Aching Ankles and Legs

[lvfrogs]

Since December of 2009, I have been having terrible aching in my ankles and legs, but mostly my ankles or it is worse in my ankles. At the time, I attributed it to my Lipitor, called my cardiologist and I went off of it. Right after that, I went into the hospital for surgery (hysterectomy and a hernia operation) and came home to recover. At first, I didn't notice it, so I thought stopping the Lipitor is what helped.  It got so bad that I could not sleep at night.  Although, it is more of an aching pain, than a sharp pain. I do take Tylenol for it but it doesn't help much. It bothers me all day but seems worse at night. It is not the twitching of Restless Leg Syndrome and is not relieved by movement. It does seem to worsen if I do my walking or line dancing.
I called my cardio doctor because I thought maybe it was Peripheral Artery Disease (my cardio doc thought the circulation in my legs was low), so he tested me with ultrasound but that came back normal. A technician performed the test and I never talked to my doctor. In the meantime, it is driving me crazy, so I called my primary doctor in desperation.  She said it sounded like PAD or maybe RLS. I told her that I was tested for the PAD and we both agree it doesn't appear to be regular RLS; however, she put me on Klonopin to see if that would help. Well, the Klonopin (one month now) definitely helps me sleep so I am not up all night with aching ankles, but it doesn't seem to help with the actual aching.  
I had a regular visit with my cardio so I brought it up to him again. He did a few leg movements and said "I want you to see a neurologist for possible spinal stinosis".  I am in the process of securing an appt. but I looked up spinal stinosis and it doesn't sound like what I have.
I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and possible Fibro.
The medications I take are Lasix, Potassium, Verapamil, Synthroid, Prilosec and the Klonopin.  
I

Thank you!

[printss]

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[lvfrogs]

Thank you for your answer and I will show this to my doctor. I have an appt. with my primary on Wednesday and with a neurologist on the 18th. I will definitely let you know if I get an answer and what it is!

[Abhijeet Ghosh]

Dear Friend,
Many thanks for the post.
If your primary doctor doesn't think it as a PAD, then the only diagnosis (when RLS is ruled out) left is "Chronic Compartment Syndrome".
I would , hence suggest you to meet your cardiologist as well as a good Orthopaedician, who can help you in the evaluation.
Chronic compartment syndrome is also characterized by all these features and is limited to the lower limbs. The main challenge is  to measure the Intra-compartment pressure.

I must praise you that you are combating a lot of conditions which have common features (fibromyalgia /  Chronic fatigue syndrome / etc) as well as are on a number of medication. Please be on a continuous follow-ups with the main treating doctor , so as to prevent the drug abuse in your case.

Do let me know, after the appointment, about the new development.
Feel free to discuss more.
Regards.