Left leg and foot numbness

Posted , 8 users are following.

I had severe pain from my left buttock to my toes, it started around 4 weeks ago.... Totally out of the blue with no trauma injury involved.

Now I am not completely pain free however the numbness has not improved.

It is left side of hamstring area, left side of calf, left side of heel and foot sole and smallest two toes.

The feel dead.

I get dizzy flashes and nauseous feelings on and off through each day and I am also pretty easily fatigued.

My GP is a frustration, diagnosis was sciatica and I have been referred to neorology.

I am worried having read numerous blogs etc however I am on here to ask for honest thoughts and advice.

Thanks

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi - you do not have to had trauma for back issues to erupt.

    I had 2 bulging discus T10-11 and I had shakiness, burning legs and numbness mainly in the right foot. It was the bulging disc pressing on my spinal cord causing the nerve issues in legs ( since had op.)

    The first thing you need to do is stop the panic button (easier said than done, I have been there) and then insist on MRI that will show where issue lies.

    Keep us posted.- good luck.

    • Posted

      Thanks

      Is there anything else other than bulging discs that could cause it???

      It just seems really bizarre that the severe splitting pain has decreased and numbness has remained.

    • Posted

      Neither the go or a and e took me seriously they would only give me pain meds which do not touch the pain. I ended up paying for own mri which showed bulging disc and even with a referal from a private consultant for a spinal epidural my gp took 3 months to put me on the waiting list. I am now waiting for surgery. If I can offer any advice it would be to keep going to a and e and refuse to leave without being checked by orthopedic consultant or having an mri. I would not want anyone to go through the last 8 months I had. Xx

      Keep well

      It's not meant to cause upset - I kept getting fobbed off, no one would take the pain I was in seriously. Spent over 300 pound on prescription meds. Lost job due to the amount of time off. Be adamant and strong.

      Take care. Sazzie x

  • Posted

    I had similar symptons and had to have a microdisectomy, essentially the prolapse disk presses on the nerve that gives you the pain in the leg. So the surgeon took part of the disk away. If you stand or walk on tip toes and the bad leg gives way is another test the consultants do.

    It could also be periformis syndrome which is resolved by regular stretching and loosening up of the muscles in the buttock; the muscle knot presses on the nerve. The hip can play apart in causing the pain, but I am no expert to comment. 

    Get an MRI scan asap before getting any treatment or spending money on chiropractors etc. Dont worry too much.  

    • Posted

      Thanks

      It's difficult not to worry.

      Reading constantly about what may be causing it and what it could be.....multiple sclerosis for example.

      I also see a lot of comments about the numbness not lifting and therefore managing the situation is the issue rather than curing it.

      Also getting an MRI scan isn't easy to request.

  • Posted

    I understand your fear, I'm going through it for the second time, I had surgery but have relapsed.

    I can't seem to get an appointment with a gp and have a month until my review. The best option is (which is what I did the first time round) is it go into a&e. 8 know you'll probably feel stupid, which is how I felt. They'll check you over properly, usually by an orthopaedic Dr. They kept me in for a week and gave me an injection under xray and had an mri. A month or so later I was back for surgery!

    Being only 25 I feel far too young to deal with this. It's hard not to worry, but you aren't alone. Talking helps

  • Posted

    Could be a sign of compression I would get a mir scan as soon as possible.i had a similar start. Then I went into complete compression I was left in hospital for 5 days turned away 1st time with a GP letter I was told by a junior doctors he would not admit me as he thought I was trying to que jump. Anyway I suffer I now have mobility issues I have a colostomy and a uromstoma for the we I at to have my bladder removed as it was left in but went septic. I have had 7 major operation all due to not getting the right treatment. I was awarded damages the money help but I would swop that for my old life so get it checked I never knew it was going to happen but I did have the same pains as u. I intended to frighten u so go
  • Posted

    Could be a sign of compression I would get a mir scan as soon as possible.i had a similar start. Then I went into complete compression I was left in hospital for 5 days turned away 1st time with a GP letter I was told by a junior doctors he would not admit me as he thought I was trying to que jump. Anyway I suffer I now have mobility issues I have a colostomy and a uromstoma for the we I at to have my bladder removed as it was left in but went septic. I have had 7 major operation all due to not getting the right treatment. I was awarded damages the money help but I would swop that for my old life so get it checked I never knew it was going to happen but I did have the same pains as u. I intended to frighten u so go
    • Posted

      Omg.... You successful frightened me....thanks for your comments though, and take care of yourself.
  • Posted

    That's what I had b4 my op 2yrs ago and sciatic nerve was trapped..they released mine during surgery but it can release on own or with physio...once u have seen neurologist you will know better...I have trapped nerve on right now since pelvic fractures but it is affecting right side up from hip and right arm time goes and I find it very painful and arm feels useless if I have been on my crutches to long...I see surgeon on 29th5 so x rays will show what's happening in pelvis...it is driving me mad...can't sleep...hope you get ur answer wen you have your apps thru..good luck dadriano...
  • Posted

    Into week 5 now.

    Severe burning ripping pain is away.... Numbness still there.

    Left leg is dead and very very week.

    Exhausted very quickly when walking etc.

    GP not pushing for tests etc as standard recovery for sciatica is apparently 9-12 weeks....any thoughts???

    Also can anyone tell me if this is normal or if I am destined for further long term problems???

    Getting a little worried about the numbness, I just don't see how it can just disappear.

    • Posted

      To be honest it took me from December to Feb to get tests. But with your symptoms being quite bad yout best bet would be to admit yourself by going to a&e, they will do reflex tests, check your numbness etc and may admit you for an mri

    • Posted

      The GP done reflex tests etc...

      What were the symptoms you had in relation to numbness and pain?

    • Posted

      It's better done in a&e because they usually get an orthopaedic Dr to come and see you, especially with the numbness.

      It started with normal sciatica symptoms in the start of December, by the end of December I had numbness. I was booked in for an mri the start of Feb as an urgent referral because by then I could barely walk and was on 2 types of morphine at that point. I had my op the start of April I think.

    • Posted

      Thanks

      Sciatica pain, severe pain in buttock and back, stayed with numbness??

      I had that with numbness although no back pain!!

      Now numbness all the time, and pressure pain from standing and walking.

    • Posted

      If your symptoms are progressing then i would definitely say it's more urgent than your Dr is saying. As good as our GPS are they arent specialists

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