Hi all.
I am just starting down this road of discovery.
I had leg cramps new years eve and thought I would be able to sleep it off. Next day I was at the local hospital to be told it was a tear in the calf muscle.

2 Jan I had pain in both calves and feet and non stop sweating. Feet felt very cold so it was back to the hospital thinking it could be bold circulation.
Dr tells me my legs and feet are warm and all circulation seems fine.

He then decided to do a pin test. Outcome was definite reduced sensation in right leg and foot. He wrote a report and told me to see mt GP ASAP.

3 Jan saw my GP who agreed and did a referral for a neuro and has put me on lyrica.

Now both legs and feet have numb spots and I am still looking at about a 3 month wait.

GP is hoping it is injury related due the sudden onset and my history of disk bulge on the L4, L5. Very frustrated since I have wasted my leave (first real holiday in years), haven't been at work this year and am still to find out anything.

Hi! This is a great place to learn about neuropathy, spend time reading the old posts and sub forums, I have been here a long time and still find new information all the time by doing a search here.

good luck

Nice to meet you and so sorry about your pain......I'm still on my journey with small fiber neuropathy.

You will find many caring people on this site that have so much information. And as stated before....reading through the threads can really help.

Please keep us posted and I'm sure there will be others coming behind me that may offer some suggestions until you can get in to see the neuro.

Debi from Georgia

Hi welcome though sorry for your struggles. I agree this is a warm and informative community.
You said you have a 3 month wait for a neuro which I know is often the case but what I do is ask to be put on a cancel list. Then I call everyday to see if there is one. I have gotten into appointments months early doing that.
I am confused as they stated there was a tear but how was that dx and did you do something prior for that to happen? Did they run some blood work?

Thanks for the welcome all.

Daniela
I had a fall working in the yard while pulling out an old tarp that was buried. The tarp broke and I fell backwards down the slope. Kids claim I got a good meter of air and I did travel backwards several meters. I had no pain or sign of injury at the time.

As for the torn calf muscle DR based it off the triangle mark on the calf muscle and my description of cramps in the calf for 14 hrs at that time.
It wasn't till the next day that things had spread.
I live in rural AUS so the closest hosp is very small and only recently started having 1 DR on duty (Used to just have the local GP's on call).

It was the second visit where I had a proper examination and the DR found I had definite numb spots and reduced feeling in the lower legs and feet.
I have had bloods taken (No idea what the results are). My Blood glucose was normal at the time.

My GP agreed my symptoms were classic stocking / glove presentation and put my on Lyrica and referred me to the Neuro.

Been off work all year as I had leave till Jan 20 and my GP added 2 weeks to adjust to the medication. That means I'm back to work on Monday.

It's since then that my wife and I have fond the numbness is worse. With the heat my feet and legs feel cold indoors with the air con while the rest of me is ok or I can go outside and roast by my lower legs and feet feel happier.

At least since on the Lyrica itching is mainly now at night and the soles of my feet are not so painful.
I do get feelings of vibration when in bed, my knees are stiff but both appear to be side effects of Lyrica.

I have got passed the adjustment time on the drug so am now getting restless with not working.
I would also say the pain is not severe, I have had much worse from the disc bulge but it is irritating when it is constant.

So the guess on injury is due the fall, back history and onset of symptoms over a 24-48hr period.

Thank you for clarifying. It is good that you feel the pain is not as severe and the Lyrica is helping. What dose are you on?
With the fall did you get any xrays?

No.
just a quick examination of my calf and the standard blood pressure.
X-RAY would have required a 100km trip to the city and even I didn't think it was required.
It was the second trip when the doc (different one on duty) decided further examination was required.
I'm currently on 75mg twice a day. Was prescribed up 150mg twice a day but was building up to it slowly. Since I was dealing with the feelings (dull ache, chronic itching, now eased) I decided to not up it and the doc agreed.

I did wander if I didn't need the meds a week ago but missed a tab and noticed it after an hour so keep taking them.

I'm back to work on Monday so will see how things go. At least I have some medical contacts at work that might discuss what is going on. I build and maintain health it systems for a select client so have been on the sidelines of medicine for almost 17 years. Pity it is for a specific group and not more mainstream. But then I also have US friends in the medical world to bounce things off.