What is the cause of leg pain at night ?

[Troiliboyli]

I have frequently pain in my legs at night that wake me, also carryong on during the day and have no idea where they originate from. Since I have also stiffness in knees, hips and lower back when I present these to doctor she is not very interested and just tells me " that's how it is". I would feel happier if I knew and what I can do to avoid this pain or make it better. Any ideas ?

Any explanation will help me understand better and therefore cope better.

[RoadRunner44]

Hi, I have some understanding how you are feeling. I am 76 and although active and enjoy walking have similar problems.

I know I have arthritis in my hands, knees and neck but the leg pains I experience seem to be different pains and disturb my sleep. Painkillers help. But like you find doctors appear to assume it's something we have to live with. Like you, I want to help myself as much as I can but the negative response just doesn't help.

😊

[Troiliboyli in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thanks for your comment.At least it's good to know there are others in similar situations.I used to be a great walker and alpine mountaineer but that steadily went down hill-excuse the pun - and now walking is often well night impossible.I am 79

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Troiliboyli]

Hello again, Thanks for your response Troiliboy. You sound as if you have had an interesting and energetic life 're Alpine mountaineer. It must be so irritating knowing you were so active and kept so fit. I played county level badminton up until my 50 s 3 nights a week so got a lot of exercise. It makes you wonder why with all the exercise we did we end up with all these pains. There are so many people who are far, far worse than me I appreciate. We just have to try to keep moving as much as possible. It helps to have a moan though. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Where did you do your mountain climbing and when did young up your walking boots?

Best wishes.

😊👞

[Troiliboyli in reply to RoadRunner44]

I did a lot of mountaineering in the Austrian Alps mostly the Tyrol , then about 6 years ago it became harder every year.I have up about 4 years ago though went for holidays and a bit of walking until last year.I would be unable to do that now.

Yes, many people are much worse off than me but it does get me when I see how I deteriorate and can envisage the day when I won't be able to walk at all

[Happyrosie]

The problem with arthritis is that there’s no cure so doctors - who see it day in and day out probably - haven’t much to offer you.

On the assumption that this IS osteoarthritis the other posters on this string have said everything that I would say.

But you might want to try out different painkillers to see which suits you best. And keep on exercising, The NHS has a helpful page on ‘sitting exercises’ which I do every other morning along with another one on standing exercises (if I leave this post to look it up then my post vanishes]

[Troiliboyli in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks for that.You are right and I shall also continue with exercise ,as best Ican

[Osteopot]

When you say pain, is it a dull ache? Or like a shooting pain?

The ache typically comes from holding a position at night when you sleep. Pillows, bolsters, a different mattress, and changing your position can all help with that.

If it’s the shooting pain, I typically get that when I’ve moved too much or moved the wrong way. You said you used to walk all the time - have you experimented with walking on different surfaces, in different shoes, modifying your pace or gait? These are all things I play with to see how they affect my activity and pain levels (I have severe OA in both hips).

[Troiliboyli in reply to Osteopot]

I tried pretty much all of that, but it has progressively worsened to an extent that often I cannot walk at all for days, pain is too strong

[Kneesandtoes]

Try wearing tight fitting pyjama bottoms. Perhaps put on an extra blanket. Last week several persons wrote about how important the right temperature is when it comes to staying pain free and that is certainly my experience. Pay attention to the material of your clothing. Synthetic is much colder than cotton or wool. Some walking trousers in particular are synthetic in order to be quick drying. I do not necessarily feel uncomfortably cold in order to be in pain.

When I tell people this they dismiss it, yet I know that if I were wearing what they are, I would also be in pain. Paracetamol and the like lower body temperature and probably make matters worse.

[Troiliboyli in reply to Kneesandtoes]

Many thanks for that..much appreciated.I shall take that on board