Numbness and Tingling

On November 22, 2013 I had a large tumor removed from my spinal canal.  During my 5 day hospital stay, I was asked over and over "what were you symptoms when this all started".  My answer was that I had numbness and tingling in my feet.

In June, as I would stand on my feet for long periods of time they would go numb.  For over 10 years I had problems with my feet.  I experienced plantar fasciitis and most likely heel spurs.  So when the numbness started, I just thought it had to do with these previous problems.  Perhaps a pair of new shoes I had just purchased were to blame.

As the weeks went on, I began to have numbness in my calves and thighs.  This would happen mostly when I was sitting for extended times, driving a car or while I was laying down.  It seemed that once I stood up and moved around it would get better.  In the morning it seemed to be worse and each week it seemed to take longer for my legs to "wake up".



I thought that these symptoms must have something to do with my back.  I've gone to a chiropractor since I was young.  In August I decided to seek one out to get some help.  The first doctor I saw didn't approach chiropractic in a style that I liked so I didn't return.  A week or so later, I saw another doctor who specialized in an ortho-therapy approach.  He adjusted a spot in my center spine that bothered me and did some manipulation on my lower back.  The primary way he helped me was through soft tissue work.  I was able to get relief in my back and legs through the use of a foam roller and trigger point work using a lacrosse ball.  After about 4 weeks, I was still having progressive numbness and tingling in my legs and now into my abdomen.  I was getting less relief from the soft tissue work.  He recommended that I see a medical doctor and have some metabolic tests done.

For nearly 3 months, I had progressive numbness and tingling.  I still I had no answers.

Like so many things in our lives - we have symptoms that make us feel a bit numb or we have an uncomfortable tingling.  Even as the symptoms get worse, it often is such a gradual onset that we don't realize how bad things are getting.  Our reality changes as we adapt to the symptoms.   We have numbness and tingling.  And still we have no answers.