Tingling Thighs

[confused1234]

Hello Doctor, I am male mid 20s. I have been experiencing some uncomfortable tingling / burning sensations in my thighs, intermittently for the past 6 months or so. The feeling is constant and very uncomfortable although not painful. It is usually felt most strongly on the insides of both my thighs, though sometimes I can feel it on the outsides and backs of my thighs, and sometimes accross my groin area. This usually happens to me about every six weeks and when it does it lasts constantly for a week or so. It is most noticable when sitting down but it is always there. It is a constant burning / tingling sensation that I can perhaps best describe as similar to the feeling you get in your buttocks when you have sat down on hard concrete for too long. The area is not painful to touch and I do not have any other symptoms. I have no visible rash, sores, scab etc etc, only the tingling sensation.

I have ventured down a number of different paths in trying to work out what this is. I was experiencing some penile pain previously, I saw a urologist who suggested the burning sensation could be due to prostatitis and I was placed on a course of Cipro, however the sensations have returned. I have been tested and retested and cleared of all STDs.

I am really becoming distressed about this now as I do not know what to do about it. My GP has not been of any help as I don't have any visual symptoms, however there is most definitely something wrong. I hope you could perhaps shed some light on what might be causing these recurring symptoms and point me in the right direction for treatment.

Thank You

[jackspratsr1]

A related discussion, tiingling, burning sensation was started.

[jambo9]

A related discussion, tingly legs and thighs and groin was started.

[majorinpublichealth]

These symptoms mostly seem like a nerve problem that is manifesting in the skin.  There is a syndrome called Raynaud's phenomenon that causes redness and blanching, heightened sensitivity to cold.  However, a condition called sciatica, the pinching of the major nerve (sciatic) that splits at the base of the spine and then runs down both legs would cause at least an intense ache in the buttocks, knees, etc.  Physical therapy may find a small joint or muscle out of order that could be causing this, and subsequently help work it out. Tingling/crawling sensations could be the prodrome signaling a viral exanthem/rash coming on.  There are many diseases spread through skin to skin contact, which condoms can not protect you from.  Hope you find relief.

[kellogteach]

I cannot believe how similar all of our symptoms are.  My troubles started 2 years ago after a protected sexual encounter with a female. Like everyone else I have been tested by urologists, infectious disease docs, and neurologists.

My symptoms are as follows:  constant burning/tingling in my buttock, thighs, and knees.  the sensation travels all over my legs and to my feet.  The burning is elevated when seated or when pressure seems to be applied by wearing tight clothing.  I have absolutely no idea what is going on.  I am in my 20s and have never had any sort of medical issues prior to this.  God help us all if we have to life the rest of our days with this curse. I would be very interested in communicating with anyone that is experiencing similar symptoms.  Please feel free to email me at ***@**** so that we might learn more about our condition.

[RJJ3]

Is this thread still open? I seem to have the exact symptoms you guys have.  Have you gotten any updates on it?  Any help would be appreciated.

[burninggroin]

Hey - don't know if this thread is still active but what you guys have sounds ALOT like what's bugging me.

6 months ago I had protected sex with 5 girls, and unprotected with 1 girl, all in a period of about two months. Shortly thereafter, the following symptoms appeared (and have continued CONSTANTLY since - yes for 6 MONTHS):

- Tip of penis cold and slightly red, painful to the touch. Now diagnosed by a urologist as urethritis. Fine, but we still don't know the cause! Skin of penis also puffy - this is hard to describe. Basically the head is softer and more malleable. If I wear briefs or boxer briefs, when I go pee the skin looks mangled, but this always returns to the normal shape... but consistency continuously puffy.

- General burning sensation and increased sweating in the whole groin area. Upper thighs, buttocks, backs of thighs, pubic area. Ventilating the area with cold air helps some, but this always comes back. Wake up every morning with a sticky/sweaty feeling between my legs.

- Treatments so far: 1 week of Doxycyclin. No good. 1 dose of Flagyll. Nothing. 1 week of Cipro. No help. Only thing that has helped control the burning is some powder anti-fungal Lotrimin spray, but I've gone through about 4 bottles of that and the problem persists.

STD Tests: Negative for HIV, HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis. HSV test just came back saying I had a mild exposure within the last 6 months (which puts this as our main culprit right now), but of course they didn't specify the type. 2 doctors have told me that my symptoms are just plain NOT genital herpes, and the pharmaceutical sites seem to agree.

Additionally, the front and lower inner portion of my thighs stretching down just past the knee seem to be extra sensitive to cold. No idea.

Any help appreciated. I just want to feel normal again! As a 25-yr-old male this is pretty traumatic, help!

