Unsolved Chronic Bilateral Leg Pain

[ACHERONXXIV]

For well over two years now I have had chronic leg pain in both my legs.  It tends to occur more often while at rest, especially at night.  It is primarily along the back of the legs between the knees and heels. The pain feels like there is no or little blood flow and the only way to get any relief is by massaging deep into the back of the legs or stretching the muscles tight.  As soon as the pressure is removed they start hurting again right away.  No twitching or jerking has occurred, though I find myself jerking my legs straight to tighten the muscle for VERY momentary relief. I have had a nerve conduction study, a Doppler, and MRIs of my head, back and lower legs.  No one has been able to help.  I've taken numerous medications from steroids, anti-inflammatory, Parkinson's medicine, restless leg medicines, tramadol, darvocet, etc. NONE of these medicines helped.  At this point I am extremely depressed and having self destructive thoughts it is so bad.  The only thing keeping me going is my Daughter who was born in January this year.  Surprisingly the pain was less during the pregnancy, but unfortunately still there.  I'm desperate for any help anyone can give.  I've exhausted numerous hours of my leave and spent extensive amounts of money with no relief.  Please help!!!

[namnam46]

Hi hortquasmo.  :)

I am going to ask you to please go to the top of.this thread, which is 5 years old, and click on the "green" button that says Post a Question and re-post your question so we can help you. You can copy and paste it if you would prefer so you won't need to de-write it.

Most people will not respond to an old thread and the original poster, ARCHERONXXIV, is no longer active on this Forum.

Thank you, I look forward to being able to try to help you.  :)       ..........         Sherry    :)

[hortquasmo]

Did you ever find relief? My symptoms are nearly identical. I don't know how much more I can take. My 18 month old and 7 year old keep me going. Please let me know what, if anything, you were able to find out.

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum of MedHelp. I am glad that you found us and sorry o hear about your undiagnosed and painful symptoms. My heart goes out to you. You must be miserable...and I am so sorry.

Please don't give up, It took me years to find a diagnosis. I felt very much like you do. I stumbled upon a physician that diagnosed me in less than two weeks. I know it's possible so please continue your search.

I am not a physician. I don't know what your symptoms add up to. However I recall a documentary program that a females pain was almost gone when she was expecting a child but returned after childbirth. They determined that it was a very difficult to diagnosis deficiency. I beleive it was related to her hormones or something that increased when one is pregnant.

I assume they have ruled out PAD. If the vessels and nerve diagnostic tests are returning normal have they done any muscle tests? Have they preformed a muscle or skin biopsy? It is something that I would request as long as everything else is returning negative or normal.

I encourage anyone who has been unable to find a diagnosis in their local medical communities to turn to a large teaching hospital or a national well known clinic. Newly educated and trained physicians often are eager to find a diagnosis as are their teachers. New sets of eyes and a little thinking outside the box may provide you with answers.  

Depression goes hand in hand with chronic pain. At the very lest you deserve to be comfortable and to be able to sleep better. There are stronger opiates that may help your painful symptoms  as they search for solutions. A muscle relaxer and anti-anxiety medication may also be effective. I take diazepam on occasion and it helps the spasms and allows me to sleep better. There are multiple similar medications that may be effective for you. Please discuss this with your PCP. There is no good reason for you to suffer.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will be very interested to hear how you are doing and what you discover. You will be in our thoughts. I wish you the very best.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[mummy3too]

I would like to welcome you, too.

If you were to give the pain a word, what would it be? burning, stabbing, aching, etc...

What have the doctors ruled out? And what kind of doctors have you seen?

Does it happen when you sit or just when you recline in a chair or bed?

Sara is right - and you never know when someone will jump in and say they have the same symptoms.

Congratulations on a new baby... How hard it must be to manage both your baby and your pain..

[Sarajmt]

I would like to welcome you the Pain Management forum.  As you already know we are a community of chronic pain patients.  I wish there were a doctor at least monitoring this forum but there is not.  But we do offer support, advice and friendship to other chronic pain patients.

You are just way too young to be going through this.  This is just awful and I feel very sorry for your pain.  

This is my advice for you. Go to your doctor.  Request radiological testing.  Xrays, MRI or Cat scan, etc..  A myelogram  (SP?) may be helpful diagnosing you as well.  The bottom line is you need a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

I would also ask for a referral to a Pain Management Physician. At least you may be able to get some pain relief until you are diagnosed.

Good luck sweetie!  I really hope you get into a position where your pain is manageable and you can care for your precious little baby.

Stick around because I'm sure another smarter member will have better advice for you.  We'd love to have you become an active member of our community.  I'm sure your wisdom and smarts will be a boon for us all.  And  please keep posting and asking questions.  Welcome.

Sara