22 going on 90

[sparkle557]

Hi,

this is very random but I’ve been suffering from leg pain and weakness for a couple days now. My work involves standing all day and I’m usually exhausted every day but recently the last few days my legs have been killing. I’ve tried different pain killers and they only provide very small relief. I’ve tried a hot water bottle and resting for a day too.

I’m not sure what it specifically is. I have bad arthritis knees and I’m only 22 and I had an x ray done about a couple months ago and the dr said there was some fluid around the knees (I have no idea what that means and he didn’t really bother to explain further). But my knees are super crunchy and hurt to walk etc.

Since Thursday I have been having leg pains in all my leg and both of them and the hips.. Sometimes it feels like a burning sensation. All my bloods are normal and I’m not deficient in anything. Where do I go from here?

My options are:

Vitamin D deficiency (I’m on a high strength course)

Arthritis ?

Restless leg syndrome (could be due to iron)

Pre menstrual pains? (They can get pretty bad but I’ve never had it where they affect the legs this much)

Exhaustion? (I’ve ordered some compression socks from Amazon)

or I’m just simply dying 🥲

anyone else experienced this?

[Blackknight1989]

unfortunately there are those of us who suffer early onset of osteoarthritis that can cause your issues. I had my first orthopedic operation at age 30 due to early onset osteoarthritis and have had a total of 20 plus surgeries since. I am no doctor and from your brief description cannot offer much to help except to say I’ve experienced the same, see your doctor and not the one who did your X-ray. I never understand doctors that give you a one sentence explanation of something like an X-ray. If it is OA or RA you’ll need to change your work situation. No way you can stand to stand every day! Good luck to you!

[sparkle557 in reply to Blackknight1989]

Thank you for your reply.

I’m sorry to hear that 😔 I hope you’re well and doing okay. I know it sucks! My Gp referred me to a rheumatologist last year it was due testing positive for an autoimmune disease but the rheumatologist wasn’t very helpful either. She just said do some exercise and stretching and there wasn’t much she could do. I think I tested positive for sjrogens syndrome (something like that).

I’m a trainee pharmacist and work in a community setting so standing up is basically my job 😭 but hopefully I’ll be done Mid jan and I’ll be back at uni. I’m definitely going to try to re join the gym as that helped last year and maybe try taking swimming lessons too. Is there anything that helps you to relieve the pain? Any exercises or stretching. Also if you don’t mind me asking what kind of operations? Like knee replacements? I feel like I’m going to need knee replacements soon 😭 they’re so crunch and painful. I should deffo try lose some weight too.

Anyway thank you for your reply and sorry for the information overload.

[Blackknight1989 in reply to sparkle557]

first 5/6 operations were to try to avoid replacing the joints at my age. I had, as I mentioned, the first knee replacement at age 33. At 36 I had my left hip replacement, at 40 my right hip, at 42 my left ankle arthrodesis, at 44 my right knee. In the middle of all those surgeries I had my gallbladder removed. I have extreme early onset osteoarthritis, simple “old persons” arthritis that caused me to have all 4 lower leg joints replaced. Due to living with CKD stage 4 since 1996, (most likely) I developed peripheral neuropathy from mid-thigh to the bottom of my feet. It’s, of course, stage 5 the most severe form that caused me not to have any feeling in my feet. Severely affects my ability to walk but not to use a exercise bike!

[sparkle557 in reply to Blackknight1989]

thank you for your reply!

I’m so sorry to hear that 😔 I pray your health does not deteriorate and I hope you still get to do the things you love.

I can’t imagine how painful it must be. You’re right actually, the exercise bike at the gym didn’t hurt my knees like I expected it would.

[Mitch48 in reply to sparkle557]

Hi there,

It’s hard dealing with pain, even more so when you’re young. You say you have arthritic knees & have been diagnosed with an auto immune condition? Is that RA by any chance or osteo?

I had my first knee surgery at 22 due to my knees severely maltracking causing pain day & night, the surgery helped but I went on to have 8 more between both ( I was diagnosed with early onset arthritis in them aged 26)with several surgical procedures in each of them, culminating in a total knee replacement & patella when I was 51. There are conditions as well as arthritis that cause the knee to “make noises” such as grinding, popping, snapping etc. Often it is the sound of air being released as a joint is moved through its motions but arthritis has its own array of them.

