calf pains

[NICNOCKS]

hello,

I woundered if anyone could shed any light on my calf pains, For the last few months my calfs are very tender (and painful when the muscle's are  squezzed) i'm experiencing sharp, deep pains usually in the evenings. These pains are in both calfs they not red or swollen i cant feel any "knots" although i dont really know what im looking for. I used to get a lot of really painfull cramps in my calfs, this would usually occur at nite, sometimes when i was asleep and even wake me up, however i tend not to get that anymore. I am 24 and work in an office enviroment not doing alot of exercise. However im not overweight. I recently found out my mother had a bloodclot in her leg. I have been to my gp but i feel because of my age im not taken seriously. They look at me as if im a hypochondriac!

Any help please!

[snowleopard]

Hi Nicknocks,  I would try to get some exercise like walking or swimming, each day.  It will help with your circulation, build up any weak muscles and help to relieve those restless achey legs at night.  I would also rub your calves before bed with an analgesic muscle rub.  This will soothe and cool your legs and help to stop them going into spasm at night when you are trying to relax.  You could also take some pain relief before bed which will help and stop the pain and you clenching up.  If you try these things for a few days and no improvement is noticed, then I would go back to your doctor and tell him that you have done all these things for yourself and not had any relief.  He may then take more notice of your condition then.  I hope you do get some relief by trying these self help ideas.  I know it can be very tiring and worrying when you can't get a decent sleep at night.  I am sure you will be alright, you just need to spend a bit more time on looking after yourself and you will find an improvement.  Please let me know how you get on.  If you do find you have a worstening of your pain or condition then I would seek the advice of your doctor again.

[DrKalraMD]

Hi, some of the possible causes are anemia, venous thrombosis, neuropathy etc. Please get your blood calcium, potassium and hemoglobin done to rule out deficiencies and anemia.  

Doppler ultrasound is done for thrombosis (clot) in leg veins. For more  information visit website http://www.medicinenet.com/muscle_cramps/page3.htm. Try course of vitamin B for a month or so along with stretching exercises.

[Judy1961]

Have you recently been on any long airplane flights or done a lot of traveling?  When my ortho thought I had a blood clot in my leg aka deep vein thrombosis, he ordered a doppler ultrasound, thank goodness it was negative.  

I had a knee arthroscopy about two weeks prior, and had very tight, hard calf due to swelling.