Both legs numb with edema

[WIchita]

Last Monday, 10 days ago, I started feeling a pain in my hamstring.  The same pain I experience everytime I have an episode with shingles. I took tylenol 3 for the pain and had started a zpak for a bacterial infection. Tuesday I woke up with a minor shingles rash but both of my calves felt stiff, I thought it was from working out. as the week progressed the pain in my calves worsened to the point that it was hard to walk and began affecting my hamstrings as well.. My muscles became weak and it was hard to use them.  By Friday I began feeling a tingling sensation down the back of my legs, thought it was a pinched nerve and took my last dose of zpack.  Needless to say when Saturday came around my feet were numb and the backs of my legs began cramping and weak and I fell at the grocery store parking lot after trying to carry a bag of groceries.  I've been to the Dr. had a CBC and MRI with and without contrast on the brain, Cervical Spine, and Lumbar Spine.. Everything came back normal.  I now have edema in my legs and have no muscle strength to step up.  I can barely walk and now my arms are going numb, with a mild chest pain..  What could this be?

[caregiver222]

Once again, with respect, your complicated problems are well beyond the education and competence of a Physician's assistant. You may not have compartment syndrome, however her analysis was faulty. During the initial stages compartment syndrome does not present with the extreme swelling and tight skin shown in later stages. Because the swelling has not continued, you probably do not have compartment syndrome. If she suggested you might be suffering from a side effect of azithromycin a mandatory report to the FDA was required, as well as a consultation with an M.D. I am concerned about you, and feel the answers are to be found in an evaluation at a good teaching hospital by M.D.'s

[WIchita]

Well ALL of my blood test came back normal.. Big Surprise.. And she had dismissed the compartment syndrome because my swelling wasn't that bad..  She told me that she had a client in the past whom had the same symptoms and was diagnosed with neuropathy and when he was prescribed prednizone his symptoms cleared..   However, she wanted to find the root of my problem not cover it up.

I was ordered to do a nerve conduction, but am beyond tired of the guessing game here..  As of today I have regained some strength and sensation in my hamstrings.. from the knee down my legs are practically dead.  Cannot get onto my tip toes or heels.  I can barely wiggle my toes..

She did suggest that this could be a side effect from the azithromycin.. How long would this stay in my system?  Blahhhhh.

[caregiver222]

I am not a happy camper with your physician for turning you over to a Physician's Assistant. Many of these PA's are extremely competent, however, with your complicated history you deserved to be evaluated in-person by an M.D. As doctornee suggested a color dopplar would be most appropriate. Edema and swelling in the legs, juxtaposed with an infectious history, suggest development of compartment syndrome. That being said, this may not be the problem. I do know that when you mentioned this possibility, and had the edema, the PA was operating well above their pay grade, and should not have dismissed your suggestion without calling in her boss to evaluate the situation.

If the swelling increases or there is any significant increase in pain, I would suggest going to an emergency room.

[WIchita]

I just  came from my appointment.  They would not test form compartment syndrome, she said that she saw no physical signs of it.. I asked about the edema and numbness.. she ordered a Phosphorus, ANA, CRP, and HIV Blood test in additiona to another screening Monday to look for some form of neuropathy.. I cant remember what it was.

The good thing is that she said that she didn't think that they had exhausted all possibilities in order to determine that Stress was the culprit..

[WIchita]

I forgot to add that the Dr. couldn't see me but schedule an appointment with a PA...  Prayers Please Friends!!  I have three beautiful Children and am a single momma..  I can't get down, by children NEED me...

[WIchita]

I called the dr. office and have an appointment in about an hour.  Hopefully it is not too late :(

[WIchita]

after reading about compartment syndrome I am somewhat scared.. The fact that my calf is numb and I have terrible muscle weakness in my hamstring, does this mean that I may have unrepairable damage!!  OMG!!  I get sore muscles but never knew this could happen
!  I'm very scared now.l. Thanks so much for your help

[caregiver222]

Doctornee is on the money with her suggestion to rule out compartment syndrome and suggest a color dopplar. My gut feeling is to rule out an infectious etiology.

Compartment syndrome can become very serious. I don't think stress had anything to do with this.

I don't think your physicians are paying enough attention to you.

I am concerned if there is still swelling (edema) in the legs. My vote is with doctornee.

I think you need a second fresh opinion from another physician.

[WIchita]

I went to a neurologist yesterday and was told that I had no physical evidience that anything was wrong and was told that it was stress induced.. I really don't agree.  I woke up this morning with a rash all over the left side of my hip and buttocks..  Is it possible for this to be shingles?? would shingles affect both legs like this

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
There are two main possibilities for your symptoms. One is compartment syndrome due to injury or inflammation of leg muscles due to over use. The pain is increased on putting the foot on ground and further increase with walking.
The other is deep vein thrombosis. Lymphangitis or inflammation of lymph vessels or thrombophlebitis or inflammation of veins with plaques is another possibility. All these can be ruled out by duplex ultrasound or by color dopplar.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Take care!

[toni291]

i really dont now u may need to go to a different doctor