Problem with legs.

Mr Arrior

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas.

My Mum has had problems with her legs for over 5 years now. She says it almost like a constant numbness. She cannot do prolonged walking and no exercise at all. Not right for a woman in her early 50's.
She had a lumber puncture which leaked and has left her with ringing in her ears.

Doctors haven't a clue what is wrong with her. She has had doses of steroids in the past but they haven't done much. Swelling on the spine has been mentioned. Thank God MS was ruled out though.

Would love for her to be able to get it sorted.

Anyone any ideas or similar problems?

Thanks

Subcomandante Marcos

Has she had mri scans to confirm it's not ms? Because it sounds a lot like ms...

Mr Arrior

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Has she had mri scans to confirm it's not ms? Because it sounds a lot like ms...

She's had plenty of MRI scans and MS ruled out.

failinis

I would say MRI would show any bit of cord that may be oddly shaped (like the lumbar puncture mess up).

Has she had a nerve conduction study done yet (needles in the legs and mild electric passed through)?
It can show the extent of the nerve damage and such, and maybe answer what type is happening.

Does she have a neurologist she often sees?

Mr Arrior

failinis wrote: »

I would say MRI would show any bit of cord that may be oddly shaped (like the lumbar puncture mess up).

Has she had a nerve conduction study done yet (needles in the legs and mild electric passed through)?
It can show the extent of the nerve damage and such, and maybe answer what type is happening.

Does she have a neurologist she often sees?

Thanks for the reply. She has had that done and no nerve damage. And she has a neuroligist.

failinis

Mr Arrior wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. She has had that done and no nerve damage. And she has a neuroligist.

Is the neurologist not doing any further tests etc?
I wish your mother well.

Mr Arrior

failinis wrote: »

Is the neurologist not doing any further tests etc?
I wish your mother well.

Thank you for your kind wishes.
Ah the appointments are spaced far apart and frankly not enough is being done for her. Tbf fair to Mum she is a fantastic patient but very sad to see her missing out on things.

Pretzill

Would it be a circulatory problem? There's also something a little simpler - has she had her b12 levels checked. I have pernicious anemia (can't make b12) and was diagnosed pretty young for it but one of the symptoms was pins and needles in my legs (and arms) - early on my legs hurt too after a walk and even when I was walking - my b12 was rock bottom - years later 4 shots a year keep the symptoms at bay.

failinis

Mr Arrior wrote: »

Thank you for your kind wishes.
Ah the appointments are spaced far apart and frankly not enough is being done for her. Tbf fair to Mum she is a fantastic patient but very sad to see her missing out on things.

I have to see neurologists myself and my appointments are so far spaced (to be fair I am waiting for blood tests so they can't do anything till they see them).
Its very frustrating.
Do you go on appointments with your mother? Sometimes if a person is with you they remember more of what the dr says and you can be a bit more insistent.

To be honest, that type of numbing in the legs can be a sign of 100s of illnesses so this may take time - so she/you/sibling/family friend should try and push the doctors
I have numb feet and lower legs and they don't know why mine is so bad yet so I really sympathise with your mum.

Mr Arrior

Pretzill wrote:

Would it be a circulatory problem? There's also something a little simpler - has she had her b12 levels checked. I have pernicious anemia (can't make b12) and was diagnosed pretty young for it but one of the symptoms was pins and needles in my legs (and arms) - early on my legs hurt too after a walk and even when I was walking - my b12 was rock bottom - years later 4 shots a year keep the symptoms at bay.

She's had the b12 checked but thanks for the suggestions.

Mr Arrior

failinis wrote:

To be honest, that type of numbing in the legs can be a sign of 100s of illnesses so this may take time - so she/you/sibling/family friend should try and push the doctors I have numb feet and lower legs and they don't know why mine is so bad yet so I really sympathise with your mum.

I'm very sorry to hear you're suffering. I showed mum this message and she says the numbing in feet and lower legs is exactly how she feels. Its been constant for nearly 5 years now.

