Thigh numbness upon awakening

[STL Mark]

When I wake some mornings my left outer thigh area feels numb. I'm not sure if I'm flexing my quads in my sleep. There is no noticeable discoloration. Thoughts?

The area affected is shown in blue below. Click for larger view.

[oak]

Mark do you have RLS?

[chunkyfrog]

It sounds like maybe a nerve. It's encouraging that it goes away. Your doctor may have a clue.
I had an isolated nerve on the right side that affected the lower half of the blue muscles.
It was pretty much continuous and took several years to fade to something I can barely find if I try.
Any sensation in the area felt as if it was about 2 fingers farther down.
I couldn't stand the feel of anything snug there for about 4-5 years (leggings, bike shorts, pantyhose)

[Stormynights]

Maybe you are just sleeping too soundly and your muscles just tighten up from not moving during the night. Do you sleep on your side?

[purple]

One, Are u laying on that leg at night?

I am a diabetic and get some numbness in various parts of my body based upon:

Blood sugar problems.

AND/OR Heart not pumping hard enough to keep the O2 up ( which can be related to meds I take)

AND/OR is a symptom of my "Piriformis syndrome" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome, which is a pinched nerve in the hip, like sciatica (just the other nerve, and distinguished by where the problem manifests (Outside left thigh). The usual precursor the problem happening is having fallen on the left hip at some time in a very dramatic manner. In my case that was added to by, my abdomen was swollen from being too large (obese), Aerophagia, gas in the colon, constipation. One of the treatments being a stretching exercise.

AND/OR my blood got sludged up, like the night after I go the pizza buffet. No Joke, that is what happens.

Trying the stretching exercise for a few days is a lot cheaper than paying a doc, and paying for a lot of X-Rays. Although the Doc can write some scripts that can help the nerve to get back to normal. It is a bit important that you not let it go on to be a worse problem as the nerve area can deteriorate, and then parts of the leg would be frequent spasm.

Like a lot of those of us who are aging, a bit of a pain killer at bed time can help us get through the night. My poison of night choice is Tylenol.

Let us know what you find out. You might find an answer that will be helpful to me.

EDIT: The other recommendation of the doc being that I get a Colonoscopy, as a growing tumor can cause pressure. Medicare said no, they will not pay for it at that time.

[BlackSpinner]

If you sleep on your side and that side is up then try putting a pillow between your knees. This will keep your spine straight and keep your hips from torquing and pressing on nerves.
If it is on the side you sleep on it could still be due to torquing but also the mattress.

[STL Mark]

Regarding RLS I don't believe so. It was not noted during my sleep study 3 years ago. Is this problem intermittent?

Regarding diabetes, my father has type 2. The few times I have checked mine in the morning it has been under 100. I probably should get my own meter and do some post meal tests to determine recovery.

BlackSpinner, I guess you could say I sleep around (I hope my wife does not read this). Stomach, both sides and back. I think it could well be nerve compression related.

When i sit like the below young man either leg will fall asleep if it is on the bottom. My ankle on my upper leg is usually above my knee on the lower leg. This will consistently happen. I don't know if the two are related.

I do appreciate everyone's time in responding to this thread.

[islandboy5150]

Only a guess on my part, as I have had the exact symptoms for ten years now and mine has been confirmed by an MRI and a neurosugeon as spinal stenosis at the L3 left nerve root. What happens is, the space where the nerve root comes out from the spinal column is smaller for a reason, either from artheritis, degenerative changes in the disc making the disc height smaller, or a bulging disc at L2, or L3, on the left side, pressing on the nerve root that affect that area. Google "dermatomes" and spinal stenosis for information that may help you figure it out. Unfortunately, if stenosis is the cause, there's not a lot you can do on your own to reverse the effects. And, it usually gets worse with age. That's just my experience with it, though. Hope it helps.

[RandyJ]

Just an idea, but discussing this with a chiropractor might be fruitful. Other than adjustments, chiropractors can be particularly helpful at suggesting exercises that benefit an individual problem or muscle group.

[Stormynights]

I have a lot of problems with numbness and pain but mine is due to cysts on the nerve endings in my spine. I can't find anyone that wants to try to help me. Maybe I am better off just leaving it alone.

[STL Mark]

I have a lot of problems with numbness and pain but mine is due to cysts on the nerve endings in my spine. I can't find anyone that wants to try to help me. Maybe I am better off just leaving it alone.

I have two friends that have had back surgeries. The first usually leads to a second surgery to correct problems from the first. My problems would have to be life threatening before I would let anyone touch my back. In my opinion, you are correct with leaving it alone.

From reading all of these responses I have many things to research. Thank you all.

[Stormynights]

I knew a lady who changed doctors because her doctor refused to do surgery on her back. She ended up not being able to even stand. Her husband took wonderful care of her until she fell out of her wheelchair and broke both legs. She wasn't very kind to her husband but I am sure it was due to pain and frustration. She is now in a nursing home and she isn't that old.

[LJJ]

Sounds to me like Meralgia Paresthetica. Can't post a link as guest. Google it. Good Luck.

[Julie]

I'm not sure I'd say meralgia, because that usually affects the side of the thigh and not the front.

[sawinglogz]

What about numb or sore feet (only)?