Chronic Leg Pain
Liquid_Niki - Sep 18th, 2006 10:36 AM
[ Original Post ]

I have leg pain that mimcs PAD (peripheral artery disease). I have had fibro for several years, but most of the pain has been in my chest and back. This pain in my legs has become horrid, to the point of scaring me. My doctor said he doesn't think I have PAD (My blood pressure's great, and I'm 32)
My main concern is, is this leg pain normal? It's really, really bad, and mostly in my calf muscles, but sometimes in my knees. It's plowing me down daily now. Any info or help appreciated greatly! Thanks!

Comment


 

Horselvr - Jan 29th, 2005 11:20 PM

most definitely the same here!!!!!!!untolerable at times, i use a heating pad....twenty minutes on then twenty minutess off..........never found anything other than a hot bath to help.


intheknow - Feb 12th, 2005 11:44 AM

Did you know your insurance company dictates the tests you get and the answers your doctor dismisses as Fibromyalgia? I've been going through this crap now for over 7 years, and continue to worsen. Lung disease, thyroid disease, nodules, fevers, liver and kidney disease, and the list goes on... The fact that doctors don't even examine or even touch me anymore and keep dismissing my problems as "fibromyalgia" made me realize that there is a conspiracy going on. Go do an internet search on "Fibromyala dismissive" and read up on the controversy. Here's what I've had to do in order to have a physician finally admit that fibromyalgia is merely passive to satisfy the patient and keep the insurance company from paying to allow a correct diagnosis and treat you effetively. You really need to research your symptoms thoroughly. Print off the facts you find, ask for specific testing and most important of all...BRING A WITNESS TO YOUR DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS. You must drill your doctor with your witness present why they don't test for other possibilities based on the facts. Be sure and request copies of your tests so you have the information you need to keep researching the possibilities. Otherwise...you're in for a rough future, and paying for the insurance company's profitability through your suffering. Best of luck!




Twanger - Mar 1st, 2005 1:16 PM

I have the same problem. I found that taking Aleve on a regular basis helps. I also found that this is more prevalent in the winter. I can deal with it in the summer and fight through the pain and it goes away until the next winter.


Susan - Mar 29th, 2005 3:31 PM

I know where you are coming from!! The pain in my legs seems unbearable at times. I would waken frequently in the night crying, unable to get out of bed and very frightened!The pain in so intense that standing to go the the bathroom or for whatever reason is out of the question.
I've had tests for blood clots, x-rays and MRI's on my legs. My legs and feet will swell and at times it is not possible to put a enclosed shoe on. One thing I found helpful is to get in a cool water spa that has powerful jets that massage the calves.
I'm 43 and have dealt with fibromyalgia for over two years. One the first problems I had was the severe calf pains. I still deal with this problem. For me there are better days and no so good days. Prescription strength pain relievers are great if you can tolerate them. I use Motrin (600-800mg's at a time) and Arthritis strength Tylenol. You might want to see a rheumatologist regarding your knees. I found out that I have arthritis, also. Bone on bone. OUCH!!
The recommended hot water baths caused more irritation on my already irritated, swollen legs.


kbit - Apr 17th, 2005 11:54 PM

Thank you I thought I was going crazy. My leg pain is so bad. Stretching helps some. Try some yoga maybe.


Chas. - Apr 26th, 2005 11:42 AM

Have leg pains below the knees, ok when standing but not much range of motion. Gets worse when sitting or driving. Been diagnosed with osteoarthritis but am not positive I have this. My joints do not hurt, just the muscles.


Amy - May 13th, 2005 1:44 AM

I too have severe leg pain that started with burning ankles, then burning feet. I have not been able to wear any type of sock or stocking for the past 2 years. Most shoes are also off limits. I get the sunburn on the legs and lately the knees are bad. I do have degenerative arthritis in both knees and have just started the fluid lubricant injection in the worst knee. Standing is better than sitting as it hurts the back of legs where the end of the chair hits the leg. I've been told I have delayed food allergies but they took me off of everything including all citrus and I ended up getting too weak from lack of good food so I'm just trying to limit each item. Besides sugar, onion and soy were on top of the list along with anything from a cows utter, rye, wheat and others.


