Pain in the legs

Pain

by doublehorn48 - 2023-09-01 13:55:59

I looked this up. Supposedly the pm itself can't cause the pain. But a number of factors can be causing this pain. Your cardiologist needs to look into this problem. The problem could be with the leads or even the heart.

Curious about pain in legs

by Gotrhythm - 2023-09-01 14:24:14

I don't understand. What about the pacemaker do you think would be causing pain in the legs?

Where is the pain? thighs? lower legs? Does it feel like nerve pain, or muscle pain, or joint pain?

Technician

by Penguin - 2023-09-01 16:29:16

I know it can be difficult when you're put on the spot, but if this has been troubling you for 4 years, I have to respectfully ask why you didn't ask the pacing tech to explain what they meant when they suggested that the pacemaker could cause this pain?

I do appreciate that some of the more technical answers can require a medical dictionary and translator though! 

Pain in the legs

by Cherry - 2023-09-01 17:55:44

It would seem that this is to do with the lack of lactic acid reaching the legs (in theory)  However the technician said that he has several reports of people experiencing difficulty when walking uphill, or stairs.  I am fine on the flat, and experience no pain.  I can exercise as long as I don't try to climb hills.

Legs

by AgentX86 - 2023-09-01 20:57:37

I don't think it's lactic acid.  I'd think that SOB would come long before there would be a lactic acid buildup.  I know that's where I feel it.  My PM doesn't sense hills and stairs so only gives me the blood I need for walking, not climbing.

I don't know how it works in the UK but I'd see a vascular surgeon. I'd try to get to one soon.

Pain in legs

by Julros - 2023-09-01 21:41:36

Hi Cherry. I think the pacer tech may have stepped over the boundary about medical advice. 

One thing I can think of is something called intermittant claudication. This is caused by a lack of adequate arterial blood flow, and thus oxygen, to the legs, and occurs after walking. This might occur in someone who has cholesterol plaque built up in the inside of arteries. Just as the heart can hurt with inadequate flow, so can the limbs. 

This is usually checked by comparing the blood pressure in the arm and the ankle, also known as an ankle/brachial index. If there is a decreased blood pressure in the leg or legs, a doctor may reccommend an arteriogram to check blood flow. 

Link

by Penguin - 2023-09-02 04:33:59

https://www.circulationfoundation.org.uk/help-advice/peripheral-arterial-disease/intermittent-claudication

There's more information in this link Cherry. The organisation is based in the UK so, if your doctor agrees that this may be a possible explanation and you don't have much time to discuss it in a short GP appointment, you could give the organisation a call to discuss.  

Pain in the legs

by Cherry - 2023-09-02 05:43:15

Thank you all for your advice.  I will consult my GP again to see what could be the problem.  They have not been very helpful in the past, so I will run your suggestions by them.

Sounds Like Claudication

by WMHughes - 2023-10-22 20:31:21

I recommend you consult with a vascular specialist. As suggested by others, it sounds like you may be experiencing intermittent claudication -- i.e. blockage of the arteries in your legs. It can and should be remedied as soon as possible. Also, keep walking, even if it's uncomfortable.