Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Numbness In Legs And Abdominal Area?
Question: I have had numbness in my legs and abdomen area for over 5 weeks, it moved to include my chin and now my finger tips and feet. I have been to a regular Dr. and had blood tests, ultrasound and x rays. I have elevated liver and thyroid enzymes, changed my diet but numbness is getting worse. I've tried acupuncture, shiatsu, deep tissue and lymph node massage with no noticeable change. Should I see a nerve dr. or some other kind of dr.? I'm 48 years old 5'6 and 198 pds. I've also been experiencing extreme nausea, bloody noses and vomiting which has gotten better the last few days (last bad day was Sunday).
Brief Answer:
Metabolic Distal Peripheral Neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam.
I have read and understood your concern.
Your symptoms largely point to Metabolic Distal Peripheral Neuropathy of glove and stocking type.
This could be secondary to the liver and thyroid abnormality.
I strongly recommend you to have a Nerve conduction study MRI scan of the total spine to rule out Neurological causes.
Empirical therapy consists of using Inj VIt B12 1000 mcg once a day for 1 month followed once a week for 12 months.
Also drugs like Gabapentin 150 mg once a day for 1 month with drug holiday at weekends will be very beneficial in relieving your symptoms .
Please note these drugs have to taken under strict medical supervision.
I hope i have answered your query at the moment.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Metabolic Distal Peripheral Neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Mam.
I have read and understood your concern.
Your symptoms largely point to Metabolic Distal Peripheral Neuropathy of glove and stocking type.
This could be secondary to the liver and thyroid abnormality.
I strongly recommend you to have a Nerve conduction study MRI scan of the total spine to rule out Neurological causes.
Empirical therapy consists of using Inj VIt B12 1000 mcg once a day for 1 month followed once a week for 12 months.
Also drugs like Gabapentin 150 mg once a day for 1 month with drug holiday at weekends will be very beneficial in relieving your symptoms .
Please note these drugs have to taken under strict medical supervision.
I hope i have answered your query at the moment.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for your reply, I've been taking B12, but only for this week, I will continue and look for the alternative. What type of Dr. should I go to for the MRI scan that you reference? I don't want to return to the Dr. I saw for my stomach issues as he was very dismissive of my other symptoms and offered no recommendations what so ever outside of coming back in a few months for more tests.
On the nerve issue, the funny thing is that it didn't start in my toes or fingers, it started in my shins, moved to my thighs and abdomen, then my chin. It has only been this week where my feet and the very tips of my fingers tingle. My feet are more impacted now after the massage therapies and the acupuncture treatments.
One thing I didn't mention is that I'm a scuba diver as recreation and hurt my leg in XXXXXXX while diving, that's the first time I had swelling in my left leg and noticed significant swelling in my lower legs. I went to the Urgent Care and they had me get an ultrasound to look for any blood clotting as I also fly on a weekly basis to work, but the test was negative.
I read that decompression sickness can appear as the same symptoms and be treated with oxygen treatment. Any thoughts?
On the nerve issue, the funny thing is that it didn't start in my toes or fingers, it started in my shins, moved to my thighs and abdomen, then my chin. It has only been this week where my feet and the very tips of my fingers tingle. My feet are more impacted now after the massage therapies and the acupuncture treatments.
One thing I didn't mention is that I'm a scuba diver as recreation and hurt my leg in XXXXXXX while diving, that's the first time I had swelling in my left leg and noticed significant swelling in my lower legs. I went to the Urgent Care and they had me get an ultrasound to look for any blood clotting as I also fly on a weekly basis to work, but the test was negative.
I read that decompression sickness can appear as the same symptoms and be treated with oxygen treatment. Any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
See an interventional Radiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome again,
I advise you to see an interventional Radiologist for the MRI scan-fast spin echo-total spine.
Then refer yourself with the test results to a Neurosurgeon.
The pattern of numbness is very much in consistent with Distal Neuropathy.
Continue with complete course of Inj B12,as its mandate to protect your nerves and spinal cord at this stage of your disease.
Scuba diving and decompression sickness are absolutely not related to the pattern of neuropathy and other symptoms in your case.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
See an interventional Radiologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome again,
I advise you to see an interventional Radiologist for the MRI scan-fast spin echo-total spine.
Then refer yourself with the test results to a Neurosurgeon.
The pattern of numbness is very much in consistent with Distal Neuropathy.
Continue with complete course of Inj B12,as its mandate to protect your nerves and spinal cord at this stage of your disease.
Scuba diving and decompression sickness are absolutely not related to the pattern of neuropathy and other symptoms in your case.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
