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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Aching and cramping thighs
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Aching and cramping thighs
by dadio, May 09, 2006 12:00AM
Hi - I have been diagnosed with idopathic small fibre neuropathy which was in feet 5 years ago but in the last year it has progressed (I think) to involve the thighs. My problem is that the pain in the thighs is very different - more of an aching cramping feeling whereas the feet are burning and pins and needles. My neuropathy is said to be purely sensory and no underlying cause can be found. The only thing I can put it down to was a period (quite short) of heavy drinking during a divorce which was immediately before I was diagnosed. My questions are 1) If I no longer drink and haven't for ages could the neuropathy still be spreading?
2) Can the neuropathy cause aching cramp like sensations and still be of the same etology?
Thank you for your help
2) Can the neuropathy cause aching cramp like sensations and still be of the same etology?
Thank you for your help
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, May 15, 2006 12:00AM
Usually once the offending agent is removed, there is no further damage, although you may feel different symptoms as the nerves try to heal and regenerate.
Alcohol is toxic to nerves and can cause neuropathy. It can also cause muscle cramps and pains like you describe but usually associated with recent ingestion of alcohol. If the neuropathy is truly getting worse, then there may be an alternative cause to alcohol.
It is more common that the two symptoms are caused by the same process, but sometimes this is not necessarily the case. Check with your doctor for potential causes of muscle cramping like use of statin drugs, and have a CK blood level checked to look for muscle damage.
'End' nerves in the feet and hand have small sensory fibers that detect pain. Sensory nerves higher up in the legs and spine may produce discomfort that is less sharp, and may be hard to localize.
New tests like skin biopsy for epidermal nerve fiber studies and glucose tolerance testing are revealing previously undiagnosed small fiber neuropathies.
Alcohol is toxic to nerves and can cause neuropathy. It can also cause muscle cramps and pains like you describe but usually associated with recent ingestion of alcohol. If the neuropathy is truly getting worse, then there may be an alternative cause to alcohol.
It is more common that the two symptoms are caused by the same process, but sometimes this is not necessarily the case. Check with your doctor for potential causes of muscle cramping like use of statin drugs, and have a CK blood level checked to look for muscle damage.
'End' nerves in the feet and hand have small sensory fibers that detect pain. Sensory nerves higher up in the legs and spine may produce discomfort that is less sharp, and may be hard to localize.
New tests like skin biopsy for epidermal nerve fiber studies and glucose tolerance testing are revealing previously undiagnosed small fiber neuropathies.
Member Comments (2)
by Joface, May 14, 2006 12:00AM
Just wonder if you happen to be taking one of the statin drugs for cholesterol. When I was taking Lipitor, I started having aching, cramping pains in my thighs and it was so bad, I'd actually hear myself whimpering in my sleep. I now understand that this can be a side effect of statins.
