Excruciating leg pain...does anyone know what this is??? (OT)

[Joyfulone]

I was just about to go to bed and felt this searing pain in my left leg, from just above the foot to about 2 inches past my knee. It hurts so much that I'm afraid to stand on it. It's probably nothing and will go away, but I've just never felt pain like this, not in my leg at least. Does anyone know what might be causing it? It feels like some sort of a nerve thing. Also both my legs (calves and shins) have been sore for a few weeks now on a semi-regular basis. The best word I can think to describe it is "achy." I feel that right now, along with the terrible pain in the left leg.

?? [img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img]

[American_Mommy]

It sounds kind of like shin splints to me. My oldest son has had this pain several times: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shin-splints/DS00271

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ June 11, 2006 03:35 AM: Message edited by: American_Mommy ]</font>

[only1genevieve]

Have you tried to massage it? I used to get charlie horse's (really bad leg cramps) in my calves a LOT in highschool, especially when I was running track so my muscles were sore. It feels like a knot in your muscle. If it's a charlie horse, massage will hurt at first and then help.

[Molly-Felicity]

It sounds like sciatica to me. The sciatic nerve runs from your buttocks down your leg (sorry to sound so clinical.) It can often be irritated by lower back problems (even if your back doesn't hurt.)

Many people experience the pain down the back of their legs. I had pain in the exact same location that you do about 12 years ago. A lady I worked with "diagnosed" me and sure enough, she was right.

I went to a chiropractor, had therapy for two weeks and everything was fine. He did say he saw some indication of degenerative disc issues visible on my X-Ray. Sure enough, 8 years later I had some real problems (two herniated discs.) I had to go through physical therapy for this.

I would definitely seek out a good chiropractor.

[auri]

Originally posted by Joyfulone:
I was just about to go to bed and felt this searing pain in my left leg, from just above the foot to about 2 inches past my knee. It hurts so much that I'm afraid to stand on it. It's probably nothing and will go away, but I've just never felt pain like this, not in my leg at least. Does anyone know what might be causing it? It feels like some sort of a nerve thing. Also both my legs (calves and shins) have been sore for a few weeks now on a semi-regular basis. The best word I can think to describe it is "achy." I feel that right now, along with the terrible pain in the left leg.

?? [img]graemlins/thinking.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You didn't say if the pain is in the front or back of your leg but if it is in the back, I agree that the cause might be sciatica. That's an inflammation of a nerve that extends from the buttocks down the back of each leg. "Searing" would definitely describe the pain it causes when it's inflamed.

Anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medication can help and attacks can just go away on their own but it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about what's causing this, whether you're experiencing sciatica or not.

Here's a source of good, reliable info about sciatica. BTW, it mentions some very serious causes but there are others that are much simpler including wearing high heels and sleeping on a too soft mattress. I knew someone (a guy) who got it because he kept a very fat wallet in his rear pocket and sitting unevenly triggered the sciatica.

Good luck and I hope you feel better quickly!

Sciatica Information

[Bean Bunny]

Um, why not call the doctor? I promise that he knows more than the Internet.

You could always just ask to speak to the nurse...

[mandasmom]

I agree that you should call to speak to a medical professional. Most hospitals and major clinics have 24 hour call in numbers that are answered by RNs who can give you advice on what to try to relieve your symptoms at home, or if you need to seek immediate medical help. Just look in the phone book under hospitals or clinics.

I don't know how old you are, or you med history (if you are on bc pills, have diabetes, ect) but those symptoms could also be a sign of a blood clot or PAD (perephral artery disease), so I wouldn't just shrug them off. Pain is your body's way of telling you something isn't right. (Must say here that I work in an er, so I always tend to think worst case scenerio and then am happy when I'm wrong) Call soon and be sure to let us know what they say. [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[wrxgirl]

Being a nurse, I know it could be many different things... anything from what they call a dvt... or blood clot, to a charlie horse... Id definately get it looked at if its not better today... better to be safe than sorry!

[Ashley1972]

Jamie, that's what I was thinking, possible blot clot. I'm not sure of the symtoms, though. I think the area of the blood clot is really hot to the touch.

[Joyfulone]

Thanks everyone for the advice. To clarify, the pain was in the front of my leg, but all the aching is on the front and back of both legs. Sorry that wasn't clear. It makes me think it's not that Sciatica...though I have been having lower back pain (but I know you said with Sciatica you won't necessarily have lower back pain). Well when I woke up today the leg was still a bit sore but not nearly as bad. It wasn't a charlie horse, but I am hoping it was something equally as harmless. I'll call the dr. though and see what they say...I'm on a certain medication that could be causing it, so...just to be safe. Sometimes my calves just feel like they need to be rubbed all the time.

Originally posted by Bean Bunny:
Um, why not call the doctor? I promise that he knows more than the Internet.

You could always just ask to speak to the nurse...

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Um...I know when to call a doctor. It was 3:00 am when I posted, I have no insurance, and for all I know it could have been a simple charlie horse. I wanted to wait it out, but I came on here to ask what people thought because of the persistent achiness I'd had before too. I was simply coming on here to try to see if anyone had a thought of what it might be. I know that a doctor knows more, and if had gotten worse I would have called.