numbness in legs

• By luckeeluke
• Posted December 13, 2008 at 9:51 am
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Are there any other symptoms that have happened along with the numbness in their lower body? I would think that if that's the only symptom then maybe it has something to do with a structural element, like a disc, or maybe somewhere along the spinal cord there is a spot where the nerves are irritated for whatever reason.

If there are other symptoms as well, could be bacterial or viral or something else. This sounds like it might be more of a structural issue though. I dunno.

The reason I posted was because I've done a lot or my own reading/research on Lyme disease and sometimes these things can happen with something like that or something that's similar to that.

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• By missmatic
• Posted December 13, 2008 at 10:22 am
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You didn't provide enough information to even speculate. Your relative needs to write down when any symptoms developed including symptoms that might seem unrelated, and any possible precipitating event, and take that information to a doctor. Often it's a symptom of a condition that's progressive and more debilitating over time if it's not identified and the source of the problem removed or treated if possible. That means that even if it's merely inconvenient now, it will become much more than than inconvenient if ignored. Numbness is always a serious, urgent matter.

A neurologist is the best kind of doctor to see but an internist can do a preliminary exam and history to get some idea of the nature and timeframe of the numbness and make a referral if no obvious cause can be found. Usually a panel of blood work will be ordered. It's best for the person to see a neurologist if necessary who specializes in the kinds of symptoms they're experiencing. The sooner this person sees a doctor the better. If they have a doctor they should be contacting him or her immediately. If they don't have a doctor they might need to go to Urgent Care and also see about finding one.

There are many causes of numbness that only various tests can identify. The most direct cause is nerve impingement, which more often causes localized numbness. General numbness can indicate a nerve or muscle disorder. It can have toxic, genetic, endocrine, neurological causes.

If finances are a problem the relative should contact Social Services or a hospital/clinic/doctor office billing department to work something out.

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• By chardy
• Posted December 13, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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first of all, thanks for the input and second i found out that the relative has neuropathy and is taking meds for this. once again thanks for the input

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• By luckeeluke
• Posted December 14, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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I definitely agree with missmatic. Best for them to write anything and everything down. Then try and see a doctor or a neurologist. Details like how long the numbness lasts, is it constant, does it happen after certain situations or activities, all of the lower body at the same time, or different parts are numb at different times, etc.

There are really so many causes for something like that it's hard to narrow it down without tests and without a capable doctor. Good luck.

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