why am I getting lower back pain, right leg pain/ache, left leg pins and needles?

[HappyThoughts95]

Hi, I am not sure where to post this so I thought to start here, as it does cause me a great deal of anxiety not knowing what is happening, sometimes the anxiety is the worst symptom.

Also if anyone can advise a better place to post this it would be appreciated.

About 10 weeks ago I started experiencing intermittent aching in right leg. Nothing in my left leg, left leg was perfectly fine. It wouldn’t last long, but would keep coming back. Made me very worried.

Seen GP multiple times who referred me to a Physiotherapist at the surgery.

Saw the physiotherapist a couple of times who recommended to do some exercises she sent to me by email, they were mostly leg stretches and exercises to the lower back. At this time I still only had aching in right leg, sometimes pain, which is mild pain so I don’t believe it to be sciatica(which was mentioned to me by GP), sometimes weakness.

Anyway since the exercises - pretty much immediately after I experience pins and needles on my left buttock and into the next day this transferred into my left leg. I stop the exercises and book another appointment with the physio at GP surgery. Between this time and the appointment I started to get lower back pain now, intermittent, comes and goes, sometimes aches in middle of lower back, sometime pains on left lower back. At the appointment everything was checked again and referred me for physio therapy.

I am now waiting for this referral to come through and to be offered an appointment. Since then the pins and needles in left leg had been near on constant, sometime disappears when walking. Right leg pain is still there, it is worse at the back of the knee and down to the bottom of my foot and lower back pains/aches has been more frequent.

My problem is I am just looking for any other similar experience, because although I have had referrals I have no answers.

Oh I should also mention I did have blood tests done at initial GP appointment, I think they were checking for diabetes, the check for diabetes was clear and all blood levels normal although I did have low vitamin D levels which I am now taking vitamin D that was prescribed.

Has anyone experienced this or know what it could potentially be caused by? I’ve tried to remain active as this was advised but I don’t feel it helps, when I am walking or doing stuff the pins and needles aren’t really there or the right leg pain but I have been still getting the lower back pain/ache when being active.

I was advised of red flag symptoms to look out for in case of Caudia Equine Syndrome but so far luckily I have had none of these red flag symptoms.

Thanks in advance.

[piglette]

I don't think this is the right forum for you. It is for people with PMR / GCA. Your symptoms do not sound like either of those, A blood test for ESR and/or CRP will tell you if you have inflammation which could point to PMR or GCA. We are not qualified to diagnose your problem, your doctor is a much better option as they can actually talk to you and do tests.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As   piglette says, not something we can answer really.

But I did notice you mentioned similar issues with legs etc 4years ago on another forum…so what advice did you get then from your doctor, did it go away, or have you had it all this time?

See you have posted on other forums, hope you get some meaningful replies.

Has sciatica been considered?

[Pixix]

I have those symptoms, but a doctor needs to diagnose you, not me!! If I tell you mine I guess you will Google & read, which, while doing no harm may likely end up with you thinking you have something you haven’t! I have acute sciatica & had it five months now. The pain isn’t acute all the time! I also have lower back pains. It can all be so many things! If you wish to Google my problems are haemangioma on my spine, trocganteric bursitis & sciatica. But I can’t see how this helps you! Surely you need to go back to doctor & ask for the diagnosis, not just send to physio??!!

[Rachmaninov2]

I had similar symptoms to you and my GP referred me to a Neurologist. Now I have a diagnosis I have been referred for physiotherapy. I would not have wanted physio. before having a diagnosis. Good luck, I hope you find an answer soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sciatica isn't always severe all the time. What you describe would fit with something called piriformis syndrome what causes pain in the buttocks and in some people sciatica symptoms as the sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle. If the muscle is tight, then it can pinch the nerve and cause referred pain and symptoms or, if it is spasmed enough, sharper pain.

It doesn't sound like PMR so beyond what we've explained there isn't much help we can offer. However, you do have to do the exercises from the physio or online consistently to relax/stretch the muscles.

healthline.com/health/pirif...

[SheffieldJane]

I have had something similar as an enthusiastic first time grandma. I had overdone it and long haul fights didn’t help. Stretching exercises eventually helped after about 6 weeks. It was sciatica. Do you have a PMR diagnosis, or is this one of the theories you are exploring?

If you are suffering from anxiety, I think this is worth sharing with your doctor, it is horrible to struggle along with.

[Gary1310]

I was diagnosed with PMR in Jan 2019. Had swollen hands and feet…..tingly. In 2021 I had a rare episode of Sciatica (awful pain). My son took my to ER, the XRay showed a problem with a disc….#5 slipping over #4 disc.