nancy - May 13th, 2005 10:33 PM

I have very bad pain in my calves asl well and the bottoms of my feet hurt terrribly. I know it is the FM. I have not yet found anything to help. My doctors have been very helpfull and thorough doing all sorts of tests to rule out other problems. Amy, you mention the sunburn. I have that all over my legs. What do you know about that? Is it a Fibro symptom?


randamer - May 15th, 2005 10:46 PM

I've not been diagnosed with Fibro - by doctor doesn't believe in it. But my pain started in my hip muscles, then calf muscles, now pretty much any muscle I use too much! Anyway, it all started in my hips and legs. Warm water helps tremendously!! Also worse in cold weather, almost unable to stay outside for any length of time in winter. Skin burning sensation on my back started this week. Suppose I'm glad to hear it's just part of this weird thing. Curious: about how old are most of you???? My doctor says I'm TOO young and TOO "fit" for Fibro. I got it suddenly when I just turned 39. 5'5" and 130 pounds. I think this doctor doesn't know so much about it.


randamer - May 15th, 2005 10:50 PM

Oh also, I'm on Neurontin 600 mg, for chronic pain. Was put on it for my bladder (interstitial cystitus) about three years ago. But, after all neuro tests on muscles were fine this last year, neuro said to double dose on Neurontin because it is good for chronic pain. It's NOT a pain killer, but a neurotransmitter "blocker" sortof. Keeps the pain from being too sharp most of the time. Mine is triggered immediately by stress and overextersion (climbing steep steps or picking up children alot). Anyway, if you're in extreme pain for any length of time, see if they will give you Neurontin. No side effects really.


Nancy - May 16th, 2005 7:05 AM

randamer: It sounds like you definitely have FM! I also had bladder problems and I was in my 30's. That is one of the many symptoms. I have taken Neurontin and it does help somewhat. Find another doctor--one who understands this syndrome. The sooner you get it under control the better. A rhuemetologist who treats FM would be good. It makes me mad that you are suffering and not getting proper help. I started with it at your age and I am now 54.


Dawn - May 28th, 2005 10:07 PM

(to randamer)Thats rediculous. Im only 32 used to swim daily for hours and Ive got it.I had a severe case of chickenpox pneumoina which left me with fms and a few other probs but I cant believe your gp.. dont let it go..you deserve better..
oops I also get severe leg pain mostly my hips now but anywhere from my ankles(tendonitis) to my hips and boy it kills me too..
SENDING YOU ALL LOADS OF SOFT HUGS...
xxxxxxxxx


Angela - Aug 15th, 2005 5:15 PM

Hi all, I'm actually in tears here because of my leg pain. I've had it for two years and I can't sit down properly because this is when it is worse. Burning from my buttock muscles right down to my toes with stabing pains in my calves. Lying down used to ease it but even that hurts now. I was diagnosed with fibro at the beginning of the year as I have a lot of other painful symptoms too. I'm 35 years old. Been to the docs again today and have to increase the amitriptyline (to help with the depression) Oh my! Well I feel sorry for you all having to suffer this dreadful illness too. 'd like to send you huge hugs. If anyone would like to contact me my email is dizwap@yahoo.co.uk Angela xxxxx


judith4d - Aug 23rd, 2005 7:54 PM

I have similar leg symptoms as well as fibro. Pain was way too much for fibro per pain specialist I was referred to. I was just diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal column) as well as bone spurs on my spinal column. Can you get your doctor to order an MRI? Does walking hurt more than sitting or standing? Part of mine is age, 62. exercies for fibro but walking hurts and walking more hurts more. Try the MRI route if your insurance will covr it. You have too much pain for just fibro. Take care. Judy


peggy - Nov 10th, 2005 10:05 AM

I was diagnosed with fibro when I was 24 and although I have taken quite a few pain meds nothing seems to help. I figure taking all those pain meds might be doing me more harm than good. However with all the symptoms of fibro my leg pain is by far the worse. My calves, shins, and thighs burn and the pain is so bad I can't come up with the words to describe it. I can't get any relief at all even with pain killers. I am at a lost of what to do. I have also been trying to get pregnant so I have to be off my meds but I am scared not knowing how much worse it is going to be. Any ideas from any one? I also have severe hot spots on my shins and tops of feet. The bottom of my feet could be ice cold and the tops will be burning. You can actually feel the difference in temp. when you touch them.
I do the hot baths and the heating pad and ice packs and massage but to no avail. I can't be on my feet too long which is also kind of hard having an 8 year old. For everyone out there suffering with this, lots of love. Can someone give me some ideas of what I can do before it drives me mad...literally!!
Thanks and take care


Shelley - Nov 12th, 2005 6:38 AM

I am so happy I founf this site. I also was diagnoised with Fibro about 2 years ago. I am 52. My biggest p0roblem at this point is the pain from my hips to my ankles. I thought I was alone in this. I wake screaming with pain. My pain is all the way down my legs but seems to get the knees also. Glad to have found everyone. Good health.


