Worried about my leg tonight

Star2001

Hello. I haven't posted much yet as I am still waiting for my appointment but I want to ask about the pain that's been very bad today if you don't mind. The pain is on the lateral (outside) side of my shin, feels like bone pain but I don't know. I have had the pain for weeks but not as bad as this. Apart from painful hands tonight I'm not too bad so have any of you had this leg pain as part of arthritis? My leg is slightly more swollen than the right one but doesn't feel hot or anything (I suppose I am thinking DVT now). My head is still all over the place about this whole business and I know I have to wait a good while to get my appointment but this pain in my leg worries me more than any other areas. It's with me every day but only when resting and painkillers aren't doing much good. I am reluctant to go to GP as I have been with so many things lately but of course I may have to. Just thought I would ask here first.
Thankyou.

skezier

Hi Star,

hey your always welcome to post there.

i think its possibly a good idea to talk to nhs direct on this one. i did used to know the number but they changed it so the one i got doesn't go anywhere.

keep it elevated, keep calm and maybe they could help you cus it might need seeing tonight or maybe tomorrow but they would have a better chance of advising you.

its horrible the limbo awaiting diagnosis and your head runs about like a headless chicken but it does get easier once you know what ts all about and whats wrong.

hang in there and nice to meet you. Cris x

CJHunter

Hi Star, and welcome.
Just thought i'd mention we are not drs on here ,just a group of people with similar conditions, suppoeting each other.
You should phone yr gp, tonight is bad enough, or see them tommorrow. Thats what they are there for no matter how often you need them.

Take care and let us know how it turns out.
C x

Star2001

Thankyou Cris, yes i will ring them and see my gp tomorrow if they say i can leave it. Clare, thankyou too - I just wanted to ask if it could possibly be the arthritis pain before i rang. When i said i was thinking DVT I only meant that it had occurred to me. I suppose i thought someone might come on and say "oh yes I get that all the time" I have so many random, new and odd pains that it's hard to know what's what.
Thanks again to you both

valval

you can get differed pain but you should get this checked to be sure of what it is then you will not be so worried good luck val

mp1952

Hi Star

Best to get it checked out if you are worried.

I wish your appointment could be brought forward.. Is there any chance of that??

My RA is pretty good these days, but When it wasn't well controlled I used to get strange pains and sensations and swelling and 'fizzing' in my legs/ankles/feet/toes... I did get used to it happening after a while ...


please let us know how you get on..

Marion xn

Star2001

Hi Val and Marion, thankyou for posting. I have just got back from seeing GP and the pain and swelling is obviously to do with inflammation in his opinion. I have also been in touch with the rheumatology nurse on his advice and they are going to bring my appointment forward! I am so relieved! She said I will have to see another doctor but suppose that doesn't matter if they are just starting treatment and have all the results there. I also feel a bit more reassured as the GP explained my latest xray results do show inflammatory erosion (I think that's what he called it!) Reassured perhaps isn't the right word but I just feel as though they will get something done sooner now. My GP feels that treatment should be started asap. The pain has settled a bit now. I can take 60mg Codeine instead of 30 but don't want to take that much unless it's the only way. Thankyou all for your support last night.

constable

Hi Star

I just wanted to say hello, and yes, you should get yourself up the doctors, you need to know what is happenng to your body. Please keep us informed as to what the doctor says wont you

karen xx

sailrib

I had this leg pain all last winter and it was driving me mad. Ive got arthritis in my feet so I was like what is happening now. Tramadol was not taking the pain away. I thought it was DVT and I was really worried. It turns out to my my hip muscles. All because I have been walking differently because of the pain in that foot. They said hip pain can feel like it is the whole leg or just a part of the leg. Hope this helps.

Star2001 wrote:

Hello. I haven't posted much yet as I am still waiting for my appointment but I want to ask about the pain that's been very bad today if you don't mind. The pain is on the lateral (outside) side of my shin, feels like bone pain but I don't know. I have had the pain for weeks but not as bad as this. Apart from painful hands tonight I'm not too bad so have any of you had this leg pain as part of arthritis? My leg is slightly more swollen than the right one but doesn't feel hot or anything (I suppose I am thinking DVT now). My head is still all over the place about this whole business and I know I have to wait a good while to get my appointment but this pain in my leg worries me more than any other areas. It's with me every day but only when resting and painkillers aren't doing much good. I am reluctant to go to GP as I have been with so many things lately but of course I may have to. Just thought I would ask here first.
Thankyou.

Star2001

Hello Karen and thankyou. Am pleased that my appointment to (hopefully)start treatment is being brought forward.
Sailrib, hi to you too and thanks so much. It doesa sound as though you had the same type of pain so that's a relief to me although I wish you hadn't suffered it! It seems wierd to me that I am desperate to start taking the meds they may offer but I think i will feel less afraid and less worried when they do even though I realise there will probably still be tough times ahead. I hope you are both well today.

mp1952

Glad you have got some reassurance today Star and that your appt is being brought forward.

Marion x

Star2001

Thankyou Marion, nurse has said that is will be soon x

Mat48

Glad your appointment has been brought forward Star. You are lucky at least to have that option where you live - I could be flat out imobolised from head to toe and screaming and they still would just stick steroids in me and tell me i have to wait until end November when rheumy next comes up.

