Leg Pain?

[tempest-omouthy.livejournal.com]

Hello all! Let me start off by saying, unless you state you're a medical professional of some sort, don't worry - I won't hold your advice as the gospel!

Here's the deal:

I've been on some fom of BC since I was 17. I am now 26, so that's roughly nine years - most of which were spent on the pill, although there was about 2 years where I got Depo. I am currently on OTC Lo and don't really have any complaints about it.

Last night I noticed my calf muscle in my left leg only is sore. It seems almost like a bruise, except I don't have any signs of one forming (and one isn't currently there) nor have I hit it in any way that would cause one. At first I thought it was just sore from waitressing all weekend, but it's not going away and, as I said, it's only in the one leg.

Since there isn't any outward apperance of trauma to the area, I was wondering if it could possibly be from my BC pills? I know they ask you about leg cramps because of the potential of blood clots, so this has me slightly worried. Since my BC helps with my PCOS and I have bad reactions with any condom material, I would like to stay on the pills, but obviously if it's going to cause something like blood clots, I wouldn't want to continue to take it.

Any ideas?

PS - It doesn't feel like a charlie horse, which is what I get when I haven't eaten enough potassium, so I don't think that's it. Also, I have an appointment with my dr on Friday for pill refills, so I can ask her then; I would rather have some ideas now and WebMD + 'leg pain' seach = fruitless TOO FRUITFUL, lol. TIA!

xposted

Comments

[sparklesistah.livejournal.com]

I would be wary of pain in the calf, as it could very well be an indication of a blood clot. Is your calf swelling at all? I'm not too sure of the concrete symptoms of blood clots

[tempest-omouthy.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, maybe I should look up blood clots on WebMD? Thanks for the idea... As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem to be swollen, although my calves are kinda big (they're actually probably the only MUSCLES I have that aren't fatty lol) so it would be hard for me to notice unless it was drastic. But thanks again!

[defgoddess.livejournal.com]

I've gotten random leg pain in only one leg (knee/calf area) several times before... no apparent cause--you'd think if you'd done something strenuous, it would affect both legs? alas. it's always gone away after a restful sleep, though it recurs from time to time... if it bothers you, I'd just take an advil or two, if it's just sore. if it's swelling or at all discolored, though you're already going to the dr. anyway, that's when I'd recommend worrying about blood clots.

[tempest-omouthy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up and the hope that it'll be ok. Haha, I'm on some Darvoset right now, so it only hurts much when I walk and then it's not bad.

(I'm on the Darvoset for the pain from my pcos - not the leg.)

[six58.livejournal.com]

i cant say for sure, but definitely get it checked out.
blood clots are verrrry dangerous.

[nessy82.livejournal.com]

I've had the same thing for awhile now..left leg too! it just randomly throbs or goes all numb/tingly.
I've had an ultrasound done and they didn't seem to know what was wrong with it..so if you find anything please keep me posted.

[tempest-omouthy.livejournal.com]

Weird. I'll definatly ask when I am at the docs and update!

[lilangel27.livejournal.com]

If you're seriously concerned about it, don't hesitate to get it checked out.

I was diagnosed with blood clots in my lungs in February. After everything I've gone through and am still going through, it is not something you want to have worry about for the rest of your life, trust me.

I did not have any noticeably alarming pain in my legs whatsoever. Four months previous to finally being diagnosed I had a horrible chronic cough. About a week before I was finally admitted to the hospital, I thought I finally had cracked a rib from all the coughing, the pain was tremendous but the x-rays were clear. The doctors think that pain was actually the clots and assumed I'd had the clots for about a week, though really I can't help but think I was trying to cough up a blood clot for the whole 4 months-the coughing stopped like magic once I was on the blood thinners. At any rate, the doctors said most people die from pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) within 24 hours.

I got a bit long winded, but please just use your best judgement and take your health seriously, if you're truely concerned, don't stop demanding answers from doctor until you're satisfied.

[tempest-omouthy.livejournal.com]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear about all this stuff you've had to endure. But thank you for sharing it with me. LOL, last night I dreamt I was basically in your shoes with the coughing thing and the dr's not knowing what the hell was going on - I guess from thinking about all you said.

The same thing sort of happened to me once - it took different doctors almost two years to figure out I had PCOS. The first dr told me I had an UTI without even taking my urine! I told him I'd had one in the past and this was different, but he gave me the I'm-the-Doctor attitude. I still have trouble with it, but I am so grateful they finally figured it out - and I'm sure you were the same way. It's terrible...

I will definatly be asking the dr lots of questions on Friday when I go in.

Thanks again and I hope you're doing better!