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View Full Version : What kind of doctor to see?


pinkytoe
2-28-13, 12:57pm
I have sworn off going to doctors the past few years but now have an issue that I should probably have checked out. About two years ago, I came down with a weird illness where I ran a high fever for about a week with no other symptoms other than some lung congestion. I was told it was walking pneumonia and given an Rx for some antibiotics. A few days later, i developed a dull aching sensation in my left outer thigh that lives with me to this day. I don't know if there is any correlation but that is when it started. The pain is like a dull throbbing ache and mostly comes on at night when I lie on that side. I have been trying to ignore but it is really messing with my sleep lately having to turn over so frequently to get relief. So...I am wondering what sort of doctor to see about this since I don't have a family doctor at the moment. Suggestions?
goldensmom
2-28-13, 1:20pm
Get an appointment with an Internist (a GP for adults only) who can check you out and refer you to the proper speciaist, if necessary.
citrine
2-28-13, 2:02pm
Sounds like it's muscular...your ilio-tibial band might be tight...go to a primary care and have them refer you out.
CathyA
2-28-13, 4:54pm
You could check out an Internist. He might prescribe some physical therapy for you. It does sound like a muscle thing. Weird that it started after an illness..........Might be a coincidence.
CathyA
2-28-13, 4:55pm
P.S...........or maybe a sports medicine doc?
ctg492
2-28-13, 5:16pm
if it was me, I would go to a Walk In or Urgent Care for a check up and then get a referal to a Specialist or Internist or Sports Med. Got to start somewhere.
JaneV2.0
2-28-13, 6:42pm
I like Dr. Wikipedia, personally:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meralgia_paraesthetica
CathyA
2-28-13, 8:50pm
That's interesting Jane!
JaneV2.0
2-28-13, 8:58pm
The symptoms rang a bell.
Tussiemussies
2-28-13, 9:16pm
Wikipedia sounds like that condition is something you could bring up to the Dr. Yourself. If this is what it is a good chiropractor will be able to help realign the bone so the nerve isn't being effected...good luck with this, sounds very painful.
JaneV2.0
2-28-13, 10:04pm
Being a geezer, I've seen many conditions come and go over the years: plantar fasciitis (bad shoes), and the above-mentioned peralgia (bad office chair) among them. Of course, it might be something entirely different and/or worth checking into.
pinkytoe
2-28-13, 10:06pm
The meralgia diagnosis was the closest I could come to on my own too. I love that its also called skinny pants syndrome since I can't stand skinny pants. I also read it can be caused by wearing shapewear or other binding clothes. Uh-oh. I hope that's all it is and not something more sinister.
rodeosweetheart
3-1-13, 1:35pm
The meralgia diagnosis was the closest I could come to on my own too. I love that its also called skinny pants syndrome since I can't stand skinny pants. I also read it can be caused by wearing shapewear or other binding clothes. Uh-oh. I hope that's all it is and not something more sinister.

Dull throbbing pain sounds more like arthritis to me. What kind of antibiotic did you take? Levaquin can cause leg pain (it can damage something--tendons, maybe?)
JaneV2.0
3-1-13, 2:07pm
I'd forgotten about the quinolones. Bad, bad business. But I think it was the Achilles tendons they were famous for dissolving. I'm hoping it's the meralgia.
rodeosweetheart
3-1-13, 8:47pm
Yeah, my friend got it after taking levaquin, can't recall if it was all up and down her leg. Localized to one leg does sound like it might be the meralgia. Especially if pinkytoe sleeps on that side.