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What Causes Pain In Lower Extremities?
Question: I am 66 years old, 2-3 cigarettes a day smoker. Also I am a diabetic. I get this very acute pain in my lower extremities, sort of restless during nights and unable to walk. It is sometimes pin prick sensation to my lower extremities. I used to drink, but quit and smoking on the way to quit. I dont know whom to consult, a diabetoliogist, a neurologist, or any other speciality to correctly identify and diagnose the problem and go ahead with treatment accordingly. Right now, I have been given some pain killers which I am having to take more and more to get rid of the pain. Also i am on diabetic medications. Please suggest. Thank you.s
Brief Answer:
Meet an internal medicine specialist first.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. History of smoking and diabetes with pain in lower extremities require both neural and vascular evaluation.
2. Diabetes, when chronically uncontrolled can lead onto diabetes neuropathy. Alpha lipoic acid medication with Vitamin B12 supplement will be helpful. Control of diabetes mellitus is necessary. Pin prick sensation is usually a signs of peripheral neuropathy.
3. Smoking, chronically can lead to a condition called thromboangitis obliterans. It affects the blood vessels. Resting pain will be severe and claudication (pain increases with movement like walking) pain will be present.
4. You need to first meet an internal medicine specialist to identify the cause. Doppler or angiogram study may be necessary for evaluation of thromboangitis obliterans.
5. You can meet an internal medicine specialist for diagnosis. Based on clinical findings and investigations, you might require a neurologist or a vascular surgeon.
Hope it helps.
If you have any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Meet an internal medicine specialist first.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. History of smoking and diabetes with pain in lower extremities require both neural and vascular evaluation.
2. Diabetes, when chronically uncontrolled can lead onto diabetes neuropathy. Alpha lipoic acid medication with Vitamin B12 supplement will be helpful. Control of diabetes mellitus is necessary. Pin prick sensation is usually a signs of peripheral neuropathy.
3. Smoking, chronically can lead to a condition called thromboangitis obliterans. It affects the blood vessels. Resting pain will be severe and claudication (pain increases with movement like walking) pain will be present.
4. You need to first meet an internal medicine specialist to identify the cause. Doppler or angiogram study may be necessary for evaluation of thromboangitis obliterans.
5. You can meet an internal medicine specialist for diagnosis. Based on clinical findings and investigations, you might require a neurologist or a vascular surgeon.
Hope it helps.
If you have any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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