Dawn - Nov 17th, 2005 6:35 PM

I was wondering if anybody expierences pain in legs down to feet? when you try to get to sleep you seem you can not get comfortable.


Kellie - Nov 20th, 2005 5:10 AM

I have been diagnosed with fibro about 6 months ago after a million tests. Mine started with severe headaches, neck aches, shoulder and upper back and arm. These were the only pain spots, now after a year of the same pain I have started getting severe pain in my lower back, buttox and all the way down my legs. It has been hurting to walk and has me in tears. Can fibro pain move from one area to another or could this be another problem. My doctor dismissed it as fibro pain but I am worried it could be somthing else. Could anyone give me advice. Thanks!!!!


Jean - Nov 20th, 2005 10:32 PM

I am coming to the conclusion that these leg pains and burning sensatons are part of a type of siezure, myoclonic seizures and this is why some doctors are prescribling meds such as neuroton and keppra and I'm on klonipin. I stil say get everything ruled out and get our glands and hormones cheked out because if they are out of sink with your system it can cause reprocussions. Diabetes for one can cause the burning pain in your feet and legs. Severe cramping of the calves and thighs could be mimicing lack of iron or B-12.Menapause is another factor to consider with you ladies of 40-50 something years of age. Anemia can also cause mimic type symptoms. So talk to your doctor, one who listens, and get these things ruled out. If you hae Fibro and I hope you don't it will still be around after the testing. Thyroid is another hormone to check out. An Endocrinologist is the best kind a physician to get these types of tests ruled out. hopes this helps. I've in it with all of you just as well.


Lori - Nov 21st, 2005 7:28 PM

Appears that this is one of the major symptoms from reading everyone's emails. I too have severe pain in my calves and feet. Seems like the muscle becomes rock hard and I cannot even flex my foot to walk. Now the bottoms of my feet feel like they are raw when I walk. I have had plantar fasciitis several times and the podiatrist says that is common for fibromyalgia suffers. I cannot believe the number of us who are suffering and I feel for each of you. The other night my husband woke me up and told me I was moaning in my sleep and I was keeping him awake. I could not believe he did this...I was moaning in my sleep because I apparently was in so much pain. If only someone would recognize this and help us find relief :(


Jean - Nov 21st, 2005 9:25 PM

Try going to webmd and type in plantar fascitis and it will give you all possibilities why you are having the pain in your feet. It is also an inflamation of the foot Fibromyalgia's definition is overworked or over use so I can see why your doctor mentioned Fibromyalgia but it is not inflamatory.Fibromyalgia is more like rheumatism.


iLi - Dec 9th, 2005 5:34 PM

Hi, I just discovered this site today and I just wanted say that I've had a similar type of leg pain for sometime as well along with feeling as if the tingling, creepy sensations...and I was diagnosed with RLS (restless leg syndrome)I hope this helps.


Lynette - Dec 12th, 2005 12:08 AM

I have fibro also. Chronic leg pain is my very worst complaint. I can hardly stand it and it is constant. The leg pain started in my low legs and now radiates to above my knees near my thighs. I wish I could tell you it would go away but I can tell you that you are not the only one.


Lynette - Dec 12th, 2005 12:13 AM

Have you tried Ultracet? That is the only thing that relieves some of my leg pain. Vicodin and other meds did not even touch the pain.


cinndergirl - Dec 16th, 2005 3:40 PM

Sometimes I wish I didn't have a leg. I know it sounds stupid but my leg hurts so bad all the time. First they blamed my leg pain on the herniated discs in my back L5-S1. Now after all these years a neurologist finally saw me and after an MRI of my spine and Brain (to rule out MS) they have diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I am very surprised at how similar the symptoms are between MS and fibromyalgia. My PCP didn't even think much about my pain until I lost my short-term memory. Then He sent me to the neurologist. I have been complaining about my leg hurting, pins and needles, hurt right to the bone hurt. It does give me comfort to know that I am not alone.


