leg pain

[popie]

I'm still in the process of getting a diagnosis of my symptoms which change from week to week. I regularly have to control my activities so I don't get wiped out energy wise which initially was my biggest issue. Lately it is pain in my legs, particularly my calf muscles. I don't understand way they hurt so much. I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary physically so I don't understand why they hurt so much. Does anyone know if this is an MS symptom and if so what is causing the pain.

[misslux]

Maybe neuropathic pain?

Everyone is different but mine comes and goes in various places and intensities from sharp to burning to numbing to pinpoint to radiating pressure. It can last a few hours or weeks. Sometimes months.

[popie]

I have noticed that when I stand the muscles in my thighs are constantly "catching" to keep my balance but it is my calf muscles that are sore. It's not as bad when I walk but it still occurs. Does anyone experience this?

[Sissy]

ALL the time! Since this past spring ( I think it was a flare) it seems to be much worse! I even think it is getting worse!! But now it is in both legs.

I was DX'ed (finally after years of sx) in 09. But I am still a novice as to what is MS or something else! My spinal stenosis or diabetes! All I know for sure is it is painful! I can barely walk most days!

[Thinkimjob]

I think it's got a lot to do with balance, and lack thereof. You don't realise how hard your muscles are working to keep you upright.
And this causes pain and fatigue.

[Hlawman]

My legs hurt all the time. That was my main symptom and is what got me my diagnosis! I have the tingling/burning pain that starts in my knees and goes all the way into my feet but I do also have some joint and muscle pain.

[Sissy]

My leg pain has gotten out of control! I can't get any relief from this pain for more than a min or two! But mine is all over the place in my legs and feet!!

My strength is gone! After just a few min of being on my legs they burn,sharp pain especially in Lt chin. I get the banding from above my ankles and my feet. I stated elsewhere that I feel like I have tight socks on and am constantly trying to pull them off !! my feet and toes are numb and it feel like it is creeping up my legs!! Is this MS?

[popie]

Gradual Progression

It's been about 3 months since I first posted about the pain in my legs. I have noticed that it now is affecting my thighs and arms where before it was pretty much from my calfs down. I can feel weakness in my hands at times now as well. My thighs feel like I have rubber bands around them and I feel tingling in my legs to my feet and my arms. Most days my calfs and thighs are in terrible pain at the end of the day and i have to go straight to bed. You would think that would provide some relief, but it actually just gets worse making it hard to get to sleep. I can tell the change, but my Doctors don't seem impressed. 2 1/2 years of tests after tests and still can't get a diagnosis. The Doctors say they think it's MS, but officially say they don't know. How long does it take the "Specialist" to figure this out?

[SNOOPY]

2 1/2 years of tests after tests and still can't get a diagnosis.

The Doctors say they think it's MS, but officially say they don't know.

How long does it take the "Specialist" to figure this out?

The question becomes what tests have you had and have there been any positive test results that might point to MS? If not, it could take time for your neuro to determine if you have MS or if your dealing with something else.

Pain, of all kinds MS or not, can be treated. Discuss with your neuro about medication options that might be tried.

[popie]

Tests

I've been tested to death and what I've learned is - patient heal thyself. The Doctors initially listen to what you are going thru and then start running their tests. If their tests go nowhere then they start disgarding what you say and what you are going thru and blow you off. They tell you if it gets worse call them. I'm having trouble holding a pen to sign my name, but that's not significant or it's not real to them. Worse yet is some want to give you drugs just to shut you up and the drugs they want to give you have side affects worse than the disease. Sure it's easy to be the Doctor and treat you when they finally figure it out. The hard part is working with you and trying to figure it out, but sadly they don't want to put that much effort into your case. They know you will either get better or you'll get worse and if it gets worse it will make it easier for them to figure out what your problem is.

[SNOOPY]

Hi popie,

If I am understanding your post correctly you have had tests and everything is coming up normal?

