numb lower leg

[sarahjane]

Hello all-I know there have been similar posts butcan't remember details.....

I realised through the night that my left lower leg is almost completely without feeling apart from a narrow stretch running down the back of my calf. The inner aspect of my foot is also affected.

The area is not swollen or discoloured. Any similar experiences and do I go to my GP or leave it?

Its a bit freaky to say the least! Thank you

[Carolina]

Hi sarahjane,

I'm sure you'll hear from several of us who have various types of numbness in our lower legs and feet.

The common complaint is some version of peripheral neuropathy, often shortened to PN.

It means, generally, that there is damage to the nerves, which causes both numbness, and slows and confuses the communication between the area affected and your brain.

The way I describe it is like this:

I have this problem in both lower legs and feet.

If I SEE something I should step over, my brain tells my feet to step over the object.

HOWEVER, because of the nerve damage, the message to my legs and feet is scrambled, and I may stumble or trip and fall.

My feet and legs don't 'get the message properly' and don't lift high enough, or at the right time in the right place.

AND, if I step on something (a rock, or a small depression, or the ground isn't level) my feet and legs try to tell my brain what is going on.

HOWEVER, because of the nerve damage, my brain gets the message that I've stepped into a deep hole, or off a sharp drop, or onto a huge rock.   This causes a sort of sudden rush of fear because my brain thinks my legs and feet have sensed danger.

It makes walking a nightmare, to say the least.

The most common cause of PN is diabetes.

I'm not diabetic, thank goodness.

PN sometimes occurs as a part of the constellation of conditions that accompanies many Autoimmune Diseases, like Sjogren's.

My PN apparently was caused by a prescription drug I took for an extended period of time.

That means mine probably won't get worse, which is a relief.

I also am taking a high dose of Methyl B-12, a vitamin which may help the covering of the damaged nerves to repair.

There are various tests (physical) for peripheral neuropathy.

If your condition persists, and you want medical advice, neurologists are the doctors trained to assess and possibly treat this sort of problem.

Keep us posted!

Hugs

Elaine

[iraisin]

That's a very good education, Carolina. I don't have this problem - random tingling is the most I suffer with. But now that you've posted this knowledge, I will talk to my doctor a bit more when they prescribe me new meds to take.

Does the feeling of numbness come and go? Or is it permanent damage for you now? And it was caused by meds? not necessarily SJS?

[Carolina]

Dear iraisin,

The numbness is permanent and constant. 

It was caused by an antibiotic, Macrobid, which I took for chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).  Almost ALL of the best drugs for UTIs have the possibility of causing PN, sometimes right away and sometimes over a period of time.  But it is very rare, and doesn't preclude most doctors using it.

I would have taken it knowing the risk is so rare, I do believe.  It's like reading then package insert on anything you take, even OTC.

I have never test positive for Sjogren's, but only have moderate SICCA, which I developed about 10 years ago, and I have Salagen for that, and eye drops and sprays.  I also have Interstitial Cystitis (but again fairly moderate) and a couple of other syndromes that seemed like they might all be part of an Autoimmune condition.   But evidently not.

I'm certainly not disabled enough by anything to warrant Plaquenil or Prednisone or Methotrexate.  I get what I need.  So that's OK.

My Osteo Arthritis pain and my PN are the most bothersome.   That and I now have taken to falling out of bed and talking in my sleep.

So I just stay tuned to see what will happen next!

It's always something, it seems.

Oh the tingling and burning that comes and goes is often the first part of nerve damage.  Not to worry you, but that is true. 

When the nerve is truly not working then the intermittent pain and tingling may be less.

Also Cymbalta is on label for the pain of PN, so I take that and may not realize how much pain there would be if I didn't have it.

If that makes any sense!

Hugs

Elaine

[slccom]

Sarajane, if this is sudden, I would get to a neurologist ASAP. You could have a nerve impingement, and it can sometimes be reversed with prompt treatment. Anyone, with or without Sjogren's, needs to realize that sudden onset things involving nerves need to be treated promptly.

I hope it can be reversed. Not all neuro things are permanent.

Sharon

[Dolly Dimples]

I agree with Sharon, anything new or not sure of, off to the Doc!
Numbness can be a symptom of a few complaints and needs assessing by the right person.
                Let us know the results,   Dolly 

[Nancy60]

I hope you get in to see a doctor soon, as the others said if it is a new symptom, it needs to be checked out because there are other things that can also cause numbness that need treatment.  It is important not to assume any symptom you have is due to Sjogren's.  You need to rule out other potentially more serious causes first.  I had new onset numbness of my foot and lower leg that turned out to be a cyst impinging on the nerves and spinal cord in my low back, not directly due to Sjogren's, so do get it checked out.  If you have new onset bladder or bowel incontinence, or sudden weakness of your leg or foot, along with the leg numbness that can indicate an emergency with your back and you need to get to the ER. 

Let us know how you are doing.

Nancy

[jazzlover]

I will see a neurologist in less than 2 wks for numbness in both legs. I've had a recent MRI of my lower back. It had not changed much since last Oct when they found a bulging disc. I also have PN and it seems to be expanding.

Hope you get help soon!!

[sarahjane]

Thank you for your very informational replies and support. I rang my GP and I have an emergency appt today.

I had hoped it would be gone by today but it's still there!

Sometimes we need affirmation from others before doing anything-we've all had that feeling of not bothering the Drs.

Thank you and I'll let you know what happens
Sarah