Why have I got Lower Back Pain, Right Leg Pain and 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.

Thanks in advance.

[kenster1]

pain just about all over myself near constant we have a forum here called pain concern could get more info on that page maybe.

[HappyThoughts95 in reply to kenster1]

Thanks! I hope your pain eases for you, best wishes to you

[Adlon57]

Would a spinal MRI be any use?

[HappyThoughts95 in reply to Adlon57]

I guess it would yes. Didn’t really think about it and have just been waiting for this referral. Will book another appointment with physio at GP next week, as things haven’t really improved, and have worsened, even if it isn’t extremely worse, the symptoms have been progressively worse nonetheless. Will book appointment and ask what the next steps are as I can’t keep waiting endlessly.

[Agora1 in reply to HappyThoughts95]

HappyThoughts95, keep pushing for some answers.

I wish you well xx

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to HappyThoughts95]

I added a picture of my x-rays on the reply click the magnifying 🔍 glass for full view

[LifeIsThePitts]

I've had multiple fusions in my lower back and neck. Lumbar4/5 in lower back, which I suspect is causing your leg pain, & Cervical 4/5 & 5/6 in my neck. You need an MRI to establish which nerves and vertebrae are causing your pain involvement and what your diagnosis is. If you have radiating pain down both legs and haven't gotten relief from physical therapy, you need to ask for imaging for a proper diagnosis.

Back& neck fusions

[HappyThoughts95 in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

What are those thing that look like metal? Did you have an operation? How did it go? If you don’t mind me asking.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to HappyThoughts95]

MAJOR reconstructive surgery. Metal screws and plates support the Spinal fusions because my discs degenerated and pushed vertebrae into spine causing permanent nerve damage. The pain you're feeling means some part of your vertebrae is pushing into your spine compressing it which causes the pain down your legs.

[HappyThoughts95 in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

That sounds like a lot. I hope the surgery went some way to improving things for you.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to HappyThoughts95]

Yep. I'm doing better finally but I was told after the second surgery in 2016 that I'd never walk without assistance again. I've defied the Drs and have returned to running with my husband 3-4 days a week 4-5 miles per run. So nothing is set in stone.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to HappyThoughts95]

Be adamant about getting an MRI.

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to HappyThoughts95]

Oct 2016 I had first 2 spine surgeries 5 days apart. Complications after the initial lower back fusion caused the second surgery that wasn't supposed to happen and I was hospitalized for a week when I should have been home within 36 hours. 3rd spine surgery in oct 2017. I couldn't walk without a cane or walker for over 2 yrs. 2 neck fusions were done April 2022. Also had both shoulders reconstructed in 2018 &2019 and gallbladder removed 2021. 7 surgeries in 5 1/2 yrs almost KILLED me.

[Iliketojugglejuggle]

First couple sentences I thought I was reading my story lol. About two months ago I was kicked hard on the right shin during a soccer game and had a pretty deep laceration along with bruising and swelling. I still have constant aching and pain in my right leg which at this point doesn’t match the damage or how my leg looks. I’ve had two X-rays and an MRI and the MRI just found some soft tissue swelling, the cut itself has nearly fully healed but pain persists. Doctor thinks it’s just still not fully healed or could be nerve damage. I have GAD so I’m nearly certain that magnifies the pain, not getting much sleep at night also makes for harder healing time. My anxiety manifests itself physically much if the time, whether it’s headaches, back aches, or chest pain. Pain is in our heads, so is anxiety, they go hand in hand.

[Zhangliqun]

Sounds like you have some form of compression neuropathy (pressure on the nerve) originating in the low back, probably a disk being a bit out of alignment and putting pressure on the spine. I have something somewhat similar with my feet, tarsal tunnel syndrome, the foot version of carpal tunnel syndrome. Likely some form of surgery will be needed to relieve that pressure in your back. I have surgery on my right foot in June, the left foot will depend on how the right one goes.