Tingly 'Pins and Needles' Feet?

[kcjodih]

Does anyone know a RELIABLE website I can go to to check this symptom out? I went to get out of bed on Sunday and my knee gave out on me (no history of knee problems). I limped around for the day and it got progressively worse to the point that by the end of the day I couldn't get up the stairs to our living room, was moaning in pain, took painpills, applied ice, and still moaned

Went to bed and woke Monday. It was better, just a slight discomfort behind the knee like the initial injury Sunday. Headed to my day job shift of 10-5 where I stand all day. Limped in and by 1 I was in horrible pain again and couldn't bend or straighten my leg. Just a sharp pain at the back of my leg behind my knee. Boss told me to go home and take Tuesday off. So I called the doctor from work and was told they had a cancellation 45 minutes later. Scooted to the doctor, he looked, pinched, prodded and stated it wasn't behind my knee but an inch or so above where it's just muscle. No swelling or discoloration. Told me it looked like an 'acute muscle strain' and to take a week off, take an anti-inflammatory (advil) 2400 mg a day - 3 every 3 hours and use ice a few times a day and elevate. I came home and did so all night and did nothing else.

Get up at noon today and it's very sore in the same spot (like a shooting pain if I move it) and cramping down my calf to my ankle. Now this afternoon the OTHER calf is cramping (feels like it used to when I overworked at the gym and my calves were killing me the next day). However, tonight a little while ago both my feet start tingling like pins and needles or like they are asleep.

So now I'm getting really worried and wanted to go to a reliable source on the net. I know if I go to emergency I"ll sit there 6 - 8 hours since it's by importance only and you of course also get bumped by ambulances etc...

So does anyone use a certain site for health concerns?

 

[ivykeep]

webmd.com is a good site

I'd also call your doctor, it sounds to me like you might have done something that is pressing on a nerve (I'm not a doctor so take my "diagnosis" with a grain of salt).

 

[momoftwins]

I ditto the fact that it sounds like a pinched nerve. I was in a car accident back in 1999 and I had a pinched nerve and I would get the tingly feeling, etc.

 

[kcjodih]

Hmmm.. okay thanks ladies. So a pinched nerve would cause the leg cramps and tingly in BOTH feet?

 

[momoftwins]

not sure about the leg cramps but it would definitely cause the tingly feeling. I would drink a lot of water though - that should help with the cramping (also eat a banana).

 

[pcchris]

not sure about the leg cramps but it would definitely cause the tingly feeling. I would drink a lot of water though - that should help with the cramping (also eat a banana).

I couldn't agree more! Bananas really help with the leg cramps!

 

[DebbieJ]

I think the leg cramps in the OTHER leg might be caused by the way you've been hobbling around and overcompensating.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

See your doctor, NOW.This could be a symptom of something far more serious than you're believing it to be!

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

I would def. call your doctor.

 

[Kathytnt]

A pinched nerve in the spine can cause all kinds of weird problems Please check with the doc

 

[raebates]

Please see a doctor. The tingly feeling was one of the major symptoms I had with undiagnosed diabetes. The cramping can be another symptoms. Don't mess around with this. See a doctor right away.

 

[AJPratt]

You should see a chiropractor! A regular doc can help, but a Chiro specializes in the spinal cord.

 

[kcjodih]

Thanks everyone. I couldn't really find anything on webmd.com when I typed in tingly feet or pins and needles. But the more I sat here, the more worried I got. We have something called Telehealth (that I had never used before). It's a tollfree line to a group of health nurses that will ask you a bunch of questions and then decide whether you need to see a doctor or not. After asking me tons of questions she suggested I go in to the hospital and forwarded on my info. So I left at about 12:00 and got home at 2:00. Not bad at all. HOWEVER, the doctor was an arrogant S.O.B and when he came in the room he said 'what can I possibly do for you at 1:30 am? I'll tell you what, nothing!" Nice huh?

He then asked questions, examined my legs and told me he was pretty sure it wasn't a blood clot because it was both legs and to see my family doctor in the morning if it continued. GRRR However today, no cramping in right leg and no tingly feet. Just the original pain behind my left knee and it's subsided greatly.

I didn't get to bed until after 3, woke up to get the kids to school at 7:30, went back to bed at 8:30 and only woke up a few minutes ago. Of course, now I find out the family doctor is closed Wednesday afternoons. So, I guess I'll wait to see how this day progresses and either end up back in emerg (but earlier to keep the pissy doctor happy) or I'll call my family doctor tomorrow morning.

