Hello, Currently living with stinging, throbbing, swollen legs. Have been like this since covid? Nothing can be found to cause this?? So Rls is what I’m putting it as. With all this going on with doctors appointments and hospital out patient apps I have extensive doctors notes with no diagnosis. This is proving a problem to get travel ins. Has anyone any advice or been in the same situation. Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance.
L x
I have no advice on travel insurance but. All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition.
Do you meet all of these? Did you have these symptoms before you got covid? Let us know and if so we can give you some advice
Hi Sue, thank you for replying. When I contacted covid my symptoms were swollen legs and a rash. Since then (1st wave) I’ve been left with stinging and aching sometimes swollen legs. The right one is more effected. Been discharged from vascular. Blood tests iron etc are all fine. Waiting for an x Ray on legs as doctors are at a loss what to suggest next. Can’t have a mri as the pain isn’t bad enough. I’m clutching at straws with rls but that’s the only answer I keep coming back to. Beginning to get to a stage, where I think I’m going mad with it all.
Thanks for any help x
It's not RLS. It is apparently as Joolsg has said long covid.
Hi 2023Milo. I suffer RLS and nothing you describe sounds like my symptoms but I did go through a period of very swollen legs and ankles with unpleasant sensations and it was put down to water retention for which I was prescribed a diuretic, I think that’s how you spell it. It makes you go to the loo a lot but did reduce the swelling. Not had it since but you could do with sitting with legs raised to at least hip level and try to reduce time standing. I’m not a doctor and have no medical training but just sounds similar, I’m 77 year old male so rather more susceptible to this type of thing, but your a spring chicken so would suggest you contact your GP and insist on a face to face consultation. Good luck and best wishes HipHop1972
Hello Hiphop. Thank you so much for replying. They are sending me for an X-ray next. Don’t think they really know to be honest. Sorry to hear you are struggling aswell. They are having a meeting about me on Thursday so fingers crossed that might be useful. Thanks again for your help I’ll definitely speak to my doctor and see what he thinks.
Take care x
All the very best for your review on Thursday and really do hope it can be remedied quickly. 😃
I hope so aswell. As I’m finding it hard to get travel insurance as it’s undiagnosed. Not a major problem to have, but still a worry when they can’t find the reason. 🤷🏻♀️
Thanks again it’s good to know your not the only one who’s troubled with this.
I have also had similar things, but I believe with mine it is an allergic reaction to heat. I went on holiday to Croatia and it was boiling. My feet and legs were unbelievably swollen, with pins and needles and terrible rash, which I still have on occasion. I DO have RLS but I think this new item is unrelated to it and is possibly a result of long covid, along with thyroid issues and some other things. I tried Allegra Hives and it made me feel so much better (the doc in Croatia put me on steroids, which cleared it up there, but it came back once I experienced heat at home)! I hope this helps you and you get some relief soon.
Can you sit still and sleep without getting up to walk around? RLS means you have the unbearable urge to move. Moving relieves the RLS.Covid causes micro clots in the blood- it's why it causes so many strokes and heart attacks. Swollen, throbbing legs could be caused by micro clots.
Inflammation is another cause.
Sadly, knowledge and treatment of Long Covid is as poor as RLS.
See if you can find a doctor treating Long Covid. There are some doctors who have set up private clinics to treat Long Covid, with some success. I suggest you search for a private Covid Clinic near you.
ada.com/covid/covid-19-leg-...
Hiya, thank you for replying. First time in years my sleep is great due to finally admitting defeat to the menopause and going on hrt!!! I think that’s why my legs are more prevalent as I feel so much better in myself! If that makes sense?? I’m probably clutching at straws with rls but it’s the only thing that I keep coming back to. My legs just sting and throb constantly . Good days and bad. There were worse when I came off a flight. I was checked for Dvt but it wasn’t. Vascular have discharge me so it’s not that. Won’t give me a mri as the pain isn’t bad enough!!! So I’m at a loss with it all.😞
If you have a look at any Long Covid help group on Facebook or Twitter, you'll see that leg pains and swelling are common. I follow several people on Twitter and POTS and leg swelling and pains are common symptoms of Long Covid.
Nattokinase is a natural remedy that thins the blood so you could try that to see if it helps.
Definitely see a private doctor at a private Long Covid Clinic. They are usually set up by doctors with the condition who realise they are being ignored and poorly treated. They could prescribe the right treatment.
But it doesn't sound like RLS.
You cannot sit still or sleep with RLS.
What to do next?
Slow release?
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