leg numbness

[chocolatetown]

Doctor Steve,

My skin has lost its sensitivity from the tops of my thighs, down to my feet. It's not totally gone, but it sure feels funny. When I put my knees together I can't really feel them touching, but I can tell that they are. I'm not obese. The undersides of my legs are fine - or at least not as bad.

I do sit for long periods of time and I haven't been getting much exercise. I was sleeping on the floor every night for quite a few months and was told by a nurse practioner that that has probably done something to a nerve. She also said that my back may have something to do with it - and I've always had a recurring pain in my lower back due to a hockey injury.

Do I have scurvy?

Thanks

[Thebazile78]

Doctor Steve,

My skin has lost its sensitivity from the tops of my thighs, down to my feet. It's not totally gone, but it sure feels funny. When I put my knees together I can't really feel them touching, but I can tell that they are. I'm not obese. The undersides of my legs are fine - or at least not as bad.

I do sit for long periods of time and I haven't been getting much exercise. I was sleeping on the floor every night for quite a few months and was told by a nurse practioner that that has probably done something to a nerve. She also said that my back may have something to do with it - and I've always had a recurring pain in my lower back due to a hockey injury.

Do I have scurvy?

Thanks

I know I'm not a doctor, but I don't think it's scurvy.

I read about a case that was published in the NY Times Magazine about 3 years ago (fascinating read, by the way) and your issue sounds like the numbness I get when I don't take a fidget break during my workday, ergonomic chair or not.

For your information, here's the link to the Magazine article from '06:

On Her Last Legs (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/26/magazine/26wwln_diagnosis.html?_r=1) ("Diagnosis" feature, NY Times Magazine, Sunday, February 26, 2006, Lisa Sanders, MD; FREE registration required)

[Dr Steve]

Doctor Steve,

My skin has lost its sensitivity from the tops of my thighs, down to my feet. It's not totally gone, but it sure feels funny. When I put my knees together I can't really feel them touching, but I can tell that they are. I'm not obese. The undersides of my legs are fine - or at least not as bad.

I do sit for long periods of time and I haven't been getting much exercise. I was sleeping on the floor every night for quite a few months and was told by a nurse practioner that that has probably done something to a nerve. She also said that my back may have something to do with it - and I've always had a recurring pain in my lower back due to a hockey injury.

Do I have scurvy?

Thanks

Chocolatetown:

What you're describing is a "neuropathy" of some kind. It sounds like a diagnosis, but it really isn't...it's just a description that means there's trouble with a nerve or set of nerves in your legs.

The weird thing about your symptoms is that the nerves tend to spiral around the leg rather than go straight down...so, for example, numbness that starts in the outer hip will cross over the front of the thigh and go down the inner part of the calf...

http://www.becomehealthynow.com/images/organs/spine/dermatome_sm.jpg

What you will eventually need is a nerve test...it isn't fun but it's do-able. The neurologist will stick little acupuncture needles into the muscles of your leg trying to dope out which nerve is the problem. In addition, imaging of your back may reveal something that's pressing on the nerve. I'd certainly pursue it to find out what's causing this weird symptom.