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Suggest Treatment For Tingling Sensation On Top Of The Leg
Question: I have a sudden tingling sensation at the top of my leg. It begins on the inside/not outside of leg and goes throughout the top of my leg. Not much pain if any, except when I touch it or press on it. It feels like my leg was starting to fall asleep from lying on it but I then moved to restore circulation. However, this numbness/tingling has been going on for almost a week with little change. My leg functions fine and sometimes the symptoms are less apparent than others.
Brief Answer:
You need a routine screen work and nerve pain medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
The sensation of numbness, tingling, and pain is generally caused by something called neuropathic pain which is generally caused by disease, injury, or dysfunction of the nerve involved. It may be triggered by direct nerve injury, infection, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune disease, neoplasm/tumor, drugs, radiation, and neurovascular disorders. It can also be caused by blood clots. Approximately 50% of people with diabetes will have some sort of nerve damage, dysfunction, or injury. If you have an associated rash, then this could be caused by viruses, shingles, or tic born illnesses such as Lyme disease.
Unfortunately, you are going to need a doctor to evaluate your neuropathy which includes a physical exam, routine screening bloodwork, and possibly nerve conduction studies. Your bloodwork should include electrolytes, vitamins, and endocrine labs. This pain is generally resistant to NSAIDS such as Tylenol and ibuprofen Therefore you will need to try a medication that will be prescribed by your primary care doctor. The usual medications are gabapentin and amitriptyline. Your doctor can also prescribe you topical medications that might help such as lidocaine. You can try Voltaren gel or apsercream which you can get at most pharmacies.
You need a routine screen work and nerve pain medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
The sensation of numbness, tingling, and pain is generally caused by something called neuropathic pain which is generally caused by disease, injury, or dysfunction of the nerve involved. It may be triggered by direct nerve injury, infection, metabolic dysfunction, autoimmune disease, neoplasm/tumor, drugs, radiation, and neurovascular disorders. It can also be caused by blood clots. Approximately 50% of people with diabetes will have some sort of nerve damage, dysfunction, or injury. If you have an associated rash, then this could be caused by viruses, shingles, or tic born illnesses such as Lyme disease.
Unfortunately, you are going to need a doctor to evaluate your neuropathy which includes a physical exam, routine screening bloodwork, and possibly nerve conduction studies. Your bloodwork should include electrolytes, vitamins, and endocrine labs. This pain is generally resistant to NSAIDS such as Tylenol and ibuprofen Therefore you will need to try a medication that will be prescribed by your primary care doctor. The usual medications are gabapentin and amitriptyline. Your doctor can also prescribe you topical medications that might help such as lidocaine. You can try Voltaren gel or apsercream which you can get at most pharmacies.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
There is almost no pain--just a numbness that comes and goes. I have a history of strokes. I've had one diagnosed but possibly 3 in total. I've taken about every test out there and the neurological team hasn't found a cause for any of the strokes.
I'm healthy and have great blood pressure, low cholesterol, and good glucose levels. I recently moved countries and left my doctor and neurologist back in the UK. Just before I left I was recommended to be put on Warfarin but I moved out of the country. Therefore, I wasn't put on the Warfarin.
I've had Shingles in the past and wonder if this isn't another episode. Is there a likeliness of one over the other? I don't mind so much, however it worries me about the possibility of another stroke related episode.
Like I said, there isn't really any pain. It's more of a numbness that starts at the hip-socket and goes down the thigh towards the knee. It occurred after a night that left a kink in my neck. One that bothered me for several days but has since vanished. I thought it was a twisted nerve to start with.
I'm healthy and have great blood pressure, low cholesterol, and good glucose levels. I recently moved countries and left my doctor and neurologist back in the UK. Just before I left I was recommended to be put on Warfarin but I moved out of the country. Therefore, I wasn't put on the Warfarin.
I've had Shingles in the past and wonder if this isn't another episode. Is there a likeliness of one over the other? I don't mind so much, however it worries me about the possibility of another stroke related episode.
Like I said, there isn't really any pain. It's more of a numbness that starts at the hip-socket and goes down the thigh towards the knee. It occurred after a night that left a kink in my neck. One that bothered me for several days but has since vanished. I thought it was a twisted nerve to start with.
Brief Answer:
Nerve stimulator and medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
You are right - it is not necessarily pain. It is more of a tingling and numbness sensation, or a burning shock sensation, that happens when there is some type of dysfunction with the nerve or the brain or the spinal cord. It is actually a loss of function and the brain can not turn off the inhibitory mechanism that it would normally, and therefore, there is a tingling sensation that you feel chronically.
It could be related to the neck kink. Neuropathic pain can arise from damage to the nerve pathways at any point from the terminals of the peripheral nerve all the way up to the neurons in the brain, and it can exist without any other diseases present. Actually, it may be caused by an abnormality in the central nervous system rather than a manifestation of any underlying disease.
Shingles is the second most common cause of neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes. Following shingles is central poststroke syndrome. Some people have neuropathic pain from herniated discs in their back.
I would try some different medications that are specific for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin, Pregabalin, and Amitriptyline work great. You can also try a nerve stimulator or acupuncture. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer or treatment. You will have to try many medications, or a combination of several different ones.
Nerve stimulator and medication
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
You are right - it is not necessarily pain. It is more of a tingling and numbness sensation, or a burning shock sensation, that happens when there is some type of dysfunction with the nerve or the brain or the spinal cord. It is actually a loss of function and the brain can not turn off the inhibitory mechanism that it would normally, and therefore, there is a tingling sensation that you feel chronically.
It could be related to the neck kink. Neuropathic pain can arise from damage to the nerve pathways at any point from the terminals of the peripheral nerve all the way up to the neurons in the brain, and it can exist without any other diseases present. Actually, it may be caused by an abnormality in the central nervous system rather than a manifestation of any underlying disease.
Shingles is the second most common cause of neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes. Following shingles is central poststroke syndrome. Some people have neuropathic pain from herniated discs in their back.
I would try some different medications that are specific for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin, Pregabalin, and Amitriptyline work great. You can also try a nerve stimulator or acupuncture. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer or treatment. You will have to try many medications, or a combination of several different ones.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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