Donna K. - Dec 30th, 2005 10:32 AM

I had bad muscle spasms in my legs at night. I actually found out that this was a result of diabetes, and once I started medication, it stopped


Kelly - Jan 4th, 2006 5:38 PM

I am viviting this site for the first time today I was diagnosed with fibro late 2004 and then listened to the DR.S when i figured out they were not helping me with their BS meds i decided to ask God to help me help myself and i am sitting on this site jaw dropped i have already read and answered a number of peoples questions as well as asking my own i am 34 and so far the symptoms which seem to be putting me out of commission are the same ones other people asked about and drew me to answer to let them know i fell that way also most of them i am finding are in their early thirties i have the same God alful leg pain i describe it to my mom as "I feel like my legs are bleeding from the inside" I dont know how else to explain it it is very very painful and makes it hard to get up somtimes this is what works for me when the "bleeding" sensation and pain is crippling me it sounds crazy but if it didnt help or it made it worse i couldnt do it. I grab my walkman and go for the fastest walk of my life i walk till i cant anymore i get home rest awhile and i find the pain lets up it hurts bad to get walking at first im not kidding i push through it and am better for it i hope this has helped even if it only lets you know your not alone.


Jean - Jan 4th, 2006 9:59 PM

Hello everyone: I have the leg pain too and it dosn't go away. I find you have to keep moving whether it hurts or not. Stretching everyday helps. Keeping stress levels down helps. Sleeping all night helps. Yet, you still can have another condition that mimics this problem and you need to get everything ruled out and it will take time to do this. Patience is the essence of success in managing this condition and you can not do it alone. Your medical team has to be there with you to help and understand and you will be involved with several doctors before all is said and done but keep positive as Kelly is trying to and the rest of us and hopefully in time we should have answers about this condition FMS/CMP
Stay positive everyone..


Lauren - Jan 16th, 2006 2:22 PM

Hi. I am 32 yrs. old. I have two daughters, ages 3 and 13. I have had FM for 7 1/2 yrs. I have been to so many different kinds of doctors, pt's, chiropractors, etc....I finally gave up on all of them. Nothing helps. I have had the leg pains for about 6 months now. I am very thankful after all of these years of having FM that I haven't had this until now. I thought the pain in my back, shoulders, and arms were horrible, but I lived through it. Now that it is in my legs...well you all know what its like. Its especially hard with a 3 yr. old! Its so tough to keep up with her. Benadryl to sleep, ibuprofen and aleve for pain...yeah right! I do not take prescriptions any more. Nothing works and it is too expensive. Let me know when that miracle drug comes out! I might just give it a try. I live in North Carolina, if any of you are from around my neck of the woods, feel free to email so we can figure out how to fight this without the use of quacky doctors and crappy meds!


penny - Jan 21st, 2006 12:15 AM

i have had fm for 12 years now. its the leg pain is horrible i use to love sport i use to be in all the sports teams and loved just getting out and running. i have trouble working most days, i stand for 8 hours a day 6 days a week and i am just in so much pain i need to just lie down when i get home and sleep. i find that when i sleep it relaxes me and i am not so sore any more. alwasy in pain but the intensity is not there any more. i get it so bad sometimes i wake up crying (without knowing it) it is hard and i am only 22 and i feel like my body is about to give up on me. but i get through it. some days are worse then others and life inst alwasy fun. i just want to be normal. thats all i want. but whats normal now days right? hope you feel better soon


Teacher_Kathy - Apr 29th, 2006 6:51 PM

I have the leg pain too. The side of my knee hurts so bad I can't bend it and shoots down into the bottom of my foot through my calf. One leg is much worse than the other. I had chest and back pain so bad that before I was diagnosed with fibro, they put me in ICU and told me I was having a heart attack. You are not alone with chronic leg pain so please don't be scared. It is also getting me down and I am afraid I am going to have to quit working because of my immobility. I took Celebrex and it helped for a while, but now I take both Celebrex and Tylenol and it doesn't relieve the pain. I am hoping it is just an episode and will go away. The doctor tried me on Neurontin, but it made me even more tired than what I already am and I couldn't stand that. I'm 51 and have had fibro for four years. I am hoping for a cure in my lifetime. I have lost two jobs so far because of the illness. All we can do is just keep pluggin on day to day till they find an answer. I will remember you in my prayers!