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Am I making too much of intermittent calf pain?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Caracoveney
Caracoveney

Hallo.  I am new to this section but wondered if I should see my doctor about intermittent aching in my right calf, almost like an 'aching pain'.  I did wonder if it could be DVT but I have had it for ages - several months at least, on and off, so presumably something would have developed by now if it was DVT?  Sometimes the pain seems to coincide with a shooting pain in my inner thigh, but sometimes not.  I have had sciatica in the back of that leg before now - that was several years ago and I had to have 3 days off work as it was so bad.  I am now retired and must admit that I do tend to sit a lot, writing, sorting stuff, sewing etc.  I have the calf pain now - it feels like a 'toothache in my leg' if that makes sense. There is nothing to show except I have had what seems to be a small varicose vein on that calf, which I have had for years. No redness or warmth as some symptom checkers mention.  I am loathe to go to the doctor as I have had so much treatment for other things (ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid and osteo arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc (though they are all under control with medication), and I am starting to feel like a hypochondriac.  Could anyone please advise?  Many thanks.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest Caracoveney

    Posted

    It could be connected to the ulcerative colitis, it's not out of the question, maybe you are having a sneaky flare up question smile   
    • Caracoveney
      Caracoveney Guest

      Posted

      Many thanks for replying, Benny.  I must admit it never occurred to me that it might be connected to UC, but I will investigate online and see if the UC could cause those sorts of symptoms (which would be good news if it is the culprit, as my main worry is of DVT and its effects).  
  • sheila91262
    sheila91262 Caracoveney

    Posted

    Hi, my son had UC and surgery because of it which lead to his DVT. We did lots of research and found that UC etc sufferers are up to 3x more likely to get a DVT especially if dehydrated and immuno suppressed due to meds. My son was immobile too as had had major surgery. Take care of yourself and get an investigation, a blood test should show it. Knowledge is key, we relied on the hosp to take care of him post op and they did anti coagulate him in hosp but sent him home with no info and no anticoagulation. He had a small DVT which became massive and life changing. If we had known just 2 days earlier then it wouldnt have built up and got so big it was unmissable.

    Good luck, even if not a DVT now remember for the future. sheila. 

    • Caracoveney
      Caracoveney sheila91262

      Posted

      Oh, Sheila - what a terrible thing to happen to your son.  I am so sorry. Thank you for sharing this in response to my worry.  I am actually due to see my Ulcerative Colitis consultant soon, so I will bring this up with her. I had never known of this connection at all (I have had UC for quite a few years now, about 6-7), and Benny Blanco and you have given me more information than I've had for all those years!  I do hope that your son progresses well - I will be thinking of you.
    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 Caracoveney

      Posted

      Thanks for the kind thoughts. Good luck with your UC and I'm glad you have it under control. My son was unlucky that he was 27 and super fit and healthy and then bang UC hit and went straight to severe. He had his colon removed as an emergency and after a year had his stoma reversed and has an internal pouch which has been so successful. He feels well again and apart from some scars has a normal life and eats anything and everything and no meds. The DVT was a shock and avoidable had we known more. He had stents in his vein to open up his scarred vein and is great again. A horrid 2 1/2 years and I do post on several forums and facebook pages to share his story as education is key, the one thing we would change  would be to be under the care of Consultants for UC who know what they are doing. Our local Hosp knew Jack Sh** and he perforated and nearly died. I started on here and FBs to get info from others who could help with the reversal and J pouch etc. It has helped alot.

      The Crohns & UC Charity mention the DVT risk in their basic booklet but it v brief.

      Regards Sheila.

       

    • Caracoveney
      Caracoveney sheila91262

      Posted

      What a horrific period for you and your son, he is so young too, to be going through all that.  I was lucky in that I was diagnosed just when I hit 60, following a bout of food poisoning that went away in my husband after two days but stayed with me for months, turning into something far worse before I sought help.  I am on Methotrexate (the injection kind) and have never (touch wood) needed surgery.  All this new information is a revelation to me and I definitely think that the UC consultant is the best person to talk to - I suspect that the GP surgery may 'gloss over' it, as has happened with other things there that turned out to be in need of treatment - a prolapse that the Practice Nurse didn't think was there, but she unwillingly, after my pleas, sent me to a consultant who diagnosed and treated...a prolapse.

      Thank you and am glad that your son is feeling well again.

    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 Caracoveney

      Posted

      Thanks. The new research they are doing which looks at reintroducing the good bacteria into the intestines which get wiped out during infections will hopefully bring good results for UC. It sounds gross but they are looking into being able to put other peoples bacterial "output" into capsule form to be able to be swallowed by UC sufferers. We have some genetic links to UC which was probably why he developed it but there are many out there who started with food poisoning eg Sir Steve Redgrave. The standard age for developing UC from scratch is 15 to 30 so he almost got away with it!. I have a science background and was able to do the research but thank goodness for the internet. We had almost no experience with the NHS and hospitals before all this and we have had very mixed results, sometimes you have to dig your heals in and insist and complain and sometimes you just need to have faith and let them get on with it. If son hadnt been so fit he might not be here, but every day we are grateful. His DVT stenting is new and being trialled in London, so a case of right place, right time.

      Good luck with your progress. Sheila.  

  • acuteabdo
    acuteabdo Caracoveney

    Posted

    Does this get worse with walking? then go away with rest?
    • Caracoveney
      Caracoveney acuteabdo

      Posted

      Hi Josh

      No, it seems to be the opposite really.  I do get it when walking (on and off) but it seems to be at its worst (or I notice it more) when I am sitting or lying.  I had a D-dimer test a few weeks ago and all appears normal, but the pain is still bad.  I have noticed now also that it (at the same time) aches in my inner thigh, so wonder how these two are connected (ie in my calf and inner thigh) - if it is not DVT then is it nerve endings or something?  I usually keep 'topped up' with painkillers when it gets bad, but the other day I went for some hours without being able to get some medication and it was horrendous.  It really did feel like a nagging toothache but in my leg!

    • acuteabdo
      acuteabdo Caracoveney

      Posted

      Hi,

      I agree that this doesn't sound like a DVT, especially with a normal D-dimer (a very sensitive test). 

      Looking at your past medical history you have a couple of inflamatory conditions UC & RA. In combination with that and how severe you describe the pain as (it being horrendous without pain killers and that you have tried pain killers) it would not be unreasonable to make an appointment with your GP. They will examine your leg and be in a much better position to help you. 

      If it turns out to be nerve pain there are some good medications for this (do not be put off like some are that they are anti-depressants/ anti-epileptic drugs they are rarely still used for this and are commonly used for pain.

      All the best

      J

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