Leg joint pain related to endo???? - Endometriosis UK

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Leg joint pain related to endo????

DawnT0914 profile image
8 Replies

Please can someone help me...

I have never officially been diagnosed with endometriosis, however my GP thinks there is a strong possibility this is what I’m suffering from.

Whenever I ovulate or my period is due I get what I can only describe as the most horrific ‘growing pains’ in my knee joints and my ankles. I’ve been to my gp numerous times about this issue, I’ve been referred to physio and have been going around in circles. I’ve had blood tests, been given pain killers, leg exercises and nothing helps with this pain.

Could this be related to endo or something completely different?

It’s something I’ve suffered with throughout my adult life - and infact, something I suffered as a younger girl into my teenage years. It was always passed off as ‘growing pains’ - which I now know isn’t the case.

I’m at my wits ends here; im in so much pain and have no idea what’s causing it.

Thank you in advance for any replies x

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DawnT0914
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8 Replies
Z_tz profile image
Z_tz

Hi Dawn,

I'm sorry to read that you're suffering. I'm no expert but, from my own experience, it sounds to me as though your pain could definitely be endo-related.

I get leg pain with my endo and, like you, it seems to follow a menstrual pattern.

I find it feels like a dull/throbbing ache which can either radiate from my hips down to my calves or just start in my calves. It's a bit similar to what I remember of growing pain but, to me, also feels quite a lot like abdominal period pain. Like you, the pain often also seems to get "trapped" in my knees. Regardless of which area of my legs it's affecting, it can be very painful; particularly around the time of my period.

I understand from my gynae that it's caused by the endometriosis in my pelvis which pushes on the sciatic nerve. I really hope your GP refers you to a consultant, so that you're able to get the answers you need (and deserve).

In the meantime, there are some things you can try - if you haven't already, of course - that might help ease the pain. I find a daily combo of yoga, heat, and Deep Relief ibuprofen gel can help take the edge off a bit. Naproxen also sometimes works for me but not always.

I haven't found any pill that's stopped the pain but I've read/heard that this has helped other women.

Hope this helps a little bit. Good luck. xx

AllthatGlitters profile image
AllthatGlitters

Hi Dawn I have pain in legs but often all over the body but mine is due to fibromyalgia. I don’t have endometriosis but I have adenomyosis but at certain times of the month I suffer with pain due to my period.

I am on nortryptaline for nerve pain. It helps but doesn’t take it away completely. It feels like a throbbing or stabbing pain. Your body can feel flu like.

X

Hannah0091 profile image
Hannah0091 in reply toAllthatGlitters

Hey! I also get leg pain too I usually runs down my right leg, right side is the worst with the pain so makes sense. I find that heat and hot baths really help me also painkillers but I try to do very gental yoga on good days to stretch out a bit.

ZoeLovepants profile image
ZoeLovepants

Hi Dawn.

I get really bad knee pain and all over leg pain. My knees feel like they have knives in them and my legs feel like they have been numb then wearing off it that makes sense. Mefenamic acid helps a bit but not much. I have noticed though that whenni go to the gym and do my stretches after it helps loads so maybe yoga would help. I sometimes make my other half lay on them and that helps if only to make me laugh!

Cherry1981 profile image
Cherry1981

I have endo and that is a symptom I got. I have endo on my uterosacral ligaments and I would get achy left leg, sciatica pain and pain in my ankle. Xx

Riajane profile image
Riajane

Hi Dawn,

Don't pleaee dont dispare, as all of these replies yes it can be due to endo.

I was in hospital last Friday til Monday on regular morphine to help with the pains. They were in my hips, down to my knees, at points I couldn't walk properly at all. I had pain in lower back and a he very pressure in my pelvis that hurt so much when I needed the loo. I'm having an MRI tomorrow as they feel there could be an endo mass behind uterus and on my rectum.

Unfortunately yesterday was painful, with meds not giving any kind of relief and I'm struggling to walk this morning. I had zoladex in hospital, not sure if it's kicked in. They also didn't want to send me home with oramorph so only on codine, paracetamol and narproxine. These don't seem to be touching it so will probably get signed off again!

Wishing you relief soon.

Ria xx

Thecraftyadder profile image
Thecraftyadder

I get terrible achy leg pain especially on my right side. When I ovulate I get what I can only describe as toothache in my knees!

Tiredmomma312 profile image
Tiredmomma312

Hi Dawn, Yes it can be from the endo. Prior to my first surgery for the endo I’d get severe back & hip pain with every cycle. After the surgery things were great for a while but then the endo grew back and even worse (it has been over 20 years) and now I have the back and hip pain with it radiating down my right leg to my knee.

Definitely talk to a good OBGYN and consider all the treatments/options but more importantly, hang in there! Props to your doc that put it together! None of mine believed me when I told them it’s related to the endo (20 years ago I lived near a major city with top docs - they didn’t doubt me for a second, now

I’m in a less populated area and top medical providers are a bit harder to find). I’ve been sent to an obgyn, knee specialist, back specialist, & chiropractor LOL. I can’t seem to convince any of them.

Keep at it and don’t accept their ignorance 😉

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