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Tingling in arms and legs - will this get worse? Can I still function?
My symptoms began a year and a half ago. I had Sciatica pain, foot drop and foot tingling - all on left side. Physical therapy greatly improved the foot drop and pain was gone after 2 months. But tingling has spread - it's now in both hands, arms, legs and feet.
MRIs have shown I have disc degeneration and herniated discs in both neck and lower back. Before the arms started tingling, I had seen surgeon who recommended surgery. I have not done that and I'm concerned about permanent nerve damage. Will this get worse? Will that prevent me from doing normal things - like driving or holding things?
Thank you for any information you can provide!
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I'm 33 years old with idiopathic neuropathy. I'm seeing my second neurologist still seeking answers and hope. I have 3 little ones and am the main provider for my household and am ready to quit, but can't. I have bilateral club feet which I originally assumed was the source of pain and numbness in my feet when walking. Until I got a toothpick jammed in my foot from chasing my little one around in a game of tag and realized how little feeling I actually had in my right foot. Then I had my second child (6 years ago) and the symptoms were in my hands and arms. I was scared to carry my daughter's around from the random pains and numbness radiating throughout. Then it hit me hard, I was changing the oil in my car and was unable to turn the wrench. My hands were shaking and ynumb, and I had to call my husband for help, he was happy to help my stubborn ass, but I was mad, hurt and disappointed in myself. My hands quit acting up so bad, but I was still in pain.
That's when I first seen the neurologist, during testing they doubted someone so young could be as bad off without no actual reason, but the tests proved the lack of responses my nerves were sending and so forth. I was put on 600 mg of gabapentin, but I have babies and a straight graveyard job and the medicine made me more tired, so I quit taking it.
Onto my second neurologist for an answer and natural solutions, he had optimism the first few appointments, but after numerous test, blood work and so on he was stumped and his assistant/ nurse practitioner just classified me as idiopathic. I'm stubborn, I don't like that answer, I want answers, my body is getting worse once again, I started a new job 6 months ago it is more physical, but I haven't given up completely. My hands are getting worse once again.
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John,
I'm hoping for answers too, I'm flustered and disappointed but I'm stubborn and can't give up on behalf of my family. But it's depressing. I am happy to be able to share my experiences and learn from others experiences as well. I am nervous for the future granted I'm in my 30's and it's progression. Yet I'm greatful that I still have some abilities to care for my family. Doing my little girls hair before school is one of the simplest yet biggest drlepressions as their mother with numb, tingling hands that literally ache, throb and shake.
Thank you
Candice
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1 ReactionHi, @candicegaona381 - I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like you are not giving up on solutions to the idiopathic neuropathy you've been diagnosed with. I can imagine how it might feel depressing, though, to have numb and tingling hands and not find an answer that worked well for you.
I also wanted to invite @marinelastef @sinjin @sdemaria @arcticmark and @artscaping to return to this discussion and see what thoughts they may have, especially for non-medication options.
Speaking of medication, however, @candicegaona381, did either of your doctors have any options other than the gabapentin that might not make you tired?
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