Leg pains in one leg.

[Anna Brady]

For about a year I have been getting pains down the outside of my right leg. The pain differs in intensity, either just at my hip and thigh or, more recently, spreading to my lower leg. Using a hot water bottle or rubbing in ibruprofen cream offers no relief. I am 23 and walk for 45 minutes a day. I don't smoke. I haven't noticed any patterns with regard to when the pain is at it's worst. Basically I need to know if it is worth going to my doctor or getting an x-ray or do I just need to do more exercise?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Anna:

With your description, I am not sure what to tell you.  If you were overweight or wear thight clothing I would tell you that you might have meralgia paresthestica (compression of the L2/L3 nerve) but you do not give that history and also the pain by this disorder does not travel down the leg.  It almost sounds like a lateral facia inflammation due to use and improper heal strike.  But over the internet I can't tell.  I would suggest that you see a neurologist and see if this might be related to a gait problem.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Mary]

I'm experiencing very bad leg pain, on both legs, at different spots, can't tell if is the bones, nerves or tendons, it feels deep inside the legs, I've had overall twitching for over 6 months and now this. My legs hurt so bad no matter what the activity. Please help me. Could this be Arthitis or Fibromyalgia or something even more serious. I've seen a neurologist, he couldn't figure out what I had, by looking at me he said it wasn't MS, but I worry because my symptoms change every day. I fear the worst, haven't seen Neurologist for many months, but I feel terrible, I was tired for a few months but that has gotten better, but the twitching never hurt before. I also experience some cracking of joints which I never had before. Also have this funny feeling when I walk like the nerves are peeled or exposed or something like that. I don't walk as much as Anna, but I'm a mom and stay very active. Any clues?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Mary:

It is difficult to tell you what is going on.  The fact that you have sensory changes, rules out ALS.  Without being able to localize the pain, there is likely not a mass or something like that inducing the changes.  Non-specific twitching or fasciculations can be a number of things, but most have distinct characteristics which you do not mention having, so I am assuming that these are also non-specific.  Two non-specific findings without a discrete pattern neurologically, may suggest that anxiety may be playing a part in your symptoms.  But, none the less, I would seek a second neurology opinion.

Sorry, I am not much help.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Annell]

I too have had problems with pain in my legs, more in the right than left. During the day I have a feeling of numbness in the calves and a slight quiver in the muscles. I feel like I have on support hose up to my knees. At night when I lay down is when I have the most pain and I have a tingling on the bottoms of my feet.It is hard to fall asleep because I have to keep moving my legs. I have also had numbness on and off in my hands and arms and have occasional low back pain.I have lupus and have joint pain that is mostly in my hands and have some lung involvement, headaches,and antiphospholipid antibodies. Could this be lupus related or does it sound more like it could be a disc problem?

[Mary]

Dear Doctor thank you for responding. What are the symptoms of Anxiety? Do you suggest any tests? My twitching moves around on legs and arms, sometimes behind my temples and little on my back. But they are here every day, I feel them a few minutes after waking up and they never stop all day, could that be what is causing the pain on my legs now? Do you know if people twitch when they are sleeping? I sleep ok, and besides every day tasks, and worrying about my symptoms, I don't have a lot of stress. Could this be anxiety? and could anxiety cause back pain, tingling radiatiating from the back and all the other symptoms I have?

[Susan]

All of this is sooo remarkable!!! I have had the same problem with my legs, especially the right one for months.  Seems to be worse at night for me.  I stay awake for hours trying to get comfortable enough to sleep.  Describing the pain is difficult, as I have never had anything like it before. There is a tightness, I want to say in the muscles...kind of like cramping. Then again it feels like the bones in my knees and ankles just don't fit right. I also have the shooting pain down to my toes every now and then.  
I am slightly overweight, and had a fall down the stairs almost 2 years ago.  X-rays show the compression fracture a received during the fall has healed, and a recent MRI show 3 bulging discs in my lower back...but nobody seems to connect the symtoms of legs and back. The back pain is yet another story for another day, but I wish all of you luck in finding a remedy for our problem, and if I hit on anything, you'll be the first to know!!!

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Mary:

A common symptom of anxiety is worry.  Whether someone twitches while they sleep depends on the etiology of the fasciculations.  I would see a neurologist and make sure nothing more tha anxiety is occurring.


CCF Neuro MD

[diann]

I have a lesion on C6 in cervical spine.Due to past CA history I was checked w/cscan & bone scan to rule out CA all were - but I continue to have pain in neck,head and shoulder w/ numbness in shoulder pain.What should I do now?