Really weird leg pain
December 11, 2018 12:56 PM Subscribe
My legs are in very very bad pain. A highly unusual pain for me. Can you help? Waiting for my dr to email back but I'm traveling.
Flew to Cabo on fri to stay at a resort we stayed at last year. Nothing like this happened. Fri and sat I was totally fine. Sunday my legs started hurting, both legs, from hip to ankle. I have various back/hip issues on my left side but this is nothing like associated leg pain from that.
Nothing seems to help--massage, walking, resting. Advil may have helped but I'm loathe to take it bc today I ALSO am having major stomach issues. I'm a mess. The pain is so bad. I can't sleep. I can't enjoy anything.
The only thing I've felt that's been remotely similar is if I've been sick and laying around for days, my legs sometimes ache, but getting up and moving always fixes that. I am on gabapentin for aforementioned back/hip pain.
I'm really desperate.
Flew to Cabo on fri to stay at a resort we stayed at last year. Nothing like this happened. Fri and sat I was totally fine. Sunday my legs started hurting, both legs, from hip to ankle. I have various back/hip issues on my left side but this is nothing like associated leg pain from that.
Nothing seems to help--massage, walking, resting. Advil may have helped but I'm loathe to take it bc today I ALSO am having major stomach issues. I'm a mess. The pain is so bad. I can't sleep. I can't enjoy anything.
The only thing I've felt that's been remotely similar is if I've been sick and laying around for days, my legs sometimes ache, but getting up and moving always fixes that. I am on gabapentin for aforementioned back/hip pain.
I'm really desperate.
Response by poster: I thought of that but I've been eating fruit, etc. but bananas only in the form of a frozen drink, ha.
posted by bookworm4125 at 1:02 PM on December 11, 2018
posted by bookworm4125 at 1:02 PM on December 11, 2018
It's a potassium-magnesium-sodium combo that really restores electrolyte balance and reduces severe muscle cramping, so if you can get your hands on actual sports drink, Smartwater, or electrolyte replenishment pills or drops, you should do that. Random fruit will not fix it.
But you're describing a level of pain that's pretty worrisome and I think you should ask your resort to help you see a doctor. Even if this is electrolyte-related (and I am an electrolyte evangelist) that's a level of pain that suggests serious dehydration or some kind of cardiac risk. If nothing else, a bag of IV hydration will only take a few minutes to administer and it'll either solve the problem or it won't, by which point a doctor should have enough basic labs to decide if you need imaging for a clot or some other more serious treatment.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:16 PM on December 11, 2018 [11 favorites]
But you're describing a level of pain that's pretty worrisome and I think you should ask your resort to help you see a doctor. Even if this is electrolyte-related (and I am an electrolyte evangelist) that's a level of pain that suggests serious dehydration or some kind of cardiac risk. If nothing else, a bag of IV hydration will only take a few minutes to administer and it'll either solve the problem or it won't, by which point a doctor should have enough basic labs to decide if you need imaging for a clot or some other more serious treatment.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:16 PM on December 11, 2018 [11 favorites]
Unusual and persistent pain in legs after travel would definitely have me worried about a blood clot - seconding Lyn Never to see a doctor ASAP somehow.
posted by augustimagination at 1:32 PM on December 11, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by augustimagination at 1:32 PM on December 11, 2018 [19 favorites]
First thought is for sure a clot. Please get checked out!
posted by masquesoporfavor at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by masquesoporfavor at 1:52 PM on December 11, 2018 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Hmm ok. Would a clot cause pain in both legs?
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:03 PM on December 11, 2018
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:03 PM on December 11, 2018
A unilateral clot shouldn't cause pain in both legs, but... then again it's also possible to have a clot in both legs. It doesn't sound like it based on your history, but I'd be concerned enough to get it checked out at least. Especially with recent travel and immobility. Otherwise, have you been walking more? Drinking more? Any other new issues?
posted by Thesisaurus at 2:08 PM on December 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Thesisaurus at 2:08 PM on December 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Sorry to thread sit! Just saw a dr. He offered ultrasound as second option. First options are muscle relaxant, analgesic, and something to help circulation. Will update if ppl are curious. Thanks to thie who have answered so far!
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by bookworm4125 at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2018 [7 favorites]
Pain in both legs would suggest a lower-back problem rather than clotting. Maybe a disc issue? Both can certainly result from sitting in an uncomfortable airplane seat for hours.
Since you've already seen a doctor, though, I'd ignore this thread and just listen to them as long as you feel like they're taking your symptoms seriously.
posted by tobascodagama at 4:19 PM on December 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
Since you've already seen a doctor, though, I'd ignore this thread and just listen to them as long as you feel like they're taking your symptoms seriously.
posted by tobascodagama at 4:19 PM on December 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
At Mexico prices, i'd probably spring for the ultrasound just so you can really get an answer. Whether it's clots or a bulging disk or whatever.
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:11 PM on December 11, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 5:11 PM on December 11, 2018 [7 favorites]
How's it going today? Did you get the ultrasound?
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 10:08 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 10:08 AM on December 12, 2018 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for asking!! I did not, but am continuing to take the meds. They have been 100% during the day, but have hurt at night last night and the night before. I think it's some kind of strain from walking on the beach. #outofshape.
Thanks for checking in! And for everyone's help!
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:51 AM on December 13, 2018 [3 favorites]
Thanks for checking in! And for everyone's help!
posted by bookworm4125 at 6:51 AM on December 13, 2018 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 12:59 PM on December 11, 2018