Was the fluid in your knees that from a bursa?

Unfortunately excess weight can cause further problems with your joints including pain and potentially swelling, (particularly your knees) and standing all day can be problematic if you don’t adopt a correct posture. Exercise such as in the gym can be very beneficial, unfortunately due to severe chronic pain from the cervical & lumbar spinal injuries that I have necessitates a different kind of exercise and I find Yoga helps me immensely. Going back to the gym could be just what you need and as your Rheumatologist has suggested it, what is stopping you? You may find that your endorphins help with your pain 🤞🏻

If you are unsure of any information from your specialists, they will have written to your GP updating them regarding any new conditions that you have been diagnosed with, ask for a copy of their correspondence.

Good luck with it all

Kind Regards,

Mitch

[sparkle557 in reply to Mitch48]

hi,

Thank you for your reply! Oh wow, that sounds scary and I fear I may also need these interventions if the pain continues to worsen. It all started with dry eyes problem to which after being prescribed many eye drops the Dr suggested it could be an autoimmune condition called Sjrogens syndrome. I tested positive for it I think and I mentioned in the same appointment about my painful knees and legs and the extreme grinding.

The rheumatologist app was only for the eyes if I’m honest but I mentioned it to her anyway. My Gp did an X-ray and said there was a small amount of fluid build up but didn’t really elaborate or give me any thing else. The rheumatologist just asked me to exercise that was all.

I’m assuming it’s osteo. And my weight doesn’t help it either but it’s so hard to lose with PCOS 😔 but right now work takes a lot of my priority as I finish so late so can’t really go to the gym. Hopefully in Jan when I start university I Will definitely go back to the gym and do light exercises and stretching.

I wish you good health and I hope you are okay

[Mitch48 in reply to sparkle557]

Hi there,

I did forget you mentioned Sjorgen’s Syndrome, could that be linked to the fluid in your knee or have you had a diagnosis of arthritis in them? I wouldn’t worry about what could happen to your knees in the future as it futile. My philosophy is “only worry when you HAVE to!” and I’ve stayed true to that during incredibly potential stressful times, it does work.

Exercise can be done at home and not only is it good for the body but for the mind too. I used to be a runner and miss so much that I cannot do that anymore but I’ve found that doing yoga when I can gives me much of the same positive feelings that I had when I ran such is the addictive nature of any type of activity that gets your body moving, I used to enjoy walking but am struggling with balance and other mobility issue but hope that I can get back to doing it soon.

Please keep the forum updated, good luck & don’t worry!

[Divii]

more strength n blessings to you; keep us posted on your progress. I don’t have any pearls of wisdom to offer but you have my best wishes. I am sure you’ll find something which will help you!

[rabbits65]

Hello , just to add and point out that when you say your knees are. ‘Super crunchy’ I had that in my arms at your age and mine was tenosynovitis , it’s where the synovial fluid has dried out. Maybe your synovial fluid has dried out of your knees , hence the crunch noise you describe. I think you need to be referred to a professional , I hope you sort out the problem soon , I am much older now and there are many things I cannot do because of my tendons still drying out.

[sparkle557 in reply to rabbits65]

hi,

Oh wow, I hope you are okay.

They grind more than crunch but thank you I think I may need to follow up with the GP soon if it doesn’t get better.

[rabbits65 in reply to sparkle557]

that’s right “ grinding” it’s to do with the synovial fluid drying out. Your left with bone rubbing on bone . This is all about arthritis but it sounds as though yours is quite bad. You could do with complete rest for 6 weeks then it would ease up . Good luck to you

[Konagirl60]

Burning pain is a sign of nerve distress. I think you should see a neurologist. Go private if you can afford it. Good luck.

I don’t have arthritis so I can’t comment on that

[sparkle557 in reply to Konagirl60]

Oh, I haven’t heard of that before. Thank you, I may need to research some more. Unfortunately, private isn’t an option 😔 maybe one day in the future. Thanks for your reply x

[Hidden]

There's a possibility that you may have Lupus and the Rheumy should have mentioned this. I would ask about an ANA blood test. Read the article in this link and see if any of it hits home. guntownclinic.com/the-11-si...

