Sudden pain in leg

[lovemydog]

I woke up today with a slightly sore leg. It has gradually got worse, I am now almost crying with pain and can't support my weight on it. I have not tripped or fallen nor have I done any exercise. Any ideas? Nothing like this has ever happened before. I will go to the doctor's on Monday if it doesn't get any better. Trying not to google and frighten myself.

Are you on the pill?

No. No medication. I am 50 if that helps.

Does it hurt when you move it or all of the time? Any recent operation/travel?

Hurting all the time. Really sore at the back of my knee/calf. No travel, no operations. Just the normal get up, go to work, come home, tea, telly then bed!

I'd pop to A&E and get it checked out. You're not in the risk group for a DVT but they need to rule it out. They will just do a blood test. I'm probably over reacting but I wouldn't risk it to be honest. I hope you're wasting your time.

www.thrombosis-charity.org.uk/old/aboutthrom_venous_symptoms.htm or at least call NHS direct.

Ah, my googling did bring DVT up . . . If no better after a bath and a good night's sleep I will get DS to take me to hospital tomorrow. DH away on business for a week and as I can't bend my leg I can't drive myself.

I'd call NHS direct and go through your symptoms. If it's a DVT then it needs treating right away.

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May be nerve pain (sciatica) have you had a sore back? Does sitting/standing from sitting/bending make the leg pain worse? Do you feel numb/pins &needles in the leg/s?

I would call NHS Direct just now especially being unable to weight-bear. If any bladder/bowel problems or if your lady bits or bum are numb, go to A&E as soon as possible in case of nerve damage (very rare though :))

NHS Direct's website has a self diagnosis section - it's quite helpful

Well, I am back from A & E (went at 9.15, now 1.45 . . .). Had a blood test and it came back negative, so pleased about that. Leg still very sore though - slept really badly as the weight of the duvet was aggravating it. Advised to dose up with painkillers and rest. I just don't understand where the pain has come from though - as I said, no trips or falls and not exercise related. Thanks everone for advice.

I'm pleased you wasted your time, I didn't want to say last night but I lived with a girl in Uni who died of a DVT. She was in hospital and they found her in the toilet. I do hope it settles down, it sounds horrid.

Do the painkillers go near the pain? If it's not a sudden inflammatory thing (bursitis, tendonitis etc) it could be nerve pain right enough. Did you have a backache at all? Any back problems?

If it turns out to be sciatica type pain the GP needs to give you a specific type of tablet which helps with that as anti inflammatories or coedine based analgesics won't go near it.

Well done for going to A&E by the way. I'm glad it's not DVT! Did they give you a diagnosis at all?

I hope you feel much better soon.

Belle I thought from your posts you had first hand experience of DVT - sorry to hear about your friend. Calyx, no diagnosis given, just go home and take painkillers. MIL suffers from sciatica and it doesn't seem the same pain - hers is centred on buttocks and thighs, mine is more knee/calf. I am generally in good health and have never had any back pain. I am now rattling with ibuprofen and am feeling much better although I still have pain when I bend my knee. Will try to rest for a couple of days and continue with painkillers.

You could try a chirporactor?

I trained as a radiographer so I would have told you to go to A&E regardless, you can never be too careful. Is the area hot?

It is hot and it is a little swollen. (Doctor measured both legs with a tape measure and the sore leg was a couple of centimetres bigger). I could try a chiropractor, I believe there is one in our town who's very good.

Is there a red vein running down it? Sounds like an infection rather then anything structural so I wouldn't bother with a chiropractor.

No, no red vein. Both legs look identical, apart from the swelling. I don't think it's anything structural either but I am feeling well (no temperature, healthy blood pressure, etc). Have to commend Winchester A & E - apart from the wait! I had a good medical MOT.

Hmm. I'm at a complete loss, sorry. It sounds a little like cellulitis or a DVT (pleased they ruled this out). Your GP on Monday unless it gets any worse is your best bet. (scratches head)

Thanks belle. If it's no better by Monday I'll go to the doctor. I had almost convinced myself it was DVT so am pleased it's not! But I do know this time yesterday I had to drag myself upstairs to bed as the pain was so bad. Much better now, but I don't really want to be reliant on painkillers. Will see how it goes.

I have a doctor pal, I'll ask her for you, hold on a jiffy.

Have you heard of water on the knee? perhaps it could be that - not sure if it would show on a blood test.