Numbness and pain in both legs up to waist

Hi geminimom,

I am almost 100% certain that this is a slipped disc in your spine. Usually, if it's on both sides, it could mean that it's collapsed completely and is pushing into your spinal chord. These nerves are highly sensitive and oxygen-dependent, and can start dying off if placed under pressure for too long. 

I don't mean to scare you, but you need to get yourself to a radiologist urgently - don't wait for the neurologist! If your doctor isn't available for the referral, go to the emergency room at your local hospital. The in-house doctor there will be able to refer you for x-ray/MRI (probably immediately). This is not something to be toyed with. My friend almost ended up paralysed for life, by waiting too long. 

Please, go immediately. 

I am a retired physician. I do not know exactly what is wrong but it could be and is likely to be an herniated disc. You don't necessarily have to have a specific traumatic event. Something as innocuous as a sneeze could cause it. It really does not matter at this point. You need to see someone immediately. If there are pinched or compromised nerves you could have permanent damage. If the damage includes your bladder and rectum, you will lose control not just now but for the rest of your life. This is considered a neurosurgical emergency if it is part of your problem and again, I said if. You need to get an MRI and see a neurologist or neurosurgeon now. If you can't get an appointment, go to an emergency room.

I would not wait for appointment, I had some similar things. One day I was sitting I the bathroom both legs went numb. My wife called 911 my life has never been the same. Now I am permanently disabled. With me it turned out to be a rare brain disorder called central pontine mylinosis. Don't take a chance. It's not worth it what ever it is get it check. I wish for the best result. gary

Thank you all for your replies. The emergency room basically pats me on the head and tells me to elevate my legs and take some Tylenol. Maybe I am not expressing myself and what's going on well?   I had no desire for anything other than a diagnosis and where to go from there and said as much. I practically begged for an MRI but was told my primary had to do referral. I am in so much pain and the numbness seems to come on more frequently and I just want the problem fixed. It is humiliating to fall down and have to crawl to find something to pull myself up by. Besides "I can't feel below my waist" and "I dead drop fall to the ground and can't walk" is there some key term I'm not expressing for the ER to take me seriously? I don't think I can wait another 2 weeks as now I am also going numb while sitting which used to be only relief I had. I cannot live like this much more.

That is utterly unacceptable! You need to make a scene... Call an ambulance, or have someone take you there, and then call for a wheelchair because you can't walk. It sounds ridiculous, but I've learned first-hand that doctors only take you seriously when you're basically on death's door. I agree that this sounds like it could be Cauda Equina, which is incredibly serious. You cannot wait. I'd just straight-up call an ambulance. And yes, tell them you're worried about bladder/bowel function (even if it's not true).

Thank you again everyone. Over last couple days the numbness is more frequent and the pain that comes before it has me in tears. I'm going to go to another area hospital this afternoon and hopefully have some better care there. 

I so appreciate all of your replies and advice.Will update after visit to ER.

Wow.... I don't think I have ever felt as frustrated as I did today at the hospital. They took me in right away as if my symptoms at some level were serious.But that's where it stopped. The doctor looked at me as if i were some crazy person.  Mind you I went in dressed well, made up- nothing to look down on. Yet he didn't mention a thing about a neurologist or MRI or anything to do with my back until I asked him, no I begged him for the MRI. He then advised me that they don't order MRI from the ER. Basically I would have to be having a stroke his words- to get an MRI in the ER and even then, one has to be admitted to hospital first and as he put it " and I am not admitting you" He then asked if I had a specific back injury and if so I need to see my primary. In betrayal of my own self, I started to cry and told him I have been waiting on my primary for 10 weeks. That today the Dr.  office called to tell me they need to cancel and I have to reschedule my June 13  appointment and to call back next week when they will have more information  as to dr availability. He told me to call next week then as instructed.My primary is the only one that can help me.  I couldn't figure out why he was blowing me off that way.    He then out of the blue says let's run a UA to see if there's a UTI. I asked him would a UTI cause numbness in my legs? For 10 weeks? With no symptoms? So he said oh, ok let's forget the UA.    I tried to tell him I want an MRI and diagnosis. He again said they just don't do it there. You know the cry where tears are just flowing can't seem to stop but there's no audible crying going on? Just the tears? That's how frustrated I was. I'm   sitting there and I'm in pain and wondering if I was ever going to get help. Had to be one of the most ridiculous ER visits I ever had. I need different insurance....