Aye Bosun

It could be from a lot of different reasons. Has she has a diabetes test?
It could be a trapped nerve or some form of spinal cord compression. My numb feet turn out to be a spinal cord tumour.
When was he last MRI? Has she got a second opinion?
It tough when you don't know what's happening. My advise is manage your own health care, never blindly accept answers medical professionals give you. They are only human and make mistakes, I've learnt this though error on their part to the expense of my health. I now get cc'd on absolutely everything scan, bloods, letter between consultants etc. request a copy of her medical records immediately and get a second opinion.
And stay away from google doctor, that will only freak you out.

Aye Bosun

Sorry on crappy mobile and hard to type

failinis

Aye Bosun wrote: »

And stay away from google doctor, that will only freak you out.

I second that!

As I said, it could be many many things, its a common symptoms of loads of issues.

I know part of my issue is peripheral neuropathy from raynuard syndrome - but that does not explain how severe its getting and moving up my legs (only sensory nerves and mildly effected motor nerves) but I need to wait for my own nerve conduction study.

I think getting her medical records (mine cost me £50 but I am from the North) and the asking for copies of everything and second opinions if you doubt things is a good idea.

Mr Arrior

Thanks again for all the replies. She has a swelling on the spine but it doesn't mean that the doctors know any better how to treat the problem.

Mr Arrior

Any specific footwear help?

Aye Bosun

I use good solid runners, nike air Max are my foot ware of choice. I also use an insole with a good arch support which I get cheap enough on Amazon and are nhs approved. Pm me if you want the link as I don't think we allow promote a product on forum.
I'd also suggest she see a good neuro physio, if you're in Dublin I could recommend one.
Do her symptoms come and go or are they persistant?

Aye Bosun

Nice warm comfy socks are a must too.
She should also try to keep feet stimulated, touch them with different textures etc. And rolling a tennis ball under her foot helps to engage muscles and stimulate nerves too.

Mr Arrior

Aye Bosun wrote:

I use good solid runners, nike air Max are my foot ware of choice. I also use an insole with a good arch support which I get cheap enough on Amazon and are nhs approved. Pm me if you want the link as I don't think we allow promote a product on forum. I'd also suggest she see a good neuro physio, if you're in Dublin I could recommend one. Do her symptoms come and go or are they persistant?

Aye Bosun wrote:

Nice warm comfy socks are a must too. She should also try to keep feet stimulated, touch them with different textures etc. And rolling a tennis ball under her foot helps to engage muscles and stimulate nerves too.

Thanks. Its persistent symptoms. She find Skechers memory foam gives her some help for a while.m but then no difference.

Aye Bosun

Yeah I won't lie, it can get very uncomfortable, especially in the cold weather. Tell her to be careful if she uses a hot water bottle etc as she might burn her feet unknowningly. I've had a numb foot for for 21 years and both have been numb the last 6 years, i've yet to find any really treatment/comfort for them.
I do like a good foot rub, it's weird at first but makes a huge difference. Tell her to take good care for them, make sure nails are cut, no hard skin builds up, clean between toes regularly, check for sores and check shoes are free of stones etc as she can't feel them it's easy to damage them and not notice then get an infection..i had a stone in my shoe once and got a really bad blister from it which got infected and 8 weeks of public health nurse visits later I was able to put a shoe on again..so take good care of them.
Does she have movement in her toes and ankle? Drop foot could be worth looking into.

Mr Arrior

Aye Bosun wrote:

Yeah I won't lie, it can get very uncomfortable, especially in the cold weather. Tell her to be careful if she uses a hot water bottle etc as she might burn her feet unknowningly. I've had a numb foot for for 21 years and both have been numb the last 6 years, i've yet to find any really treatment/comfort for them. I do like a good foot rub, it's weird at first but makes a huge difference. Tell her to take good care for them, make sure nails are cut, no hard skin builds up, clean between toes regularly, check for sores and check shoes are free of stones etc as she can't feel them it's easy to damage them and not notice then get an infection..i had a stone in my shoe once and got a really bad blister from it which got infected and 8 weeks of public health nurse visits later I was able to put a shoe on again..so take good care of them. Does she have movement in her toes and ankle? Drop foot could be worth looking into.

She has movement. Its a constant pins & needles/numbness in her feet and lower legs.