numbness & tinling feet legs & hands

[yaya1968]

A couple of weeks ago, after sitting at my computer for about an hour, I went to stand up and almost fell over.  Luckilly my treadmill was right there that I could grab onto.  I thought my legs had fallen asleep, so I hung on to the treadmill awaiting that icky prickly feeling when the blood rushing back to the limbs to occur.  It never did, just a sensation that I would describe as cold water filling my legs and feet.  

Ever since then, I have had a heavyness feeling in both legs with minor numbness in my feet, particularly the left foot.  In the last week, my hands have been tingling, especially in the morning when I wake up.  My left hand has a perpetual heavyness feeling, minor numbness and occassional tingling.

I have a Dr. appt scheduled for March 27th.  I am scared to death, and have pretty much self-diagnosed MS.  ( I tend to be a hypochondriatic FREAK!! (~:  )  

Anyone experienced these sypmtoms????  Help!!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

I was just wondering if you have intolerance to cold. It is a sign of hypothyroidism.

You should consult an orthopedic surgeon and get the spine examined. You may not have spondylosis. But definitely have anxiety related to MS. Do not jump to MS with these symptoms.

Regards

[yaya1968]

Never had any diagnosed spin issues, however I have had neck and upper shoulder pain for some time.  This started approx. 10 years ago when I did a lot of microscope work while working as a lab tech in a hematology lab.   I have just ignored it and chalked it up to over use, or inappropriate posture etc....  

Bad posture??  FOR SURE!   Particularly when working on my laptop.   Lately my lower back has been hurting somewhat also.  Getting old and breaking down!!  :)

The MS thing still worries me.  The past couple of summers I have noticed after walking approx 4 miles (my excersise route out doors) my legs will tingle.  I live in a northern state, and we've had some bitter cold the past month, and notice I seem to be more affected during the very cold days.  

Thanks for the post!

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Your symptoms suggest you might be having cervical spondylosis. Do you work on the computer for long hours? You may need to watch out for faulty posture. The monitor should be just below the eye level, the keyboard should be positioned such that you don't have to bend too forwards or backwards.

Did you ever have any spine issues?

Do you have any other illnesses that may be bothering you?

Regards