Re: leg pain

Posted By CCF NSG MD /gsh on January 24, 1999 at 14:16:33:

In Reply to: leg pain posted by Ian on January 17, 1999 at 08:36:14:






Dear Doctor:
I am 40 years old and have been experiencing pain in my left leg for over 2 years. I only experience the pain when standing in one spot or when walking very slowly. When I walk at a normal pace or speed walk( which I do frequently) I have no pain. I take medication for high cholesterol and triglicerides (triglycerides) but my blood pressure is excellent and I am not overweight. My G.P. did a catscan of my lower back to see if there was a pinched nerve and it was negative. I also had an x-ray of my lower left leg where the pain often begins. It was negative. The pain is also present in my left hip. My doctor then suggested an anti-depressant. I am mindful of the fact that the mind can do a number on the body, however, I have had the pain consistently over the last 2 years and it seems to be getting worse. I do get anxious from time to time but,  I would say I have been less stressed  over the last 2 years.
  I do have lower back pain from time to time but it  goes away in time. I have experienced this for many years and have always attributed it to stress.
Your help would be greatly appreciated. The best news I could receive would be that it was stress related . My mother has been in a nursing home since the age of 50 with a condition that has been described as Spinal Cerebellum.
Thank-You,
Ian  
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Dear Ian,
A few things to consider here.  Your pain may be suggestive for a radicular pain if it radiates down certain areas in the leg.  This means that the pain may be from compression of a nerve or nerve root.  If the physician is convinced you have this type of pain, he may choose to order an MRI to be sure you don't have a small disc pushing on a nerve in your back.
Also, pain in the leg can be due to other conditions that can affect the nerves after they exit the spinal canal.  There can be problems in the hip as well as compression out more toward the legs.  
Inquire to your physician about these things for another evaluation.  If you do not find good answers, then seek a second opinion to be sure your diagnosis is correct.
Good luck.