[Joandublin]

Hi everyone

I thought I would give this a shot on the off chance someone else has experienced it and knows what Im talking about.

Over the past few months I have had this numb sensation come on real suddenly in my left thigh. Its about midway between my knee and hip and the numbness feels more concentrated around the outside rather than the inside of the thigh. I will try and describe the sensation.

Have you ever had a piece of clothing that gets full of static electricity and clings to your skin and it makes you want to pull it away from your skin? Well it feels something like that except very intense. Its very disconcerting and goes totally numb and feels cold. It feels like someone has just put a tight band around the area. If I was asked to 'measure' the size of the area affected I would say about 6 to 8 inches of thigh length.

It comes on suddenly and lasts usually less than an hour and then disappears again. It probably occurs on average about once every two weeks. From memory, it always 'pulls me up short' like I dont have the confidence to walk properly with it. I feel the need to keep rubbing the area or pulling my trousers away from the skin, to try and stop the sensation even though it doesnt seem to make any difference. It goes away by itself no matter what I do.

The other similar symptom I get is another area of 'numbness' and with the skin feeling stone cold on the lower, front part of my stomach. At times it gets ice cold to the touch whereas the rest of me is very warm.

I was just curious if others experience areas of numbness like this. I havent mentioned this to my Rheumatologist as its not a big deal because of the infrequency of it. Also I dont fancy any more tests right now thanks very much! :hehe: If it was occuring more regularly I might be more concerned.

Its most likely a nerve issue but any insights or experiences would be greatfully appreciated!

Cheers
Joan:rose:

 

[Raglet]

hi there

yes it could be a nerve problem - but my experience of nerve problems (lupus attacking the nerves) is that they don't come and go. Which doesn't mean to say they can't, I wouldn't have a clue, but I have never experienced that. Mine comes and stays, I have yet to have any of it improve.

The other thing it could be seeing it is your thighs is a lower back problem which can affect the nerves in the legs. I know little if nothing about back problems, but I am sure there is someone here who will chime in.

hope it stays an infrequent visitor

nice talking to you grandma

raglet

 

[Katharine]

Hello Joan,

I have quite regular sensations of numbness both in lower legs and in the thighs. Like you say, it's an area, not the whole thigh. The difference with what I get is that it is less "strong" I think as it doesn't stop me, I can just "feel" it and it is also very common. Otherwise your description is very familiar. Mine seems to be linked to my peripheral neuropathy and has remained pretty stable as have my other neuropathy problems. It does get worse if I drive a lot or have to sit (for example at the restaurant) as that sends everything to sleep.

probably not much help, these things are sometimes so odd,

Katharine

 

[Lily]

Hi Joan

Sorry you are having this problem on top of everything else :hug:

I can only relay what my Neuro said when he was investigating my PN..............he said if my pain had been on the outside of my thigh area it would more than likely have something to do with a back/hip problem rather than PN. My pain and sensations were in the muscle at the front of my thigh.

Hope you get it sorted.

love
Lily

 

[karenj7777]

Joan
Do you have any blood sugar issues that you know of. I have the same problems most mention in the previous posts. And though the numbness varies once it comes on it never totally goes away. Has anything like lyrica or steroids helped you with the discomfort? Good luck. Karen

 

[Joandublin]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone

Actually it could be related to a back problem as I have had lower back pain for several months now.

Karen, I was on Lyrica but stopped taking it because of terrible stomach bloating and the last time the thigh thing happened was about 10 days ago when I was on about 30mg pred.

I will just keep an eye on it and start noting when it happens and what Im doing at the time, etc.

Thanks again everyone and if I ever find out the cause I will be sure to let you know

Cheers
Joan:rose:

 

[Joandublin]

Hi everyone

I said I would come back here if I ever found out what was causing the numbness in my thigh and, would you believe, I found out yesterday. I had my appointment with my Rheumy and I asked him about it. It has become a daily occurrence at this stage. Of course I started off by saying the usual 'you probably havent a clue what this is but......'

He asked me a few questions and, having checked out some recent xray tests to rule something else out, he says 'not only do I know what you are talking about but I have a name for it as well'. I was very pleased to hear that as so many visits seem to end with 'we are not sure whats causing that but lets try something.....'

Anyway its called Meralgia Paresthetica and its caused by the entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve resulting in numbness in a very defined area of the outer thigh. The causes can be varied but in my case I reckon its obesity:blush: So its given me the kick I need to lose some weight and try and get some manageable exercise into my routine.

Heres a link in case anyone is interested

http://www.emedicine.com/orthoped/byname/meralgia-paresthetica.htm

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[greenhaggis]

Hi Joan,

Well that was something 'a name being given to the numbness'!

Is it only weight loss that will help - golly what a task to do with Christmas looming! I know I would find that hard with all the pre-christmas parties to attend (not ones for me unfortunately, just those of my 4 kids - plenty of leftover cakes for me though:wink2:.

Missed the bit about exercise, thats sounds much more maneable for this time of year:hehe:.

Well whatever to manage to do dont stress out too much!

Take care!
Hugs!

