Nerve issue or something else

[braceyourself77]

A few months ago I attempted to lift something that was very heavy. Following the incident I started to feel some tightness is my left inner thigh area. I also began to feel sorta heavy in the scrotal area. I had an ultra sound performed and everything looked ok. For the last few months the tightness comes and goes. It comes and goes during the day. When I experience it the tight feeling isn't for the entire day. Recently I've started to feel like my foot is going numb while I'm driving or sitting at my desk. In addition to the numb foot feeling I have been experiencing intermittent irritation on my scrotum on one side for 3-4 months. There aren't visible signs of the irritation but I can feel it. No redness or bumps, lesions. The irritation seems to come and go through out the day. I've switched to a gentle soap and lotion for moisturizing but nothing seems to work. It doesn't itch it just feels irritated. In addition to the irritated feeling I occasionally get a tickling sensation in the same area. This last maybe a minute or two. I was prescribed some Hydrocortizone a few months ago but that didn't do anything. I almost seems to be a nerve thing but I don't know my doctors don't seem to have a clue either.  My primary care doctor thinks that there is a possibility that I may have pinched a nerve but he isn't sure. Can pinched nerves cause intermittent skin (scrotal) irritation, intermittent tightness is the legs, and numbness in the feet?

My question is does any of this sound nerve related

[Foggy2]

It depends on what is going on in your back.  You need to wait for the results of the MRI.  Usually activity will make things worse, so I would keep this to a minimal for now until you see the doctor and get worked up.

[braceyourself77]

Inguinal hernia was ruled out but no one has looked at my lower back. I have an appointment in a few weeks with my primary so I will get a MRI set up. Is it normal for nerve/disk issues to come and go? Or is it more common to be bothered when sitting a certain way or involved in some sort of activity?  For instance I didn't have any numb feelings in my foot yesterday but two prior to that I did?

[Foggy2]

Yes.  Has anyone looked at your lower back and done any diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT) or your lumbar spine?  There are nerves that come off the spine that can spread and cause symptoms as you are describing.

As long as the doctors have checked and ruled out an inguinal (groin) hernia and everything is fine there, then I would call your doctor and have him/her look into your lower back and start ordering tests for radicular pain (going to your scrotum) and sciatica (going to your foot).  This most likely involves 2 or more nerves or disks that are involved if this is the cause.  Should this be the problem, the next step is going to see a Neurosurgeon (not an Ortho MD).  So when you have any films done, get copies of your films along withe the report to save yourself a trip.