Strange sensation in leg

[Thyroid17]

For a few weeks, I have intermittently had a feeling like an electric current/vibration in the outer aspect of my thigh just above knee. Can happen at any time but often when I lie down in bed. I've also just noticed that the skin on the affected area is colder. Always the same area every time. Area roughly sized the same as my hand. Any ideas?

[Caroline888]

Could the sensation in your leg also be described as lots of ants crawling under the skin? Quite an intense sensation. A condition called formication affected me every single night for twenty-two years from age 47. It was always in the same spot. Over my left upper thigh and yes, the area affected was a bit larger than my hand. Sometimes it was so bad I had to get out of bed and rub aloe vera gel into the area to ease the sensation.

I put this down to perimenopause and then menopause. I thought I had it for life. Then I was diagnosed hypothyroid two years ago and after a couple of months on levothyroxine it went away completely and has never returned.

Of course yours may be something entirely different but perhaps still down to your thyroid condition. Could you be undermedicated?

Whatever is causing your discomfort, I hope you get it sorted soon.

All the best

Caroline

[Thyroid17 in reply to Caroline888]

Thanks for your reply, it's more like a faint vibration. I imagine like a mild electric current.

[Caroline888 in reply to Thyroid17]

Have you googled peripheral neuropathy? Formication is a form of that but it also causes other sensations such as burning, tingling, pins and needles etc.

I understand this can be caused by untreated hypothyroidism so might be relevant.

[Thyroid17 in reply to Caroline888]

Thankyou Caroline

[Caroline888 in reply to Thyroid17]

This is just one document which cites hypothyroidism as a possible cause of peripheral neuropathy.

indianjpain.org/article.asp...

Hope it’s helpful

All the best

Caroline

[Thyroid17 in reply to Caroline888]

Brill, thanks Caroline

[diogenes Remembering]

Could be arachnoiditis which comes from inflammation of the sheath surrounding the spinal cord. I'm not thyroid-challenged. I have both one painful spot on left upper thigh and "wet leg" syndrome where I sometimes feel the lower part of my left leg is soaking wet when it isn't - nerves reacting to the inflammation I suppose. Strangely no such sensations on right leg.

[Thyroid17 in reply to diogenes]

Thanks for your reply, it's not painful but I think it may be nerve related.

[Luna1390]

Hi there,

I have had similar experiences. I had the electric current/vibration feeling in a spot on my back and a spot on my calf. I also had a time where my outer thigh was cold. I had my levels checked at this time & I needed a raise in my dosage. After raising, these strange feelings went away. So perhaps a check of your levels would be helpful?

[Thyroid17 in reply to Luna1390]

Thanks Luna, I think this sounds similar and could be the cause. I was taking a B12 supplement which ran out so I've not been supplementing. I'll check my dose out thanks.

[Thyroid17 in reply to Luna1390]

I meant to say I'll check my thyroid meds. Thanks

[MiniMum97]

I think I've had this - I get a sharp pain like an electric shock just above the knee running to the knee on my right leg - I also get similar around my elbows. It's very intermittent. I don't think it feels cold though.

[Thyroid17 in reply to MiniMum97]

Thanks for your reply, mine isn't painful, just weird and somewhat unsettling when it happens unexpectedly. I assume it's nerve related. I'm going to check on Vit D (which I've been forgetting to take), B12 and my thyroid meds dose - maybe too low?

[Buckley123 in reply to Thyroid17]

Restless leg ? I have it in the night time xx

[Thyroid17 in reply to Buckley123]

No, just the occasional 'vibration' which passes relatively quickly

[Buckley123 in reply to Thyroid17]

Could still be restless leg look it up see if it fits xx