I admit I am feeling so anxious tonight because I'm meant to be going off tomorrow but my knees and ankles are tortuous now and I can't get down the stairs. My OH is on a nightshift so it's just me and dog and teens one of whom is feeling sick.

My GP gave me oral steroids to take with me when I saw him and that seemed fine except he said "I'm sure you won't need them but they are there just in case" and now I don't know how bad things have to be before I decide to take them? If I can't bend my knees but my hands can move is that worth taking them for or what? It's a rollercoaster of pain and emotions this being in-limbo isn't it?

I sometimes find myself wishing that I was so swollen and pollaxed that they had to cart me off in an ambulance and would then be forced to make a decision about me - get me x-rayed, test my bloods and just DO something now before it's all too late! My knee is hot and sore and quite swollen now and the other one is only a little way behind. My feet are scalding hot and ankles hurt like mad. If this isn't RA then what on earth is it?!!!

I know people here aren't doctors but many of you are more experienced than GPs - the real thing I guess - people who know and understand and can shed light on what us newbies are experiencing by recounting your own earlier experiences which helps enormously I'm sure Star would agree.

Good luck Star I wish you well in at least getting some more certainty. Mat x

Star2001

Thank you Mat. I really feel for you after reading your post. I'm sorry I don't know much of your history (must find the time to get to know the regular posters) but I wish you had the support I received yesterday! I was worried, sought help starting with the R. Nurse (and was pointed in the right direction by some of the lovely people in here) saw the GP who liaised with the nurse and I know that I will hear from her very soon. I can't ask for more than that and it is so sad to hear of others suffering so much. Will this November appointment be your first Mat?
I hope you manage to do the things you had planned for today.

Star.

Mat48

Hi Star. I haven't set off yet but things are looking much better today thanks. I collected my Prednisole (sp - steroid) just in case. Nothing would surprise me! I am starting to see a pattern with my arthritis where it springs up in a day - hangs about for another day or two and then goes epic - swollen knees last night red and grotesque and so painful - but then it's as if it burns itself out and today they are just a bit twinge-y, stiff and sore but it seems to get the same joints over and over and then add some more to the equation for fun?!

It is hard - I took photos of my swollen red knees but don't know if any doctor would be interested enough to show them to and is feel a bit like a saddo trying to make them look! Wish I had your support system here but there we go. I'm genuinely pleased for you that you are getting somewhere now as I wouldn't wish this kind of uncertainty on anyone - it's very lonely. My GP did say he would hate the uncertainty too more than any diagnosis - because there's so much fear attached and the pain stops one being able to breeze it off as you would maybe if it was symptomless like some forms of cancer or whatever - not that that would be great but sure you know what I mean? It's hard to believe that this level of pain is benign - but perhaps it is who knows!

Second apt with consultant is end of November - first was early July. Very brisk and I felt like the walking well that day too. No liar me so I'm kind of hoping that by next apt I will have something to show him otherwise I gear he'll dump me off his list in disgust! Mat xxx

Star2001

Mat, you must show those pics and anything else you write down. I have odd days when I feel more or less back to normal but, from reading about others, I know this is the way of RA so I understand why it happens in my case. It's horrible, the uncertainty and invisibility of the condition is hard to deal with. I have just tried to shake myself and get on with the household stuff but I don't feel right at all. My head and heart are willing but my body is telling me to watch out!
I do hope things improve for you soon and am glad that they are a little easier today.

Star x

Mat48

A relief that everything is working okay today. Got my wrist in splint as directed by GP and was only able to turn on ignition by tightening it!

But I'm really lucky that it's worked out pain-wise as yesterday I couldn't do stairs. Just showed a visiting friend pics of my swollen knees last night and she was really shocked and said I had to show 'em to GP and rheumy but neither are the kind of men who invite such keen-ness if you know what I mean?!

Anyway I hope I've made you feel more certain and better about your own situation and the level of support you are getting at least? We are seriously considering moving away from island life now but have 2 teenage sons to think about and my hubby has a secure job not to be sneezed at so we will see. I think this whole thing has woken me up to the postcode lottery that is the NHS increasingly these days! That and the fact that we live on side of a steep hill with stairs stairs stairs!! :eek:
Mat x

Star2001

Hi Mat, I just think that a picture will speak louder than all the words will. Surely they can't deny the extent of your problems once you've shown them that! I do indeed feel happier about getting help - still wish that phone would ring asking me to hot foot it to the clinic!

Mat48

Photos seem to show obvious swelling to me because I know what my knees look like normally but as it's both of them this time I guess they might just look like normal knobbly knees to others?! Sent images last time they swelled up and my sis emailed back saying what elegant legs I have?! Sort of pleasing and frustrating all in one! Last night they seemed dramatically swollen and red so maybe I'll send her those and see if I still look elegant in the knee dept to her. Maybe others have red knees as a matter of course but this was all squishy and disgusting on the knee caps so here's hoping they impress and reflect pain within for once! My son and GP noticed knuckles this time.

Sitting in airport lounge waiting for flight to be called. Suitcase packed with artwork and SO heavy she even stuck a heavy label on it. Hope I have strength to haul it off the luggage thing the other end! But still feeling better so maybe thyroxine or adrenalin are now doing their bit! As long as I don't wake up in hotel tomorrow unable to move I'll be happy! Good luck re clinic phoning - glasses raised (or airport rosehip tea!) to some form of certainty for you shortly - please let us know! Mat x