Mystery leg pain

k011185
k011185 Posts: 320 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Sorry if this is in the wrong posting area.
I have this horrible pain in my left thigh, starts about 1/4 of the way down and stops at the knee. I have been to chiropractors, massage therapists and of course my doctor, so far nothing they have done have even touched it.
It comes and goes, but as soon as I start doing any exercise it flares up so bad that at times I can't even put any weight on it.
Most of the time it shows up for no reason though, I can be standing at work, next minute I'll be on the ground. It tends to get really bad while I'm in bed, and have just gotten up in the morning.

I do a ton of stretches that are supposed to help, but they really don't do anything, the only pain pills that have helped are the prescription kind, and I have no interest in taking those daily!

Just wondering if anyone else has ever had something similar? I use to be a runner, so my Dr. thinks it has something to do with that, but it never once bothered me while I was running, only started after I gained weight.

Sorry to ramble, just hoping someone might have some insight.

Replies

  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    No idea, but try swimming, and don't do stretches.

    Its not restless leg?
  • HoneyCashew
    HoneyCashew Posts: 23
    Has anyone checked you for Piriformis Syndrome? Google it and see if you might have the symptoms. It happens with runners sometimes. Hope you feel better soon!
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    Find a specialist with a background in sports injuries.
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    I dont want to sound like an alarmist, but my friend had a similar pain in her leg, and found out it was a blood clot.
  • KBGirts
    KBGirts Posts: 882 Member
    I'm pretty sure the piriformis muscle is one of those in your butt. My friend had piriformis syndrome once.

    Do you have a foam roller? Try one of those. I had serious IT band issues on the side of my right thigh and this did wonders for me.
  • hollyk57
    hollyk57 Posts: 520 Member
    Seems like your doctors should be ordering a contrast MRI to examine the soft tissue... that clearly doesn't sound normal, nor is it something you should have to live with. Speaking from experience here... getting 2nd, 3rd, even 4th opinions is worth it. I have terrible pain in my right wrist and was put through the workman's comp gauntlet for over a year - saw probably 10 doctors, half of which were specialists, had MRI's (without contrast), cortisone injections, etc, all to have my case closed when the docs all said there was nothing physically wrong with me. Saw a hand specialist on my own - he determined I had CTS and did surgery for it - and when in there, found 3 torn tendons and a bunch of scar tissue. I just recently also had a contrast MRI for continuing pain because I think there's another tear he didn't find, so I'm awaiting that info. Nonetheless... it proves that it's always worth getting other opinions and not just suffering. Best of luck to you! *hugs*
  • dhakiyya
    dhakiyya Posts: 481 Member
    if it comes and goes randomly, it could originate from the lower back, e.g. a trapped nerve. Any unusual leg pain, it should be considered that it may actually be a lower back problem. Especially if the pain's there one minute and gone another time, even when you're doing the same things each time. I've had trapped nerves in my back (sciatic on both sides and femoral on one side) and it results in all kinds of weird pains which come and go. Pain from musculoskeletal injury will be consistent, i.e. every time you move a particular way or do a particular thing you get the same pain. Pain from trapped nerves can be a lot less consistent, i.e. you can do something one time and it doesn't hurt at all, you can do the exact same movement another time and it hurts. And sometimes the pain can just strike randomly.

    No idea if it's that with you, but it's something that should be looked into especially if the docs etc can't find an actual injury where the pain is.
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    if it comes and goes randomly, it could originate from the lower back, e.g. a trapped nerve.

    <snip>

    Pain from trapped nerves can be a lot less consistent, i.e. you can do something one time and it doesn't hurt at all, you can do the exact same movement another time and it hurts. And sometimes the pain can just strike randomly.

    No idea if it's that with you, but it's something that should be looked into especially if the docs etc can't find an actual injury where the pain is.

    ^^^ This. ^^^
    Find a specialist with a background in sports injuries.

    ^^^ And this. ^^^

    My primary-care physician does great dealing with illness and internal-medicine issues, and knows when to refer to a specialist. OTOH, he hasn't much clue about injuries, sports or otherwise. I went to him with ongoing knee pain several years ago. After X-rays and MRI failed to show anything obvious, he told me it was early arthritis, and wanted me to wait three months before he'd refer me to a specialist. I had no intention of delaying that long, and found a sports-medicine doctor on my own. Turned out not to be arthritis at all, but a torn meniscus and inflamed plica, which ended up requiring surgery.
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    if it comes and goes randomly, it could originate from the lower back, e.g. a trapped nerve.

    <snip>

    Pain from trapped nerves can be a lot less consistent, i.e. you can do something one time and it doesn't hurt at all, you can do the exact same movement another time and it hurts. And sometimes the pain can just strike randomly.

    No idea if it's that with you, but it's something that should be looked into especially if the docs etc can't find an actual injury where the pain is.

    ^^^ This. ^^^
    Find a specialist with a background in sports injuries.

    ^^^ And this. ^^^

    My primary-care physician does great dealing with illness and internal-medicine issues, and knows when to refer to a specialist. OTOH, he hasn't much clue about injuries, sports or otherwise. I went to him with ongoing knee pain several years ago. After X-rays and MRI failed to show anything obvious, he told me it was early arthritis, and wanted me to wait three months before he'd refer me to a specialist. I had no intention of delaying that long, and found a sports-medicine doctor on my own. Turned out not to be arthritis at all, but a torn meniscus and inflamed plica, which ended up requiring surgery.
    I'm going to try and get in Monday to see if he can refer me to one, thanks!
    I've had the x-rays and MRI, nothing showed up, I will ask about a contrast one as well.

    Thank you everyone!
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    I dont want to sound like an alarmist, but my friend had a similar pain in her leg, and found out it was a blood clot.
    I have been checked for blood clots a few times, went through a type of chemo last year that puts me at higher risk, but it was one of the first things my dr thought when I went to him about the pain.
    Thanks :)
  • Alexhorsley
    Alexhorsley Posts: 2 Member
    Might be worth investing in a foam roller and focus on the area. More than likely your IT band which runs from your knee to your hip and can get painful if it's not cared for.

    It's probably gonna hurt if you use the foam roller but it's massaging the muscle and it will eventually loosen the muscle and relax it.
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    Might be worth investing in a foam roller and focus on the area. More than likely your IT band which runs from your knee to your hip and can get painful if it's not cared for.

    It's probably gonna hurt if you use the foam roller but it's massaging the muscle and it will eventually loosen the muscle and relax it.
    In all my years of running I never tried foam rolling, but I bought one yesterday after reading a few suggestions on here to do so.
    I actually cried, haha, but if I understand correctly, the more it hurts the more you need it?

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