Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Numbness, itchy, cold, burning leg

For 4 months, I have suffered from a numb, itchy, and cold/burning right upper leg. It is also sensitive to the touch and I sometimes get stabbing pains in the same area. In June it started as a quarter size area...now it has increased to my whole front leg. I do have an appt. for an MRI next week, but am very curious about this until I get a final diagnosis. The doctor I chose to go to did not offer much info...he thinks I may have a damaged nerve in my back. He also told me during my exam that I have 'brisk reflexes' and had asked me if I had always had 'brisk reflexes'. He seemed very concerned about this condition. I also have fatigue and always a feeling of muscle aches and sometimes confusion. Please...anyone that has suffered from this condition, please respond....I am very concerned about this and would appreciate any info from anyone!
212 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Did you ever get your answer? I'm having the same symptoms and a search quickly shows Meralgia Paraesthesia.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
H
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From the side of my thigh around to the front surface I have sensations of very cold along with slight numbness, slight tenderness, slight sensitive to touch (so the sheets/blankets  and clothes seem to contribute to discomfort), some sense of prickly/itchiness.  It came on suddenly while working in a crouched position for several days...one day I was fine, the next I was cold.  It does seem to affect my whole body so that I am now generally more sensitive to being cold.  On the other hand, no amount of blankets really helps...I'm still cold.  The sensations are mostly in my left leg and even radiate down my leg to my calf(s).  It's been 14 months since this started and I have been getting better VERY slowly.  Exercises/stretches help, I believe, though it's not dramatic.  Patience!  ABI, MRI, xrays, neurology exam showed nothing.....  I really think I just injured the femoral nerve at the top of each leg with compression....it's easier to hurt yourself when you're 67!   I'm not over weight, wear tight clothes or have any associated medical conditions.
Helpful - 0
9197017 tn?1429016816
Hi, I am re-posting from mekap2677  because this works for me TREMENDOUSLY. I found this doctor's videos through some exploring I did with my physical therapist. These "nerve flossing" exercises have significantly improved my quality of life. I am able to walk 20 minutes instead of just 5 minutes! I'm able to tolerate a 4-hour airplane flight. I do the exercises 2x/day. 2-3 times if I'm in pain.

I do modified versions of the exercises on the airplane, at the mall, while out for a walk...whenever I need quick relief.