[undisclosed.undisclosed2]

Maybe this might help explain some things......Just an idea on what I found.


Burning Thigh Pain (Meralgia paresthetica)
  The nerves in your body bring information to the brain about the environment (sensory nerves) and messages from the brain to activate muscles (motor nerves). To do this, nerves must pass over, under, around and through your joints, bones, and muscles. Usually, there is enough room to permit easy passage. But swelling, trauma, or pressure can narrow these openings and squeeze the nerve. When that happens, pain, paralysis, or other dysfunction may result.

A painful, burning sensation on the outer side of the thigh may mean that one of the large sensory nerves (lateral femoral cutaneous nerve) to your legs is being compressed. This condition is known as meralgia paresthetica (me-ral'-gee-a par-es-thet'-i-ka).

Signs and Symptoms



Pain on the outer side of the thigh, occasionally extending to the outer side of the knee

A burning sensation, tingling, or numbness in the same area

Occasionally, aching in the groin area or pain spreading across the buttocks

Usually only on one side of the body

Usually more sensitive to light touch than to firm pressure

Diagnosis

During a physical examination, your physician will ask about recent surgeries, injury to the hip, or repetitive activities that could irritate the nerve. He or she will also check for any sensory differences between the affected leg and your other leg. To verify the site of the burning pain, the physician will put some pressure on the nerve to reproduce the sensation. You may need both an abdominal and a pelvic examination to exclude any problems in those areas.

X-rays will help identify any bone abnormalities that might be putting pressure on the nerve. If your physician suspects that a growth such as a tumor is the source of the pressure, you may need to get an MRI or CT (computed tomography) scan. In rare cases, a nerve conduction study may be advised.

Restrictive clothing and weight gain are two common reasons for pressure on a nerve. Your physician may ask if you wear a heavy tool belt at work or if you consistently wear a tight corset or girdle. He or she may recommend a weight loss program.

Treatment

Treatments will vary, depending on the source of the pressure. It may take time for the burning pain to stop and, in some cases, numbness will persist despite treatment. The goal is to remove the cause of the compression. This may mean resting from an aggravating activity, losing weight, wearing loose clothing, or using a toolbox instead of wearing a tool belt. In more severe cases, your physician may give you an injection of a corticosteroid preparation to reduce inflammation. This generally relieves the symptoms for some time. In rare cases, surgery is needed to release the nerve.

[rattled]

This pain/ache that you feel is it on the side?  I have another appt. upcoming if anything beneficial comes of it I will keep you posted.

[confused1234]

Hi rattled, it would seem as though we are having very similar symptoms. My 6 week course of Cipro from the Urologist has not helped at all. I should mention that I am also experiencing a type of intermittent aching pain in my penis. All the doctors I have seen can't say what my symptoms point to. It is all very uncomfortable and frustrating. I have now seen a neurologist who after a physical examination cannot find anything wrong with me, I am still waiting for results from an MRI and blood tests.
Please let me know if you get to the bottom of your problems
Thanks

[rattled]

I have also experienced a similar feeling.  Almost a burning sensation in my thighs (at the bend between my legs and groing area) and other parts of my groin area and even sometimes my penis where foreskin partially covers the tip.  There is no pain while urinating and no signs of sores.  Mine is also worse when setting or whenever I wear tight fit clothing.  I would refer to it as almost like someone rubbed Icy Hot on the area.  First I was told by a MD it was Chlymidia and they treated me with antibiotics a shot and pills which helped momentarily.  When it still didnt go away I went back to a uroligist and he said it was prostitus (spell?) he told me that they should have treated me longer so he gave me a months worth of antibiotics (pills) and this did not seem to help.  I am also searching for answers as it has now been two months and it is very irritating.

[wingnut27]

I have the same thing.  It happened a few years ago after protected sex.  It's more of a burning of the skin than anything.  When touched, it doesn't hurt at all. Its bothered me ever since though it's not quite ast bad as it was then but still irritating.  Hope to get some good comments to help.

[confused1234]

Thanks Doctor

I really can't think of any kind of activity I do that would cause a trapped nerve. Also given that these senstations seem to come and go leads me also to think that it is not related to this, since it lasts for a week or 2 and then disappears completely, then returns a few weeks later.

I'd certainly appreciate comments from anyone who might have suffered from the same kind of thing and have been successfully diagnosed and treated.

Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The symptoms you describe don't remind me of anything related to skin.  The best guess I can come up with is that these tingling sensations may be related to pressure on a nerve.  Do you bicycle or some similar exercise that could put pressure on the groin?

I think you should consider seeing a neurologist about this.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff