Aching Legs

  I am a 31 year old male in good health, 5'l1" 175 lb.  In the last year or so I have noticed that alcohol consumption, even of a moderate amount, results in pronounced aching of my lower thigh muscles the next day.  For instance, last night I had four beers over the course of a 6-hour period, and today my thighs ache.  It just seems odd.  Typically I don't drink except on the weekend.  The only other health complaint I have is an increased tendency for my limbs to "fall asleep."  I do not exercise very much, but I do walk 25 min to work (45 total) every day.
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Dear Kevin:
Your symptom is worrisome. Some individuals have a tendency to develop what is called "acute alcohol myopathy" with even modest alcohol binges, even if they are not chronically "alcoholic" or malnourished. This usually presents with aching of proximal muscles several hours after a binge, with or without swelling and weakness. A muscle enzyme (CK) is usually elevated in the blood after such binges. In severe cases there can be massive damage to muscle with rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, and even death. There might be an association with heart disease.
Why this occurs in some individuals and not in others is not clearly known.
The only recommendations I have are:
1.  Drastically cut down your beer intake, or better still, ABSTAIN!
2.  Consult with a neuromuscular specialist in a reputed academic neurology department near you.
Good luck!