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Recently, I've noticed that my left thigh and only my thigh falls asleep after sitting for long periods of time. I keep thinking it's probably nothing but it doesn't seem to be going away. It's been at least a couple months since I first noticed it happening.
Does anyone know what might be causing this or suggestions what I can about this? Any information would be appreciated.
What happens when a limb " falls asleep" is the nerve that innervates that limb has had it blood supply cut off and the tingling and sometimes painful feeling of the limb " waking up" is the nerve reacting to the reduction and influx of blood after a change in body position that relieves the pressure on the blood supply. It may be that you are feeling the effects of nerve interruption to that area caused by a disk bulge in your lower back. Is it the entire thigh or just a part? L2, L3 and L4 innervate ( have an effect on) the thigh as do L1 ( the inside of the thigh ) L5 ( the outside) S1 and S2 ( on the back of the thigh). If you have low back issues this could be the cause. Sitting for long periods would aggravate a lower back injury. I highly suggest you see a doctor and possibly get a ct scan of the area to rule out disk injury. Regular visits to a good chiropractor may help also. I have " numbness" in my pinkie fingers and some times my ring fingers on both hands due to a slight disk bulge at C8. Google " dermatomes" and look at a picture of the body chart, it will make more sense.
Location: Prescott Valley, Az (unfortunately still here)
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Is it on top of your thigh (quadricep area) or behind your thigh ( hamstring area)?? If it's behind (hamstring area) it could be sciatica or something. Did you ever have any lower back problems before? It might be your back. Check with your doctor. Just call and ask him/her what it could be.
Look up Meralgia paresthetica for the distribution of numbness on the thigh, this is a relatively benign but not uncommon cause of numbness on the top and side of the thigh.
Are you overweight? The pressure of sitting for extended periods of time can either pinch a nerve or even cut off some blood supply to an extent. As mentioned above, get up now and then and walk around. Do you tend to lean forward while sitting? That can add more pressure.
Is it on top of your thigh (quadricep area) or behind your thigh ( hamstring area)?? If it's behind (hamstring area) it could be sciatica or something. Did you ever have any lower back problems before? It might be your back. Check with your doctor. Just call and ask him/her what it could be.
To answer you question, it's on the top of my thigh and it comes and goes. It seems to happen when I sit in chairs for long periods. I have lots of chronic health issues that all started from chronic Lyme disease and I've been getting treatment for the past 12 years and it's nearly bankrupted my family and I. I do have back problems and chronic pain just about everywhere in my body so it's hard to isolate the pain.
Are you overweight? The pressure of sitting for extended periods of time can either pinch a nerve or even cut off some blood supply to an extent. As mentioned above, get up now and then and walk around. Do you tend to lean forward while sitting? That can add more pressure.
I am a bit overweight but not obese. I get up several times a day to walk around with the assistance of a cane. I've had Lyme disease for the past 12 years. The problem with my thigh started last year. I do hunch forward a bit while sitting but I'm trying not to do that.
Look up Meralgia paresthetica for the distribution of numbness on the thigh, this is a relatively benign but not uncommon cause of numbness on the top and side of the thigh.
Thanks for the info. Would you happen to know what kind of doctor I should see regarding this matter?
Look up Meralgia paresthetica for the distribution of numbness on the thigh, this is a relatively benign but not uncommon cause of numbness on the top and side of the thigh.
The numbness is on the top of my thigh and only on the top. When it goes numb, it only goes numb on the top of my thigh and no where else. I usually have to get up and "walk it off" but I worry it could be something serious.
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