What Causes Weakness And Numbness In Condition Like RA And Spinal Stenosis?

Posted on Wed, 25 Mar 2015

Question: I have RA and Spinal Stenosis. My legs will just be weak and numb feeling when I go walking.. What is this from? Will it get worse in time. I am 55 years old. Thankyou
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I take Gabapentin 600, Prozac 60 MG at bedtime , antiflamatory pill..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is due to both spinal stenosis and RA

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I hve studied your case. You said that you are having weakness in lower lim and numb feeling when you walk. It is mostly due to spinal stenosis. In spinal canal stenosis there is compression on the spinal cord. This pressure increases when patient walks for some distance. This pressure causes pain. Soon pain is so bad that perso need to sit and take rest.
Gradually distance decreses and weakness increases. In last stage pain and weakness present during rest also.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also a contributory factor as it causes damage to knee and hip joint.
So I would suggest you following.
1.Take regular teatment for RA. It includes DMARD like HCQ, SAAZ, Methotreate.
2.For spinal stenosis you are taking right medicnes like Gabapentin. If on MRi canal diameter is less than 9 than you might need surgery.
3 Avoid smoking.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other follow up questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (14 minutes later)

I tried Methotreate, I got terrible head ach from it so they had me stop. Also I have fatty liver.. I just feel my RA doctor just gives me pain pill and I am on my own. Some days are worse then others.
I had 2 MRI in the last 5 years. My lower back also hurts and has Spinal Stenosis.
I was going to have neck surgery but I went for a 2nd opinion and he said it would not help so I canceled it . I don't want surgery until it is the last thing to try I guess.....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
For RA you can try leflunomide

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If methotrexate is not working than other medication lile Leflunomide, Etanercept, HCQ, SAAZ should be used. It is not right to just take pain killer becuase disease activity will continue to progress. So contact a good rheumatolgist in your region.
For spinal canal stenosis I would recommend you to continure Pregabalin and methylcobal. Avoid smoking . In any case if pain is not under control and you can not walk for few steps than you can plan spinal surgery of back. It is a simple surgery and not dangerous like neck surgery. You can walk from next day.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar