Very mysterious calf tension-no doctor knows what's it's due to

[AgentM008]

I'm writing to ask if muscle tension in the calves can be due to psychological stress. Three times within the past 2 years I have been under some basic stress (ie. not feeling great about myself or life, feeling trapped, but far from really depressed) and at the same time for one reason or another I have become somewhat dehydrated. I know this because I was drinking a little less than usual ( 1 liter as opposed to nearly 2) and my muscles were characteristically tight. Now, ten days later, I have been drinking almost 3 liters a day, but still have tension in my calves so badly I can hardly stretch them and it is dangerous to go about routine activities as it is easy to pull something. I do have muscle tension in other areas of the body, below the waist, but it is much worse in the calves. As I mentioned this has happened twice before. I have had my electrolytes checked and they have been fine. I have been checked for various conditions and have none of them. I have been to the nerologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist and primary care physician,all trying to solve this problem. Nobody has found an explanation.The one thing I do have is hypothyroidism and this is being treated. I have had it for about 10 years and it has been treated properly. The endocrinologist does not seem to think my hypothyroidism is the issue. Likewise the other doctors have found no problem upon examination of MRI's and blood tests, etc.
My question then becomes...could stress and nerves be playing a part in this?? After 10 days of rehydration, shouldn't I be feeling some relief instead of continued tension, some of which has gotten worse even though I have been stretching, icing, heating, walking, and swimming?? Could my central nervous system be involved? Or would dehydration in and of itself create stress and nervous tension and continue to worsen muscle tension even though I am rehydrated? I do take calcium on  a daily basis and have been taking potassium and magnesium within the last 10 days to be sure I have enough of them. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Lcheddar]

Hi there, I'm with you, you are not alone. Im sure my calf tightness must be due to anxiety as my issues with sleep, anxiety and calf tension all arrived around the same time.  I take Valdoxan for my anxiety and sleep which leaves me symptom free (unlike Ssris which leave me impotent or Mirtazapine which makes me majorly fat).  I meditate 25 mins every day which helps but my calves still get tight and unbearable.  Would love to know what medication is working for people with this condition?  

[fiftytough]

I have had a problem with calf pain, just in my right calf, for two years now. It is burning and painful to touch. I have had two ultrasounds, seen a neurologist. acupuncturist, orthopedist, etc. to no  avail. I used to run but over five years ago, I am wanting to get back to cycling but cannot with the calf pain. I have tried Yoga and Tai-chi, and I think the Yoga might be helping but it is painful to walk on it and I just want an answer. I have also had all of the bloodwork, take all of the supplements and drink about 6-8 glases of water a day. I have not injured this calf ever. I did have an "ileo-tibeal band" release surgery (which was botched) after hurting my hip running, but that was seven years ago. Any thoughts. Thanks for anything at all.

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
The causes of calf stiffness are – Sciatica , Fibromyalgia , Restless leg syndrome , Nerve compression , Peripheral artery disease , Achilles Tendinitis , Venous insufficiency and many others . Since you have muscle stiffness all over the body , please get your self tested for Fibromyalgia . Stress is an aggravating factor for all health problems .; Please keep yourself stress free , exercise daily and eat a well balanced diet . adequate sleep at night is very important . Please go for nerve conduction study and EMG to find out the condition of nerves and muscles . Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !

[ggreg]

Sounds like Restless Legs Syndrome or RLS to me.  There are websites online devoted to nothing but that disorder.  Most neurologists are familiar with it.  But nobody knows how come people get it.  I have it and, until I got treatment for it, I had a very hard time with my calves seizing up, very uncomfortable feeling.  It generally starts in one leg.  They make specific drugs for it, and some take opiate type drugs, others get help from tranquilizers.  

Once in a while, you can get RLS-type symptoms from not enough iron in the body.  I might add that if you drink TOO much water (6-8 glasses is max), it'll mess up your electrolyte balance, and stress will also eat up your vits and minerals, so you could take a COMPLETE supplement on top of your good eating habits, just in case.  There's also a chance you have peripheral neuropathy or also possibly a tore-up back that is causing the nerves in your legs to bother you.  But when you said it was in your calves, that's the hallmark of RLS.  

I might add that when you get to feeling not so good emotionally the way you do, extra protein can sometimes help that, as well as regular exercise.

[AgentM008]

Forgot to mention, I have also tried massage. Thanks.