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A weird combination of symptoms

9 replies

AnonEvent · 27/02/2018 10:46

Hi all,

I know you're not my GP - but I was wondering if anyone has had this weird combination of symptoms. To be honest, I don't want to trouble my GP (and look like a malingerer) as I have been to see them a LOT recently (complications post c-section, referral for tonsillectomy).

Symptoms:

I get a burning, stabby pain in the same place in my back most days, I attributed it to a heavy handbag and poor sitting position, but now I am wondering if it's a nerve issue.

I get pins and needs a LOT, in both hands most nights (I do sleep on my hands), and in my legs when I sit on the floor. When my legs go numb (pre-pins and needles) they go REALLY numb, like I can't even feel the pressure of putting my foot on the floor.

General ache in my lower back/hips - I put this down to being a bit overweight, and generally a bit of out shape.

And, this is new, and the reason for my post: I recently feel like I'm standing on a heatpad, so the soles of my feet feel warm (it's actually quite nice especially in this weather). They are not warm to the touch, but it feels as if we have under-floor heating for a few minutes at a time. Obviously Dr Google suggests this is neuropathy, but I know Dr Google is never the bearer of good news.

Do I:

Go to the doctor and risk looking like a malingerer?

OR

Make some attempt to get fit and eat well, and see an osteopath to straighten myself out a bit?

Any thoughts would be welcomed.

OP posts:
sadie9 · 27/02/2018 11:25

The pins and needles are happening in relation to something I guess. Eg. sleeping on hands, sitting on the floor. If you have just had a new baby you may be doing different activities to what you were used to. For example, sitting on the floor more, bending over changing the baby, carrying the baby, wearing slippers more often instead of shoes, etc. All these things will affect different muscles. With repetitive strain syndrome in arms, it does result in more numbness at night. Therefore your limbs are not going numb 'for no reason' out of the blue.
The back ache could be muscular or it could be digestive (stomach acid). The soles of feet, not sure! It's unusual for something to be 'wrong' if it's happening with both sides at the same time. Again, if you have just had a new baby in the past few months - hormones are a law unto themselves and cause all sorts of weird sensations. Sounds like your feet are having a hot flush!

AnonEvent · 27/02/2018 11:45

You're right @sadie9 about some of the symptoms having obvious causes.

And my hands have ALWAYS gone numb at night, and I've ALWAYS got pins and needles when I'm sitting on the floor. I just sit on the floor more often these days.

The back thing could easily be from a mixture of baby carrying, handbag carrying, poor posture (when sitting) and my gargantuan boobs. Maybe new bras would help.

Annoyingly DD is 16 months old - so I'm not sure how much I can put down to hormones (the c-section was a bit of a shitstorm, it took a good year to get back to feeling physically 'normal' and in that year I didn't lose a huge amount of pregnancy weight).

You're right about the 'if it happens in both limbs, it's probably not a problem' thing too, I hadn't thought of that.

I think I'll go with option B for a while, try to eat well, and get some proper exercise now I feel vaugely human and work from there. Thanks.

OP posts:
TheGreatestSnowman · 27/02/2018 12:07

The pins and needles got me thinking about type 2 diabetes. I thought that was a pre-symptom - someone I know has that but changed their diet / was watched by GP so its reversible. All speculation from us but a trip to your GP might clarify it for you no matter what we suggest.

treedragon · 27/02/2018 13:21

Radiculopathy?

AnonEvent · 04/03/2018 22:48

I have a secret fear that I have Type 2 diabetes Snowman - I had the gestational diabetes test about two years ago, and was fine (good results, even), but my father had Type 2 diabetes, and I eat far too much refined sugar - and I got skin tags when I was pregnant, which is a symptom (it's also a symptom of pregnancy though).

Treedragon I was thinking/hoping it might be a trapped nerve of some sort, maybe my age, general lack of fitness, pregnancy, EMCS, and long recovery trapped something out of place.

OP posts:
TheGreatestSnowman · 06/03/2018 01:57

Okay, well I understand the fear around it but don't let that stop you getting checked out. If it is pre type 2, you know you can back track with a change of diet, right? Personally I'd want to do this.

theftbyfinding · 06/03/2018 02:03

Maybe rule out Pernicious anemia/b12 deficiency. Burning feet and pins and needles can be a sign of this. pernicious-anaemia-society.org/symptoms/

Tantpoke · 06/03/2018 02:40

There is nothing wrong in going to see your GP and explaining your symptoms to see what they make of it, that is what they are there for.

Synecdoche · 06/03/2018 03:36

My first thoughts were also B12 deficiency and diabetes. Wishing you better OP

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