HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Heaviness In Legs While Lifting It Up?

Posted on Sat, 10 May 2014

Question: This is XXXXXXX It is 1 am in Montreal. I feel that my legs are getting heavier to lift them up while sitting on the chair. In a very objective manner how could I know that is a fast progressing issue. I know that is impossible for U to make the right assessment being so far. But has to be a marker. It is better to sit on a chair or to try to lie down

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Not a serious issue. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. At your age the commonest cause for such a heaviness in the legs is due to nerve root compression at the level of lower lumbar spine due to age related degenerative changes in the disc. Sitting in the chair will aggravate the heaviness. You need to lie straight on the bed without a pillow to decrease the nerve root compression. You can also use pillows under your knees for an earlier relief. For this condition you have to do stretching & strengthening exercises in which you have to stretch tight muscles & strengthen weakened ones which will alleviate stress on facet joint and disc. You can do this under the guidance of a proficient physiotherapist. Since there is only heaviness of the limbs it suggests that the affection of nerve root is only minimal. Such minor symptoms are usually taken care of by Methylcobalamin supplements which you can take after consulting your orthopedician. This is not a serious issue and can be resolved with proper care and supplements. Do not lift heavy objects, especially after bending down. Eat a healthy wholesome meal which should satisfy your minerals and proteins requirement. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (35 minutes later)

Thank you kindly. An other issue is the fact,that when I lie down because I have some degenerative issues at the neck slowly I get almost strangled . Regarding the legs is not only the heaviness there is numbness involved and the legs feel heavy and not being part of the body. Arms are affected too. after a while they also become heavy and the hands stiff. Earlier I asked you about connective tissue matter, because the whole body is involved. So the picture is like this : Walking all is acceptable. Sitting ,head , neck tightens almost to the point I am strangled and feel almost the stomach juice. Hands are becoming numb, legs are becoming heavy with the feet numb . I am almost dead. Thank you for your quick answer

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Can be motor neuron disease. Detailed Answer: Hello. The feeling of strangling can be related to a motor neuron disease. Both numbness and heaviness do point towards a nerve related pathology. In case the strangling feeling is associated with breathlessness then you need to attend the ER for an immediate management. Yoga and deep breathing relaxation exercises may help in decreasing the symptoms. Pranayam and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX will also help. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (14 minutes later)

OH how smart you are.I went today and he saw me in motion and he said there is no danger, that was at 3 o,clock here. This acted very fast and now is 3 in the morning. They did EkG , neuro signs ,etc. I went for the same progressing matter 10 times in about 60 days. Now obviously they do not believe. lying down brings this feeling of heaviness and hard to breathe. He believed that is do to anxiety. I just met you so if I get out of this one I will send you documentation,thx for the quick response

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Due to anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello. It is good that all your reports have come back normal. This makes the possibility of your symptoms to be related to anxiety even stronger. You can upload the reports in the box provided on the right hand side of the query page for a better evaluation. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

I slept a bit but I am getting this stiff situation all the time. The pulse is Ok. I went to washroom and I am like pieces put thogether and when I start walking I have no balance or I could not stand up without support,thx for the quick answer

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Can be due to weakness. Detailed Answer: This could be due to weakness also. Have an energy rich drink. This will help. Just relax. Try meditation. Since the pulse is normal there is no need to worry. Getting some muscle relaxants prescribed will also help. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (44 minutes later)

I woke up again and the upper leg muscles are painful and kind of having a tonus,they feel that have been running

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Due to muscle stiffness Detailed Answer: This is due to muscle stiffness. Do a hot fomentation or take a warm shower. This will help in decreasing the stiffness. You can also get a muscle relaxant prescribed from your physician. Regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar