Well apart from dvt ... what else could this be?

[Miaou]

I've got a pain deep inside my leg, midway between my knee and hip. It's been coming and going for the last couple of weeks, but since yesterday it's been here almost permanently, most of the time as a dull ache but occasionally it hurts so much that my leg buckles under me. I'm going to the GP's on Thursday and I really don't think it can be dvt but what else could it be?

[hunkermunker]

Trapped nerve of some sort?

(Hiya, Miaou - hope it's better soon Getting ready for stall tomorrow - eek!)

[PrincessPeaHead]

Sciatic nerve?

Shingle infection? (Have you got a red spot on the top of the corresponding buttock?)

[Flossam]

If it were a DVT you would normally look for swelling or redness. If you think it is swollen measure it and keep an eye on it. It could be muscular pain if not. I would think a DVT to be unlikely if you are fit and active! Hope you are feeling better soon. x

[PrincessPeaHead]

a 36 year old friend of mine has just had a DVT. she is thin and wiry and runs marathons. she is also a doctor, went to C&W and said "I have a dvt" and they said "don't be silly dear, go away and take some paracetamol"

she had multiple pulmonary embolisms that evening. lucky - if it was just one she would be dead.

no swelling or redness, but she did have chest pain.

[Flossam]

Had she been on a flight?

[PrincessPeaHead]

she had just got off a flight from chicago.

[Miaou]

Well this is why I don't think it can be dvt - I don't fit into any at-risk category apart from "recently had a baby" but ds is 10m now so hardly "recent"!

Doesn't feel like a nerve - it's more achey than sharp pain. Not sure about shingles - again so unlikely given my age/health etc - no spot on my bum

Good luck for tomorrow Hunker!!!

[Miaou]

I do have a warm patch on my leg though.

[Flossam]

Why don't you ring NHS direct to put your mind at rest?

[Miaou]

Because I am a wimp, Flossam! I really don't want to hear "well if you are worried you should to go to a and e" as that would be a PITA frankly. I was just hoping someone would say, aha, I had that and it turned out to be a symptom of wearing sandals, or suchlike.

[Flossam]

The thing is it is so very unlikely, but at the same time, the potential consequences are bad, so I think you should check things out.

[kitegirl]

I had a DVT last year which went on undiagnosed and developed into a pulmonary embolism. No risk factors, fit & healthy, not pregnant, not on the pill, hadn't done long haul flights, had not recently had a baby. Blood clots can be caused by genetic factors or an autoimmune disorder ie your blood just may have a tendency to clot more than normal. My GP also dismissed me as did junior doctors at the A&E. I'd get it checked, probably a trapped nerve but just in case! Hope you are ok.

[Miaou]

Hmm, I know you are right Floss ... maybe I will.

[Miaou]

Is it possible to get a trapped nerve halfway down your leg? Would it feel like a dull ache?

[honeybunny]

Front or back of the leg? What makes it worse or better? Does movement affect it? or just sitting? Does it throb, fluctuate in intensity, stay the same? Any pins and needles or altered sensation? Any back pain? Any past medical history of back or pelvis problems with pregnancy? Done anything out of the ordinary to set it off?

Blimey, I sound like the spanish inquisition!! In my defense, I am a physio so these would be qus I'd ask!!

[Feistybird]

shin splints? hang on will find some info

[Miaou]

honeybunny - I've c&p'd your questions!

Front or back of the leg? Front.
What makes it worse or better? Nothing I do seems to affect it.
Does movement affect it? or just sitting? No.
Does it throb, fluctuate in intensity, stay the same? Fluctuates in intensity, from dull ache to occasional bursts of intense pain (actually, they are usually when I move thinking about it)
Any pins and needles or altered sensation? No.
Any back pain? No.
Any past medical history of back or pelvis problems with pregnancy? No.
Done anything out of the ordinary to set it off?No.

HTH!

[Feistybird]

look at \link{http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=135&topcategory=Sports%20%2F%20Exercise\this}, shin splints is generally sports-related, but not always

[honeybunny]

A few more....
is it better in the morning after a rest?
do you get woken at night by it?
is it worse at night in bed?
can you get into any position that makes it better if you have a sudden burst of pain?

[Miaou]

is it better in the morning after a rest? um - not noticed
do you get woken at night by it? Don't think so
is it worse at night in bed? Don't think so
can you get into any position that makes it better if you have a sudden burst of pain? Nope - just have to wait for it to subside, but it doesn't last long.

[honeybunny]

Hmmm ............ I'm thinking!

[honeybunny]

Doesnt sound very musculoskeletal to me. Could be a circulatory thing. But I'm sure you would notice some swelling (probably groin or knee region) and sensation changes, numbness, pins and needles etc if it was a DVT. And I dont think that the onset would be so slow. Must point out that this is not my area of expertise. I'm a muscles and joints lady!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

It does sound rather odd Miaou

I really do think you should get it checked out by your GP asap at the very least.

xxx

[Miaou]

Aw thanks for your time honeybunny

Feistybird, deffo not shin splints (never heard of it before, thanks for the link!)

I think I will see how I feel in the morning (you're probably all going "ARRRGH!" now - but a and e is almost 50 miles away and most likely they would take one look at me and say it can't possibly be anything to worry about...) But I am in town tomorrow so can go up to the hossie if I am worried.