possible MS? please read

[chanelxo]

I'm a 23 year old, healthy female, who has suffered intermittent leg cramps/knee pains for as long as I can remember. Strikes infrequently, but is intolerable and excruciating. I can remember being a young child and feel the pains, I described them as "growing pains," until I realized at the age of 20 that that was very unlikely.
I pain manifests in both legs, often localizing at the knees. Activity worsens it. It happens roughly once a month, sometimes not as frequent, sometime more frequently. Pain relief is usually only obtained, mildly, from applying heat. Often I do not get sleep when it strikes.
I admit I do not know much about MS, but I need answers. I'm so frightened...my mind wanders to thoughts like cancer....
Not sure what to do to be taken seriously
I breastfeed my 5mo old daughter, and wish to for as long as possible. Not sure if this is relevant; just wanted to avoid posts suggesting heavy medications.

[chanelxo]

Thank you guys SO MUCH!!! I live in Canada, I will get to the doctor and filly out guys in. Thanks for the support xoxo and thanks for welcoming me even though it does not sound like ms

[supermum_ms]

Thanks Minnie!!

[LilMinnie]

Hi, I believe jj is referring to a condition called a subluxation of the patella. I have this condition in both knees. The left was worse than the right. I had a successful surgery on the left. The problem started when I was a teenager and as a typical teen I ignored it ;-)

It got worse in my late 20s when I had my son. I was quite skinny all my life and the doctor said that is why I made it as long as I did. It would pop out of place and I would force it back, which was excruciating, and had to have screws put in the bone below the kneecap to repair cracks.

I haven't had the surgery on the right side. It isn't nearly as bad as the left was.

I hope this helps :)

Hugs,
Minnie

[twopack]

The best thing you can do is give a doctor the most specific information possible.  Try keeping a log of things like
dates of occurrance
specific location - where it starts, migrates to, ends
how long it lasts
anything you did in the 24 hours beforehand that may have contributed
when this occurs in relation to your monthly cycle (do you swell then)
is it worse with activity or does it stiffen with rest after activity
does the area get warm or swollen or change color
has your leg ever given out on you
does it ever keep you awake at night
what kinds of home remedies help
how long before it goes away if you do nothing

Many things are hard for doctors to diagnosis and they have you in the office to examine.  We are people with MS and that is what we are most familiar with.  I agree that what you describe doesn't fit the usual pattern of MS.

[SarahL2491]

I agree with JJ and where you say it appears once month, MS keeps no time schedule that regular!  An orthopedic doctor perhaps, some MRI of the knees?  Not sure where you live or how hard this would be to arrange.

We hope you find out what is wrong and keep us posted, we all learn from each other.  Welcome to our little corner.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome,

For what its worth it doesn't sound like MS to me, and if you think about it cancer would be a bit of a stretch, considering you are saying this is something you've experienced since you were a child. Being a new mum, its not uncommon to worry about your health or that of your new baby, its possible postpartem, that you are experiencing fluctuating hormonal levels, creating a level of anxiety you would not typically have.

As for your knee(s), there is a common condition which for the life of me i've forgotten its name, sorry but its after midnight for me in OZ and too late to look it up for you. Its where the knee cap slips out of its cup, i'll try and get back to you with more information on it.

Cheers......JJ