
by Jaykro, May 01, 2004 12:00AM
What can cause legs, feet & toes pain, numbness & stinging? History: 13 yrs. ago I woke with intense pain inside left thigh & outside left lower leg, and I could no longer put weight on left heel without the foot flopping flat to the floor. Diagnosis was probable herniated disc with siatic nerve damage causing "drop foot". 2 years ago L4, L5 & S1 were fused. From the time of the first event and now (2 years after the operation), I have experienced continued and increasing pain, numbness & stinging in both legs, feet & toes. Resting lower back on heatpad helps. Bending exercise (work) increases symptoms. There is also painful swelling of cartlage in feet(and hands). I was in pain management prior to back surgery (and
still am). It seem as though I will not be able to walk in a few years. Is there any treatement that can reverse or slow this progressive and debilitating problem? Could it be arthritis? Nerve damage from surgery? Both? Is this rare? Common?
still am). It seem as though I will not be able to walk in a few years. Is there any treatement that can reverse or slow this progressive and debilitating problem? Could it be arthritis? Nerve damage from surgery? Both? Is this rare? Common?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, May 04, 2004 12:00AM
You need to see a neurologist. The symptoms you are decribing could be due to a problem in your back or the individual nerves in your leg (periheral neuropathy). Without examining you I can not differentiate between the two. The neurologist will examine you and determine if the problem is more peripheral or central (in the back). They may perform a EMG (muscle/nerve test) to help clarify the problem, and you may need a imaging study of the spine. Good luck.
Take care of yourselves
NannyG
It is very hard to tell people aorund you how you feel all of the time. They can't always see the hurt going inside of you and sometimes there isn't a physical appearance to the pain. It is frustrating at best. But what I have learned is to be persistent with everyone who is working with you medically. I went 6 months without surgery because my Neuro thought it was just scar tissue from prior surgeries.
Even though you may not have mental health issues, your life has been turned upside down. It is depressing not to be able to do the things you used to. When the pain is at it's worst, you can feel hopeless. I think the best thing I ever did for myself was to start counseling with a competent chronic pain psychologist and my faith in God has seen me through some suicidal moments.
I just keep hoping and praying that all of the suffering is worth it and some day I can be pain free again. I wish anyone going through any kind of chronic pain the very best from the bottom of my heart and remember that God has a plan for us all and we need to keep going on to find it.