Numbness, itchy, cold, burning leg

[asisenhart]

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!

[hope4aj]

For the past 6 months or so, I have had the same numbness, itching, sharp jabbing pains, and tingling that most of you are describing.  Within the past two months I have had problems with my lower back and hips to the point where I can't walk at times.  I have not brought up the numbness to a doctor yet, but I did have a x-ray for the pain and found that I have narrowing and thin discs at L3 and L4.  I read one other post that said they had problems with that same area.I'm started to believe that it's a pinched nerve or at least related to the lower back issue.  However, if it spreads any further, I'm afraid it will affect the way I walk from now on.  Strange that doctors don't know what it is?? At least I know I'm not alone.

[Eve92009]

Did your back problem and thigh nerve pain, numbness and itching resolve itself? Did you get treatment or a diagnosis? I have had the same exact symptoms for 3 years and Kaiser is not interested in making a diagnosis. I am 30 lbs overweight and just turned 60.

[garyalaska]

I have the same numbness and burning in right thigh as described in most of these posts.  The difference is I can tell you exactly when it happened and the circumstances that seemed to start this sensation in my right thigh.  I work on the North Slope, Alaska and was outside in some hash cold (over -80F with the windchill) and my right leg was feeling cold to the bone if you know what I mean.  I got in the truck and warmed up but when I got back to shop the numbness persisted but I did not think too much about it at th etime figuring it would go away.  Then on top of this, that evening when I got back to living quarters I did some weightlifting and was doing the leg press.  Nothing really hurt at the time and my leg did feel better from earlier.  That night when I went to bed I did notice kind of a numb sensation but just went to sleep.  I actually woke up at 2AM yelling in pain from the burning and numbness I felt in right thigh.  I thought I was going to see some skin damage from the cold but there never was, it was like the cold drove deep into my muscle tissue but did not cause any skin damage?  I walked down the hall to our Medical Dept. and talked to the PA there.  He told me without the skin damage he would rule out frostbite and I pretty much agreed.  He asked me if I did anything strenuous throught the day and I told him I did the leg press in the gym.  He gave me some strong Ibuprofen tablets and said maybe I strained something in my leg.  Some history:  I have always had very large muscular legs and set lifting records when I played football in college on this lift.  I think the combination of the exposure to extreme cold with the combination of lifting some heavy weight is why I have this condition which has been over a month now.  I thought it would get better but the reason I am here right now is because I woke up in the night and leg was burning.  I think I damaged some nerves or something but have not been to a real doctor for diagnosis which sounds pointless after reading so many posts here?  I am turning fifty next month and I am to heavy for my height but my build is very thick with lots of muscle mass.  I work out on a regular basis both cardio and weights.  This leg thing has really started bothering me...  I am open to suggestions :)

[cheerios436]

I too, have the same symptoms, left leg, from knee up to thigh. 1st thing Dr. did was take x-rays of both my hips, and back. Next day results showed--I have 2 vertebrae compressed together, pinching a nerve. He said I have very bad bones, and wants me to get an MRI done to see just how extensively my bones are affected, but I can't afford it. He also said the numbness, pain, etc. may go away on it's own or it may stay with me, and if my symptoms cause me to not live a normal getting around daily--then I should get in touch with him------asap.   I have a family friend going through the same thing--------and he has started Physical Therapy.  Good luck............

[Itchythigh]

Your symptoms read exactly like mine. I am a 52 year old male with overall good health and fitness.  I had a severe herneated disc btw c6/c7   about 8 years ago.  Have no idea if thats related to the symptoms of the itchy numb thigh.  I have similar symptoms in my left hand that I am told are a direct result of the spine injury but they are more numb than itchy burning.  Anyway. it is nice to know that I am not alone.  Thanks for posting.

[Joanne6910]

I too have these symptoms...with artificial knees and hips I worried it was a complication with those. But now, I wonder if there isn't a more universal answer. I would like to stay posted on this.

[aq85]

I have had the same symptoms, numb/ burning right thigh, going to see a doctor tomorrow, but from what everyone has said, not sure he will be of much help. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meralgia_paraesthetica, this seems to explain the symptoms.