(Writing this for a friend as I’m quite concerned about his health)
Profile: 28-year-old male - 155lbs (athletic build) - 5’8"
Smokes regularly - drinks once a week on average
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For nearly two years, I’ve had pins and needles in my hands and feet, similar to when a limb falls asleep, but it never goes away. About six months back, it began moving up my legs. I’ve lost the ability to sense temperature in my extremities, and my legs are totally numb from the knees down; I can’t feel any physical contact.
I used to be very dedicated to calisthenics, but I’ve had to stop because I can’t tell where my feet are on the ground. I’ve had injuries in the past during workouts, but I’m unsure if they’re related to this numbness, and I’m afraid of making things worse.
I saw a doctor two months ago. My blood tests came back clean, so he just gave me B12 and B6 supplements and told me to rest. Obviously, that didn’t help. A second doctor a month ago suggested it might be psychosomatic and put me on antidepressants, which just make me exhausted without fixing anything.
Both were GPs who didn’t offer any further path forward.
Can anyone suggest what I should do or which specialists I should see? What might be going on? I’m open to any ideas.
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You ought to consult a neurologist.
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I’m not a medical professional, but I second the advice to see both a Rheumatologist and a Neurologist. I deal with conditions that cause similar loss of sensation, and those two specialists are the right starting point.
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It’s frustrating how frequently symptoms are dismissed as ‘all in your head.’ Even if that were the case, they should rule out physical causes with a neurologist first, especially given how long this has persisted. As someone who is naturally anxious (which is obvious quickly), I know I’m prone to psychosomatic symptoms and don’t blame doctors for considering it. However, that’s no excuse to ignore significant physical issues without further investigation. Go back and demand referrals. If you find it hard to push back against a doctor’s authority, imagine if this were happening to a loved one—would you let them just go home, or would you fight for answers? Best of luck!
What you’re describing sounds like peripheral neuropathy. Potential causes could be diabetes, HIV, spinal issues like a disk or tumor, alcohol-related damage, or a lack of B12. You should look into testing for Lyme disease, getting an EMG/NCV, and checking blood sugar and B12 levels. A neurologist is the right person to handle this workup.
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There are many possibilities. If it’s symmetrical on both sides, it might be spinal, but things like MS or CIDP should also be considered. I’d suggest getting MRIs of the thoracic and lumbar spine, along with an EMG and a lumbar puncture. A GP can order the MRI, but a neurologist should handle the other tests. You have to rule out all physical causes before labeling it psychological.
Find a neuromuscular specialist immediately. The first doctor’s guess of B12 deficiency doesn’t really fit the symptoms, and the second doctor’s approach is nonsensical. You’ve lost pain, temperature, and spatial awareness, which involve different nerve pathways. If your muscles are still strong, it’s purely a sensory issue. This could be anything from an autoimmune disorder to an infection. You need a neurological evaluation, specifically from neuromuscular experts.
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Since you smoke, it could be peripheral artery disease, which restricts blood flow to your legs.
Definitely get to a neurologist. I’m not a doctor, but a friend of mine had similar tingling and it turned out to be MS.
You need a neurologist. I dealt with these exact symptoms for decades before finding a spinal pain specialist who could help. I saw seven different specialists and got seven different answers, ranging from ‘it’s mental’ to surgery or vitamins. Eventually, spinal injections, using a DRX 9000 for decompression, and physical therapy worked. I had no feeling from the neck down for years. I once got third-degree burns on my legs from something hot and didn’t even notice until I saw the skin peeling off in the shower. Be careful, you can get used to the numbness and hurt yourself. After six months of the right treatment, I finally felt pain again when touching a hot pan. Now, 25 years later, the symptoms are only just starting to return occasionally.