Leg Pains

[Idab]

Hi, I recently read a post from a witer that said she had suffered severe leg pains for the past 10 years and that her children were now helping her to dress etc.   I would be most interested in symptoms experienced at the onset of these leg pains. At what age did they start and what the outcome of her scheduled MRI is.

I have had leg/bone pains for the passed 3 years and have told my family that should these pains continue, I will not be walking by age of 45, I am now 38 years old.  The pains usually start in the long bones, upper legs and there is a definite inflammatory feeling.  I also have electric shocks through the knees and the weakness that I experience in my legs almost feels as though my legs want to give way.  I have fallen a few times, but this is usually down stairs, so I avoid stairs altogether.  The muscle, only in the left leg, painfully contracts, even when the leg is at rest.  The pain is deep in the bones, so rubbing muscle medication on does not work - aspirin and cortizone give me the best results.  I periodically have foot pain, where I am unable to put pressure on the food for approx a day and night, then it subsides.  I do have osteo arthritis in both my hands and scoliosis and stenosis in my lumber spine, but the ortho specialist I have seen has ruled out that there is any nerve compression causing the long bone pain.  I do find this debilitating at times and even more frustrating as there are not many others I have come across that share the same symptoms.

I hope to hear from that reader as my hopes of finding another person with similar symptoms have diminished, as I have scanned through most of these forums.
Take care

[Idab]

You're right about people not understanding pain, not only people - I don't think even drs and specialists understand pain - unless they can physically see symptoms.  Don't feel bad about the meds - I swear by aspirin (I believe this medication has saved my life many times in the past few years).  Even the Gastro specialist - who is dead against aspirin when you're presenting stomach symptoms, as I had back in 2006 - told me to keep up with the aspirin!  I had a good giggle to myself when I read the 'rest when you can part' - I do try not to move too much - I just said to one of my colleagues that if I continue to not move as I have done in the past few months, I might just fossilize, I keep so still - but it does help, exercise brings on pain.  Lots of prayers coming your way. Thanks again.

[tammywalls]

I had my first child at 19 and second ( when pains started) at 21. At moment I am taking an awful lot of tabs as I have sciatica pain down right leg which is linked to pelvic probs.  Have just been to physio although she cant actually do anything as any exercises etc make leg pelvic pain worse.  She did do a little bit of acupuncture and I have made an appointment for Friday with an acupuncturist to have a proper sesion done. I will keep u posted.  Have u tried sleeping with a pillow between your knees and walking with your legs as close together as you can?  I also had glandular fever at 16 yrs and it knocked me big time.  I used to have regular relapses but not any more.  I must admit that since I have had this sciatica and have been unable to hide my pain and discomfort other people have been a bit more understanding. I will not allow what ever this is to stop me from doing things I enjoy so even though i will be walking funny and take ages to get changed me and my youngest ( I have 4) will be going swimming tomorrow.  Got Docs on thur to try and persuade her to let me back to work as cant afford any more time off since am self employed i dont get sick pay.  I think people dont understand pain unless they can see it ie a cut or a sprain etc but your right about partner and children bearing the brunt.  I will let you know how I get on with things am trying.  If pain gets too bad I take gabapentin 3 am and 3 pm which realy seem to help although had just started them when this sciatica started. Take care and rest when you can as doing too much realy agravates symptoms.  

[Idab]

Thank you so very much for your reply - My leg pain started in Oct 2005 and could have been a warning to me that I was about to fall violently ill with a bacterial infection in my stomach throughout 2006 - I was ill most of that year and we didn't actually think I would make it to 2007, but luckily, I pulled through.  Unfortunately the leg pains have never subsided, even though the abdominal pains have hopefully ended.

Just out of interest.  I had my daughter at the age of 29yrs (also had my gallbladder removed at 5 months pregnancy).  I then became ill with glandular fever at the age of 32, here again I was quite immobile with weakness and lower stomach pains.  I was unable to work for 3 months and was administered glucose and saline drips to keep up the energy.  At the age of 34, I had a relapse of glandular fever symptoms - incredible weakness.  I never sought medical treatment and just regained my strength.  Then all these leg pains started at the age of 35, also no warning - the vice part I can understand - I myself have had many descriptions over the past 3 years - gnawing sensation, muscles feeling as though they are detatching from the bone, lame feeling, but I just can't get to the pain.  Are you taking any meds for your pain - I find aspirin and praying seems to get me through, and more recently cortizone injections.

Thank you - I will be looking out for your MRI results - I had numerous X-rays done that showed the osteoarthritis in my hands and scoliosis and stenosis in my lumber spine. I never had back pain as such - I always have the odd kidney pains (but maybe this was back pain, and I never knew it)  until I went for physio therapy 3 months ago -  3 sessions left me instantly immobile - I then had to have cortizone to relieve the back pain, which has now subsided, thank goodness.

I also fully understand your feelings re all you have been through.  By not telling people around me, has helped me to manage my pain better - but unfortunatley my husband and children bear the brunt as they see me battling to get off a chair or walk anywhere for that matter.  My weight and height are perfect and I always seem to look reasonably healthy? I think, but then the leg pains start...  Thank you again - I will keep you posted with any medical updates I get and any new symptoms that may appear.  Take care and I will pray that your MRI finds something to explain this pain.

[tammywalls]

Hi I am that reader.  My pain realy started when I was pregnant with my now 9 year old.  THis is when the pain in my pelvic started.  My leg pain I cant put a time on just seemed to start.  It radiates down my legs from my pelvis and feels like my legs bones are in a vice.  I often say to my partner that i wont be walking at all in a few years.  Sometimes just the thought of having to stand or move my legs is unbearable.  I find myself crawling up the stairs and kids pull my up off seat etc. I am only going to see a back specialist as am having severe pain down r leg now and all the tabs doc has given me 38 a day havent worked that well doc has said that specialist will send me for MRI so will keep you posted.  Some days when legs are really bad it feels like the whole bottom half of my body pelvic down is giving way and crumbling.  I constantly feel off balance and so am always carefull that i dont trip or fall over. Im glad I heard from you as sometimes I feel like im making this up and everybodys legs feel like mine>