Persistent Numbness in My Foot: A Call for Advice
Hello everyone, I’m a 28-year-old female with no prior health issues. A few days ago, while enjoying some drinks, I experienced a strange sensation in my foot—it felt like it had fallen asleep. Now, nearly three days later, this numbness persists. After noticing the condition lasted about 12 hours, I went to the hospital. They conducted various examinations, including a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and both venous and arterial ultrasounds of my leg, all showing normal results. The doctors sent me home with a steroid prescription, suggesting it might be due to an irritated or inflamed nerve. Despite that, I have not felt any improvement at all since the onset. As I approach the fourth day of this issue, I’m increasingly concerned and looking for others who may have dealt with something similar. I’ve searched online extensively and haven’t found much information. To clarify, there wasn’t any recent injury or fall that could explain this numbness. They also performed a neurological assessment, which yielded normal results. Aside from my foot being entirely numb, I feel completely fine. I still possess full strength in my leg, allowing me to walk, albeit with a noticeable limp due to the dead weight of my foot. Given my situation, as a busy mom of three and a nurse, I’m considering returning to the hospital tomorrow to request an MRI. Missing work because of this is difficult, and I feel uncertain about the next steps. Thank you for any insights or experiences you may share!
Answers (1)
4/1/2025, 10:10:42 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable that experiencing persistent numbness in your foot can be concerning, especially since it has not improved over the past few days. You’ve already taken important steps by consulting healthcare professionals and undergoing tests. Here’s a clear breakdown of your situation and actionable guidance.
Main Points
- Persistent numbness can be caused by various factors, including nerve irritation or inflammation.
- You’ve already had comprehensive evaluations that showed normal findings.
- Consider discussing further diagnostic options if numbness persists or worsens.
Explanation
Numbness in the foot can be a result of pressure on a nerve, which might happen during activities or even prolonged sitting or lying in one position. Since your symptoms developed suddenly and have lasted several days without improvement, it is reasonable to explore further. Typically, irritations can improve with time and appropriate care, but ongoing symptoms warrant closer examination.
You received a steroid prescription to reduce any inflammation, which could help if the numbness is due to nerve irritation. However, if there has been no improvement after a reasonable amount of time following the medication, it may be time to re-evaluate your situation.
Next Steps
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your numbness over the next few days. Note if it spreads or if you experience additional symptoms (like tingling, weakness, or changes in bowel or bladder control).
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Reassess Medication: Ensure you’re taking the prescribed steroid as directed. If you haven’t felt any relief within a few days to a week, you can consider discussing this again with your healthcare provider.
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Consider an MRI: If numbness persists or worsens, returning to the hospital to request an MRI may be a reasonable action. An MRI can help rule out structural issues or other conditions like a herniated disc or other nerve-related problems.
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Self-Care Measures: In the meantime, avoid positions that might exacerbate irritation to your foot. Gentle stretching and ice/heat applications may provide some relief.
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Consult Colleagues: As a nurse, discussing your situation with trusted colleagues might yield insights or alternative ideas tailored to your experiences and profession.
Feel free to share any updates or additional concerns you might have. You're not alone in this, and seeking clarity is a responsible step towards understanding your health better.
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