[minka]

Hi I have knee pain and foot ankle and back had mine about 4 weeks only walk about 200 yards get up don't feel bad start walking then it goes worse on every stepNothing showing bad on MRI but it feels like back on fire.

[sparkle557 in reply to minka]

hi,

Oh gosh that sounds painful. I hope you are okay and I hope you find a Dr who will work hard to get to the bottom of it and find you a suitable treatment option.

[Nick2U]

Hi Sparkle ✨

Hopefully you have been to the doctor for a diagnosis, but if not it would be top of my list. I too work at a job that requires me to stand all day without any chairs or anti-fatigue pad to cushion the effects of concrete or marble floors on feet, ankles, legs, knees and, especially for me, back pain that has had me off work since early October. I was diagnosed with Chronic Thoracic Back Pain and Myofascial Pain Syndrome with so many trigger points even the specialist said he hadn’t seen anything as bad. Each day I would drive home from work exhausted and would hobble out of the car, wincing at every movement.

Early on I had to start using compression socks because my legs were swelling up down to my ankles. I got a great pair of shoes (brand name is Hoka) that cost a ton but it helped me survive for at least a year and a half. Today I started an online pain management class that I hope will train me to raise my threshold for pain (my 10 is just about anyone else’s 1).

The specialist also pointed out my posture (habitually bad, made worse by the job) is adding to my overall pain. I already had a Theracane for targeting the trigger points so he told me to definitely use it and I noticed an immediate improvement. My shoulders and back were so tight and knotty from standing and the stresses of life, but by pressing on the trigger points long enough to break up the knots I am on the road to recovery. Tomorrow I have an acupuncture treatment and in a couple of weeks I will get another Myofascial Release treatment—which leaves me feeling balanced, relaxed and so much like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders afterward.

Anyway, I encourage you to see a doctor. Definitely wear the compression socks, find super comfortable shoes and if your employer will allow it, anti-fatigue pads will help make standing a bit more tolerable. If your back or shoulders are tight, push on the trigger points. Best wishes.

😊

[sparkle557 in reply to Nick2U]

hi,

Thank you for the reply it means a lot.

I’m so sorry you’re going through so much pain 🥹 I pray it gets easier for you.

I find that Drs just don’t believe young people 😭 I have had multiple blood tests which on paper all look fine which is great and I’m grateful there’s nothing wrong in my bloods but it’s so triggering because I’m not making this pain up but I’m assuming the drs think I am 😔 Majority of the Drs will not listen to me but my regular one will and always goes the extra step to get tests such as sending me for a knee x ray last year. But I feel like because everything usually looks okay they don’t really know what to do next and I feel so silly making so many appointments to be told let’s do a blood test and then to be told ur bloods look fine 🥲 it’s a never ending story.

Yes I actually ordered some compression socks from Amazon and they’re quite comfortable and nice. They come all the way up to my knees. Hopefully next month I’ll start gym and maybe the movement will make me feel healthier.

Thank you, I appreciate all the advice

[Nick2U in reply to sparkle557]

There is a lot of new science behind pain management these days. You might ask your doctor to refer you to pain management or a pain specialist. I’m just starting the classes but I can already see how my naturally low tolerance for pain has a lot to do with why I have chronic pain. If you feel a lot of tension in your shoulders or upper back once simple exercise I suggest to coworkers is to shrug your shoulders up as high as you can and hold them there for several seconds and then let them just drop like a rag doll. Repeat that about five times and you will notice the tension release. I try not to do it when we have a customer since they would probably be asking a question and my body language would suggest I don’t know the answer. Glad you got compression socks—I just gave an extra pair of compression socks to an older friend when I noticed he had one leg that was very swollen. The other thing to help with that is to make sure to keep your calf muscles working—that’s how the fluids pump back to your heart—the compression socks speed that process up. Whenever you’re relaxing at home, take off the socks and elevate your feet so they are at least level with your heart or even higher. Best wishes!