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What Causes Numbness In Lower Back And Left Leg?
Question: Hi, about 3 weeks ago I began to experience a bit of numbness in my lower back and down my left leg. No swelling, injuries, etc., but the odd thing is that when I put my foot in hot water, my left foot doesn't feel the hotness of the water...and when my left side is touched by cold (leaning up against the granite sink, metal, etc.) it's almost as if I'm being burned. I'm not even sure numbness is the right word...it just feels odd. No swelling...I'm just not sure what to do. It isn't stopping my daily life, but it's odd.
Brief Answer:
Neuropathic pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
This is neuropathy what you are having. Pain might not be much but the numbness and probably tingling points towards it. As it is causing you discomfort and not major problems, a conservative approach will be better for now.
I would suggest the following-
Warm compression.
Avoid smoking and alcohol if any.
Tab pregabalin-mecobalamin.
Gentle exercises like spinal isometric, straight leg raising, quadriceps drill.
Painkiller gel application locally if required.
Blood test for blood sugar.
Kindly give a followup or get back with reports.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
Neuropathic pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
This is neuropathy what you are having. Pain might not be much but the numbness and probably tingling points towards it. As it is causing you discomfort and not major problems, a conservative approach will be better for now.
I would suggest the following-
Warm compression.
Avoid smoking and alcohol if any.
Tab pregabalin-mecobalamin.
Gentle exercises like spinal isometric, straight leg raising, quadriceps drill.
Painkiller gel application locally if required.
Blood test for blood sugar.
Kindly give a followup or get back with reports.
Hope this was useful.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I read, with interest, your thoughts. Interestingly enough, the weekend that this started, I was also diagnosed/treated for shingles. I did not have the actual shingles "rash," but all the other symptoms led the doctor's office to prescribe Valtrex (I think) and the medicine kept me from breaking out into the shingles rash. The discomfort has receded, from the shingles on my right side...and all I really deal with right now is the neuropathy. Will it go away? Any time table? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Yeah. Don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you for writing back.
Yes, neuropathy might be associated with low-grade shingles attack and it is more a discomfort than distress.
Don't worry, it is temporary.
The gentle exercises will help you with recovery along with the medicine prescribed above and also by your doctor.
Though no specific duration can be said regarding complete recovery, but I assume that it wont be long, maybe 2-3 weeks.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Yeah. Don't worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you for writing back.
Yes, neuropathy might be associated with low-grade shingles attack and it is more a discomfort than distress.
Don't worry, it is temporary.
The gentle exercises will help you with recovery along with the medicine prescribed above and also by your doctor.
Though no specific duration can be said regarding complete recovery, but I assume that it wont be long, maybe 2-3 weeks.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
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