There are 'signs' and 'symptoms.' Symptoms are things the patient feels or experiences. Signs are those things a Doctor can see or observe. Testing can collaborate signs and symptoms --- if positive.

When tests come up normal and if your exam is normal then there is no 'sign' of anything abnormal. There is no current condition in which your Doctor diagnose or treat. A wait and see approach is normal in this case. Something might show up in time.

This dose not mean what you feel is made up or imaginary, it's very real to you and for you.

Doctors are ordinary people, just like you or me. They use their medical knowledge (observation, exam, testing, medical education) to figure out what may be wrong with a patient.

Without any abnormal findings what would you like a Doctor to do?

[Kimba22]

My thighs feel like I have rubber bands around them

Hi Popie,

Sorry to hear you have no dx yet to explain your symptoms. Just wondering, have you seen a MS Specialist yet? They might be able to dx you faster than a general neuro if you indeed do have MS.

This particular comment sounds like spasticity, which often causes pain. Even without a dx, you can still get some relief from a symptom management drug, like baclofen.

I know it is incredibly frustrating to wait years in limbo for some sort of dx. It happens to many people (I was brushed off for 5 years by my dr.), but sure no fun when it happens to you. I hope you get some sort of dx, soon!

Best wishes,

[SNOOPY]

Worse yet is some want to give you drugs just to shut you up and the drugs they want to give you have side affects worse than the disease.

Sure it's easy to be the Doctor and treat you when they finally figure it out.

Unfortunately, what you posted is true even if you have MS

There is no cure for MS, you can still deal with symptoms.

Symptom management medication might help or the side effects might cause added symptoms/problem, The Disease Modifying Therapies might help slow progression or might not and you might have side effects.

Living with symptoms, treated or untreated, is quite common when having MS.

[Sissy]

Kimba22 and Snoopy are right. I have been right where you are right now.SX out the "was-zoo"as they say. I "think" I had SX for better than 10yrs but my GP refused to to send me to a neuro and just told me it was all in "my head" LOL "NO DUH DOC" that is where it usually starts!

Even though I would tell him about strange SX like the whole Rt. side of my body would feel wet! He would casually mention as he was walking out the door "well it sounds like something is miss-firing in your brain"!!! But refused to follow up! That was more than 15yrs ago!

Finally in 2009 I found a Dr who sent me to a MS specialist and with in 2wks I had a DX. It was the most frustrating thing in the world to be where you are! I was here in LIMBO-LAND feeling the same way. Poor Snoopy and the other MS-ers are so wonderful and patient! They are my "FAMILY"!

If you look at my post on 09/13/20013 you will see my latest "flare" complaints...It went on since April I swear it did! I did not put 2 and 2 together to realize that it was so I did not go in for treatment. But I am feeling a bit better now.

BUT my Dr made a comment last year that made sense, to me. He said we can do more tests, but you have MS and we can only treat the SX!!...THERE IS NO CURE!!

Up until that point I still felt the same way.. " WHAT IS GOING ON, WHY DON'T I FEEL BETTER''! I do not think that ever changes, even with a DX.

Oh dear, what I just said probably does not make any sense! But that is my brain on MS! You are always going to have doubts...But at least with a DX my monster has a name! MS...

[mercadies25]

My dh always ask can I get you anything and I say "YEAH A NEW PAIR OF LEGS AND A NEW BRAIN!"

So sick of this crap. As I said before no one except us MSers get this. BUT my Dr made a comment last year that made sense, to me. He said we can do more tests, but you have MS and we can only treat the SX!!...THERE IS NO CURE!!


I have a therapist who is the most sensitive to the MS but NO ONE understands. The docs just treat and release. Nothing they can really do about it anyway.

BUT my Dr made a comment last year that made sense, to me. He said we can do more tests, but you have MS and we can only treat the SX!!...THERE IS NO CURE!!

Mine has told me the same thing.We should have said yeah thanks for reminding me.

Good luck to all of us.