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Leg Pain?

11 replies

alwaysinpainofsomesort · 13/08/2021 23:18

Got a lot going on health wise at the moment, one ongoing issue is with my legs, they started tingling/burning/vibrating around 6 months ago. I have seen the GP who examined me, did some reflex tests etc. and then referred me for nerve conduction studies. The conduction tests didn’t show up anything, so I was referred back to my GP. I expressed my concern about permanent nerve damage but was told I was too young (39) and that it takes years for this to happen.

The tingling/burning/vibrating seems to get worse for a few days where it’s really annoying and very noticeable and then goes back to a low level where it’s not noticeable enough to bother me. Recently though, I started to get a really deep ache in my right calf, down the side. By the end of the evening, it was all down the side of my leg, from the top of my thigh down to my ankle joint. When I went to lie down to go to bed, the pain was on another level and I literally could not stay lying down, it was that bad! Was better walking around. Putting ice or heat on made no difference, neither did pain relief, tried topical and tablet form. Eventually it calmed down and I was able to sleep. Since then it’s been an occasional ache just in my calf/ankle joint and I’ve also started feeling similar in my left leg. I hadn’t done anything to cause this pain, I’m not currently doing much exercise due to other issues.

Spoke to the GP last week about this new pain and she said she was flummoxed so is referring me on to the neurology department but unfortunately the wait to be seen is over 6 months.

Has anyone experienced similar and had a diagnosis? I have got 2 slipped discs in my lumbar spine but I’ve been told it’s not connected?

My legs look totally normal, no redness/warmth, no swelling or stiffness, no weakness and thankfully no numbness etc. I’m not diabetic and had all my vitamin levels checked, all normal. Also had my thyroid and thyroid antibodies checked, again all normal. I’m worrying about things like MS now! 😣

OP posts:
steppingcarefully · 14/08/2021 08:51

I have a herniated disc which has caused sciatica. I get pain in my leg, it can be anywhere from my hip down to my ankle. Sometimes the whole leg aches or it can be just one area. What you have described does sound very much like what I experience but only in one leg. I have recently started taking pregabalin which is a drug for nerve pain and it seems to be helping. I am waiting for an operation to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Could you ask your GP to refer you for an MRI scan to see what's going on?

alwaysinpainofsomesort · 14/08/2021 13:47

@steppingcarefully

I have a herniated disc which has caused sciatica. I get pain in my leg, it can be anywhere from my hip down to my ankle. Sometimes the whole leg aches or it can be just one area. What you have described does sound very much like what I experience but only in one leg. I have recently started taking pregabalin which is a drug for nerve pain and it seems to be helping. I am waiting for an operation to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Could you ask your GP to refer you for an MRI scan to see what's going on?
The thing is, I keep being told that this is not connected to my herniated discs? I don’t know how they know that, but that’s what keeps being repeated! I had an MRI last year as that’s how I know about my disc issue. I find it hard to believe that this is not connected but 2 different consultants and 2 different GP’s all agree that it is not. I suspect that when I do eventually get seen by neurology they will send me for another MRI. Thanks for your reply, hope you get your operation soon.
OP posts:
sharkan · 14/08/2021 13:50

Have you had your circulation checked. Those symptoms could be linked to vascular or arterial issues. Your GP or the distinct nurses could refer you for ABPI testing.

sunnytimes83 · 14/08/2021 14:01

It is probably your back and yes GPs never agree with that…physio pronto x

alwaysinpainofsomesort · 14/08/2021 14:07

@sharkan That did cross my mind but the pain isn’t worsened by movement and my legs look normal? Plus it’s not a constant pain, it’s an intermittent one? My GP didn’t mention circulation issues when I spoke to her 😕

@sunnytimes83 I did see a physio once before this all started (when I had been diagnosed with the disc issue) and am currently seeing a chiropractor at the moment but no improvement yet.

OP posts:
steppingcarefully · 14/08/2021 15:14

I guess it depends on where the herniation is. You can have a herniated disc with no pain at all if the herniated portion is not near any nerves.

hedgiehedgehog · 14/08/2021 15:22

I had severe pain in my legs. I was struggling to walk and was very worried. I realised the pain had come a few weeks after I had started using an extra strength vit C spray and after googling it seemed a possibility that it had caused the pain. I stopped using it immediately and within a month the pain had completely gone.

latissimusdorsi · 14/08/2021 16:01

Are you on any medication? Some meds can cause muscle pain, I know DH is on one that can do

Although it's all your legs you're describing 2 different sorts of pain.
One nerve one muscular which is probably why gp is confused
Also sciatic pain from disc is often one side only

alwaysinpainofsomesort · 14/08/2021 16:43

@steppingcarefully It’s L4&5.

@hedgiehedgehog Funnily enough, this started about a month after I stopped taking all my multivitamins! I’ve got gastro issues (which are also being investigated after just appearing one day without warning) so I stopped taking everything in case it was going to make my issues worse so after this started I started taking just the basic ones, including a high vitamin D & K2 supplement because I thought my levels had probably plummeted (eating a small, bland diet etc.).

@latissimusdorsi No prescribed medications but I’d stopped taking my vitamin supplements (am vegetarian) about a month before this started so have started taking my multi vitamins again in case it was because my levels had dropped (am on very bland diet due to sudden gastro issues). I can’t work out if the pain is in my muscles or bones but it feels so deep 😕

OP posts:
GoodnightGrandma · 14/08/2021 16:45

When you said it was in your other leg I immediately thought back.

steppingcarefully · 14/08/2021 17:43

Sorry, I meant where abouts on the actual disc the herniation is. Mine is sitting right on the sciatic nerve so I have constant nerve pain. If it was to the left or right of the nerve I wouldn't be suffering. I hope you get some answers soon, it is draining being in pain.

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