Thread: Leg/foot numbness

Hi all,

Maybe this is a PCOS thing....maybe not....but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if I could get any help or advice.

The thing is, when I'm exercising (aerobically walking), after about 20 minutes, my right ankle and foot fall asleep...and progressively turn numb...and then it hurts to keep walking. I generally keep it up for another ten minutes and then do a 5-minute cool-down, and by time I'm done with the cooldown, my foot is back to normal. Well, almost...I just got back from exercising about 20 minutes ago and my leg still feels....tense, I guess...like it does any other time after it's been "asleep."

My question is: Should I be concerned about this? Is it a blood clot? (not that I'm dramatic or anything! *L*)....I examined my shoes and the tread is still good...but they're a few years old...maybe it has something to do with the support in that shoe?

Any help is much appreciated!!

Thanks!
Theresa

I think the only way it could be related to PCOS is if you are diabetic (which resulted from years of insulin resistance) and have diabetic neuropathy, which can cause numbness, tingling and/or pain in the leg.

Other causes could be a nerve entrapment syndrome (similiar to carpal tunnel), or a ruptured spinal disk (which can cause leg problems even without back pain).

Women with large fibroids often report leg symptoms such as this, probably because of the fibroids pressing on some nerves. This happens to pregnant women as well.

You probably should get a referral to a neurologist to have some tests run.

Good luck with this, and keep us posted.

Linda

Hi Theresa, I had to reply because I get exactly the same thing, but in both legs! It only happens if I have to walk really fast because I'm late, and then the pain and numbness get worse until I can't feel my feet.

I haven't been to the doctor about it but am pretty sure what i've got is called compartment syndrome, if you do an internet search for that there is some good info.

Another thing it could be is a build up of cholesterol in the arteries in the leg, called arteriosclerosis.

Hope you can sort it out whatever it is!