Numb patch above right knee anyone?

[Jeff1943]

Only when I've been standing a while I get a patch of numbness above my right knee. Doctor Google says it's only a pinched nerve and losing weight can help. Fine. But I've also read that anxiety can cause numbness. Not a common symptom but has anyone had numbness because they're anxious please?

[Hidden]

Jeff, is your numbness intermittent or constant. How long have you experienced this? Is it mild numbness or have you lost complete feeling in the area?

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Very occasional and localised. First noticed last July but only noticed it again recently. It goes instantly if I sit down or start walking or massage it. Haven't felt it at all today as I haven't been standing long enough. Never have it lying down or sitting. Only affects the sensitivity of the skin in an area 6 inches by 4. Seeing the quack in a fortnight so will mention to him.

[Hidden in reply to Jeff1943]

Sounds like a local blood flow or nerve thing to me... nothing I would worry about personally.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks MadtownDan, I think it's a pinched nerve in the thigh, quite common Doc Google says.

[Dani87]

Hi Jeff- i have anxiety related numbness all the time.

Sometimes my entire leg will feel numb or one of my arms. The way that i manage it is i try to determine if it is true numbness or just the sensation of numbness- i.e if you can feel your limb / skin fine when you touch it, then its not really true numbness (as you normally cannot feel it to the touch if it is)

The other tool i try to use is, if i divert my attention away from it long enough, does it go away on its own- if so, then theres a good chance it is anxiety-related

[Jeff1943 in reply to Dani87]

Thanks Dani87, I don't feel any numbness until I touch the area.

[Dani87 in reply to Jeff1943]

In that case maybe just keep an eye on it for a little while to see if it resolves itself

If you think its a pinched nerve - maybe look up some massage or home remedy suggestions to try that in the first instance- it may resolve itself that way

[pink83737]

yes i have had numbness with anxiety through my legs, they felt like jello

[Jeff1943 in reply to pink83737]

Jelly legs can be caused by tension in the leg muscles. But jelly legs will always carry you where you want to go.

[Jeff1943]

Whether or not it applies in my case we have identified that anxiety can cause localised numbness. Another symptom of anxiety disorder.

[HelloPanda23 in reply to Jeff1943]

Considering your age, it can be another issue. For safety, please get checked. Not everything can be blamed on anxiety disorder.

[Tempestteapot]

Jeff, take this to your GP. Have it checked out - it's the wise thing to do. A trapped nerve is very likely just that - a trapped nerve. And it probably isn't anything to do with anxiety but may at least be transient - only your doctor will be able to assess it and advise what to do. We shouldn't assume everything is anxiety, especially as we get older. Good luck, my friend! xx

[Jeff1943]

Yes Tempesteapot, I will see my GP, pretty sure it's a trapped nerve often caused by being overweight, that's me. Today as an experiment I was standing around in stores and I felt it, or rather didn't feel it, so I took 5mg Valium as an experiment, the numbness was less present. As you say, as you get older there's more chance that something is physical ie "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're not being followed."

[Agora1 in reply to Jeff1943]

Jeff1943, I use to think of that same saying at one time. Your mind is starting to go in a lot of different directions, not good. Keep focused or your anxiety will just keep building. Remember that you do have control over your anxiety, you are well trained by the great Dr. Claire Weekes As for physical things that may happen, it can happen at any age. We're human not machines. Maybe a little tweak might solve the problem and you'll have one less thing to worry about.

Jeff, keep everything in prospective. One step at a time. The doctor appointment is priority in addressing the issue. Good Luck my friend, keep us posted with updates.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks Agora1, I will see the GP shortly but it's almost certainly Meralgia Paresthetica which is quite common, it's caused by a pinched nerve in the hip which in turn can be caused by being overweight so it's yet another reason to lose those excess pounds. It"s only when I've been standing up for a while so not too intrusive. But as numbness can be caused by anxiety I wanted to experiment with the valium. Thanks for your interest, I'll let you know the outcome.

[Agora1 in reply to Jeff1943]

Please do Jeff. Know that we all care.

[Hidden]

Hi Jeff, well it would be understandable because anxiety and nerves all go hand in hand. Just as nerves are triggered by anxiety to give us stomach pain and migranes.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Timeless, that's what I thought and several people on this thread have confirmed that numbness can be a symptom of anxiety. But as it goes away immediately when I sit down or start walking and only get it standing up putting weight on that leg I now think it's a pinched nerve. Nerves to our limbs have to pass through knee and hip joints and have to share the space with lots of bone and muscle so I think it's pinched nerve specially as a fat 5mg valium didn't make it go away.

[autumnthebrat2]

I had a numb spot on my thigh the size of a quarter. I had it for about 20 years and then mysteriously disappeared.

[Jeff1943]

Just to let you know the numbness above my right knee has been rightly diagnosed as a pinched nerve in the thigh and nothing to do with anxiety. Doctor said it's another good reason for losing a stone in weight. Or two.

[Hidden in reply to Jeff1943]

I had that a couple weeks ago it scared me!! But googled it and saw the same thing. Waited it out and no more numbness.