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What Causes Severe Pain In The Legs At Nighttime?
Question: Hello I suffer from sleep apnea which is improving by using cpap machine but recently im feeling a sharp pain on my upper right leg that wakes me up.
Brief Answer:
Possible causes explained and treatment recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is great that the sleep apnea is better with the CPAP machine.
There are several reasons why you might be having leg pain. The most common causes are muscular pain.
Have you had any medication to help with it? Sometimes it might be recommended that at night before going to bed to have a Naproxen after food and it generally keeps the effect for 8-12 hours and should be enough to cover you through the night.
Taking it after food is important to not hurt the stomach and also if you are taking any other medication for any other reason it is important to be aware of possible interactions.
Other causes for the leg pain might be related to back problems, especially if pain is worse when you lay down.
Treatment for this is the same as above but also seeing a physiotherapist is helpful to have a check of your posture, muscle contractures if present and take exercises that will help with the back and the leg muscles.
If you develop numbness or weakness in the leg other than these sharp pains than the nerve that runs down the leg might be affected and in this case, seeing a doctor is needed.
If the pain is always worse at night and is not affected by movement or touch this is another reason to see a doctor have a thorough examination.
Any worsening of the pain or no improvement after using naproxen for 4-5 days, again you will need to see your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Zotaj Antoneta, General & Family Physician
Possible causes explained and treatment recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is great that the sleep apnea is better with the CPAP machine.
There are several reasons why you might be having leg pain. The most common causes are muscular pain.
Have you had any medication to help with it? Sometimes it might be recommended that at night before going to bed to have a Naproxen after food and it generally keeps the effect for 8-12 hours and should be enough to cover you through the night.
Taking it after food is important to not hurt the stomach and also if you are taking any other medication for any other reason it is important to be aware of possible interactions.
Other causes for the leg pain might be related to back problems, especially if pain is worse when you lay down.
Treatment for this is the same as above but also seeing a physiotherapist is helpful to have a check of your posture, muscle contractures if present and take exercises that will help with the back and the leg muscles.
If you develop numbness or weakness in the leg other than these sharp pains than the nerve that runs down the leg might be affected and in this case, seeing a doctor is needed.
If the pain is always worse at night and is not affected by movement or touch this is another reason to see a doctor have a thorough examination.
Any worsening of the pain or no improvement after using naproxen for 4-5 days, again you will need to see your doctor.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Zotaj Antoneta, General & Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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