I wonder if anyone can advise, I had to see a GP as I had such pain in left thigh I could not walk, GP thought I had pulled a ligament and was told to rest for two days, no walking at all. After a couple of days leg was much better but now both thighs feel so heavy and feel like a weight has been put on them, even on sitting. No pain in joints, could this be RA causing this? Confused.com
Thank you in advance.
Do you take Statins? The pain you describe is one of the side effects if you are on one that doesn’t suit you…GPs sometimes don’t believe that…but once I changed type the pains went away & I’ve taken them now for years.
No only on Sulphasalazine .
I too had a lot of discomfort on my first Statin. One GP registrar told me I would have to live with it, then the GP changed it. Been OK since.
Yes if you take statins, especially Atorvastatin or Pregabalin, even Methotrexate read the paper with it. I started with this some time ago which progressed to my left leg couldn't go first upstairs, then the legs were feeling heavy. My legs kept feeling very weak. I saw a few Drs all with different ideas. Last week I woke with terrible weak stabbing pains and the feeling of life being squeezed out of my legs. I have a good Dr who saw me straight away and said to stop the stations. It hasn't made any difference and I am now weaning off my Pregabalin and my legs are still the same. I hope this stops soon as it is unbearable. Yesterday I had to go in and take urine sample and have blood tests done. I got the results last night on My Chart, they look ok to me plus there was no blood or protein in urine thankfully. I wouldn't want all this to happen to someone else. My Dr still thinks it sounds like a side effect but don't know how long it will take. Maybe someone else will know? Good luck.
I was only sorted out by a referral to a cardiologist……he said he wished GPs would believe patients who had discomfort when put on Statins…& not just let their patients suffer.
How did a cardiologist help with statins please?
Changed me to the right one.
Were you already seeing a Cardiologist? As wonder why they would be involved? My GP mentioned probably sending me to a Neurologist but said she would wait and see my blood results first.
I expect you noticed the side effects fairly soon did you? Because I was having pains around my knees I just kept contacting my rheumatologist but he just told my GP it didn't look likely he could see me soon as so many people waiting. I hadn't seen him for 17 months.
My BP was all over the place ..my GP at the time just changed the BP pills every time I called& said” “not working” then a doctor friend advised me to see a cardiologist…so I did…& my BP settled & the new statin he prescribed fixed the leg pains too. These days I don’t rely on a GP to prescribe anything….the latest little words of wisdom were “how did I know I was allergic to Penicillin”…..I don’t know whether he thought I had dreamed it…but he did accept it when I told him that I had encephalitis many years ago, & the neurologist told me I should never take it again..& that if he had checked it was in my notes.
The daft thing was…I was not seeing that GP for Antibiotics…he just asked out of the blue …He was the same doctor who made me wait 5 weeks for an X-ray to prove I really had fractured vertebrae in a fall.But that was in a way my fault…because I just put-up & shut-up & didn’t press for the X-ray……
I think my problem maybe that I never actually look ill, & when I say why I am in the surgery for they look at me as if I’m mad.Maybe that is my problem…?
I think we learn to put up with pain and probably carry on too late. I couldn't just refer myself anywhere but thankfully not on blood pressure tablets.
If you want to see a particular consultant anybody can refer themselves privately, you just call the secretary & they will tell you how much a consult would be.
Unless using medical insurance, when you do need a GP referral.
I think if you self refer you may have to pay up front…but I’m not sure.
I know I can at a private hospital but then that starts to get very expensive I would imagine. I don't know who I want to see, just someone to start doing something.
If you haven’t seen your rheumy in 17 months & haven’t contacted the department they will be assuming that you are doing OK
Unfortunately in today’s climate..rheumy departments don’t have the staff to call to ask if you are OK…..We have to call them & explain that we need an appointment….so if you do feel you need to see your rheumy..get on the phone to your rheumy booking office. . …& see what they offer you.
I sent a message to my rheumy early in the year as I have terrible knees, a bit swollen and have steroid injections. I did have my knees injected in January but didn't see rheumy. I had a letter from him as well saying he was going to send me a form to fill in so he could review me. I mentioned my then growing weaker legs and the tingling round my knees and requested an appointment but he wrote to my GP telling her this but said "In all honestly I can't see her getting an appointment in the near future." This was in the spring. I later sent a message on My Chart asking for my knees to be drained but said that I was not qualified to make the decision about having them done myself and thought I should see him in first. I have an appointment in November but it could only be with someone to give an injection.
I rang his secretary and she was really blunt and asked what my GP suggests, then said that if I didn't trust my GP then I should get a second opinion or go to A and E. My experience of them is they forget you are there and if there's no GP letter they send you away. I did try the nurses who used to be lovely but the recorded message says it is for non emergencies and if they haven't got back within 5 days call again. I really don't know what is happening with our health service, the nurses used to be so lovely and helpful.
Sadly your position is very often the case case these days. …….rheumatology departments are very understaffed…..a lot of the nurses were transferred onto Covid duty and they just didn’t get back to Rheumatology.
It is very difficult to wait, …..but at least we aren’t sitting waiting for life saving chemotherapy or surgery. I do know when you are in pain it is difficult to accept…but all we can do is be thankful we will eventually get treatment…even if not directly from a consultant. After all …if a consultant decides on the injections needed …I’m quite happy if a qualified nurse does the actual jabs. ..& reports back to the doctor.
Oh yes I am happy for nurses to jabs but I just requested the last time. I have been having them since 2016.I think some of the problem with waiting and you Google. I don't know what the nerve conduction test will find.
Thank you for your reply. I’m not on Statins and never have been. But I agree it is unbearable 😩
It is possible that the problem isn't in the thigh but in the back. I had a situation where I couldn't walk beyond a couple of steps without my leg giving way and extreme pain. Eventually it was put down to a probable problem in my back.
Hi Doughnut61
Sorry to be personal but are you still having periods?
The heavy painful thighs can be a pre menstrual sign and indeed a peri menopausal symptom.
Just a thought. Obviously continuing pain must be checked out by a medical professional.
I hope you find an answer and you get some relief.
All the best to you.
Mx
Yes those days have gone I am 62 years of age 🤣. It is a mystery to what is causing this x
Hi sorry you are suffering. Have you ever been diagnosed with enthesitis? I have Psoriatic arthritis with enthesitis and have problems with my right thigh. The muscle is rigid and sometimes it’s hard to lift my leg, also if you press the side of your thigh from the hip to the knee the pain points are intense. I haven’t found anything that really helps yet unfortunately despite being on 25mg methotrexate weekly and 60mg of Arcoxia daily.
So sorry to hear you're in so much pain. Have you tried calling your nurse helpline at the hospital for some direction? Or if you have direct access to rheumatology physiotherapy they may be able to recommend some exercise or cold/heat therapy that could help. Sorry I'm at a loss as to suggest anything else. Hope it eases off soon
Thank you I will be calling for advice x
Yes I’ve had this and still get it. I was told it was enthesitis caused by inflammation normally connected to axial spondyloarthritis but not always. I also get heavy thighs with a specific sore spot with fibromyalgia. A long chat with your rheumatologist I think.
Thank you so much x
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