Experiencing Increased Numbness and Tingling in Right Leg
I’m a 29-year-old female, and earlier this week, I noticed a tingling sensation in my right ankle, which I initially dismissed. However, just a few days later, the discomfort escalated to numbness in my entire right leg and foot, significantly affecting my balance. I visited an urgent care facility yesterday, but unfortunately, they lacked the necessary equipment for a thorough assessment. I then went to the emergency room, where the attending physician also could not provide a definitive answer but suggested that it might be multiple sclerosis (MS), although he admitted he couldn’t be certain due to insufficient diagnostic resources. My primary care physician (PCP) is fully booked until September. In response, he referred me to another PCP, but despite leaving two voicemails, I have not received any response yet. I have managed to secure an appointment with a neurologist on August 3rd, yet the thought of waiting that long is concerning as my situation appears to be deteriorating. I have another appointment scheduled with a different PCP for this upcoming Monday, but it still feels like an eternity. Tonight, I am experiencing severe aches in my left leg and left arm, along with tingling sensations in my toes. My grip strength in both hands seems compromised, and my right leg and foot remain extensively numb. As I write this, my feet are also feeling tingling, akin to pins and needles. Should I consider visiting another emergency room? The one I previously attended was a smaller St. Luke's facility and not particularly busy during my visit. I am genuinely concerned and feel a pressing need for a diagnosis. Although I am uncertain if it’s MS or another condition, this isn’t a typical experience for me. Any advice on the seriousness of my symptoms and whether I should seek immediate care tonight would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
7/9/2025, 1:50:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandably concerning to experience increasing numbness and tingling in your leg, especially with additional symptoms affecting your left leg and arm. The urgency your situation has created is completely valid. Central to addressing your worries is identifying the seriousness of your symptoms and determining the next steps.
Key Points:
- Your symptoms, which include numbness, tingling, and weakness in both legs and arms, can suggest a medical issue that needs timely attention.
- While conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) might be considered, multiple other possible causes exist, such as nerve compression, circulatory issues, or other neurological conditions.
Explanation: Numbness and tingling can arise from various sources, ranging from simple nerve compression (like a herniated disc) to neurological disorders. Given that you are experiencing new and escalating symptoms, including severe pain and compromised grip strength, it's crucial to rule out serious conditions that may need immediate treatment.
Next Steps:
-
Consider Visiting Emergency Care Again: Given your deteriorating state and severe symptoms (especially with bladder or bowel control issues, severe headaches, or any new changes in consciousness), it's advisable to seek immediate evaluation at an emergency room. Explain your full range of symptoms and stress the urgency due to recent changes.
-
Document Your Symptoms: If possible, keep a diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any triggers. This information will be valuable for healthcare providers in understanding your condition.
-
Stay Comfortable and Safe: Until your appointment, take precautions to minimize falls or injury, especially given your balance concerns. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you feel unstable.
-
Reach Out to Any Neurology Office Again: If there's an urgency about your neurologist appointment, see if you can reach them to explain the situation; they might offer guidance or an earlier slot.
-
Avoid Self-Diagnosis: While it’s normal to worry about potential diagnoses like MS, focusing on managing your current symptoms and ensuring safety is more essential right now.
It's vital to prioritize your health and seek assistance whenever you feel your condition is worsening. Your well-being is the most important factor, and seeking care is certainly warranted given your symptoms.
