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Leg problem

(18 Posts)
Dawn62 Sun 24-Aug-25 21:30:32

Hi,I have had a problem with top of my right leg since about may.Think I slept awkward while we were away.Nothing helps I have had some pain killers from the doctors that upset my stomach so I stopped then he put me on an antidepressant took that twice and I felt so out of it that was that ended.Now I am on holiday so plenty of walking etc and yet for the last week it has taken hours to get to sleep the pain is so bad,in the day not so much,I am taking ibuprofen but nothing is touching it,rubbing a gel and a heat rub nothing helps,it is driving me crazy any ideas please I can't go on like this the pain is so bad.many thanks.

valdavi Sun 24-Aug-25 21:49:04

Have you tried turmeric? I either have a teaspoon of the spice in tomato juice, or capsules,
I have painful legs that are worst at night & ibuprofen / paracetemol do nothing, but turmeric does seem to ease it.

Grandmafrench Sun 24-Aug-25 21:51:29

Sorry you have pain which interferes with your sleep and you've had it for a lengthy period of time. You don't say exactly where the pain is located but it doesn't appear to prevent you from walking. Why not return to your Doctor and ask for a referral to see if you can get a more precise diagnosis? Going without sleep and being in pain will not do your general health any favours if this remains untreated.

Does sleeping on one side or the other help the pain? Using a small pillow between your knees may relieve some of the pain, a cold pack for 10 minutes or so used regularly may also help if you can feel that there is a specific area which is inflamed - like the base of your spine. It could be referred pain or Sciatica and there's a good chance you could be shown some exercises which might help.

If your Doctor is sure you haven't suffered some sort of injury (and you suspect it might just be from sleeping in a different bed), it might be worthwhile to consult an Osteopath. Whatever you do, don't leave things as they are because you will begin to feel quite depressed if you feel you're making no progress!

growstuff Sun 24-Aug-25 21:58:12

If it's in the top of your leg, it could be weakness in your glutes. I have this and was referred to a physio and given exercises which have helped hugely. Meanwhile, sleeping with a pillow between your legs helps.

Visgir1 Mon 25-Aug-25 08:38:06

See a Physio, a private physio clinic only charges about £40, worth every penny to get a quick answer.

Flippinheck Mon 25-Aug-25 08:49:30

The attitude of many GPs these days seems to be to offer the easiest, quickest answer. I think you really have to persist by going back and asking for a referral, rather than waiting for one to be offered.
I hope you find some relief soon.

OldFrill Mon 25-Aug-25 10:54:10

There are quite a few recognised conditions that affect that area. The pain is probably sciatica due to an underlying condition. One condition is Greater Tronchanteric Pain Syndrome and the pain intensifies at night. Your GP probably prescribed amitriptyline as it can be very effective in reducing nerve pain. Try taking a small dose an hour before bedtime. Ice packs/hot water bottle may help, TENS machine can also be effective. It's really hit and miss as to what works with this and similar conditions. Most find the conditions resolved after months. What you really need is an MRI to diagnose the actual cause but by the time you see a consultant on the NHS you'll likely have improved to such an extent they won't do one, so private is an option. You can (in my area) self refer for physio - l didn't find it useful. After 8 months my condition has improved slowly but surely. It still flares up, walking up stairs is difficult, walking distances l used to walk now impossible. I found cycling (electric bike) helped hugely. I avoided the prescribed drug route, amitriptyline, gabapentin etc - some people find guided steroid injections helpful. This and other similar conditions are extremely debilitating, come out of nowhere and are life changing, for most they do eventually resolve, to an extent.

midgey Mon 25-Aug-25 11:22:43

I would suggest Pilates. The exercises seem to ‘cure’ so many of my aches and pains, I think because without realising I am getting ‘lopsided’. The very simple exercises pull me back so I am on a more even keel.

Esmay Mon 25-Aug-25 11:51:40

Pilates and Yoga are both good .
Perhaps massage would help .
I recommend taking Turmeric in hot milk with honey at night .
valdavi recommened Turmeric as well .
I find it easier to take in milk .
It takes a few days for the effect to kick in .

RosieandherMaw Mon 25-Aug-25 12:21:55

If you have a medical issue the obvious thing is to consult a health professional, whether privately or through your doctor.
However well-intentioned and sympathetic, Grans on GN are only going to give anecdotal opinions- see a physio/ chiropractic/ osteopath/Dr.

valdavi Mon 25-Aug-25 12:27:10

Pilates didn't help me with similar pain. Very enjoyable & good for my posture & pelvic floor, but the doc suggested it for the leg pain (said I had tight hamstrings which the pilates coach disagreed with) and no help at all with that.

dogsmother Mon 25-Aug-25 12:44:29

Please don’t ignore pain like that, it’s not for nothing, go see a gp and explain how long you’ve had it and what you’ve tried to do for it yourself. Not really wanting to worry you but my father had a tumour in his femur that he dismissed for months as a pain when he might have just slipped in the bath or something as he couldn’t really recall anything that had caused it.

Jaxjacky Mon 25-Aug-25 12:45:44

Turmeric is not advised alongside some prescription medications including blood thinners.

growstuff Mon 25-Aug-25 13:00:14

Flippinheck

The attitude of many GPs these days seems to be to offer the easiest, quickest answer. I think you really have to persist by going back and asking for a referral, rather than waiting for one to be offered.
I hope you find some relief soon.

It's practical to try the simple and cheap treatments first. Physio is relatively cheap. In my case, there's a physio attached to the surgery and I got an appointment quite quickly. I had two sessions, which did help. I was told that if there was no improvement to go back and I would be referred for more intensive physio. I also had Xrays, which showed nothing and I've had my hip alignment checked. In the past, I've been checked for PAD and I've had a nerve conduction study to check for trapped or inflamed nerves. All that was done via the GP on the NHS and I didn't have to wait long. The important thing was doing the exercises, which I find boring, but it's been worth it.

OldFrill Mon 25-Aug-25 13:03:35

Ice packs Dawn.

Erica23 Mon 25-Aug-25 14:36:43

So sorry your suffering, but that amount of pain need’s investigating. I had similar after moving a bed last year, my Dr sent me to a physio the same week, she examined me all over gave me some excersies to do which I have to admit I only did half heartedly.
It gradually eased, now only bothers me if I try and lie on my front in bed. Good luck.

Cabbie21 Mon 25-Aug-25 22:17:44

I had a physio appointment via GP for my leg but the exercises made matters worse. I stopped doing them and it cleared up, but started again about a month later. I’m thinking about going privately to a physio to get the right exercises.

Luckygirl3 Mon 25-Aug-25 22:19:54

Maybe GP should be looking at a diagnosis!? I bet he/she would want to know what it was if they had to live with it!