left leg pain, dr. said not vascular but not going away

[cha_p]

Hello all,

I'm a 19 yr. old white female, this all started about 3 weeks ago. It started with a pain in my left calf that was a deep achy, throbbing feeling. It eventually went away later that night. Ever since that night, I have had pains all in my left leg. They only particularly bother me at night, but sometimes during the day. They are never in the same spot. Sometimes the pain is below the knee only, or like last night, it starts in my butt and goes all the way down. I went to the dr. last week and saw a PA because my dr. is on vacation and he honestly didn't know. He examined my legs, tested my reflexes, tilted my ankle to test for pain. Nothing. He ruled out any type of vascular problems. He told me that it was muscular and to sleep with a pillow between my knees, take klonopin at night like prescribed (I had previously been prescribed 1 mg. at bedtime or 1 every 12 hrs. for when I'm having an anxiety attack, but I only take a half of a tablet because they just knock me OUT), and advil as needed for the next couple of weeks. Well, the pain hasn't gotten worse to say, but it has definitely not gotten better. The klonopin is NOT alleviating the pain, it just makes me so calm and sleepy that I just don't care about it. Advil works, it takes the edge off the pain and it eventually goes away. It's an achy pain, not sharp. Like a deep dull and achy. There's no way to tell when it will bother me, and I would just like to know what it is!!!!! When my leg is hurting, you can look at it and there is no physical evidence that there is pain. No swelling, no change in color, nothing. And it's not even sore to touch, even when the pain is present. My mom has fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue, sjogren's syndrome, RA, and systemic lupus. So I'm pretty pre-disposed, but I'm only 19! But then again, she was 18 when diagnosed with fibromyalgia. He put on my chart that I came in for myalgia/myositis nos. Do any of you all have any idea what this could be??? It really scares me and I want to know that I'm going to be okay, and that it's not life threatening.

[sandee1818]

Were so happy you are finally getting the treatment you need!
Please do keep us up to date on how your doing:)

[sandee1818]

We are so glad you are getting treatment. I hope it works out well. Keep us posted:)

[cha_p]

well, here's the diagnosis: either sciatica or piriformis syndrome. i've been put on hydrocodone, diazepam and 800 mg. ibuprofen and a medrol pack. i got a steroid shot today and i have to start physical therapy. whooo hooo. LOL

[Tuckamore]

Thank you for all your updates. It is appreciated. So many times ppl post and we never hear from them again....so thank you.

A burning sensation usually is indicative of nerve involvement. I hope the neurologist can give you some answers.

Just a thought but have they consider SIJ (sacroiliac joint) problems? Your symptoms are not classical SIJ but not every-one's is the same. I have SIJ Dysfunction and among other symptoms I have pain in my buttocks that goes into my leg. It is often a burning, throbbing and deep pain..My buttock feels like someone has kicked it several times. I can point to the exact spot that the pain originates from and this is a classic sign of SIJ problems.

Best of luck and I will look forward to your continued updates.
Tuck

[cha_p]

hello all! well, here's the last but of narrowing down my issue. whatever this is, it's neurological. my ANA showed negative, the x-ray of my calf showed negative (the bone density was normal), BUT they noted minor scoliosis in my lower back. the nurse said that's pretty normal so who knows. i have been referred to a neurologist and have an app't on thursday. i hope to GOD this man knows what's going on. i've been doing a lot better though, haven't had an anxiety attack in nearly 3 weeks and my leg only bothers me every now and again. it's sorta turned into a burning sensation now. so, i will give an update thursday. :)

[cha_p]

Well, the dr.'s nurse called me today with my bloodwork results. Thyroid, liver, kidneys, are all fine. It showed no muscle inflammation (which was really really odd to me...no inflammation, but where's this pain coming from then???) but my bad cholesterol was a little high, it was 143...130 being ideal. So I gotta start back on my healthy food regimen. My daddy has bad cholesterol so whoo hoo, plus I'm a little overweight. The ANA results of the bloodwork aren't back yet but they should be in this week and my x-ray results will be in next week. Still waiting to schedule EMG, none too excited about that. I feel so relieved. I think this has pretty much narrowed it down to it being my nerves. But who knows. I'm just so glad it's been narrowed down further. I'm anxious to hear the ANA results. Thanks again everyone and I'll post as I find out more.

[Dshell]

Keep thinking positive.  I hate term NOS as I feel it is doctor speak for I have no idea.  I agree with the above post, what stuck out for me is when you indicated the pain began in your buttock.  I am not sure how nerves could cause specific pain like you describe but that is a bias of mine as I have felt discriminated in the past because I have also experienced anxiety.  For me, and I stress it has only been my experience,  when doctors don't know the answers they turn to my past history of anxiety as a way of explaining away almost every symptom I have every had.  

I sounds like you are being very diligent about your health and I am glad your doc is taking precautions and running the need rule-out tests.  Try to hang in there....while I do not subscribe to the line of thought that anxiety causes my pain, I do know that it can intensify it.  I am glad you have some relief from the worry.    

[cha_p]

well i'm back and the dr. did tons and tons of tests. bloodwork, calisthetics, reflex tests, EKG, took me off birth control (don't really know why), x-rays and I have to schedule an EMG. i go back in 3 weeks, she determined that it is either muscular or nerves. the EMG will determine what it is. she did mention sciatica, but that's not the definite diagnosis just yet. in the mean time she has put me on an anti-inflammatory and we'll see how it goes. i feel a lot better now that i know it's nothing truly life threatening. thanks for all your support and help :)

[cha_p]

hello everyone,

i got in to see not my PCM, but the residing doctor who is taking his place while he is gone at 10:15 in the morning. this pain is causing me great anxiety and i just want to know that i'll be alright. please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. i am really nervous. i'll update as soon as i get home from the app't. thanks guys :)

[Tuckamore]

Hi and welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry to hear about your pain. I too had "growing" pains in my legs but it happened at a much younger age than 19, though I am not saying that it is not possible.

My concern is when you said, "It starts in my butt and goes all the way down." That sounds like sciatica to me. I think you need to have a good clinical work up. I hope you will contact your PCP and make an appointment to see him upon his return from vacation. Heat or ice may help along with your current NSAID therapy.

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you aer doing.

Take Care,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello and welcome to the Pain Forum.

What comes to mind when you describe your pain are "Growing Pains". As referred to when there is no diagnosis. You are not to young to experience these types of pain. I feel that if this persists, you should wait until you can see your regular Doc and let him have a go at it. He may want to do some imaging (x-ray's, CT, ect...)

I certianly hope it passes before then. Please take care and good luck.
Mollyrae

[cha_p]

also beforehand, i was very active in the gym. going 6 days a week. but i haven't gone the entire month of july for fear of this pain in my leg. thanks again you all!