Thanks for all the help and ideas everyone!

 

[raebates]

Oh, Jodi, I'm so sorry you've had to deal with insensitive medical "professionals." I hope your appointment with your doctor goes much better.

 

[hoosierchef]

I couldn't agree more! Bananas really help with the leg cramps!

Didn't know this! I'm stocking up on Bananas! LOL

 

[TwinGirlsMom]

Also, from what I understand, tingly legs & feet can also = low iron.
And yes, bananas really help!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I couldn't agree more! Bananas really help with the leg cramps!

Leg cramps are often a sign of low potassium levels - bananas are high in potassium - that's the reason behind eating bananas for leg cramps.

 

[pchefkristin]

Also maybe check out if any of the day spa's in your area have a Cellular Cleanse machine. Its a bit pricey, but takes care of lots of leg ailments... expecially restless leg syndrome.

 

[PamperChefCarol]

Jodi...

I can't believe you posted about this. This is exactly my problem, and it's been that way since December!! Its more on my right left, but occasionally the left leg acts up. I did go the Dr a month ago, he didn't have a clue. Sent me to have the nerves checked. That was fun (NOT!) and then they did an ultra sound to check for clots. Both came up nothing.

I asked my Dr if I should stop walking, but he said no. Actually, I walk about 4 miles with my dog each day and it seems like after about a mile or so, it eases up, but the first mile is a real pain. No pun intended.

It really bothers me when I drive. I don't know how I am going to make it to Chicago, but I will! And going up and down stairs, I really make sure I have my hand on the handrail and am very careful.

Maybe we should call this the PC Problem?!?!

I have another appointment with the Dr and if he says anything new, I will pass it along. Meanwhile, I am going to get some bananas and eat one a day. I thought potatoes were high in potassium, too. I watch my diet pretty carefully, but I will try anything at this point.

 

[Trish1953]

Peripherial neuropathy, which causes numbness and tingling in the feet, might also be a cause. That can be a problem for people with poor circulation. It can even be a symptom of diabetes. My dad has it and sometimes he gets pain with his symptoms. If your family doctor or the ER can't help you, ask to be referred to a specialist. You sure don't want to lose your mobility, just because some dumb doctor didn't want to listen to you. I like researching symptoms at mayoclinic.com, rather than webmd.

Trish in Texas
Ind. Consultant

 

[PamperChefCarol]

Just checking in....

Jodi..how are your legs??? Mine are still painful. They checked for blood clots, and nerve damage, both negative. Today went to a chiropracter and he said he didn't think he could help and gave me a name of a specialist.

My potassium levels are great, so can rule that out.

Just wanted to check in.

 

[katie0128]

So, I guess I'll wait to see how this day progresses and either end up back in emerg (but earlier to keep the pissy doctor happy) or I'll call my family doctor tomorrow morning./QUOTE]

As a former ER employee, call the ER and ask if that MD is working the next time you need to go back. That way you can decide if the problem is significant enough to deal with him or possibly just choose another ER. However, I would send your complaint to the president of the hospital and copy the ER manager and ER medical director. These are the people that can handle "pissy docs", but so many times they don't know exactly what the MD's say to people in the exam room and won't know unless people tell them. We had a few MD's like that, but didn't know for quite awhile that he was being rude to patients that came in on 3rd shift because no one ever complained. Once the complaints started, he was told to "shape up or ship out"... fortunately for us, he chose the latter!

 

[mheat923]

I saw one person brought up this but have either of you expierencing the pain been checked for "neuropathy," especially if you are diabetic this could be the problem... neuropathy, is not fun and 2 years ago my husband become disabled due to it and it cannot be healed but can be maintained and can effect other areas of the body as well.

 

[PCJenni]

Please see a neurologiostic as soon as possible. I started having problems with the vision in my right eye in January. It got so bad within 1 week of the onset of the problems I was having a CAT and MRI to see if I had brain tumors. I was diagnosed with Optic Neuritis (swelling of the optic nerve). It is often a sign of the onset of MS.

I have done a lot of research on MS since. The tingling legs can be a sign of MS as well. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't take the symptoms lightly. Seek help until a doctor will take you seriously and work with you to diagnose.