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Neurologist didn't help

Anonymous

Nothing neurological has been found to be wrong with me, which is great. However, when I told the doctor about the sudden electrical pain I experienced in the back of my knee, his response was, "That's nothing." I was so taken aback that I said, "Just wait until it happens to you." Seriously, I thought that was cold and uncaring. Also, my foot started bothering me again. He thinks it's my ankle joint, and he wants me to go back to my rheumatologist. I'm getting awfully tired of being bounced around from doctor to doctor and not getting a firm diagnosis, much less any help. Oh, and he says that burning thigh pain during exercise is normal. I don't think it is, as this didn't used to happen to me. My thighs are in such pain that I have a very difficult time getting motivated to do anything. About all I can do that doesn't cause enormous thigh pain is walking on level surfaces, and even that is difficult because of my foot. Whenever foot pain strikes, I can't even put my weight on that leg. Consequently, I quit doing aerobics. About all I have left is the treadmill. Oh joy.

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Anonymous

Go see an athletic therapist , if you haven't done so already .

minimalist

Veteran

BC, I'm so very sorry about the lack of empathy this doctor is bringing. :-/

MsMaven

Veteran

Wow--that is terrible. Burning thigh pain doesn't sound normal to me. I hope you find an answer soon.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm so sorry. Have you tried swimming?

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Wow, so sorry. I would never consider those pains normal.

Unfortunately, not the first time I've seen a specialist who, once they eliminate the serious possibilities in their area, talk like everything is fine.

Style Fan

Veteran

It all sounds very frustrating BC. Lisa has a good idea to see an athletic therapist. Or a physical therapist. I would wonder about going to see a doctor who specializes in physical medicine. They are called Physiatrists.

Anonymous

Thanks. I can't walk upstairs when that pain flares up because I can't put any weight on that foot. I need a diagnosis and treatment for that first. My next step will be to see my PCP and ask her what to do. I think she should order an MRI or x-ray of that entire foot. I need to know what's wrong with it.

The kicker is that it was my rheumatologist who sent me to the neurologist about my thigh pain. If it were normal, I don't think she would have done that. Now I have to go back to her about my foot and hope I get the help I need.

RobinF

Veteran

That sounds very discouraging to say the least. I wouldn't think any pain like that is normal. Hope you can get to the bottom of it.

Anonymous

It just occurred to me that the high vitamin B6 level might be to blame, but I have no way of knowing how long it's been high. I only took the vitamin B50 supplement for 2 months, but the neurologist said that's long enough to cause a problem. Could that explain the thigh pain?

I do, however, think the ankle problem is probably arthritic in nature. I plan to ask for an MRI or x-ray.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Overly high B6 was something I wasn't aware of until recently and I've read some stories about people with similar symptoms. I immediately went and checked my supplements and got rid of a few that included B6 in a larger amount than I wanted. I have a feeling it could cause the nerve pain you mentioned.

Have you ever gotten your own blood labs done? Life Extension Org lets you become a member and order a blood test. You then take the lab request to a local lab (no doctor needed) and they send YOU the results. It's important NOT to take supplements for about a week before getting your blood drawn as you can alter the results with things like high B vitamins or high C or iron.

You also might find this article helpful, I bookmarked the part about what supplements they suggest.

http://www.lifeextension.com/P.....is/Page-07

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you tried acupuncture?

Eliza

Veteran

Dang. Sorry for how frustrating this is. Glad some things have been ruled out; tolerating the ambiguity is tough, especially when your daily activities are curtailed. No answers, but much empathy.

Anonymous

I have gotten rid of all supplements except vitamin B12, as my diet is a lot healthier than ever and I don't think I need to take anything.

No, I haven't tried acupuncture. It isn't covered by my insurance, and right now I'm trying to figure out what's causing these symptoms. My primary concern right now is my ankle pain that's causing major problems going upstairs. Like I said, I can't even put my weight on that foot when I go upstairs, and sometimes it bothers me when walking on a level surface. I'm very concerned about this.

Anonymous

I second the recommendation for an athletic therapist or physiotherapist. At least they will test you physically to see if there are any muscle imbalances which can manifest as other problems. About 12 years ago I had severe pain that radiated from the outside of my knees to my toes. A searing, electrical pain that my doctor just wanted to prescribe pain meds. I then went to an orthopedist who quickly diagnosed it as IT Band Syndrome - a muscle imbalance. Within 2 months of PT treatment I felt much better and the nerve problem disappeared within 6 months.

I recently had a terrible bout of TMJ and get trigger point massage therapy.It was a similar trigger point problem which developed into sciatica for my husband and now he gets massage therapy every 3 weeks and no sciatica problems.

Many people who exercise and even those who don't have muscle imbalances because not all your muscles are probably worked out or even stretched properly after activity.

Anonymous

Thanks. My TMJ was easily corrected with braces. Since my burning thigh pain affects both legs equally, is that still an imbalance? I'm wondering if the high B6 level has something to do with this, too (in addition to the nerve pain).

Anonymous

My IT Band Syndrome affected both legs. My IT bands were very tight. Though I thought I stretched well, I did not perform stretches on my IT Band. In fact, I never knew what an IT Band was until I had a problem. My PT said that there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to physical problems.For example, if your foot pronates a certain way, wearing the wrong sneakers could create problems. If your work your thighs and not your hamstrings, you will develop problems. I found that I truly did not understand the concept of working our properly until I worked with a PT.

Anonymous

Interesting. I didn't know it was that complicated. Seriously, I used to work out a lot more strenuously than I do now, with nary a problem. This thigh thing is new; it started about two years ago. I don't know what I'd be doing now that would be different than what I've always done. ??? The only thing I can think of is that my arthritis is more painful than it was before, and it might be causing me to walk differently or something. God only knows!

Back to the rheumatologist I go, and possibly to an orthopedist as well. Ugh! At least my appointments are next week--the rheumatologist on Wed. and my PCP on Sat.

Anonymous

Now my foot bothers me when I walk across the floor. Good thing I have appointments next week! I can't take much more of this.

minimalist

Veteran

Oh, BC, that's terrible. Sounds like soon you'll be climbing the walls, which at least will take the pressure off that foot. :-/

Anonymous

Yeah I guess so! This is getting so bothersome.

arnolda

Member

All those symptoms point to a neuro diagnos of multiple sclerosis
See another neurologist and get a MRI of your brain and spinal cord.
I have been living with MS for 30 years and your symptoms are classic.

Anonymous

Thanks. I have already had MRIs of my lower spine. I'll mention MS when I see my rheumatologist.

Chris987

Veteran

I agree with the recommendations to try seeing a physical therapist. They are trained to look at your overall structure and movement, and identify problem areas and show you what exercises to do to make it better. Like what danusia said. I've been to them a few times and their knowledge of anatomy and how muscles/joints work together seems to me to be greater than that of "regular" doctors. You might in fact have a couple of different issues going on and that makes it harder to figure it all out.

It's got to be horribly frustrating to go to a bunch of different practitioner's who all give you different answers....good luck on finding a resolution.

Anonymous

I've already gone through PT.