I am a 19 year old female and have been experiencing chronic knee and ankle pain for about seven years. I have been on crutches on and off for every year since that. The first time I was injured was due to playing sports. However I was not diagnosed with breaks or sprains. Now that I am 19 I cannot stand for more than twenty minutes. The pain is on my right side pertaining to the back, knee, ankle, and foot. I have had an EMG, MRI, CT, X- Ray, and a cortisone shot. All of them with no diagnosis....I have also worn multiple braces and a boot but nothing seems to help. I really would like some advice because I want to give up hope on finding a cure. I don't want to take anti-depressent medication or anti- seizure medication if the doctors don't know the problem. Please help!
The following user gives a hug of support to Jakki8992: Recombinant (06-17-2012)
How many specialists have you seen? Often the first doctor or few aren't helpful...you have to find that right one who won't stop at the first thing when figuring out the problem. I hope you can find a more helpful doctor, probably an orthapedic?
I do have one odd suggestion--I'd recommend trying some good insoles, like Superfeet. I have had knee problems on and off, sometimes my hips too, and have been told I have flat feet which contributes to the pain in my knees from cartilage wear (chondromalacia patella). I needed some physical therapy as well, but the insoles are definitely helpful. They are something cheap and easy to try while waiting on the doctors, and I don't see how they could harm anything. Not to say this is your problem, but they can help various things.
Someday I should get slippers I can wear insoles with though, as around the house my knees will bug me some. Although since your pain is only on one side that does seem to point to an injury. I got mine at REI, where they had all the types (different arch heights and shoe sizes) to try. Hope you find some answers soon. Best wishes.
__________________
Kate
constant head pain, fibro, and other fun!
chronic pain established in 2006
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to tortoisegirl For This Useful Post: Jakki8992 (06-17-2012), waters04 (07-17-2012)
Thanks for the advice but I have seen five doctors so far and four of them were orthopedics. I was told about trying some inserts because I have flat feet as well. However, when I was younger I tried wearing sketchers with the arch supports and they made me hurt even more on both legs. I also have a small case of tendinitis in my right knee and I have done physical therapy for it and it didn't work very well.But thanks for your input.
I'm sorry that you are going through this. I know you feel very helpless but please do me a favor, DONT GIVE UP! I notice you didn't say anything about blood test being done. Sometimes doctors are so arrogant when it comes to diagnosing things or not believing the severity of your pain that they don't look at other options. I will be the first to tell you that you may go through 7-8 doctors before you find one that will do the work in finding out what is wrong. I am not sure if you are a religious person but having faith also help me. When you think that you will never have a day where your not doubled over in pain. Or you just want to enjoy a day with friends or family. When you are young and going through chronic pain, it can get you down. I will keep you in my prayers and remember do not give up. Go to another doctor or even try a research hospital. That is what they do.
I wish I had some insightful or excellent advice to offer, but after what you have mentioned and everyone else has suggested, I am at a blank as to further options in all honesty. It usually does take several docs before progress is made, but usually at that point there *is* some sort of progression in the treatment, which doesn't seem to be the case with your situation. If orthopedics hasn't elucidated what's wrong, I can only guess as to some possible other specialists to consider - notably rheumatology, hematology (sometimes blood disorders can result in pain), nephrology (possible kidney disorder resulting in uric acid crystals in your leg? or similar?), or possibly immunology (an autoimmune condition is highly capable of producing the symptoms you describe). If it were me I would start with an immunologist to rule out an autoimmune disorder that might have been precipitated by previous injury. Sometimes injured tissue heals in a way that can elicit an abnormal immune response causing the immune system to attack your own tissues.
The only other thing (aside from what others have mentioned) is to ask if you've considered long term pain management therapy in the absence of a clearly identifiable pathology. Sometimes unfortunately an underlying cause can't be completely affirmed, and management of symptoms becomes the best course of action. Of course this is the last resort, but it may be an eventuality to prepare for....
All my sympathy and best wishes!
__________________
"'I'm not feeling very well, I need a doctor immediately!' 'Ring the nearest golf course'"
- Groucho Marx
The Following User Says Thank You to Recombinant For This Useful Post: Jakki8992 (07-17-2012)
I have had a CBC blood test and a Thyroid test and so far everything has come back negative but I am thinking of a research hospital. Thank you everyone for all your advice it means a lot. I'm not sure if I can go to a research hospital with my insurance because I need a referral for every doctor I see. Its also very expensive. I feel like I need to ignore the pain because the doctors can't find anything.... and I rather not take Anti- depressants or anti- seizure meds only because my body is highly sensitive to medication. I was also given the option to get a lidocain shot into my back into the sympathetic nerves for a block. (sorry for my spelling errors). But I am trying to look into other options as well.
The following user gives a hug of support to Jakki8992: luvinmusiq (06-17-2012)
I have had a CBC blood test and a Thyroid test and so far everything has come back negative but I am thinking of a research hospital. Thank you everyone for all your advice it means a lot. I'm not sure if I can go to a research hospital with my insurance because I need a referral for every doctor I see. Its also very expensive. I feel like I need to ignore the pain because the doctors can't find anything.... and I rather not take Anti- depressants or anti- seizure meds only because my body is highly sensitive to medication. I was also given the option to get a lidocain shot into my back into the sympathetic nerves for a block. (sorry for my spelling errors). But I am trying to look into other options as well.
Like I suggested in a previous post please try to go to a research hospital. But I do understand the insurance issues. I am not sure what area you live in but try calling around and seeing if you can get in. That is something I don't understand, If your doctor can't find out what is wrong or find out why you are having this pain, then why not refer you to someone who may can help. That is what a GOOD physician would do if they care. I am 30 years old and I still talk to and about my pediatrician who saved my life when I was 14. One day I woke up and couldn't move. Pain was unreal. I was hospitalized and all kinds of test was done. Blood work came back horrible. So my pediatrician started me on some different treatments thinking she knew what was wrong. After about 2 weeks and no change in blood test. She did some more extensive test. They did some of everything in about a 4-6 month span and I was just suffering not knowing if they would ever find out whats wrong with me. Don't know how many times she would tell me that she called different physicians in different states for advise. Then she thought she knew what it was Sickle Cell, or Lupus. After she ruled out Sickle Cell Anemia and she thought it was Lupus, she told my parents flat out that Lupus was wayyy out of here league and she referred me to the city's children hospital. They sent me there and I had a physician there who knew all about Lupus, and had alot of children patients with lupus. Well she did some more test. I was diagnosed within a week of being there. I started seeing her for my lupus but I still continued to see my pediatrician for general health issues. She was really an angel to me. She cared, and she did not give up just because she didn't know what the hell was wrong with me.
Joints can have all kinds of problems, and they can be very hard to find. Once the primary disease or conditon tends to do it's damage then arthritis or osteoarthritis tends to set it. One thing it takes a great sense of resolve and the ability to fight, be strong, and not give up.
There are many things in this day and age that can be done to find the answers to problems that seem to have not answers.
Last edited by katlin09; 06-22-2012 at 01:58 PM.
Reason: aparantly I was wrong
I think the suggestion to see a rheumatologist is a very good next step since you have already seen four orthopedics. Hope you find some relief soon. Try to stay positive! If you work at this enough, some progress has got to be made. The more you rule out the less conditions it could be. Best wishes.
__________________
Kate
constant head pain, fibro, and other fun!
chronic pain established in 2006
May i suggest one other thing? I know it may sound silly, but its worth a shot right? Have your feet measured. I had a close friend who had pain in his feet, he discovered that one foot was larger than the other and actually needed one work boot a size larger than the other. It may not help, but it couldn't hurt and all it would take would be going to a shoe store. Good Luck to you!
Last edited by Administrator; 06-22-2012 at 09:20 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to Paininohio For This Useful Post: katlin09 (06-19-2012)
I have had a CBC blood test and a Thyroid test and so far everything has come back negative but I am thinking of a research hospital. Thank you everyone for all your advice it means a lot. I'm not sure if I can go to a research hospital with my insurance because I need a referral for every doctor I see. Its also very expensive. I feel like I need to ignore the pain because the doctors can't find anything.... and I rather not take Anti- depressants or anti- seizure meds only because my body is highly sensitive to medication. I was also given the option to get a lidocain shot into my back into the sympathetic nerves for a block. (sorry for my spelling errors). But I am trying to look into other options as well.
When you say "Research Hospital" do you mean like a University Hospital? Actually those are usually less expensive than most private hospitals and the procedures are more advanced and getting newer and better every day.
Kat
The Following User Says Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: luvinmusiq (06-20-2012)
Yep katlin09 I told Jakki that she need to go to a research hospital. And It don't worry about the cost as long as you get referred to a research hospital. But I know that it saved my life. They will not give up. So please if possible go to the research hospital. Please keep in touch and let me know how it went. I hope you will have some answers when we meet again.
Even if you don't want to. Even if you can't see a reason. Being angry/annoyed with the doctors, not wanting to jump their hoops and feeling hopeless IS depression. Sometimes we need something more than positive thinking, faith, hugs, sympathy, etc. It takes anti-depressants so long to work you might give up on them before they do. So you have to just pop them anyway. For at least a month, some even take six weeks.
I understand being young and looking at a future with chronic pain and no real solution is really hard. (I've gone through it myself.) Hopefully you'll find a doctor that makes a world of difference for you soon. While you're waiting, and the word "hopefully" is irritating, take the anti-depressant. ;-)
Also, as so many have pointed out in various ways, you really have to be your own advocate when dealing with the medical field. That's the best advice I can give you. Also - the Internet is your friend, and not all doctors are created equal.
Jakki First off when you finally get to a pain management doctor you will know it because he or she will first off get you out of pain. If he offers Methadone take it. Methadone is not just for drug addiction. It is the best pain reliever out there. You may find that 2 10 mg tabs in the morning and two more 10 mg tabs in late afternoon will get you totally out of pain. I have seen it many times. I doubt if it really takes more than four 10mg tabs in the morning and 4 in the evening a total of 80 mgs. After that the two of you can look to see what your real problem is. My bet it stress fractures that are not healing at all. that is a hormonial problem. Just dont give up the ship. dray
Last edited by Administrator; 06-22-2012 at 09:22 AM.
