What is this new illness I've had for a couple months? Seems serious.

Do you have a family history of diabetes? I’d make an appointment with your GP to address your concerns.

@raum if you mean have I ever been diagnosed, no.

@Aster Just edited my previous response. Meant to ask about your family medical history. Does diabetes run in your family?

Are you taking any medication?
Is the numbness on both sides?

@raum no; I can’t think of one person who ever had it. It could be heart disease.

My moms friend had a blood clot, reported numbness.

Do some research into Neuropathy or Hepatitis C or maybe Deep Vein Thrombosis. You also might not want to rule out Arthritis. The Neuropathy & the DVT are more along the lines of the numbness with tingling. The Hep C & Arthritis more toward the lines of swelling. Arthritis is usually associated with pain; but, that is NOT always the case. Since you know what it is that you are experiencing, I think that you should be the one reading about any of it. Whatever it is, I hope it is temporary!!!

Do you have varicose or spider veins veins or relatives who do? Do you have a standing profession? It could be caused by a condition known as superficial venous reflux which can cause the swelling (edema) you’re describing. It could also be a large number of other problems.

If it is reflux, then walking and elevating your feet at night should help relieve the symptoms.

I have spider veins but not varicose. I don’t work in the professional sense of the word.
Funny thing is my feet are elevated most of the day, propped up on my desk.
If it can be.a “large number” of problems then I’d be looking at days of intensive testing which I would avoid like the plague. It’s one of those things where doctors have differing diagnoses. A nightmare. How do you get Hep C? I’ve had blood draws and that never came up.

DVT : Symptoms of deep vein blood clots in the leg may include swelling in the leg or along the leg vein, pain or tenderness, which may only happen when standing or walking, warmth near the swelling or pain, and red or discolored skin. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism may include shortness or breath, rapid breathing, pain when breathing, coughing up blood, and fast heart rate.
I may or may not have the last one; none of the former.

@Aster here is a symptom checker from The Mayo Clinic

Try to match up your symptoms as best as you can, then there will be a list of possible causes for your problem.

If you have insurance, there is usually an 800 number on the card that will connect you with either the information line, or directly to the nurse’s help line. You can ask to be directed to the nurse’s helpline. Then describe your symptoms (make sure you can tell them when this started, what seems to precipitate the symptoms such as walking around, or sitting for too long, or whatever it is. Explain exactly what the symptoms are, and if you have found any relief by doing certain things such as taking medication, or walking around, or elevating your feet).

Once you have spoken to someone at the nurse’s helpline, they should be able to tell you whether you need to make an appointment with your primary care physician, or whether to come to urgent care or the ER.

Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you so much @Kardamom. I’m sure if I called the number I’d be told to see a doctor.

@Aster Then you probably would need to see a doctor, if that is what the nurse helpline recommends.

Yu don’t know what it could be or what tests might be warranted until you go see a doctor. You can always refuse further testing but why not go for an initial consultation?

@Aster The Hep C test is a simple, one-time blood test, but it’s not part of the routine blood work. I know that because that’s what killed my husband & his doctor NEVER found it & it took an autopsy after the fact to discover it. The Hep C test has to be specifically requested by the patient. Most private insurance plans, Medicaid & Medicare all cover it. His first symptoms were swelling of the feet & legs. Then he went to sleep one night & didn’t ever wake back up. Much like you, we trusted the routine blood test. Sadly, IF detected, it’s curable!!! I HATE doctors with a passion; but, I think it’s time you ASK THE EXPERTS…NOT people on Fluther with NO medical training!!!

By the way…MORE people are now dying of Hep C than AIDS…1 in 30 people born between 1945–1965 have it & don’t know it…it’s time to get the word out there!!!

@Aster “If it can be.a “large number” of problems then I’d be looking at days of intensive testing”

I wouldn’t jump to that conclusion. Many possible causes can be ruled out just by talking to you and examining your legs (for example, if you haven’t left the USA, that would rule out a ton of random diseases that only exist in 3rd world countries). I’m just saying there are many causes that makes it difficult to provide an answer over the internet. I mentioned venous insufficiency, because it’s something I have experience with at work and can cause swelling in the legs.

Try an anti inflammatory, like Tylenol.

Do you have lower back pain?

Do you have high blood pressure?

Really important Have you been short of breath? Does something you usually can do with little to no effort, like walking three blocks, is it now difficult to do without breathing hard, like you have been running?

Are you a thyroid patient?

Has your B12 level every been low or borderline?

I think if you have swelling in your lower extremities you should see a doctor sooner rather than later. If you have the short of breath symptom same deal, see a doctor, don’t wait.

I have had tremendous luck with 500mg of magnesium at bedtime. Knocks out those heart palpitations. We all have to go sometime!