Dead/numb leg?

[Sleepyfergus]

I get this sensation every now and again (like twice a year) in my left outer thigh. It feels numb, like deadened pins and needles. It's sore in an annoying way, if I take some nurofen it will go away for a few hours. It's very odd, as I lie here in bed, it's hurting right now.

Any ideas????

Sciatica?? Am suffering with it now, had it for the last 3 weeks for the first time. So don't know if its the sort of thing that can come and go. Maybe a GP visit when you've had an episode. As well as Nurofen some gentle walking helps.

Thanks for your reply. I wiki'd sciatica and it sounds like I do have it. Now I can work on how to alleviate it....