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Leg pain and swelling of shin area under knee.
I just wanted opinions on what my case can be since my doctors are not sure and my test results aren’t showing anything.
So I’ve been having multiple struggles for about a month and some now that the doctors all said is anxiety. Various different symptoms and one of them mainly being leg pain that moves from one leg to the next.
It first started off as burning behind my knee and calves in the night when I’d try to sleep, then waking up to almost getting cramps in my calves. Then I’d get like an aching pain in the day so I did a D Dimer blood test which came back normal. My doctor recommended voltaren and said my muscles may just be contracting and tense from the anxiety.
I used it and it provided temporary relief.
However, the pain persisted and took on various forms like a stinging, aching, pulling sensation. It varies between when I’m resting or walking. I’d sometimes get temporary relief when I’m active.
I also noticed some swelling on my right shin since May 6th and it’s been 9 days now and it hasn’t gone down.
I did a Doppler ultrasound and no DVT or venous insufficiency was found neither insufficiency with my arteries.
They said that the swelling was in the soft tissue and could just be localized inflammation. They had a question mark next to local lymphedema. My GP was not sure and told me to just monitor it. I’m not getting pain from the swollen area per se, no warmth or tenderness.
He prescribed some muscle relaxers also for the other leg pain but I don’t find they’re really working.
What cause this mysterious pain and swelling in my legs be from? Is it really just anxiety symptoms and the swelling unrelated?
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Oh I forgot to mention that I am also experiencing this kind of pain in my forearms and wrists.
It comes and goes and feels like a deep stinging/burning/aching. Not sure if they’re connected.
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1 Reactionshamelo, Some of your symptoms in my arms, hands, legs and feet have happened to me 3 times. It is peripheral neuropathy symtpoms for me and I am not Diabetic. My B12 was low.
My body does not absorb folates well due to Gene Mutation issues and I have to get a B12
injection weekly. Your body expels what you do not use with B12. All of the paresthesia
symptoms went away with the injections.
Praying for you to get answers and feel better soon.
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4 Reactions@shamnelo
Did you have an ultrasound or MRI of your leg/knee/calf? Have you tried rest/ice/compression and elevation? Have you tried heat?
Is the pain localized or widespread in your legs/calves?
Have you seen a neurologist for evaluation and testing for small and large fiber neuropathy (skin punch biopsy and EMG/nerve conduction study)?
Have you had a MRI of your lumbar spine to see if there is any compression of spine/nerves causing radiating nerve pain? Cervical spine can also affect legs.
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2 ReactionsIf I had a doctor tell me that swelling was caused by anxiety I would find another doctor.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your response and prayers, I pray so also.
Also, my GP ordered me to do a B12 test as well , I will try to do it soon. I just don’t have insurance and I’m a student currently so the funds are sort of tight. But he mentioned it could be that my B12 is low fr. So I will try to do that test asap.
Thank you for your response.
No I haven’t had an MRI or any other test done. Just full panel blood tests that all came back normal. One of my doctors did mention it could be nerve compression but did not recommend me to do any further tests.
I did see a physiotherapist who told me I had some posture issues etc. He did heat on my calves and electro therapy. This helped only temporarily and the pain started back later that day.
I will keep working with my doctors but I think because the pain is not as debilitating it’s like my doctors sense no urgency or seriousness about it.
Ikr.
I’ve seen so many doctors that’s the thing.
shamnelo, Praying for you right now. Blessings.....
Huh that’s a hard one. Start icing it and limit how long your up on it . When your up limit it to 15 minutes at a time, then lay down or recline & use ice for 15 minutes. Boy it could be anything even coming from your back. Ask your doctor if you could do PT. Utube has some good exercises for the knee,
They did find my bakers cyst through ultrasound while looking for blood clots.
@shamnelo I'm glad you had the Doppler test as my first thought was a blood clot. You may want to look for a massage therapist for a lymphatic message if they think this is lymphedema. Also myofascial release may be beneficial because it can stretch out tight scar tissue and perhaps that is yanking on a blood vessel and altering flow. If your muscles are very tight, MFR may help that too.
Here is our discussion where you can learn more.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search here. Massage therapists also may be certified for MFR, so you may find both in one provider.
http://mfrtherapists.com/