Leg pain/weirdness?

[helplessdancer]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience to mine?

A couple of weeks ago my legs started to feel weird and kind of cramping. By feel weird, I mean a range of things like bubbly feeling, a pinching kind of pain, twitchy, sometimes felt like they were asleep/blood rushing back in afterward, muscle tightness, pulsing feeling, etc. I don't have these all at once, they come and go and aren't really in the same spot. I would say it's more in my left leg, but it's also in my right leg. It usually feels better when I walk around.

At first I thought the problem might be restless leg syndrome, but I started to get it during the day as well. My main concern is that it's a blood clot, even though I've been to a walk in clinic and they said it was just muscle cramps. I don't think it is really a blood clot since it's in both legs, moves around, I don't have any swelling or redness, but I just can't help but feel really worried about it. I'm not overweight, don't smoke, don't take birth control, so I don't really have any of the predictors for a blood clot either. It's just become my pet worry. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning, but I just can't stop worrying about it and haven't slept well for the past week. Any ideas?

[Evap]

I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now. Literally. Haha. I'm pretty sure it's just our stress making us tense up and worry.

[helplessdancer]

I'm so glad someone else feels the same thing! It's so weird and it's been driving me nuts. Every time I think I know how my body will manifest anxiety, it changes completely. Anyway, I will let you know if I find out anything useful at the doctor's tomorrow.

[Evap]

Yeah, I get random aches and pains throughout the day allll in my legs right now. I think I jus tense them without realising and it causes the weird reaction.

[worry wart]

I have had this since monday. I've been told in sept. that all my crazy symptoms are anxiety, and I did NOT want to believe it, but I am sadly starting to believe it is true. Especially reading all of your posts. BUT, reading how many others have the same symptoms, is making me motivated to do something about this. I've had 8 anxiety attacks since jan 1st and it's horrible. I thought the leg stuff was from lexapro, and was a side effect, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to give it 2 weeks and if it doesnt stop, I'm stopping the medicine. I'm thinking exercisemay help, I'm drinking more water, and eating a banana a day.

[helplessdancer]

Yeah, I've been trying to drink more water and eat some bananas (even though I don't like them ugh) but so far that hasn't helped much. Usually taking a walk makes the issues go away as long as I'm constantly walking, but it's freezing outside lately and pacing around my room makes me more stressed kind of haha. I went to the doctor's office today, but only saw a nurse and she had no idea what was wrong with my legs, so I had to make an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow. Fingers crossed the doctor will be able to help or at least put my mind at ease about anything more serious.
Sorry to hear you've been having such trouble with panic attacks, I hope they get better. I never had any side effects when I was on Lexapro, but getting off of it was miserable. Let me know if you find out anything that works! (I'm not taking any medicine right now, so that can't be the problem for me..)

[worry wart]

I am going to a different doctor(same office) tomorrow, because I have stopped the lexapro. The list of side effects is ridiculous, and last night, my middle of my chest hurt, and middle of my back, my arms ached and my thighs. I'm done with it. I NEVER had that with attacks and my heart rate was 66-74. So I dont think it was an anxiety attack. Who knows. Then I had SEVERE indigestion. at times I have a dull ache in my lower left breast so I fear breast cancer. I guess I'm always worried that the doctors blame it all on anxiety and they will miss something major. I've seen it happen a lot in my career.   >

[helplessdancer]

Hmm, that's strange you're having so many side effects from the Lexapro, but I hope that stopping it will make them go away. Medications can be strange. *shakes head* My doctors (this time at least) haven't blamed anything on anxiety, but I know the feeling. I'm trying to convince myself that the doctors know better than random people on Google, so far I think I'm doing ok at it haha.
I went to the regular doctor today and she said I shouldn't be too concerned about my legs and I should try stretching and eating more/healthier. I'm going to get blood work done next week to check for any deficiencies, but she said she suspected it would all be fine. She also said that a blood clot was the last thing I should thing this problem was, so that made me feel a lot better. Hopefully my legs will start to feel back to normal soon, this has been so annoying.

[worry wart]

Today I went to the doctor and told him I want to try and do this without daily medicine. He prescribed Xanax as needed. Today I feel aches all over in my arms and legs. I don't know if its from being tense? I am not thinking about MS. Has anyone had sharp quick pains like a bolt shoot thru their chest after a panic attack? It is quick and comes an goes.

[Maisie77]

I had the same thing happening the last few weeks, it's very bizarre. I thought maybe restless legs too, but mine happened in the day too. My doctor didn't seemed concerned either. I am 20 weeks pregnant, so I thought maybe a nerve problem, who knows????

[helplessdancer]

I think anxiety has a huge part to play in my case. I've barely noticed it at all today after visiting the doctor yesterday. But I think that a better diet and exercise will also definitely be helpful. I did some stretching last night before bed and it felt so good.

And Maisie, I bet being pregnant is also a factor in yours. I've never had a child before, but I would assume that the extra weight of the baby would definitely affect your legs. Hope it starts to feel better soon though. :)

[waterspirit]

I have been feeling almost the same symptoms in my left leg for the past few months, I have feared the worst but notice that these symptoms appear when I am going into an anxiety/panic attack.  I have noticed too that once I stated walking regularly the pain has been subsiding, just like you have described.

I guess anxiety prone bodies just work in weird ways!! 

[Nevercalm]

wow just found this thread and thank god ! I have been so worried about all the weird sensations in my legs.. its nice to know im not alone and it doesnt sound like anything serious!

[helplessdancer]

Glad it was helpful Nevercalm. They are very worrying at first! But I've been trying to ignore them as much as possible and they've been a lot better. I think staying active/stretching and eating healthy are helping as well. I know that's kind of just general life advice, but it has helped I think. Easier said than done though! 

[greend]

Yes, I've had weird leg sensations on and off for the last 8 years and constantly for the last 2 years (well almost constantly, sometimes during the day I don't feel it).  It drives me nuts to say the least, but I've been tested extensively and all results were normal, so.... Anyway, I am trying to deal with what I have control over and that would be trying to reduce my anxiety.  Recently it was out of control, but I think I have more of a handle on it now.

Good luck to all of us!  And, let us know how it goes.

[Evap]

I'm happy to report that my leg symptoms have basically disappeared. Now I've moved on to clenching my jaw and freaking out when my teeth are sore. Lol.