Adult growing pains and tingling

Hi Charlotte, well I think that at 30 you are past the growing pain stage!

You can get tingling/numbness/pins and needles down through your hip, thigh and even down to your feet by a slightly damaged disc in your back.

We all get a certain amount of disc damage as we get older, particularly if we did/do a fair bit of sports, gymnastics, bike riding, horse riding etc; then now and again it gets a bit inflammed for some reason and develops into sciatica or nerve pain.

The same with necks and elbows which then can travel down to hands and fingers as well.

It may be that you are begining to develop disc trouble. The treatment for this is usually, anti-infammatories (If you are ok to take them), pain medications and physiotherapy.

Very occasionally and only if it becomes a very bad probelm surgery is offered.

You may go on for 20 years like this or suddenly find it's happening more often.Do you sit and do a lot of computer work? This can lead to many back/neck/arm/hand problems. Repetative tasks are the worst for inflamming the body. If you do try and stretch every now and again. Stand up and walk about, use a wrist rest in front of your keyboard.

If it continues I'd be inclined to press the gp for an MRI scan, they are very mean about these but it is the only way to truly diagnose what you have. You can also ask to be referred to a Pain Clinic. The wait is a bit long but they will be able to diagnose and offer you some treatments thay may help you.

I have spinal/nerve damage from being in two car accidents many years ago, coupled with arthritis I already had. It's a nasty thing to live with as to be honest there are limited things that can be done to help this problem.

Good luck and hope you find an answer soon.

Hi Fanny,

Thank you for the above, its really helped as i had never even thought of my back causing this. My lower back was painful about a week ago but i just shrugged it off as being down to wearing heels to work and sleeping in odd positions.

The pain in my calf is still there but its not distracting, just annoying now as it lasted through the night. I have a docs apt today so i'll see what they make of this too.

Many thanks

Hi Charlotte, I was just going for lunch and a lie down when I saw your answer.

You are very welcome, good luck with the doc this afternoon.

Make sure you tell him all of your symptoms, write them on a bit of paper if necessary so you don't forget anything. They are quite used to this and it can help to point them in the right direction.

If you can let me know how you get on, don't be fobbed off.

My experience is once tests are started you roll along the system and usually get to the bottom of the problem. Mind you sometimes the answer isn't one you're keen on!

Good Luck, Fanny Jane.

Hi,

Just to update this. I have had my docs apt regarding my leg symptoms.

I didnt feel reassured atall but we'll see if the advice works. I had some movement tests done on my legs and back. The doc, who was about 25, said that couldnt be any link between my hand and leg symptoms as they are controlled by different nerves. She advised that i take some ibuprofen if the pain comes back as its probably a back problem.

I asked about MS as was worried since my last doc suggested it, she said its not likely atall as the first signs are visual disturbance.

I'll try what she said but not entirely convinced. :-(

Hi Charlotte, common reaction by uninterested gp I'm afraid.

She is right about the two things being different but wrong about the fact that you could have two seperate disc problems, one in your lower (lumber) spine and one in your upper (cervical) spine.

The truth is you are obviously in the early stages anyway. It can take years before gp's often take notice, order the scans and then say ; Oh you have disc degeneration or spinal stenosis, spodylosis / spondylitis or something similar. You may have ulnar problems from your elbow, leading to you hand problems, there are all sorts of problems we can suffer from.

It is also very unlikely you have MS. It is still comparatively rare.

If you can manage it, I would consider visiting an oesteopath, not necessarily for treatment but for diagnosis. They are able to order x rays if necessary but they may not be needed as they are experts on the spine and bones in general. Obviously they are not cheap but may be worth it.

15 years ago we took our 17 year old son to one as our gp told us he had growing pains and refused to do any x rays when he was in pain and limping.

He had private x rays and a blood test. I had a phone call the next day as they found he had a rare growth on his hip bone that was weighing down his leg, giving him pain and making him limp.

We went back to the gp and he received the correct treatment immediately under the NHS. We consider the money it cost well spent I can tell you. He was then able to join the Navy, which he would not have been able to do before his treatment.

There are loads of websites/forums out there for spinal problems. Obviously you have to be sensible and not allow yourself to think that you've got some dreadful disease. They can however show you what problems people have and their experiences. You may then be able to match your symptoms.

Spine Health is a good one, Healing Well another. Pain Support is a brilliant one that's uk based.

There are loads. If you google Spinal problems they'll all come up.

It can be a long road but eventually the gp will listen and you will find out what exactly what it is that is affecting you.

Good luck, hope I've helped a bit. FannyJane.

Hi Fanny-Jane,

I've had a look at some of the websites, they are very informative.

Thank you so much for all your advice and support, it really has helped keep me calm while on my own.

Charlotte

You are very welcome Charlotte. I always think that being informed about things helps a lot whatever the problem.

My very best wishes to you, Fanny Jane.

Hi Charlotte1234,

My names Maggie and I'm 17 years old. For about a week and a half now i have been having the same symptoms that you listed above.  My hips are constantly hurting when I bend over and my legs are have a tingling sensation and feel like pins and needles are poking them.  It's all the time, when i'm laying in bed, sitting in a desk, or just walking.  I went online trying to see what was wrong with me and this was the only thing i found that was spot on.  My dad thinks that I might have split a nerve or something with my spine like you said.  it feels like everlasting growing pains but i'm almost positive i'm done growing.  I am also a competitive runner at my high school and started my track condiditoning like 2 months ago but it mainly started hurting about a week and a half ago, which was the same week i didn't run at all due to snow days.  So i didn't think the running was making it worse but it may have caused it.  Do you think i should go to the doctor? or since this happened to you so long ago do you have any suggestions on what i should do? Thanks.

-Molding2016