Hi all, I am 55 years old. I am 5'6" tall and 160 lbs. I try to eat well but do not excersize on a regular basis. I do go hiking and walking but am by no means regular at it. For the past few years I've been getting more and more pain when I walk. For instance when we go to the mall the longer I'm on my feet the farther the pain and weakness spreads. It starts in the feet and works its way up until everything from my waist down hurts and is tired and I can barely stand up. Then I'll be laid up for a day or 2 afterward with pain and complete exhaustion. This seems to be getting worse.

I was was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2003 but this pain is not the same type of pain. I also have had a cervical fusion in 2009.

My my doctor has checked for everything she can think of. I get regular blood tests for general stuff like cholesterol and liver disease

So could this leg pain be from being out of shape?

Ever have a stress test for your heart and circulation?

Sadly we can't really tell you for sure. If your doctor can't find the answer, a random group of people online, none of them doctors, will be able to give you the answer either. But we can offer suggestions. :)

I would talk to your doctor about an exercise routine to strengthen your legs. Also, do you take vitamins, since you say you don't eat as healthy as you should?

Are you male or female? If female, are you menopausal? If menopausal, what are you taking, if anything to help with menopause?

I'm 69 and have leg pain in the same way you describe. As we age, the legs are often the first to have the toughest time getting blood back to the heart, both because of the vertical height and the distance. Valves in the legs have to be strong and limber in the same way muscles do. For every pound of extra weight we carry, we are making it even tougher.

Really, if there is nothing evident medically, then you just have to exercise, lose weight, and not overdo it, keeping your feet up when resting.

Since you had a cervical fusion, also see an orthopedist. You may have compromised nerves low down on your spine too. I know I have, as I am getting shorter.

I also agree with the above responses.

All of the issues you mentioned could cause the problem, and/or it may be just not normally exercise. Normally I may walk 4 or 5 miles a day, (just normal life here in China) when I first got here, I thought I was going to die. I notice if I lay around the house 3 or 4 days, pain when I walk a lot.

Also strange as it sounds, I discovered, if I keep anything in my front pants pocket, that press against my leg, I will get pain after walking a longer way.

Yes 2 stress tests and 3 echocardiograms.

Sorry! Yes I am a woman who has gone through menopause.

I am not taking anything for menopause.

Since you had a cervical fusion, also see an orthopedist. You may have compromised nerves low down on your spine too. I know I have, as I am getting shorter.

I also agree with the above responses.

Women do get shorter then men, only because we lose bone mass in our joints.