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What Causes Persistent Numbness In Feet And Lower Legs In An MI Patient?

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Posted on Tue, 2 Aug 2016
Question: if numbness crawled up my feet and to my lower legs in the past 8 months is it due to my MI a year and a half ago my smoking or type 2 diabetes? can I please get your professional guess sincerely XXXXXXX bender 59 years old in good physical endurance before my MI a year and a half ago
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

I do not think the numbness is related to the MI, at least it is not directly caused by it (while they have common causes).

The symptoms seem typical for polyneuropathy, meaning damage to peripheral nerves. It can be due to many causes, the most common one by far is diabetes, so since you suffer from it it is most likely your case as well.

However the diagnosis should be confirmed, for which a neurological exam is needed (to check for signs like loss of reflexes, loss of muscle strength and sensation etc) as well as a test called ENG - nerve conduction studies. Diabetes control is the best treatment. At times when the abnormal sensations are too bothering some medication like gabapentine to alleviate that may be used (but as I said first the diagnosis should be confirmed).

I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Numbness In Feet And Lower Legs In An MI Patient?

Brief Answer: Read below. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I do not think the numbness is related to the MI, at least it is not directly caused by it (while they have common causes). The symptoms seem typical for polyneuropathy, meaning damage to peripheral nerves. It can be due to many causes, the most common one by far is diabetes, so since you suffer from it it is most likely your case as well. However the diagnosis should be confirmed, for which a neurological exam is needed (to check for signs like loss of reflexes, loss of muscle strength and sensation etc) as well as a test called ENG - nerve conduction studies. Diabetes control is the best treatment. At times when the abnormal sensations are too bothering some medication like gabapentine to alleviate that may be used (but as I said first the diagnosis should be confirmed). I remain at your disposal for other questions.