Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Burning Sensation In The Thighs While Treating Anxiety?
Question: Hi, i am 28 years of age male. its been a few weeks where i have a burning feeling, sunburn like feeling in my thighs, legs, arms and stomach. I suffer from high anxiety and was anxious in the lead up. I had an alcoholocic drink which made it feel worse as well as being anxious in the build up. It started off very mild but as my anxiety grew it became worse. I recently had an mri and blood test which was normal. I am worried as i dont know what it is and cant seem to get rid of it. I saw my gp who said it is anxiety related but wanted another opinion. When i wear pants it really burns but while wearing shorts it isnt as bad. Could this be nuerological or anxiety. I dont have any other symptoms, although my eating patterns have changed and vecome somewhat antisocial due to the anxiety. It affects me more while wearing pants and clothing could this still be the anxiety or something else??
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That description of the distribution of the symptoms involves different anatomic territories, areas which are not explained by one particular brain or spinal cord area. This lack of a lesion which can explain that location of symptoms coupled with the normal MRI you have had does exclude a neurological damage.
The fact that it is related to pants doesn't fit with one neurological condition either. There is a condition called meralgia paresthetica caused by compression of a peripheral nerve by tight clothing, but the burning sensation would be only in the thighs, not in arms and stomach so it is excluded. There aren't any other conditions to relate to clothing.
So I do agree with your GP, those symptoms do indeed seem to be due to anxiety.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That description of the distribution of the symptoms involves different anatomic territories, areas which are not explained by one particular brain or spinal cord area. This lack of a lesion which can explain that location of symptoms coupled with the normal MRI you have had does exclude a neurological damage.
The fact that it is related to pants doesn't fit with one neurological condition either. There is a condition called meralgia paresthetica caused by compression of a peripheral nerve by tight clothing, but the burning sensation would be only in the thighs, not in arms and stomach so it is excluded. There aren't any other conditions to relate to clothing.
So I do agree with your GP, those symptoms do indeed seem to be due to anxiety.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi
Thank you for your response. The feeling comes and goes and is mostly there while wearing clothing. Can also be sensitive and burn once i wear pants and also when i touch. it is mostly felt in my thighs the middle area of the thigh and also knee area and legs also arms. The mri i had was of my brain and come normal. Also blood test was normal too. It is very frustrating. Is the mri of the brain and blood test enough to confirm that there is no nuerological disorder or would i need more test. I have no other symptoms though
Thank you for your response. The feeling comes and goes and is mostly there while wearing clothing. Can also be sensitive and burn once i wear pants and also when i touch. it is mostly felt in my thighs the middle area of the thigh and also knee area and legs also arms. The mri i had was of my brain and come normal. Also blood test was normal too. It is very frustrating. Is the mri of the brain and blood test enough to confirm that there is no nuerological disorder or would i need more test. I have no other symptoms though
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry you are feeling so frustrated. But I (fortunately) remain of the same opinion, that the distribution of the symptoms coupled with the normal MRI speaks of a psychological cause.
If I were to ask for more tests, nerve conduction studies may be considered for the possibility of a peripheral neuropathy which isn't detected by imaging, but the distribution of the symptoms really isn't typical and I expect that to be normal as well.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry you are feeling so frustrated. But I (fortunately) remain of the same opinion, that the distribution of the symptoms coupled with the normal MRI speaks of a psychological cause.
If I were to ask for more tests, nerve conduction studies may be considered for the possibility of a peripheral neuropathy which isn't detected by imaging, but the distribution of the symptoms really isn't typical and I expect that to be normal as well.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok thank you very much
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I hope you will feel better soon.
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
I hope you will feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
