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Undiagnosed Leg Pain

Posted by kmarie9o @kmarie9o, Feb 22, 2023

I am looking for some help around some pain I've been having for the last two years now. Even if that help is referring a doctor or specialist who may be able to help me!
I'm 33 years old. Two years ago I was at the gym running on the treadmill and when I left, it felt like I pulled my hamstring (I've never pulled a hamstring). Two years laster the pain has traveled down my leg. I live around a level 6 or 7 pain, and have episodes that can get up to a 12 or 13 (in my opinion).

Symptoms: Deep aching on the outer, upper, part of my leg. Sharp, random pains on the inside of my calf. If you push behind my knee, it absolutely hurts. Sometimes pain on the outer, back part of my knee. The upper part of my leg ALWAYS hurts, my calf is random. But sometimes my whole leg is firing on all cylinders of pain. I have NO numbness, tingling, drop foot, or burning. Nothing above into my glutes hurt either. Only AFTER my spine injections, and it goes away.

What makes it worse: Sitting, especially for long periods of time. Bending at the waste too much. Bending my knee tightly. Walking on uneven ground. Most exercise.

What makes it better: nothing. literally nothing.

Plan of Care I've gone through: Physical Therapy three different times, SI join injection, Piriformis injection, L4 L5 Injection, Cortizone injections, knee injection. Aiirosti massaging. Not bending and resting. Gabepenton and multiple anti inflamorties. Topical treatments. Easter medicine acupuncture. Dry needling.

Tests: Two different nerve tests, came back normal. MRI of spine, pelvis, hips, femer, tibia and knee. X - Ray of the spine. Ultra sound of piriformis. There is not a single test that shows any outlier of what my diagnosis could be.

The only other symptom I have is numbness and aching in my heel on the same leg. But I have had that for a long time from running. It was not my first time running when I was injured, I've been an active person as much as possible.

I appreciate any help in advance. I'm really at a loss and feeling hopeless. I just want to get better so I can get back to having quality of life.

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rennie | @rennie | Feb 26, 2023
In reply to @rwinney "Hello @rennie. I'm sorry for your pain, and understand where you're coming from. I guess my..." + (show)
@rwinney

Hello @rennie. I'm sorry for your pain, and understand where you're coming from. I guess my question for you is, are you still in a diagnosis phase, or have you (or your doctors) settled on the fact that you have chronic conditions of back and left side pain, and neuropathy? Figuring out whether your situations are acute is the first step, then quite honestly, if they are not, it becomes about working on acceptance and a chronic pain-management game plan.

You mention that you don't have symptoms. Do you mean some of the CSS symptoms described in the video? Maybe you don't have a plethora of symptoms, but you do have symptoms. I went to Mayo's Pain Rehab Center and was joined in class by a variety of chronic pain folks. Granted, we did not discuss our symptoms (that is considered a pain behavior), but Dr. Sletten made us very aware that while some may have less or different symptoms than others, we were all in a similar place of needing a plan to help achieve a better quality of life. Some people, like you, simply had surgery and were left with chronic pain.

Is the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center something you might consider looking in to?

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Thanks for your insight. I think I am still in the diagnosis phase as it relates to my back. See the Neuro Friday. Hoping it is not chronic and can be addressed. Not a big fan of surgery. Right now I take Gabapintin daily and Tramadol as needed. The latter has been small dose, about 50mg a day lately. Just do not want to have to manage with meds. I do PT, Yoga, strength exercises at gym and have started with a massage therapist. If I have to go to pain management only, it will be a hard acceptance. I feel like it is giving up on myself. I keep moving, but my PT says all the core strengthening in the world is not going to fix my disk issue. I live in Oregon and suppose we have pain clinics here. If that time comes, hope I can find one as good as yours. I really do appreciate your perspective! When people ask me about pain, is it better not to talk about it? My friends say they can tell. I hate that! Rennie

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Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Feb 28, 2023
In reply to @rennie "Thanks for your insight. I think I am still in the diagnosis phase as it relates..." + (show)
@rennie

Thanks for your insight. I think I am still in the diagnosis phase as it relates to my back. See the Neuro Friday. Hoping it is not chronic and can be addressed. Not a big fan of surgery. Right now I take Gabapintin daily and Tramadol as needed. The latter has been small dose, about 50mg a day lately. Just do not want to have to manage with meds. I do PT, Yoga, strength exercises at gym and have started with a massage therapist. If I have to go to pain management only, it will be a hard acceptance. I feel like it is giving up on myself. I keep moving, but my PT says all the core strengthening in the world is not going to fix my disk issue. I live in Oregon and suppose we have pain clinics here. If that time comes, hope I can find one as good as yours. I really do appreciate your perspective! When people ask me about pain, is it better not to talk about it? My friends say they can tell. I hate that! Rennie

Jump to this post

Aw, Rennie, you are doing all the right things by being proactive and advocating for yourself. Staying active through exercise is a huge bonus, and working hard to find a cause. Hopefully in time you be be able to get off of the tramadol. Acceptance is difficult to come by and takes time, but it doesn't sound like you need to be there quite yet.

Yes, it is better for the brain to not access it's "pain network" through constant pain talk and other pain behaviors. Pain stems from the brain and basically our brains are our computers, how we program our computers has value and effects our bodies. Constant pain behaviors, (anything you do, say or think that reminds you of pain) increase chronic symptoms. Acute issues are a different story, but chronic - that doesn't go away so that's when it's best to implement tools of management.

I am also wishing your symptoms are acute and you will make progress with the Neuro Friday. Wishing you the best of luck! Keep persevering.

PS: Acceptance is never about giving up on yourself, it's about bravery to accept what we can't change and do the best with what we can.

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