from Feb 13, 2014
Hello everyone, I to have been having the same pain/tingling/burning like someone is ripping the nerves inside my outer right thigh or stabbing it, it is horrible some days and feels better when I am walking.  I have a sit down job so that is when it hurts the most and at night I cant even lie on my right side because it hurts,  I found this stretching video and it has helped some.  Hope it helps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzcncRdkHno
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Specifically, the sun salutation routine of yoga helps with alignment and my lower back, thigh nerve problem.  Hope it works for you. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi.  As a few others have mentioned, these sensations likely stem from the lower spine about where it meets the tailbone.  Which is likely swollen from various stresses.  I find some relief by supporting my upper body by my straightened arms on the counter's edge.  This allows the weight of my lower body to hang free, the weight of which stretches my lower spine, resetting its position and eliminating some of the feeling of nerve damage.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I also get that same itchy, numb, tingly, cold, hot nerve sensation in my forward upper, right thigh, closer to the outside of thigh.  Is it possible that your right hip is double jointed or sits slightly out of socket, as does mine?This imbalance then affects my tailbone.  Then nerves in both thighs go crazy, generally when standing or laying on my back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sounds the same for me.  I am going to add a strange thing which I tried.  As I am a bit overweight and my belly is a bit too large (especially come end of winter).  I thought to myself how would it feel if I had no belly?  I physically cradelled and lifted my belly up a bit with my hands.  The effect is virtually no excess weight to pull the lower spine forward and alter its position.  Anyway, the feeling itself is rather inspiring.  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I also get that same itchy, numb, tingly, cold, hot nerve sensation in my forward upper, right thigh, closer to the outside of thigh.  Is it possible that your right hip is double jointed or sits slightly out of socket, as does mine?This imbalance then affects my tailbone.  Then nerves in both thighs go crazy, generally when standing or laying on my back.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I just replied to efclarke as well.  Have a look at what I just posted to see if it possibly sounds like your affectation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, long time ago you asked, but I do have the same itchy, tingly, cold, hot feelings of the nerves just under the skin layers of both thighs, to the upper/forward/side area.  I attribute this to my "stressed" spine where it meets the tailbone.  My spine is stressed as my right hip sits slightly out of socket.  I am 53.  I have also experienced popping feelings in the same area of my right thigh, years ago.  This would occur consistent to a specific yoga position, essentially a lunge.  The popping I would feel was, I was certain, the nerves being torn from their interior position due to overstrain through my poor hip.  That area would be left with inferior feeling.  The inferior feeling lasted years until, the nerves grew back and feeling was restored.  But the nerves did distinctly feel as though they were suddenly popping away from their proper positions.  Just wondered if this sounds like possibly your condition as well.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just read your post. I too have all of things you described. The popping, is the most annoying. Kind a like a little burst, that kinda buzz. I will have one in an area then it's like it will send off a little fire storm of these strange burst sensations. I get them all the time. Sitting, standing or lying in bed. I have yet to go to the Doctor. No insurance.
Helpful - 0
1137259 tn?1260702350
Which drug did your mum take? Thanks
Helpful - 0
1137259 tn?1260702350
Hi, did u find out what was causing all this burning? Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How interesting that so many people have been afflicted by this condition! Here's my story and it has a hopeful ending. A month ago, these symptoms of numbness and extreme itchiness on my left front thigh began. This coincided with my resumption of eating a hefty amount of dark chocolate, the expensive kind one buys at Whole Foods. I was eating at least a half of a large bar a day and sometimes a whole bar. I have a propensity for chocolate addiction and so had avoided strictly for more than a year. I reviewed in my mind all of the things that I had changed since the time I became a victim of the nasty symptoms.
1. Chocolate consumption
2. An herb called Bacopa one capsule per day
3. Doing a strenuous exercise to tighten my abs
I decided to stop all three of these things. The next day, I found the symptoms had diminished by about 50 percent. It has been about five days since I started this experiment. The numbness has been reduced by at least 50 percent but the area is now a bit tender to the touch. The itching has diminished by 70 percent. It was a scary thing to experience! Now a bit of background concerning the chocolate: I researched it on Google. I suspected that it might contain this dangerous flavor enhancers that is used in many products including flavored teas. Yes, even the healthy ones that you buy at the health food stores! I had been drinking these "healthy" teas thinking that they were doing me some benefit. What they did do is make me itch all over my torso, cause lesions to form, and frequently caused me to itch all over my body. I was in torment and I had no idea what was causing it. This went on for several years! Finally after trying everything I could think of I tried stopping tea drinking and sure enough that was the culprit. I Googled teas and found that some companies use a nerve destroying flavor enhancer called "Ribonucleotides" in some of their products. It is never listed on any ingredients lists that I have seen. But it is "inside" one of the ingredients such as "Natural Flavors." After I stopped drinking the tea or eating other suspicious products too numerous to mention, which by the way, were all from the "health food store," I miraculously recovered my healthy skin once again. These "Ribonucleotides" are used in chocolate to enhance the flavor. I do not intend to reintroduce chocolate back into my life. That is OVER! I will, however, reintroduce the Bacopa (herb that enhances memory) and the exercise to tighten my abs to see if they, too, have contributed to this distressing condition itching and numbness. I shall write back soon with an update so that you can see if perhaps what I have discovered may be the cause of your problem too!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 17 and have these same problems, numbness, burning and itching in my right thigh that's been going on for months now. I've seen a doctor, a neurologist, I've had MRI's on my lower spine that came out normal, I've had EMG's and NCV's - all clean, and am now seeing a chiropractor. I've been prescribed gabapentin but it doesn't do much but make me sleepy. It's hard to sleep at night with the pain and the burning, even though I always seem to be tired. This is affecting my college grades and my ability to work and I need a solution, if anyone knows about anything that's worked for them, please speak up, this is terrible!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
And if it is meralgia (which a neurologist can test) and none of the above helps and you do not want to take pain meds for the rest of your life a nerve block does stop the pain, itch and burning sensation so i've been told (which i fortunately did not need yet)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This really sounds like Meralgia paresthetica. This is a compressed nerve (The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) that runs over the inguinal ligament. and gets compressie there. The way to solve this is difficult and is mainly prevent compression of the nerve. Do not wear tight clothes, belts or tight underwear and try a chiropracter. For me this and losing some weight helped against these symptoms. I did not have iT for years though, just a few months. Don't know of à nerve that Hans been compressed for years can still restore to normal function.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can't believe so many have similar symptoms, everyone I have asked says right away it's a pinched nerve in your back, started all of a sudden.. Front of left thigh, painful to the touch, numbness, feels like my leg is literally on fire, sometimes pins pricking sensation from the inside out, worse at night which prevents sleep. Constant 24/7. Only have had it for 4 days and I can't imagine having this for years. Note overweight,57 years of age, active.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yep.  Same as everyone else here.  I have a history of sciatica down my left leg due to bulging, herniated discs.  So when this started on my right thigh, I didn't worry too much about it.  I'm used to nerve problems.  But this is something completely different than your normal sciatica.  My entire front/right of my right thigh goes completely numb on the surface.  Completely numb, not just slightly.  Can't feel a thing.  And what I find strange is, at the bottom of the numbness near my knee, I get a cold sensation like cold water is dripping on my leg.  This happens when I'm on my feet for more than just a couple of minutes.  If I sit down it slowly goes away.  I have been taking Ultram for about 14 years for the bulging disks and Sciatica.  I have 3 recommendations based on what I've read here and what I've experienced over the years.

3 problem areas I would look into are:

1.  Fibromyalgia
2.  Nerve damage caused by medication (in my case Ultram)
3.  The weight issue as a contributing factor
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was told it was IT band and not much you can do except for massage. It can stem from knee or hip nerve issues.  Just thought I would mention this.  Mine started same way and it is about 2 to 2-1/2 years now. Sometimes it goes away for a bit and then all of a sudden it is there as if it never left
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've had the same problem everyone else has, tingling, numbness, sharp pains above the right knee for about 4 years. Been to 4 doctors and they told me its probably a pinched nerve. 1 doctor gave me a Rx for Gabapentin and all it did was raise my blood pressure over 200/100, I quit taking them. At night I found taking Tylenol 1200 mg helps me fall asleep fast. It does get very depressing. My doctors did advise me not to have any nerve surgery because it can be more damaging. So here I'm living with the pain. And they call this the GOLDEN YEARS! Good luck to all of you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Did the lyrica make you gain weight?  I was on it for about 5 years for severe headaches due to possible neck bone deterioration.  I came off it  and lost 25 pounds in two weeks.  Thank goodness it is gone but the headaches are worse than ever.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello everyone, I to have been having the same pain/tingling/burning like someone is ripping the nerves inside my outer right thigh or stabbing it, it is horrible some days and feels better when I am walking.  I have a sit down job so that is when it hurts the most and at night I cant even lie on my right side because it hurts,  I found this stretching video and it has helped some.  Hope it helps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzcncRdkHno
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease