Hi all,

My legs regularly ache, sometimes to the point that I cannot stand as my legs shake. I'm only 21 years old, and I've had this problem all of my life. I always thought it was 'growing pains', as when I was a child my mother was worried and took me to the doctor who said it was growing pains. But now I've stopped growing, I'm kinda confused as to what I should do.

Over the past year or so, its been targetting my knees mostly, all the way up to my pelvis. Its like a warm shooting pain that is really hard to describe. The pain only goes away with pain killers or A LOT of rest.

I don't do much high impact excercise - so I know its nothing muscular. I know when my muscles ache, and this is not it.

What should I do? Does it sound like I should go to a doctor?

Hi Absynthe.
I also had "growing pains" as a child, so my parents said. I then got to my twenties and the pain was worse and I knew I had stopped growing. It took the doctors eleven, nearly twelve years to diagnose me with Fibrous Dysplasia. I am not saying this is what you have but you should go and see a doctor to investigate these bone pains.
The symptoms that you describe are in line with a slipped disc so you need to try and remember if you have ever hurt your back in the past. No bones should hurt so it really does need to be looked into.
As for being overwight this really does not help but only you can sort this out. I put on a lot of weight with the medication I was on but then I saw a pain relief nurse who sorted out my painrelief properly and I must say I have lost a stone. I do feel I have benefitted from this from both of these.
I would be very interested to know if and what your doctor diagnoses.
Take Care. Clair

Hi Clair,

Thanks for your reply. I've been reading up on Fibrous Dysplasia, and it is weird because its symptoms are very similar to what I've been experiencing.
When I was 9, I broke my forearm and was told that it was a hollow bone (cyst like osteoperosis), which would not heal for a long time - even in a full arm cast. Since then, I've broken the same bone twice again. The doctors were going to check my thigh bones for cysts but never actually got around to doing it. I was in and out of hospital for a long time. My arm still aches often and I still am restricted to what activities I can do for fear of breaking my arm again.
I've also had some hormonal problems - a few months ago I was told I have a hormal imbalance and I had to start taking the contraceptive pill because of it.
I will go and see a doctor about it, as I want to know whats going on with me. I'll let you know the diagnosis. Thanks for your help :)