My mum is 50 years old and had been smoking for nearly 16 years. about 6 months ago she had terrible pains in her legs. she went to the doctors and they said it was viral and gave her antibiotics but it didn't help. The pain is actually getting worse as she can't lie down on her side or walk or even stand for to long with out agonising pain in her legs. has anyone got any ideas as to what it is or maybe what is causing it? thanks!
also sorry for any spelling mistakes! :P
2007-03-09 04:22:32 · 10 answers · asked by kammy r 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
just some more info, it's both legs.
2007-03-09 04:58:48 · update #1
Could be a vascular problem, very common in smokers. If not enough blood is getting to her legs, they are deprived of oxygen and will hurt terribly.
Whe needs to QUIT SMOKING (obviously) and perhaps see a vascular surgeon, who can run tests to see if that is the problem.
I highly doubt it would be viral, and antibiotics don't treat viral problems anyway, so the first thing I'd do is find another doctor.
2007-03-09 04:28:47 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your mother overweight? Is your mother diabetic?
A combination of being overweight and being a smoker will cause all kinds of leg problems.
Even if your mother isn't overweight,smoking damages vessels in the body and compromises circulation.
It would sounds to me like your mother is having these kinds of problems.
People with diabetes also have circulation problems,if the diabetes is uncontrolled this makes the problems worse.
There is also a possiblity that your mother is suffering with a neuropathy of some kind and could possibly benefit from a
nerve conduction test.
Your mother could also be suffering from degenerative disc disease which too can be aggravated by her smoking.
Don't misunderstand me,not griping about the smoking as I too am a smoker but I have been made quite aware of the problems with health if I continue to smoke.
2007-03-09 04:44:16 · answer #2 · answered by Just Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a number of things. The main concern is the blood circulation in her legs. She needs an ultrasound scan to see if the arteries and veins are in good conditon and that there are no clots. It could also be a neurological problem so she needs to have her back examined (the pain can emit from her back to her legs) as well as the nervous system itself.
Those are the most urgent ones to rule out. I hope this is of any help! Good luck!
2007-03-09 04:31:31 · answer #3 · answered by Cold Bird 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a circulation problem. My grandfather and my next door neighbour were both smokers who had problems with their legs.
My grandfather had an operation where the doctors transplanted some arteries from his one leg into the other one and that seemed to work.
My next door neighbour wasn't so lucky though. He ended up having his leg amputated above the knee, but that happens only in extreme cases.
Maybe you should get a second opinion, it always safer to be sure. And I think walking is also important. That will help get the circulation going again.
2007-03-09 04:31:15 · answer #4 · answered by greenfan109 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pain in the human body is caused by inflammation. It could also be pooling of blood from poor circulation. I am NOT a doctor but find it hard to believe a real doctor didn't look into these things. For help go to healthquest.peoplesway.com and look at PROTEC - for pain relief, increased capilary repair. Also look at PRO HM and Protrim, protrim helps the body loose extra weight, but it also helps with organ function and cleaning out the body. I know a woman that has had mercury poisoning cleaned from her body using these products.
2007-03-09 04:30:25 · answer #5 · answered by pool_boy_77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your mum needs to go back to the doctor as soon as possible. Smoking can cause all sorts of problems which could be the reason for her painful legs.
Persuade her to get an appointment quickly.
2007-03-09 04:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be a circulation problem that is causing the pain esp if she is a smoker so maybe she should start going for walks. I know it will be painful at first but exercise will increase circulation and help with the pain.
2007-03-09 04:26:53 · answer #7 · answered by wyntur1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This article is a tad clinical;but, your mother's problems probably are smoking induced, Women have a greater chance of developing leg vein thrombosis from smoking. Has her cholesterol been checked she may have narrowing of the arteries.
http://atvb.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/4/546
2007-03-09 04:35:03 · answer #8 · answered by bomullock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.
2016-05-14 07:40:09 · answer #9 · answered by marianne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may be hardening of the arteries due to smoking she must go back to her gp
2007-03-09 06:26:21 · answer #10 · answered by minerva 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