Sever numbness and pain right leg

[Laura1107]

I´m in Guatemala and pretty scared not knowing what to do. I´m a 51 year old female generally healthy. Saturday I had sever rt low back pain. A friend gave me an injection of Diclofenan sodium (purchased over the counter here) The low back pain decreased dramatically however my rt hamstring, calf and later boarder of my rt foot muscles began cramping approximately 4 to 5 hours later. Sunday this new pain increased I took advil throughout the day and hydrated. Monday the pain continued to increase to the point of tears, finding no comfortable position to rest. I tried walking the beach slowly, walking gently in the pool... no relief. By Monday night I allowed her to give me a second injection. Tuesday 2 to 3 am I woke not being able to move either leg, heavy, numb tingling and cramping. By mid morning Tue the symptoms remained only in my right leg. Now Wens morning and the symptoms seem to be increasing, the tingling in my foot in most apparant, the level of pain in the rt hamstring and behind my knee rate a 6 to 8 on 1 to 10 scale. What kind of doctor should I seek help from here in Guatemala.

[Londres70]

In my opinion, it is difficult to say if this is permanent or not but don't waste time getting it addressed.  The longer you wait to have it assessed/treated will increase the possibility for it becoming permanent if it already isn't.  

The bone spur situation probably should have been addressed/treated as soon as it was discovered and no trip to Guatemala until it was resolved.  

[Laura1107]

In your opinion, can this cause longterm damage or will rest bring it back to normal? The first injection was given in my left cheek, I didn´t feel a thing only a slight burning about 10 minutes after. The second was given in my right cheek and I definately felt that one, but I contributed it to my muscles being tight because my original pain was in my rt low back traveling across my rt cheek and down the outside of my right leg to my knee. That pain has completely gone away. Before I came to Guatemala I saw a Chiropractor who xrayed telling me I had a bone spur pressing near a nerve in my low back. It was when that pain became sever that I allowed her to give the injection. The cramping in my rt leg began after the 1st injection, the numbness and sever cramping began after the 2nd injection.

[Londres70]

No, nerve damage will not show up on an MRI; other Neurological testing will need to be done for that.   I can tell you it was either an adverse reaction to this medication or your friend did not inject it properly and irritated a nerve/nerves and/or cause damage.  You have to be careful when giving IM injections and trained to give them.  Where exactly did she inject the medication?  An MRI will show compressed nerves, herniated disks, etc.  I would take it easy if you can.  

You need a Neurologic workup ASAP.

Please get urgent care as soon as you are back in the city.  There is no way you can get back to the city earlier?  

BTW:  It is great that you volunteered to help others.  :)  

[Laura1107]

Thank you for your response. I have not had comupter access until today nor access to a hospital facility. I am in a remote area volunteering for a relief project from the recent floods and our transportation does not arrive to take us back to the city until Monday. Miriam does not have any medical background. She had told me she´d given this same injection to someone years ago for back pain. If there is nerve damage will it show on an MRI? My full leg and foot is still asleep and the cramping in the hamstring and calf comes and goes. On Thursday the upper leg felt like it was beginning to wake, but today it is back to tingling and cramping. The bottom of my foot seems to be the numbest. I have tried rehydrating and massage. My hamstring should be tender to deep massage with the level of pain I´m having from the cramps, but it´s not. I am wondering if that´s because of the numbness.
Laura

[SassyLassie]

Go to the ER right away and they should be able to direct you as to the doctor and what to do. You could have had a very bad reaction to the injections.

[Londres70]

I would see an urgent care physician or a neurologist.  Sounds like you have possibly had an adverse reaction to this drug.  Secondly, does your friend have a medical background and competent to give IM injections? She/he could have irritated a nerve if the injections were given incorrectly.