I'm not sure methadone is the first choice in a Pain Manage Doctor's arsenal. But whatever the doctors offer, it doesn't usually hurt to try. I'd be very reserved on surgeries, but there are lots of therapies that treat pain. Alternative therapies (e.g: vitamins), physical therapy, massage therapy, etc., procedures like plasma rich protein injections, steroid injections, epidurals, and more procedures along with as opiods and other families of meds, doctors who care (they're out there) will work to do whatever it takes to get you happier and healthier.
OH HON- My heart goes out to you. I am 28 and have been on crutches for 8plus years after a kick from a horse to the femur set off a neuro disease/reaction and my disability has lingered ever since...so I understand the extreme frustration of being young/in the prime of your life...and unable to predict what the heck is going on with you. It took me 7 years to get diagnosed and by then, my disease was well under way. I don't want to alarm you, but have you had a doctor w/a background in RSD/CRPS take a look at you? You most likely have arthritis/fibro due to being an athlete who struggled w/injury...that would explain a hypersensitivity to injury/pain...causing you to remain injured as opposed to feeling stronger and better. However, RSD/CRPS needs to be ruled out...early diagnosis is impt and you have already gone quite awhile without knowledge of what is wrong. RSD/CRPS is set off by an injury and causes pain/disability/lots of assoc. problems such as muscle weakness, blood flow issues, etc. Have you had a tender point test for fibro? Fibromyalgia is much less specific that RSD but it will open up a class of drugs for management of pain/spasticity/exhaustion...also- Suboxone is a much safer drug than some of the others I have seen people mention so if you are looking to take an opiate, talk with your doc about that one as well. It generally causes far less side effects while offering the pain control of morphine, etc. GOOD LUCK. I am sorry you are going through this. Hopefully you will be CURED but if it is one of these chronic diseases, don't lose hope- you are brave and awesome just for getting through the last 7 years and I know you will be able to persevere and make the most of your situation when you finally learn what it is.
Oops, one more thing- in re:to a research hospital v. everything else...
tread lightly. While a research hospital offers a ton of diff docs right there in one place and ideally the prof docs are super experienced and have seen it all...but they are there to TEACH and RESEARCH. Not all teaching hospitals are like Princeton Plainsborough on House with a diagnostician taking one patient at a time and doing everything in their power to figure out what is wrong with them...but you CAN find that in a private practice where a doc is in it to focus on their patients on a close-up level. I found a doc who spend 20 plus years working as a surgeon at a teaching hospital but also had years of experience in pain management, woman's health, rheumatology, and just about everything under the sun. She was used to looking at patients as a complete person, and not a knee or a thyroid or a printout of blood results. I found that she was the perfect partner for me in the management of my disease. I still go off an see my neurologist, a CRPS specialist, a psych, an ortho...but then she is the one there to help me coordinate how all of the info I get from each of these docs (as well as herself) affects my life. She's the one that's there to help me fill out Social Security paperwork, takes emergency calls from me at midnight if I'm in a flare, helped me get a parking hang-tag, etc.
Granted, docs like this can COST more(just depends on insurance)...but if you are aggressively seeking diagnosis, you may need someone like this to help you look for what all of the other docs are missing. Someone to view you a complete person and then pull together you whole life history w/all of your test results and help you figure out how to best be treated. This takes some doc shopping- just make sure each new doc you meet understands you are interviewing them and are not there to get a new pain pill prescription or they will write you off as a drug seeker. Okay- sorry that was so long winded. GOOD LUCK- lemme know if you need help finding good docs/ANYTHING else
I hope things are looking up for you and you are getting some results. The one thing I will strongly suggest that you do not do is go to a pain management doctor or any doctor for that matter and ask for a medicine by name. I know everyone wants to tell you to try this and try that and this med is safer than that med. They are all narcotics. They all have their ups and downs. What works well for one may not work well for you. Different strokes for different folks. But regardless A research hospital also has it's good and bad. But the point of a research hospital is the main word... research. They look into the things that our doctors are stumped with. They are good for the kinds of cases that nobody can figure out. They are not the most compassionate. But they are great when it come to diagnosing problem cases. Keep me posted and good luck! You are in my prayers. Muah!
I appreciate everyone's advice I have recently been seeing a Chiropractor and he has told me I am having a lot of pain because there is a lot of scar tissue built up around my joints from old sprains. I don't have a huge tear so there is no reason for doing surgery which is sort of a relief. But there is a chance I may have arthritis in my right ankle. I am not giving up on feeling better I just want to be able to pursue my career and that is the only reason why I become frustrated. But its not a constant being angry. I know for a fact that I AM NOT DEPRESSED! I don't need to take anti depressant medication. I'm only human people get angry everyday and then you get over it. I just need to find the right doctor. Thanks everyone for your advice
chronic pain with no hope 
Re: chronic pain with no hope 
