Leg pain

[help_now111]

What could cause my leg to hurt so bad??
I have always had a little hurt in my legs even when I was little. I just turned 40. My lower calf used to hurt really bad. Now it hurts but now my upper back of leg hurts worse.  I am going to go ahead and have an MRI like my doctor recommends.  
But, I have to addmit I am a little scared. I also have alot of joint pain lately. Thumb, shoulder, elbow.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,confirming a diagnosis is tough but the various possibilities for your symptoms are muscle fatigue or strain from overuse,stress fracture, tendonitis, claudication, osteomyelitis, arthritis(osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis or inefctive arthritis), nerve damage like sciatic nerve pain (radiating pain down the leg) caused by a slipped disk in the back or benign tumors or cystsof the bones.

Going by your symptoms of multijoint involvement and age chances of arthritis(osteoarthritis and rheumatoid) are more.However confirmation can be done only after investigations like MRI scans,rheumatoid factor,serum uric acid,ESR,x-rays and bone scans.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and what were the results of your MRI scan.

[help_now111]

Thanks for responding. I am going to do the MRI in January. I have made the app. already.
My deductable is high on my insurance. So, I thought that would give me a start in case I have to do more tests.  
My doctor wants a back exray and the MRI.
Probably gonna now more than I want to. LOL
But it is time to feel better. I go to bed hurting and wake up hurting.  And I know it is not all in my head.

Thanks,
BECKY