Parethesia in legs??

Question

I'm posting again. Does anyone get feathery/goose bump like sensations on their (lateral) calves? I've been told it could be my nerves in my lower back. My hamstring/calf muscles have been tight for months now and I've been stretching them out. Now my low back hurts somtimes. I've haven't had a x-ray yet. Chiro said he's heard it described like water pouring down one's leg. I'm kind of scared of this sensation. It happens a off and on through out the day (not everyday though). Any advice please.

redding1 · Answer

Thank you. I was looking through my Physiology book last night and noticed that my sensations are along the L5 dermatome pattern. I appreciate your input. I will bring this up to my doc next week, now that I know how to present him the problem.

LowMac · Answer

When you get that type symptom it is usually from a sensory nerve and it can be due to them being impinged (pinched) or injured. A damaged motor nerve causes lack of coordination and fatigue in the muscle. With peripheral neuropathies, one or both types of nerves can be affected. Anxiety can aggravate neuropathy type problems but isn't a cause of them. If it's not actually a problem in nerves but just an anxiety symptom, the nerves would not be injured or in need of repair/treatment. That would mean it's psychosomatic but in most cases, peripheral neuropathy causes those type problems and is very common (affects 20-million people in the U.S. alone). 

A neuro-doctor would be able to tell you more about why it's happening.

redding1 · Answer

What is it from? Did you get any answers from your Doc? It it back related, anxiety related or what? Oh, please write back with more info.

LowMac · Answer

I've been found to have some low-normal and slightly below normal EMG readings associated with neuropathy symptoms I also experience. I found similarity to those you describe with my occassional flare of this type symptom. Mine occurs usually on the back of my left calf and feels like a small wave of goose pimples, like when you hear a song that give you chills - some people even used to say our new U.S. Pres -Obama gave them chills that ran up their legs (LOL). Mine also feels at times, a bit like something is touching my legs, other than my pant legs... interesting!

redding1 · Answer

I have to take charge of my body! But the insurance companies get the last word. The last time I asked for an X-ray my doc told me I had to wait 30 days after my first complaint of back pain. I have been complaining to her about my sore legs for months and she just kept telling me to do yoga and take more klonopin. As for the MD who replied, I don't have burning pain. I have these weird sensations on lower leg that feel like somthing is tickling me and then I notice the skin is goose bumped. I do have cervical disc degeneration and maybe it is now in my lower back as well. My lab work is all normal. I just hate not knowing what might be the cause. I'm crying right now. I'm very frustrated.

anuragsrivastava · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. This type of symptoms in any part of body is considered nerve related in origin. This burning sensation you are having can occur due to impingement, irritation or compression of nerve of thigh. Most frequently involved nerve is lateral cutaneous nerve of thigh (which is branch of femoral nerve). This condition is called meralgia paraesthetica which manifests itself as pain, tingling or burning sensation of outer thigh. It may occur due to injury to nerve either due to spinal deformity or along its path to thigh by any ligament or tendon stretch, excessive tight clothing (therefore it is also called "jeans disease"), diabetic neuropathy or damage to nerve after surgery etc. Another nerve which may cause pain in legs is sciatic nerve compression. I would advise a CT scan of spine and thigh, blood sugar levels, and EMG to check out abnormal muscle responses. Once the diagnosis is reached then treatment modalities available are strict rest, loose clothing, painkillers (NSAIDS and opioid), pain modifier medicines like carbamazepine may also be prescribed by the doctor. Therefore a neurologist’s consultation may help you in this regard. Hope this information proves helpful to you. Take care.

GoingToMakeIt · Answer

A neurologist specializes in nerve pain and where it originates from. Maybe time to see them. X-Rays and MRIs can show the bulge in the discs, but there can still be problems elsewhere. You may need all 3 tests, x-ray, MRI and nerve conduction. 
    It's your body, take charge and get more opinions. Not saying your chiropractor is bad, but a good one will tell you to do these other test if they are not able to help you.