Changing symptoms
 

I posted this on another group but haven't had any replies. I had not really thought of this as neuropathy compared to the things I have read. I thought it might go away after awhile ( as it has for a day or so a couple of times) but now seems to be constant for a couple of weeks now.

I have a strange pain situation in that an area about the size of a fooball on the top of my left (thigh) leg feels different in various ways at various times. At times it feels like I may have burned myself by spilling very hot liquid on it - at other times it feels cold and numb - at other times very itchey and some times just "creepy crawly". The skin area appears no different than the right leg which has no problems.

Wondering if anyone else has experienced such a wide variety of feelings to one area of the body.

Ron

Hi Ron:

Welcome

Well, the itchy, burning and creepy crawly thing sounds a bit like neuropathy. It presents in many different forms. But it could also, of course be something completely different.

Have you been to a doctor?. Do you have any conditions that you care to share on this board.

The more information you share, the more info the members of this forum can give you.

There is a wealth of knowledge here. So when you can, tell us if you have any medical conditions. Like diabetes, high blood pressure, any back or leg injuries. Anything???

Take care,

conditions
 

Actually - for my 63 years I have enjoyed fairly good health. I have had a couple of bouts of fairly intense skin infection on my hands and arms but other than that and kidney stones I have done pretty good.

Ron

Well, thankfully, you sound pretty healthy so far. No diabetes (that you know of right??), no high blood pressure,

Don't know if the skin infections are a clue. A much more knowledgable member of our forum will jump in and help you out.

You take care,

Well, relatively speaking I may have a bit of high blood pressure (actually high normal) only because for me I use to be on the low end for most of my life.

Ron

You may want to investigate--
 

--the condition known as Meralgia Parasthetica, which involves the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the thigh.

We actually have a subforum for it here (not very active, but there's some good basic info):

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...sprune=-1&f=76

skin infections?
 

This is not normal. Are they rashlike?

I'd suggest you investigate the Gluten forum here. If that rash is a gluten reaction it is trying to tell you something.

Chronic infections of the skin are signs of nutrient deficiencies.
Do you use chemicals in your job/hobbies. Mineral spirits, or other solvents?

RLuckyL

What did I tell you???

These people know EVERYTHING!!

I hope you find your answers.

I guess I should say also that I have been semi-retired for about a year and a half and haven't had near the physical exertion I use to (got all my exercise through my work) and I don't really exercise. I may need to ease myself back into some stretching and exercise. I can tell I don't have the flexibility and stamina I have had -- placed most of the blame on getting older but it maybe some of my fault also.

Ron, I almost have to ask: Is it...
 

animal, vegetable, or mineral?
I am no doc, but in learning from folks here, some extra facts mite help make your problems clearer. Numb football sized spot on your leg...OK how long? had anything different happened in your life right before or, even a while before the numbness started? Things like falls, accidents, pneumonia or the like? Maybe a flu shot a month or two before? These all have been known triggers of all sorts of numb issues. Also, you say you are on blood pressure meds for how long? IF the numbness started rite after going on the pills I'd web up that meds' 'prescribing information' and read all, I do mean ALL the fine print! [Turns the brain to peanut butter, but the problem mite be there] Read up on any/all meds you are on... Sometimes med A and med B don't get along...sometimes taking either med with some supplements isn't good either, combining meds all at once [like chugging all the pills in the AM] can either cancel the good effects or make some things worse[not often, but, it happens].
That all said, I would start and have a thorough exam by your GP. You'll probably get the standard blood letting and maybe some other tests for heart and an MRI or two. Better to start things down the road and find out what all it is-now, before it could possibly ever become a big thing [it probably isn't]. If you have a smart doc, they will be happy you got there so fast. Even better, you will be too!
Let us all know what happens! I don't know about others, but I sure learn from other folks experiences! Their experiences have helped me live with my issues. All folks here are a good bunch! - j

We here like to figure out puzzles...but we have to have pieces to do that!

Meralgia Paresthetica can be due to blood sugar problems and diabetes.
It can be due to a surgery damage that was in the abdominal area.
It can be due to wearing jeans too tightly, with a wallet in that back pocket, and or a too tight belt.

MP is only damage to a sensory nerve. Is your thigh the only place you are having problems? Some hip injury/arthritis may refer to the upper thigh. So will a hernia. Those last two can only be evaluated by a doctor.

This website gives the explanations for your thigh/hip pain...with diagrams.
It is very good:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2109.html

A fall or abnormal stretch in an older person, qualifies as an "injury"... you don't have to injure yourself in sports.
Illustration Fig 2B illustrates the femoral nerve distribution, and where it goes, for MP.

For dahler and mrsd
 

No I'm not on blood pressure meds - I am in the high normal range on blood pressure - which for me is a little high since most of my life I have run on the low side.

I really have had pretty good health except for kidney stones and occasional back problems. Just in the last 3 years have I had a couple of bouts of skin infection on my hands and arms. I do work in a grocery produce department and my doctor has me taking Claritin just in case I have developed an allergy to something I work around.

And I hate tight clothes and carry my wallet in my front pocket.

The last couple of days I have been doing some stretching excerises and taking an Advil and (at least for now) I'd say the symptoms are about 80% better than they have been.

Ron

Yes! This just started for me within the past month or so. The area is right below my right hip and wraps forward towards the groin area. I get this tingling, tickling, burning, itching...it's hard to describe it. And now it seems to be getting more intense. Resting my hand or arm on it or when my other half puts his arm there stops the sensations. It only happens at night and when I'm laying on my left side.

The difference between your symptoms and mine seems to be that I get all the sensations at the same time. Never just one or two at different times.

The big question for me is not just *what* is it but is it my PN getting worse? Been having symptoms in my hands as well. Not sure if the carpal tunnel syndrome I had surgery for well over a year ago is returning or if the PN is spreading. I sure hope not. :(

Have you been diagnosed with PN, for instance? Or anything that might be causing this? It does sort of sound like PN pain-type symptoms but I'm not a doctor by any means and there are others here with much more experience and knowledge than I have. Hope you get some answers. It's very upsetting when this kind of stuff starts happening and one is trying to find answers and not seeming to get anywhere.

ETA: One other thing comes to mind after reading your last post. Could this be an isolated case of shingles? Isolated in that it's restricted to a fairly small area. Is that even possible? *waits for someone with a bit more knowledge of shingles to jump in*