Related Questions
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation and Thyroid Issues: Variability in Cardioversion Decisions
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out for guidance regarding my mother’s current health situation, and I’d greatly appreciate any shared experiences or thoughts. **My mother's background:** - **Age**: 55 years - **Weight**: Recently dropped to 116 kg from 118 kg in just two days, likely due to diuretics. - **Health history**: Previously an underactive thyroid, undiagnosed and untreated, now presenting as overactive. - **Medications**: Currently taking thyroid medication and a beta-blocker (Rapiblock). **Current health status:** My mother has been hospitalized since Tuesday, experiencing **atrial fibrillation with heart rates exceeding 200** beats per minute due to her thyroid's hyperactivity. - The plan for cardioversion was initially settled on Tuesday. However, the following day, the medical team advised postponing it until her thyroid levels could be stabilized, believing that her heart rate would return to normal once her thyroid condition was managed. - Her **obesity** precludes her from undergoing a transthoracic echocardiogram, and due to her thyroid concerns, she cannot handle contrast dye (this has been a consistent issue for over four years). Therefore, the only feasible option was a **transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)**, which has yet to be performed. - She has been prescribed various medications including beta-blockers and thyroid treatments in the past. - On Friday, a doctor proposed proceeding with cardioversion; however, the attending senior physician objected. - Today (Saturday), another clinician has expressed a desire to move forward with cardioversion, having initiated a new medication, as the senior physician is unavailable. - **Communication has been unclear**, as we were notified of developments by a nurse rather than the physician in charge, causing confusion and anxiety. - Currently, only a **chest X-ray** is scheduled, and the TEE remains unaddressed. **My inquiries are as follows:** 1. Is it common for medical professionals to have varying opinions and frequently revise medication or treatment plans like cardioversion? 2. Is it safe to conduct cardioversion in the absence of a TEE? I presumed that this was a standard procedure to exclude the presence of blood clots. 3. Is it usual practice to have only a chest X-ray prior to moving ahead with cardioversion? 4. How typical is it for patients or their families to not be directly informed about treatment changes and learn about them through nursing staff instead? I recognize that this cannot substitute for professional medical advice. I’m simply trying to discern whether these circumstances are typical or if we should express our concerns more assertively with the healthcare facility. Thank you for your insights!
28-Year-Old Male Experiencing Scalp Sensations Post-Amitriptyline Treatment
I am a 28-year-old man in generally good health, without any cardiac concerns. Approximately a month ago, I encountered intense pain localized to one side of my head, which was unresponsive to paracetamol. However, a single dose of a migraine treatment provided substantial relief. Following that, I began a regimen of amitriptyline, starting at a nightly dose of 10 to 25 mg. While my head pain has diminished significantly—by about 90 to 95%—I now experience occasional uncomfortable sensations on my scalp. These feelings include pins and needles, a cooling sensation, and some crawling feelings near my hairline and ears. There are fleeting moments where I feel brief throbs lasting a second, but I do not have any persistent headaches. To clarify, I do not experience any of the following: - Nausea - Weakness in my limbs - Numbness - Changes in my vision - Coordination difficulties - Seizures The symptoms I have are transient, shifting around and often intensifying when I become conscious of them or as the day progresses. I would like to know: Is it common to experience these sensations during the recovery stage following episodes of neuralgia or migraine-like discomfort? Additionally, could the amitriptyline potentially be causing these temporary paresthetic sensations? I am seeking some reassurance or advice on what is typically observed during this healing process. Thank you.
Strange Stomach Sensation Leading to Waking Up
Greetings. I'm a 36-year-old male, standing at 172 centimeters and weighing 90 kilograms. I don't take any medications, nor do I smoke. I've been living with diastasis recti for several years now, and I may also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Additionally, I deal with fatty liver and kidney stones, though I assume these last two conditions are not related to my current concern. Occasionally, I experience a peculiar sensation that jolts me awake; it feels like a quick pulsing in my stomach. I’ve noticed it tends to affect the left side when I’m lying on my left side and the right side when on my right. Remarkably, it can occur even when I’m on my back. This strange feeling often escalates into a surge that fully rouses me. Alongside this, I sometimes feel prickling sensations throughout my body and fleeting lightheadedness. When this sensation disturbs my sleep while I’m turned to my side, shifting onto my back or the opposite side might alleviate it, but not always. In instances where I awaken while lying on my back, I discovered that gently pressing my hands on either side of my stomach can help, as can rising to a sitting or standing position. However, during my last two episodes—one a couple of weeks ago and another tonight—those techniques weren’t effective right away, which made me feel a bit anxious, prompting me to seek advice. Does anyone have insight into what might be going on? By the way, I’ve undergone routine ultrasound examinations of my abdomen by two different physicians during check-ups, both of whom assured me that everything appears normal, including my abdominal aorta and internal organs. They didn’t identify any issues at that time.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?