Rob, a herniated disk makes a lot of sense, as I also have had shoulder/neck pain for last 10 years or so , pointing to a disk/nerve issue in the upper back. So I might have a predisposition to disk issues. Will try and do exercises to strengthen that core. The burning being more of a nuisance than outright pain right now, will see if going back to a bit more cushioned shoe (like the Brooks Launch I like a lot or do you recommend going all out to a Hoka like shoe or the NB fresh foam thing?) and those strength/balance exercises will help. Will a treadmill be better off than running on the road? I can bite the bullet and run on that thing until I get better. Also will consider doing those long runs on trails (ASC greenway).
Shashi, when you have numbness in an area of the leg that is usually a "flag" to go to a doctor and get this evaluated. When you have that "burning sensation" in that same area this usually means it is getting worse. Anything "minimal" is going to make things worse. Look at the wts of the shoes -- as a general rule anything under 10 or 10.5 oz. (they wt this based on a size 9) is more minimal and anything under 5-6 oz is "bare minimal" (Kinarva and the new NB Fresh Foam are both minimal shoes). What creates the most stress/shock is a workout or running strides (at the "margin" an easy run on asphalt or dirt is probably within the same standard deviation although on plushy grass will make a difference) so you would want to move your workouts to the treadmill (and not using an old treadmill) and any strides/pickups/hill sprints to dirt/grass/treadmill (grass would be my choice for any strides/pickups). The pain you feel in your legs is coming from your lumbar area. If you see a doctor, ask about seeing a PT as you don't want to opt for any surgery unless your having serious issues with standing or walking (they will discuss an epidural but unfortunately being an "expert" here I would not opt for this unless PT does not produce results). It will take 2-4 months of consistent stretching/core to begin to see results as a fyi (and a PT could show you the most effective stretching/core work given your malady). Aside fr a herniation/bulge, you could have something "sticking" in there (tumor, infection, cyst, large wallet if your like George Costanza aggravating that nerve), tight hamstrings or another muscle pulling down and causing misalignment, a certain chair you sit in may be causing this, or your bed being too soft (giving you no support and when you sleep and your muscles relax at night your lumbar area "pinches" the nerve).
Rob
Rob, I finally broke down and asked my wife for an opinion, and after the usual eyeroll, she gave me the diagnosis of Meralgia paresthetica based on not having any back/leg pain, and the symptoms do seem to fit really well with what's described in that link (except being sensitive to touch, it's mostly numb when not prickly) and getting this pain even after a workout on a elliptical (no impact).
Lot less scary than a disk hernia, even if paralysis seems to be a possibility . Will get an appointment with an ortho to get a more definitive answer, although the treatment seems to be rest which I intend to take after Tobacco road.
Good to see you at the Monday Run Shashi. Did the hills make your leg worse? Hope not and you get it corrected.
Shashi, why go see a specialist when after reading the link the cure is so simple for you? Ditch your tool belt, lose 50 lbs and no more tight fitting clothes. How wide of a belt (were) you wearing btw? This sounds like a "compartment syndrome" type of malady.
Lynwood, hills don't seem to matter, except that I suck running up them. After moving from Gastonia and running on the flat greenways here, it's even more pronounced.
Rob, my wife says similar thing about internet diagnosis, she gets enough cases where people look up their symptoms, find a disease that fits and come to the physician just so they can get the medicines they think they need.
Cutting back on mileage and no speed seems to be helping (able to sleep), will take some time off completely after my HM next weekend.
Since I know you all are anxiously awaiting the diagnosis, confirmed Meralgia Paresthetica. When the Ortho lightly tapped the suspected area sent shock down the leg that I never felt before (could not find that inflamed nerve myself) indicating a sensitive/irritated nerve. Depressingly enough he says rest is not likely a good option as the issue is likely to return as I ramp up my miles again. Suggested a steroid injection as that will reduce inflammation for a while and if this returns, a minor surgery should relieve the nerve from whatever is inflaming it. Extreme case - kill that nerve, (which will regenerate) as the only purpose of this minor nerve is touch sensitivity to the region.
I'm glad you were able to confirm And good luck with the treatment.
Shashi, I thought you were better off with the group diagnosis! Well at least you can still run and maintain fitness (and hills won't be an issue so you can continue to run Lynwood's Mon nite run)! Nerves grow (regenerate) on average 1mm p month (or 1/25th of an inch) so if you cut it far enough away you probably have 2 to 3 years before it regenerates and grows itself back.
Shashi, I'm glad to hear you confirmed Dr. Google's diagnosis.
And good luck this weekend! (Wrightsville?)
"I want you to pray as if everything depends on it, but I want you to prepare yourself as if everything depends on you."
-- Dick LeBeau
Clive, I am planning on running Tobacco Road Half this Sunday, likely to be a jog, if I come under 1:55 will be happy. If I get that steroid injection tomorrow, not sure if it's OK to run so quickly.
Shashi, I thought you were better off with the group diagnosis! Well at least you can still run and maintain fitness (and hills won't be an issue so you can continue to run Lynwood's Mon nite run)! .
Ever since I saw this RW video the running hills is so easy. Too bad now everyone will see that and I'll still be the slower runner.
Shashi... I'm running the Tobacco Road Half too... I'll be on the lookout for you!
Richard Hefner Past Race Results (Athlinks)