Numb / Cold Toes

[anonandanxious]

Hey Gang,

So, I've been struggling with HA for about 6 months now related to fear of HIV contraction after a one-time, low risk sexual encounter.   I have been given the "you're clean" from my doctors with definitive tests (out to 6 months when most experts consider 3 months conclusive without any doubt) -- and I've finally began to see my anxiety symptoms reduce and accordingly my body return to normal. 

I struggled with a numb / tingly / burning pain in my lower shins for a long time -- which last week *finally* went away (hooray!).   To my dismay, however, my right, big toe started to go numb and feel extremely cold just after the shin pain went away.   I visited a doctor who said my reflexes and sensations seem normal -- but man, does my toe feel cold / like it's falling asleep ALL the TIME!

Frankly, it's killing me -- and what's worse is I immediately hit google, find peripheral neuropathy -- and bam there I am thinking I've got HIV or some other "infectious process" -- gah!

Anyone ever have anything like this?  Will it go away!?  Please say someone else has had a numb, tingly / cold toe come and go!

I just want to get back to normal again.

[JunoX]

I'm surprised your doctor didn't mention the possibility of this being back related. It sounds like a pinched nerve which is causing you this sensation. The fact that you have had it for awhile, suddenly it went away and now came back differently, raises the flag to nerve issues in the back.

I wouldn't worry too much about this. You got it checked out already. If it doesn't go away, mention the possibility of a back nerve to your doctor. Let go of the nueropathy thing. Your getting way ahead of what this could be.

[anonandanxious]

Thank you SO much 0115.   

I think you're right in that I'm getting ahead of myself, my understanding is that peripheral neuropathy is pretty constant, and pretty damn intense -- not like the random stuff I'm dealing with.

Furthermore, I had some crazy back pain 4 months ago after a fall on my bike.   I never had a spine x-ray or anything, but I'm wondering if the shin pain (and now the toe pain) is caused by some pinched nerve that was caused by the fall.   My understanding is that it takes a long time for pinched nerves to heal anyway, and there's not much you can do other than wait.

I'll try to stop worrying and hope this pain gets out of here soon!  I want to feel good!

[Slangevar]

It's definitely something like a pinched nerve... the question is where. When I sit at my desk for too long, my left hand and toes go numbish (because I have a bad habit of leaning on my left side).  When I go jogging and tie my shoes too tightly, the toes on both of my feet go numb (because the shoes are compressing the nerve over the top of the feet).

As my neurologist said, "Nerves are delicate things. It's easy to compress them, and if you compress them too much, they can take a long time to grow back!"

[Squeemy]

I have had similar. My GP sent me for an MRI to rule out MS (great thing to tell someone with GAD) & I took it upon myself to go see an Osteopath who looked at me & said yep its muscular. Sure enough he massages my hips & like that the numbness went.

Muscles can press on nerves & cause reffered pain/symptoms in many places

[wegngis]

I agree too, seems like nerve issues.  I have similar things going on, and an MRI has confirmed minor disc issues.  Physical therapy has helped a lot.