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What Causes Persistent Back Pain And Tingling Sensation In The Legs?
Question: Hi, Im suffering from a severe burning back pain for more than 5 weeks. I cannot walk for more than 10 minutes, i cannot sit very long. Bending and lifting is very painful.
In have pain in lower back and it hurts more when i lay on my back. Thereby i have intense pain between shoulderblades and pain in lower and upper neck. Thereby i have tingling feet and i cannot feel a lot in both feet and legs I feel only sharp stings in feet. and I cannot walk properly. My indigestion is not good. Or i have diarrhea or constipation. My stomach hurts as wel and i have moderate appetite. Im going to do echo of liver and blatt r tomorrow. What can it be?
In have pain in lower back and it hurts more when i lay on my back. Thereby i have intense pain between shoulderblades and pain in lower and upper neck. Thereby i have tingling feet and i cannot feel a lot in both feet and legs I feel only sharp stings in feet. and I cannot walk properly. My indigestion is not good. Or i have diarrhea or constipation. My stomach hurts as wel and i have moderate appetite. Im going to do echo of liver and blatt r tomorrow. What can it be?
Brief Answer:
Peripheral neuropathy, most likely related to B12 deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The abnormal sensations you feel in your legs are usually due to neuropathy. Usually neuropathy associated with back pain is due to degenerative spinal disease with disc bulges leading to nerve root compression.
However I see from your past questions that you have been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is typically manifested with peripheral neuropathy. In addition to that as it may affect autonomous nervous system it can manifest gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, heartburn etc. So it would be the most likely explanation for your symptoms. Usually it is improved by therapy, but may take several months.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Peripheral neuropathy, most likely related to B12 deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
The abnormal sensations you feel in your legs are usually due to neuropathy. Usually neuropathy associated with back pain is due to degenerative spinal disease with disc bulges leading to nerve root compression.
However I see from your past questions that you have been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is typically manifested with peripheral neuropathy. In addition to that as it may affect autonomous nervous system it can manifest gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, heartburn etc. So it would be the most likely explanation for your symptoms. Usually it is improved by therapy, but may take several months.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear dr. Taka,
Thank you from your answer. The vitamine b 12 shots are giving moderest improvement. Could there be any methabolic issue. I tried extra active folic. 5-merhyltetrahydrofolaat 2 X 400mcg. Is this ok to take even i have a high folic acid status in blood? Its giving much better result. I just bought it online without doctors prescription. But this is because im qiut desperate because of the pain.
do you know why i have better results with active folate?
What can i do more to speed up recovery?
Im in great pain. Paracetamol is not working al lot. What can i take best?
Can it harm when i bend or walk to much?
Thank you so much for your knowledge and time.
Thank you from your answer. The vitamine b 12 shots are giving moderest improvement. Could there be any methabolic issue. I tried extra active folic. 5-merhyltetrahydrofolaat 2 X 400mcg. Is this ok to take even i have a high folic acid status in blood? Its giving much better result. I just bought it online without doctors prescription. But this is because im qiut desperate because of the pain.
do you know why i have better results with active folate?
What can i do more to speed up recovery?
Im in great pain. Paracetamol is not working al lot. What can i take best?
Can it harm when i bend or walk to much?
Thank you so much for your knowledge and time.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
While there is no harm from taking supplements with folic acid I do not see any benefit from taking it when you have normal levels. It is a substance which is already present with food, if you had some issues in metabolizing it you would have it with the supplement as well. So I can't provide an explanation on why it makes you feel better apart from the placebo effect.
As for the pain I would suggest using medication for neuropathic pain to alleviate it while nerve regeneration takes place. Such medication would be anticonvulsants like gabapentin or antidepressants like duloxetine.
Bending or walking doesn't harm regarding vitamin B12 related neuropathy (or any metabolic neuropathy). However given the intense back pain you describe which isn't typical for metabolic neuropathies I would say a spinal MRI would be advised for the possibility of accompanying spinal issues like disc herniation I mentioned earlier.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the additional information.
While there is no harm from taking supplements with folic acid I do not see any benefit from taking it when you have normal levels. It is a substance which is already present with food, if you had some issues in metabolizing it you would have it with the supplement as well. So I can't provide an explanation on why it makes you feel better apart from the placebo effect.
As for the pain I would suggest using medication for neuropathic pain to alleviate it while nerve regeneration takes place. Such medication would be anticonvulsants like gabapentin or antidepressants like duloxetine.
Bending or walking doesn't harm regarding vitamin B12 related neuropathy (or any metabolic neuropathy). However given the intense back pain you describe which isn't typical for metabolic neuropathies I would say a spinal MRI would be advised for the possibility of accompanying spinal issues like disc herniation I mentioned earlier.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear dr. Taka,
Thank you so much for your explanation. Maybe the recovery is non lineair. And the recovery is with ups and downs and not due to the folic acid intake. I geuss i just have to be more patient about the recovery. I will see my internist at the hospital theusday and i will keep in mind your advises.
Thanks again dr Taka!
Thank you so much for your explanation. Maybe the recovery is non lineair. And the recovery is with ups and downs and not due to the folic acid intake. I geuss i just have to be more patient about the recovery. I will see my internist at the hospital theusday and i will keep in mind your advises.
Thanks again dr Taka!
Brief Answer:
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you will feel better soon.
You're welcome.
Detailed Answer:
Hope you will feel better soon.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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