Leg feels wet but is dry

[sunnysally]

Had this ever happened to anyone? My right thigh feels cold and wet but is completely dry and not cold to the touch. It is a very strange sensation. Google tells me it could be a pinched nerve. I have severe scoliosis and have had 8 back surgeries, so a pinched nerve is very possible. If it doesn't get better soon, should I see a neurologist or an orthopedist? My last surgery was 20 year ago so I no longer have a regular orthopedist.

[MixedBerryJam]

I get this sensation too, and always thought I was just crazy (although tbh I did also occasionally think brain tumor). I’ve never mentioned it to my doctor or anyone bc see crazy above. But I do have a very severely ruptured disk (I want to say T4 but it’s whichever one would affect the sciatic nerve) so now you have me wondering if it’s related to that. I think I’ll bring it up the next time I go in. I’ve had varying degrees of pain from it since September 2017. I recall so specifically because I traveled with it and remember nothing about Budapest more than the pain I was in.

It mostly only happens when I’m resting. I’ll get this sudden sensation that I’ve spilled something on my leg (always right lower leg) and then realize no, I’m just imagining it. Thank you for validating me!

[klee23]

To clarify, your leg feels cold but if you were to touch it with your hands both legs would feel the same (to your hands), correct? If there is an actual temperature difference you would need to see a vascular specialist.

You could follow up with an orthopedic doctor or a neurosurgeon. In my area NS manages "back" and "nerve" issues and neurologists default to other neurological conditions but that's not universal. If its not severe they may recommend a trial of PT to start.

[sunnysally]

I first noticed it this morning when my cat jumped on my lap. He is notorious for playing in the water dish so I thought he was touching me with wet paws. My thigh feels like I spilled cold water on it. When I touch the area it is the same temperature as the surrounding skin and definitely not wet. If you've ever had a CT with contrast and felt like you were peeing, it is a similar sensation without being injected with anything.

[snapoutofit]

I’d see a neuro doc. That can be a sign of nerve impingement.

[marcyiam]

I went through a period where it would periodically feel like water was suddenly spilling on/down my thigh. It felt SO real.

I almost went to see someone (I assumed nerve-related), but it did eventually go away. Took a while, though.

Good luck to you!

[Patsy Baloney]

Probably a ghost grabbing your leg.

Does it get better if you stretch or change positions? I might hit some anti-inflammatories for the next few days and be very good to myself (take it easy, lots of water, gentle stretching) to see if whatever is probably bothering the nerve backs off a bit.

[lightbulbsun]

I had this happen after I got a dog bite on my leg. It pretty much stopped now, but my doctor said it was the nerves healing after being damaged.