Unusual Sensation in My Leg
At 21, I found myself in the hospital just last week due to weakness affecting the left side of my body. After undergoing several tests, including an MRI of my brain, the results came back normal. The neurologist assessed my condition and indicated that he did not identify any underlying issues. Consequently, I was released with recommendations attributed to anxiety. Despite being discharged, I continue to experience peculiar sensations on the left side of my body; however, I am attempting to carry on with my daily routine. After having a meal, I often take brief walks, during which I occasionally feel a pinching sensation in various locations, particularly in the back of my foot. It feels as though someone is pricking my calf muscles with a pin or sharp object. My anxiety levels have surged recently, and I can't shake off the concern that there may be a nerve-related problem. What could this be about?
Answers (1)
8/24/2025, 8:51:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to feel concerned about unusual sensations, especially after a hospital visit for similar symptoms. Your experiences of weakness on one side of your body and the continuing peculiar sensations, such as pinching in your calf, can be quite distressing, particularly when anxiety is also a factor.
Key Points:
- The sensations you describe may be related to anxiety or other benign causes, especially since your MRI results were normal and no neurological issues were identified.
- Nerve-related sensations, such as tingling or pinprick feelings, can arise from muscle tension, anxiety, or even pressure on nerves during certain activities like walking.
Explanation:
Given that your neurologist did not find any definitive neurological issues, the sensations could potentially be linked to heightened anxiety, which is known to cause physical symptoms. Stress and anxiety can manifest in various physical ways, including muscle tension, which may lead to nerve irritation and cause sensations like the ones you’re experiencing.
Additionally, maintaining a certain posture or activity might trigger these sensations, particularly if there is tension in the muscles or possible nerve compression.
Next Steps:
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Focus on Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga into your daily routine. These can help reduce anxiety and may alleviate some of the physical symptoms you're experiencing.
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Stay Active but Mindful: Continue taking brief walks as they can help with anxiety. However, pay attention to your posture and how you’re walking; try to keep your body relaxed.
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Keep a Symptom Journal: Note down when these sensations occur, what you were doing at the time, and any additional feelings of anxiety. This may help you identify patterns or triggers.
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Manage Stress Levels: Identify stressors in your life and consider techniques or therapies that assist with coping. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) might be beneficial for understanding and managing anxiety.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Over the next few weeks, pay close attention to the sensations. If they worsen or new symptoms arise (like persistent numbness or changes in strength), it may be worthwhile to revisit your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Remember, it’s important to be gentle with yourself during this time. Anxiety can manifest physically and recognizing that can help you find calm and grounding in your daily life. Let me know if you need further support or resources.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.