Lesley

 

[Lily]

Hi Joan,

Thanks for coming back and telling us the diagnosis. I hope your plan works but maybe you can put it off until after Xmas :hehe: :bigsmile: on the other hand it says it can occur in cases of thyroid problems, so can't you just put it down to that

Hope you can resolve the pain and get some relief.

love
Lily

 

[sandy123]

Hi Joandublin

Hi everyone

I thought I would give this a shot on the off chance someone else has experienced it and knows what Im talking about.

Over the past few months I have had this numb sensation come on real suddenly in my left thigh. Its about midway between my knee and hip and the numbness feels more concentrated around the outside rather than the inside of the thigh. I will try and describe the sensation.

Have you ever had a piece of clothing that gets full of static electricity and clings to your skin and it makes you want to pull it away from your skin? Well it feels something like that except very intense. Its very disconcerting and goes totally numb and feels cold. It feels like someone has just put a tight band around the area. If I was asked to 'measure' the size of the area affected I would say about 6 to 8 inches of thigh length.

It comes on suddenly and lasts usually less than an hour and then disappears again. It probably occurs on average about once every two weeks. From memory, it always 'pulls me up short' like I dont have the confidence to walk properly with it. I feel the need to keep rubbing the area or pulling my trousers away from the skin, to try and stop the sensation even though it doesnt seem to make any difference. It goes away by itself no matter what I do.

The other similar symptom I get is another area of 'numbness' and with the skin feeling stone cold on the lower, front part of my stomach. At times it gets ice cold to the touch whereas the rest of me is very warm.

I was just curious if others experience areas of numbness like this. I havent mentioned this to my Rheumatologist as its not a big deal because of the infrequency of it. Also I dont fancy any more tests right now thanks very much! :hehe: If it was occuring more regularly I might be more concerned.

Its most likely a nerve issue but any insights or experiences would be greatfully appreciated!

Cheers
Joan:rose:

Hi Joan
I get this sensation down the side of my left leg and the doctor says it is a nerve.
Also even when i get hot sweats my feet are always freezing. and sometimes cramp.
I am going to see a nuerologist about this on Wed as i had a back operation 11 years ago and now my leg is getting worse so is my balance.
I do hope you get sorted as i know it is frustrating.
Best of luck Sandy

 

[Paula Charlesworth]

Hi Joan,

I too suffer from numbness and tingling, also extreme bone pain in the back. Unfortunatly investigations carry on.
I do hope it is an easy solution such as yours.

It really effects simple things such as walking, lifting and bending down, the only time I can really exercise is when I am swimming, this takes all pressure off the lower back hips and legs.

Your feed back has been a little reassuring that it may just be an easy solution.

Thank you

Paula

 

[KarolH]

Hi Joan,

I have the same thing with both of my legs and developed a drop foot on the right side. Mine leg numbness does not come and go as it has been there since 2005. I had a EMG nerve conduction study done to try and find out why. At the time they thought it was due to Multiple Sclerosis.

Low and behold it had nothing to do with my brain but instead I have a nerve root compression in my lumbar spine due to a injury on the job in 2003. Bulging discs that rub the spinal cord causing the drop foot and numbness too.

Possibly yours is due to a back issue and not Lupus. What ever the case certainly you should get it looked at, better safe then sorry. I sure hope you can get a answer as to what is causing this.:wink2::wink2::wink2:

 

[onetay]

Joan,

I know what you are saying I have the same thing but mostly on my right thigh. Mine has been going on for about 2 years now and no one seems to know why but they say it is most likely my imagination. Go figure that one lol. Mine lasts for days. Mine feels more like when you lay on your arm and it goes to sleep without the pins and needles. I do the rubbing thing in hopes that it will feel normal again. I can't say that it is related to anything that is going on with me but that maybe it is something else. Like a pinched nerve. I sometimes have trouble standing on that leg for a few minutes but it has never given out on me yet.

If by chance you find an answer for the problem I would love to know what they think is your problem. In case you care you are not crazy and it is not being imagined at all, I hope that you have a good day
Tammy

 

[Joandublin]

Lily,

:bigsmile: on the other hand it says it can occur in cases of thyroid problems, so can't you just put it down to that

:lol: If only, if only! :lol:

Hi Paula,

Welcome to the Forum. Just to say that it is also quite a common symptom with diabetes so make sure that has been ruled out. I hope you get some answers soon :hugbetter: Nice to meet you.

I was just so excited that a doctor didnt look at me blankly when I explained a symptom:hehe: When I was explaining it to him I said 'I could literally draw around the edges of the numbness - the affected part is that defined'. He just smiled and said - 'its one of the hallmarks of it - it affects a very defined area of the outer thigh and most particuarly the left one for some reason.'

I did a bit of walking today - nearly killed me The irony is that walking and standing makes the numbness worse Oh well

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[KarolH]

And to think they say exercise is good for us???

HOGWASH!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

 

[Jesse88]

I have the same nerve problem which started when I was pregnant with my two children. After they were born the pressure was off and the pain stopped and didn't start again until I approached menopause. I thought menopause was causing it but the RD said it was the lupus and/or Sjogren's affecting the nerve and that's why the pain stopped when the meds kicked in. So I wonder if your disease is at least partially responsible as well? I'm sure being overweight doesn't help, and maybe that's the original cause of it, like pregnancy was my original cause, but now the disease may be making it worse. Just a thought.