Back/knee/leg/feet problem

[Kant_Take_It]

It all started 15 months ago when I was packing to move. The first sign something was wrong was when getting ready for work one day...my vison started closing in like a white light and then got a semi-migraine. Next was the leg and foot cramping which went on for weeks. Next my feet swoll...at this point I went to a DR. who gave me water pills. Swelling went down. However then my legs started to feel really bad like bugs crawling on them for weeks. I finally got moved and then my back went out...I could barely walk for a couple of weeks. When the pain of that went way I began to notice that my legs had this terrible freezing sensation if I sat too long or stood too long i.e. 20 minutes. I am now at the point where they are going numb. I notice if there is pain in my back the freezing isn't so bad but if there isn't pain the freezing is awful. I went to a neurologist appointment I have waited 4 tortuous months for (months between specialists here) ....and he said I have neuropathy...my feet are not responding..however..the pain down my lower back to my legs is causing me to limp also...he prescribed Novo-Gabapentin which is something similar I think to Lyrica which did nothing for me... I am soooooooooooo frustrated that after 15 months...I am getting worse...and work life is hell..sitting at a pc - I just can't take much more...I feel I am also losing my balance while trying to walk or...these days...limp..tremendous pain from lower back to knee and freezing from calf to feet and now spreading to other areas..arms..chest...hands...face. I have had a hundred tests and the neurologist said that a protruding disc in my lower back could be pressing on a nerve causing sciatica...but has nothing to do with the freezing and numbness in my legs...I waited so long for this appointment...and I feel...defeated. So far after 5 days on these pills...nothing has changed. My left knee is also painful and appears swollen. Does anyone have a clue as to what is wrong with my legs?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

How are you?

Thanks for the encouraging words.These help in the zeal of going on.

Take care and regards.

[Kant_Take_It]

It' very nice of you to take the time to help people here.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

yes

[Kant_Take_It]

Are you a Dr. Kindd?

[Kant_Take_It]

Thank you for taking the time to repond. I have been to a vascular surgeon, a Dr. of internal medicine, the neurologist, had every blood and urine test on earth, MRI, Xray, EKG, Doppler ultrasound, I can't remember all of the tests...I take B12 shots every month as my level was low. The pills the neurologist gave me Novo-Gabapentin - as mentioned for neuropathy - have no effect - the freezing sensation is worse than ever....especially when I am stationary - sitting or standing.

Are you a Dr. Kindd?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Your symptoms are suggestive of peripheral neuropathy or a peripheral vascular disease.I feel that your neurologist is right as all your symptoms are typical of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is the term for damage to nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness.Diabetes,SLE,vit B12 deficiency and charcot marie tooth disease are important causes.Diagnosed by blood tests,nerve conduction velocity tests,EMG etc.
Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_neuropathy

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD is a collator for all diseases caused by the obstruction of large peripheral arteries, which can result from atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes leading to stenosis, an embolism or thrombus formation. It causes either acute or chronic ischemia (lack of blood supply), typically of the legs.Diagnosed is confirmed by Doppler ultrasound.

In my opinion,takimg a second opinion from a neurologist or a vascular surgeon will be helpful.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.