Numbness from Pinched Nerve

[TickTockMan]

I have a herniated disc pinching the nerve to my left leg that acts up from time to time. This time I have pain and numbness. I am worried about the numbness since this has been going on for about a week. Basically I feel as if my foot is asleep. Usually I just get pain.

Should I go to my doctor’s and be seen or is this something not to be too worried about for now? When I looked up numbness from pinched nerves online it said one should be worried about permanent damage to the nerve if it lasts too long, but nothing I found said what too long was.


I don’t want to go to the doctor’s if I can help it. My health insurance sucks and I already know the cause & I have pain pills for my other pain issues. I just don’t know if I should be seen.


Do you think I should be seen by my doctor or wait awhile longer before I go in?

 

[Scealle]

You should go see a doctor if the pain keeps coming back and forth. I had some injuries on the knee and back a while back. I am thinking of seeing a doctor too and maybe a masseur after that.

 

[KaraBulut]

Since it has been going on for a week, you should see your doctor. They will probably want to get an MRI to see what is going on.

 

[medic1]

Since it has been going on for a week, you should see your doctor. They will probably want to get an MRI to see what is going on.

I agree , a week is to long , a scan will rule out or in any problems that you may have , you know your body the best , and if you are asking this question then i think that you already know what you should do .
Hope all turns out ok............

 

[lg7979]

I know someone who recently fell and hurt their arm. They have numb fingers now and can't really move them. Their doctor said if it lasts more than a week they may need surgery. So I think it would be best if you did see a doctor.

 

[TickTockMan]

Thanks.




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[palbert]

I would recommended seeing a doctor, preferably an orthopedic specialist rather than neurosurgeon. The orthopedist is generally equally qualified in this area and is more likely to recommend non-surgical alternatives. A neurosurgeon is more likely to be disposed to surgery.

A friend of mine has had four surgeries for this same problem and still has occasional numbness.

You should examine physical therapy and hydrotherapy.

There is considerable literature suggesting that back surgery is over-utilized and that noninvasive therapies are just as effective.

 

[palemale]

I have a herniated disc in my neck. Physical therapy helped. Just make sure you continue to do the physical therapy exercises and stretches on a regular basis for the rest of your life.

 

[TickTockMan]

I tried to get an appointment with my doctor (or any doctor at my clinic) today, but they couldn’t fit me in until the beginning of next month. I was told to go to the ER instead. The ER doctor gave some meds (a muscle relaxer and an anti inflammatory) to try. I still show some good signs so they are not worried about the numbness or the pain, but if they keep up I will have to go in for a MRI.


Thanks for the posts.

 

[medic1]

Glad to hear that you went to see someone , i hope the problem soon becomes a memory , even a bad one.....

 

[TickTockMan]

Well I took a turn for the worst. I hand some x rays done and a MRI yesterday. Today I woke up in so much pain I have spent most of the day crying. I just got back from the ER and they told me the MRI shows I have two herniated discs pinching the nerve to my left leg. I may have to have back surgery.

 

[medic1]

Am really sorry to read your last post , "two" pinching the nerve does usually mean a more aggressive approach is needed when trying to help .
Physio is a great help , find one who specialise in "Back-Problems" , they can and do work wonders .