painful knees and heavy legs

[longingforsomesleep]

I'm in my early 50s and for a couple of decades I've had occasional pains in my knees. But lately my legs feel really stiff and heavy and my knees hurt a lot more. It's quite painful getting out of chairs though I'm alright when I get going. I walk about an hour a day. Am just within the correct weight range for my height but would like to lose a few pounds. Anybody any idea what this could be? The stiffness and heaviness is quite alarming at times.

[mrsmobbs]

Hi I have similar symptoms am same age and have recently started walking daily I sometimes feel like someone is holding my calves so I cannot walk and sometimes feel my lower legs are burning. Went to doctors who prescribed surgical stockings but I tried and they are he'll to wear. I agree my knees are sore and legs feel heavy. I hope someone can offer some advise. Nice to know someone else feels like this

[BestIsWest]

Do you have problems squatting and climbing stairs OP? It might be worth getting your vitamin D and calcium levels tested as low vitamin D levels can cause pain and weakness in your legs. I was swimming a mile several times a week yet couldn't get out of a chair without a struggle.

[longingforsomesleep]

Oh that's interesting Best. I'm on daily calcium and vitamin D tablets but am always forgetting to take them .... I was prescribed them 2 or 3 years ago following a scan which showed I was at risk of developing osteoporosis. A repeat scan a year ago showed an increased risk. It was partly absent-mindedness and partly because I had read that too much calcium could cause heart problems so was trying to increase my calcium and vitamin D intake through my diet. The doctor said he would do regular blood tests to make sure my calcium levels weren't too high. After the last test he said my vitamin D levels were non-existent so I've been making a big effort to take the tablets.

I have terrible problems squatting and even standing up from a sitting position. Standing up from a loo is particularly painful as I can't push myself up the way I can from a chair. When I've been sitting my first few steps are on rigid legs until I can comfortably bend my knees. When I sit down I also reach a point where my knees really hurt and I drop the last few inches.

I've not been doing as much dog-walking as I used to as DH only works part-time now so he does a lot, as does DS1. I think I'll have to go back to my daily route-marches and see if that helps!

[BestIsWest]

That's really interesting Longing. My vitamin D was very low (8) and my calcium was high and I've now been diagnosed with Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Has anyone mentioned this to you? It might be worth mentioning to your GP. It can be cured with a small operation - I'm waiting to see if they will refer me for surgery.

I have osteopenia (precursor for Osteoporosis), absent mindedness, indigestion as well as all the aches and pains. I recognise the dropping the last few inches too - I have broken the springs on our sofa doing that

[longingforsomesleep]

Nobody has mentioned Hyperparathyroidism (quite a mouthful!) to me. My GP didn't say anything about to me about my calcium levels and hopefully he would have commented if they were high when my Vit D was low?

Yes, I have osteopenia. I haven't noticed any great increase in absent mindedness (have always been a bit that way inclined). I have been having terrible problems sleeping for the last year or so and a few months ago my gp started me on amytriptyline. Not sure if there could be any connection there.

[BestIsWest]

Hi, Yes, I would think they'd have checked for it especially if they'r giving you calcium supplements. Keep taking the vitamin D!

[digerd]

Heavy legs, stiffness ,walking in slow motion, muzzy brain - I was helped immensely by HRT in my early 50s. a decade later, and I'm back where I was and worse, despite still being on the same HRT. Blood work OK, but arthritis been confirmed.