Numbing pain in legs and arms

[xhovana]

I am 21 yrs old and female. As longs as I can remember I have had some sort of pain mostly in my legs. It wasn't all the time but back when I was a kid it was just summed up to growing pains. I am not that tall (5 ft. 1) and this pain has continued, so a couple years ago I figured that it wasn't linked to growing and I went to see the doctor. I went to 3 doctors, 1 said he didn't know and the other 2 said growing pains. The pain is more evident when I'm resting rather when I'm doing an activity. Recently I went back home one vacation in Korce, Albania and I am having this pain pretty much every day. I am also feeling it in my arms and it is a numbing pain. I am starting to think that it may some sort of circulation problem. Another thing is that where I'm staying it is about 1000 m above sea level and I am feeling it more here then when I was staying in another city which is at a much lower altitude. Any reply would be appreciated. Thank you

[mummy3too]

First, I woul suggest you call the hospital or office where you had the xray done. Tell them you would like to pick up a copy of the films and the radiologist's report. You should be entitled to a copy (I assume you are entitled to a copy as we are in the US). Just because the doctor did not call you back does not mean that there may not have been a problem.. however, xrays do not show much when it comes to the spine. An MRI or CT is much better.

How long has it been since you were seen by the doctors? If it has been a while, you can make another appointment and explain the pain has not subsided - and ask if they could now do an MRI (or further tests to rule some things out).

If you just saw the doctors, perhaps you can make an appointment with a fourth doctor and tell him what the others have done and said. Bring your xrays and ask him if he might send you for an MRI to rule out a problem with your spine.

I am not sure how healthcare works where you are... maybe another member will have better insight. I am hoping you can just call to make an appointment and hopefully getting an MRI will not be a major problem.

[xhovana]

The doctors I saw were just family doctors, I have not been to a specialist. I figured if those doctors saw fit they would recommend one. I do have problems with my back and I believe that I do have a pinched nerve because sometimes if I'm not careful and I move a certain way I have a sharp pain in my back and I'm sore for about a week. I did have x-rays once done but the doctors said if there was anything wrong they would call and they didn't so I'm not sure. Thank you for the reply

[mummy3too]

Welcome to the pain management forum!!  Please understand that no one here is a doctor and we cannot diagnose any conditions.

Have any of the doctors ever done any tests? Have they ordered x-rays or perhaps an MRI?

It would be helpful to know if they have and maybe if they have ruled out anything as a cause for the pain. Also, what kind of doctors did you see?

Wishing you well.. it's awful to have pain but it's even more distressing when no one knows why you have pain.

[selmaS]

Hi...I wonder if u have a herniated disk that could be impinging a nerve? Have u had a MRI of ur cervical spine and thoracic spine?

I am not sure y the elevation pressure is affecting u, but I also wonder if the impingement may be blocking CSF and if that could be the reason.

Good luck
"selma"