Numbness in feet

[mike2002]

I am a 57-year-old British psychotherapist with a long history of what my GP thinks is sciatica (plenty of shoulder and neck pain, right-sided pain radiating down the right leg into the knee and and nasty pain radiates into my right testis). Over 12 months new symptoms have arisen — bilateral and extensive numbness and stiffness all over the underside of the feet, worst foci are in both big toes but the problem is also very bad in each o other toes; additionally, am getting intermittent right sided numbness in my little finger plus considerably increased frequency of micturition. Would be most grateful for your comments. Mike2002.

[wisymo2754]

I have numbness in both feet.  Only in the balls.
It goes away at night and starts up when I walk. I am short of breath and feel as though i am about to pass out.  I have heart burn at night and minor pain in my hands during the day. I am always tired even when I sleep well. I burp and hiccup offten.  

[Katwa]

Get MRI with Contrast and read the radiologists report yourself.  Sounds very much to me like degenerative disc disease, bone spur on spine or something else compressing the nerve roots of your cervical spine.  Don't wait long if its a nerve compression then the longer you wait the less chance there is for full regeneration.  I know because I was assautlted and had my neck broken- among other things- I was working as RN in detox unit, new admit higher than a kite on a cornucopia of drugs attacked me broke my arm, detached my thumb from my hand.................it took me a full year to get Comp to approve an MRI to spine. When I did it was an emergency situation and I had to have cervical surgery ASAP because one of the vertebrae was compressing the spinal cord and had already eated thru first layer of tissue to it.  ( myelin sheath?) But this had gone on for a year- much irrepairable damage had occurred.
I ended up with five cadaver discs, transplant of my own tissue to wrap the spine and then a three level fusion with titanium plates.  Felt better for 8months and thins started to fall apart again.  New MRI shows all discs bulging that he had replaced,  and a new finding of buldging disc at c-7-8/T-1 it is diffusely bulged and with bilateral nerve compression.  My doc now wants a full MRI of spine but of course they denied it we will have to go to court several times, they will send me to at least two IME"s to try to prove I'm lying.  It will take a very long time to get any answers never mind treatment.
  Damage at C-5/C-6 and C-7-8/T-1 can cause the lower back symtoms you are having and the leg weakness. I can walk with a tremendous amount of pain  and weakness, occasionally my right leg goes weak, knee bucles and I just fall. Have had a few nasty spills. I had the numness start inmy little finger. It came and went then itstarted to my last three digits and the palm of my hand, it ran down my arm cause severe elbow pain.  No it is numb all the time.  I am an artist- I cannot sculpt, I cannot paint and the other day I discovered that I can't even write my own name. I know I have a lot of waiting time and I feel like I will go crazy or start considering suicide.  I am desperately seeking alternative treatments while I wait. i read about inversion tables and anti-gravity therapy.  so I am ordering a table and see if that will help. I am desperate. Any ideas?
  katwa

[kajay]

I have experiences of tight tingling sensations like rubber bands been pulled on my toes usually.  A GP sent me for blood tests suspecting a B12 deficiency, sure enough that was it.  I go regularly to the GP for injections (usually around three monthly, which is when the symptoms usually resurfance).  When I get real low, I can experience very sore legs.  Don't know if this is an issue for your health, but maybe worth getting a blood test to check.  Cheers.

[patsy10]

Sciatica is only from the lower back down.  It does not explain your upper body problems.  Sounds like you need an MRI of your entire spine to find out what is wrong.