Hi, Im wondering if anyone knows what could be wrong with me. I've been to two doctors and they are baffled. This started last year and has now becoming more frequent, I've had about 4 episodes in the last 5 weeks. It's a feeling that just comes on without warning when I'm walking or standing. I feel an aching in my buttocks and a tingling sensation as though my bottom is on fire, then both my legs ache and feel so very weary, as though I've just ran a marathon or climbed blackpool tower! I've tried walking about to see if the feeling will go off, but my legs feel so very tired with a mild ache, that I worry they will give way. I find that sitting down for about 5 minutes usually does the trick and the feeling passes and I feel fine again. I have a slight pain in my lower back but I can't say I feel backpain when this is going on. One of the doctors has booked me in for head and back scans, but I don't know how long Ill be waiting for this. Im getting to feel panicky now when I go to work, or out anywhere (I work part time as a midday assistant at an infant school) in case the feeling comes on and Im not near a chair. Im a happy 53 year old, and otherwise feel healthy. I had a slipped disc but that was many years ago, when I was in my 20's... Hoping someone can enlighten me. Thanks for reading this. :)

My DH had Peripheral Arterial Disease, which we didn't find out until it almost killed him. He had low back pain, hip pain, and couldn't walk more than a few yards before he was worn out. They treated him for all sorts of things, and even put a spinal cord stimulator in him to block the pain. After almost 2 years he changed his pain management Dr. (because that is where he ended after no one else could figure it out) and the new Dr. took one look at his feet and sent him to a vascular Dr. His toes had a blueish tint, which we hadn't noticed because he never goes bare-footed. There was no circulation in his legs. Within 4 days he had a bi-femoral arterial bypass surgery. If only the previous dr.s would have checked his pulse in his ankles, or tried to take his blood pressure down there we would have found out and not spent 2 years of him living like a disabled person.

I am NOT saying this is what is wrong with you, but it is a cautionary tale for people who are not getting answers, and one of the key symptoms is pain when you walk. Maybe you could mention this and get it checked out.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Thanks very much for your reply Daisy. It was helpful, and I will mention it to my doctor. I don't have pain as such though when Im walking, it just comes on very suddenly, and its more a tired ache in my bottom and legs and my legs feel very weak, they feel like jelly, and I don't know why its accompanied by a burning sensation in my bottom. Im also worrying about having the brain scan, more than having the back scan, I hate the idea of my head being put in a brace and going down a tunnel, I know I'm going to feel claustrophobic. Gosh aren't I a moaner!

Brain scan? You need a MRI of your sacrum (lower back) for a suspected disk bulge, to me these are classic symptoms of a compressed or herniated disk within your back-your brain (I think) is not the issue.

When you get scanned you can ask to be sedated (sleepy, or asleep) this will help with claustraphobia

Thank you so much Xrayman for your answer. My doctor said he was baffled and was booking me in for a brain scan, which shocked me, and I've been worrying about. Anyway I do feel better now after reading your answer, and think Ill ask for the back scan first, which hopefully might hold the answer. Phew, I do feel better, so thank you very much.:)

No worries.

Just a point, you stated that after sitting, the pain seems to dwindle-this points to postural issues with your back.
I want you to look at this diagram and give it to your doctor-they can use this, you need to explain exactly where it is sore. The diagram is called a dermotome diagram, it points to specific nerves within your spine that (if antogonated) will cause tingling and pains.


Dermatomic area - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


He may have ordered the brain scan for a nuerological issue (becuase there seems to be no real reason(in your doctor's opinion) for your pain) I would investigate another doctor-even (I don't really think much of them-a chiropractor).

I have had back pain for quites some time, mine is the opposite to yours, sitting makes mine worsen.

Thanks very much xrayman for your advice, I really appreciate it. After me spending hours on the computer seeing if I could possibly find out what was wrong with me, I think you've hit the nail on the head because after looking up compressed or herniated disc, the symptoms sound very similar to mine - and here was me beginning to think I was the only person in the world to feel these symptoms! You've really eased my mind xrayman and Ill sleep soundly tonight, mainly because now I don't think there's anything wrong with my brain! My mind was racing and I had myself in a wheelchair! Don't get me wrong, I know something isn't right, but now I don't feel quite as daunted as I did before I posted my question on here, so once again, thank you very much. I've made an appointment to see another doctor, and with me, I shall take all I have printed off the internet. Im sorry to hear that you have back pain too, and wish you well.

You're most welcome. Please, tell me if the doctor confirms my/your suspicions

I certainly will, thank you. Xx:)