Painful Legs

Renata22 · ‎03-16-2010

Hi Everyone. I was wondering if anyone had any input on this problem I'm having. I have an appointment with my doc. Just doing a little research to know what to expect. My legs have been aching lately a lot. I've also been tired. I did blood work and it showed nothing but borderline anemia. I know I will probably be seeing a cardiologist eventually about this. I am nervous and a little scared. Thanks for any input.

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

I have spider veins that start mid calf and go down to my ankles. They hurt like crazy sometimes and keep my awake at night. My doctor explained that as we age our veins age and the valves don't work as efficiently as they did when younger. Blood tends to pool in our lower extremeties and the veins can't pump the blood back up as quickly. It's a common condition, especially in women. I was told to wear support stockings, and it really does help. I don't wear them in the summer tho because I wear shorts most of the time and it looks silly. The solutions are to wear support hose, lose weight, don't stand for long periods of time, and elevate your legs whenever possible.

If you have big vericose veins there are treatments for those. My doc told me not to bother treating my spider veins because if I get rid of them it would just put pressure on the other veins and they would flare up also.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

I take Andrew Lessman Circulation Vein Support for my legs which really helps from standing & sitting. I sit in a recliner later in the evenings that I know helps.

misspammie · ‎03-14-2010

Maybe this won't help, but I do get leg cramps especially in bed. I've found that drinking Quinine water before bed helps. My problem sounds like much a lesser problem, but just thought I'd let it be known for others. Hope you find some comfort.

Harpa · ‎03-10-2010

I don't know about painful, but I've had achy sometimes. I heard it was a magnesium deficiency. Taking an extra mag supplement at night does seem to help! Potassium helps with any cramping.

Also, peppermint lotion to massage. Avalon Organics has a nice one. If not a lotion, I would even prepare peppermint tea and apply. (Apply in long strokes towards the heart.) But since mint is a stimulant, I've only used it in the a.m. This also helps, especially if you are standing or walking a lot throughout the day.

One other and that is to elevate your legs in bed. I'm a back sleeper, and I always sleep with a pillow under my legs.

(Besides staying hydrated.)

My3girls_1 · ‎03-12-2010

Hi! I have to ask you, have you been taking Ambien or the generic by chance? I am 41 and started taking it over a year ago. For the past 7 or 8 months my legs have been in excruciating pain while walking or standing. Went to my regular doc and a vein specialist and asked if it could be medication related and was told no both times. They told me to wear compression stockings, those did nothing. Had sonograms done in both legs. Was told I had mild vein issues but nothing that would explain the aching I was describing. I decided to cut my dosage of Ambien slowly and wouldn't you know it my pain decreased SIGNIFICANTLY almost immediately. I thought I was going crazy. I thought I was having heart problems. I'm not completely off of the Ambien because I can't fall asleep without it yet, but I'm down to about 1/8th of a pill as a dose. I'm hoping you find the answer for your pain. If it's not Ambien maybe it could be something else you're taking? Please let us know what you find out!!

ivey · ‎03-10-2010

When you go to the cardiologist, they will likely do a Doppler test for peripheral artery disease. It's practically painless. It's like an ultrasound run over your legs and veins by a technician. The doctor then can use that info. for further treatment. It's not scarey at all.

If your ankles swell, a nurse friend who is on her feet all day, told me years ago to do this. It definitely helps. Lie on your back on the floor and put your feet up on the wall. I do it while watching tv, and it helps quickly.

Renata22 · ‎03-16-2010

You are all so kind to take the time to give me advise. I have typed out 2 responses, both times my iPad crashed. Not a fan of ios8, so far. When I get to my laptop, I will answer the questions you nice people had. Thank you again.

shoekitty · ‎03-10-2010

On 9/23/2014 misspammie said:
Maybe this won't help, but I do get leg cramps especially in bed. I've found that drinking Quinine water before bed helps. My problem sounds like much a lesser problem, but just thought I'd let it be known for others. Hope you find some comfort.

My husband takes quinine every night/ He gets the sugar free, aas it is loaded with sugar, but the quinine works! He takes Lupron, and gets horrible leg pains and cramps. The Doctors don't know if is the Lupron, but they know the cure. Quinine works for most leg pain and cramps

Renata22 · ‎03-16-2010

Hi My3girls. I wanted to answer your question. I don't take anything except prevacid, so this isn't an issue for me. I have had so many situations where I KNOW something is causing a side effect, even though doctors will swear it's not. When you change that one thing, you feel better. You can't argue with success. I'm so glad you realized what was causing your pain and are able to fix it. Still praying for the answers for myself. Thank you all again for taking the time to respond.