Sporadic Calf Muscle Soreness and Stiffness in both legs at once

[JNGW]

I am not sure if anyone has experienced this.. for the past 6 months I have been experiencing a sore tightness in both of my calf muscles sporadically. It does not seem to be related to exercise since I can go for a run and feel nothing... but then I can be sitting and all of a sudden my calves (always both at the same time) start to ache and feel tight. Sometimes they feel so sore that I can almost not walk. Water seems to help on occasions. I can't understand why all of a sudden I may be becoming dehydrated so that doesn't seem logical...

The aches come and go without warning and sometimes it's much worse than other times. There have also been times when I may not experience any aching for several days.

My doctor, general practitioner, has no explanation. I am thinking that I need to see someone else... any ideas? Endocrinologist?

Any ideas would be great.

[Le_Roi_De_Rois]

If all tests show nothing then it a diet/nutritional thing. Could be dehydration. Athletes need more than a gallon a day of water (not juice, not soda, not Gatorade). Lack I potassium may also do this. Haven't you seen pro runners and athletes with bananas?

Start with the basics.

[Kerri56]

I am having the same problems with my calf, shins and feet.  They feel tight and they hurt all the time.  My right foot cramps up so I can't uncurl my toes unless I stand up immediately.  My foot can go into a cramp from stretching in my sleep.  I was diagnosed with low Vitamin D levels, but haven't seen any improvement since I started one month ago.  I'm taking one Vitamin D per week consisting of 50,000 units.  I back surgery in 2009 and I'm wondering if it's a result of the back injury I got when a 200 pound male jumped off a ladder without looking and landed on me.  My disc was forced out the side and was impeding a nerve root.  I collapsed, and within a week I was crawling because the back and leg pain was so great.  The leg tightening and pain has been an issue this year only, but it won't go away.  I am making an appointment with my back surgeon to see if this can be an issue.  If anyone else has had the similar thing happen to them and has been able to find something that makes it go away, please write to me.

Kerri
***@****

[bmart100]

Your frustration is understandable, more so considering all the medical terminology used.  Let's hope it is not Compartment Syndrome that is causing your problems.  If you feel that it is your problem, become very acquainted with the definition and how to treat it. Never elevate your legs higher than your heart; just makes matters worse.  And, do not exercise excessively at this point. That also compounds matters as you well know from the results you have had when running.  My problem was aggravated by muscle stress.  I was going to the gym five days a week and felt that at my age, I was doing exceptionally well.  Then my problems started, gradually at first, until my whole body musculature was affected. Even if I had wanted to do some exercising, I was not able because of the pain. Don't despair though. You may be able to beat this disease if you persevere and continue to be interactive with your health care. No one knows your body better than you do. For the present, avoid foods with gluten, sugar in any form; soy in any form also, dairy, processed foods, processed salt, and alcohol.  Caffeine, whether from coffee or soft drinks. Medications, avoid NSAIDS such as ibuprofen,Aleve, and prescription medications such as Celebrex. Also, antibiotics and steroidal meds such as Prednisone, Hydrocortisone and Corticosteroids. Concentrate  on eating cooked vegetables, fruits and beef, chicken and fish.  Drink enough water to stay well hydrated unless told differently by your doctor.  Please let me know if there are any new developments with your situation.  In good health,  Ben

[Ms_Charlie]

Thank you, I will research it. The problem is I have had the pain since my wheelchair days and nothing stops it, elevating and heat helps but not nearly enough. I can admit after my junior year when this happened, I stopped getting or staying in shape so now, when I do even a little exercise It is severe pain. I am afraid that my dreams of being a police officer is over because of this injury. My family members just say to take it slow, but for a single week I walked or very slowly jogged for a mile every 2 days, the next week I was walking with a cane. I think compartment syndrome, might be something it explain it, but I am just so lost. Ugh, sometimes you get so frustrated at no answers. Thanks again, feel free to email me on here or post back. :)

[bmart100]

I have extreme empathy for you and what you are having to go through. In April of last year I started to have a lot of the same symptoms you are feeling now.  And, like in your situation, the doctors could not find the diagnosis.  After more than eight months and having gone to see my primary doctor, and a chiropractor, no one could determine the cause of my near constant pain.  Being a nurse, I started to research on the internet the possible cause of my problem.  Long story short, I determined that I had Leaky Gut Syndrome. This is caused by the inflammation of the gut wall, through which bacteria and undigested food pass into the circulatory system. The body reacts to this problem by treating it as a foreign substance and starts to develop antibodies. In essence, it develops into an autoimmune problem for the body manifested by extreme muscular pain and in other symptoms. My doctor had not heard of LGS so I gave him printed material I had found on the subject. You can rule out LGS by having a lab done consisting of drinking Lactulose and Mannitol as directed on this site: http://www.truehealthlabs.com/leaky-gut-test/ .  You may have to inform your doctor if he has not heard of this test. On this site you will find "The Leaky Gut Syndrome Report":  http://www.leakygutcure.com/free-report/Leaky-Gut-Report.pdf. This report gives a more in-depth explanation of the problem.  Good luck to you, and if I can assist you further, write to me on this forum; publicly or private.  Ben

[Ms_Charlie]

Hi,
I am 21 now, but I was a very dedicated cheeleader in high school, was varsity captain until I was out on medical leave. During basketball season, my team would practice every day for 1-2 hours and then if there was a game,we would go to it after practice. So we were working out and exercising for more then 6 hours a couple days a week. One week I noticed that my calves were sore, so I thought that I had just over done it, so I stretched and went back to my routine of cheer. Later in the week it got continually worse, so i asked my couch if I could just not run, she looked at me and told me to run. So I did. The day after I couldn't walk. I was taken to my doctor that day and he did blood work, but said I had just dehydrated my muscles and to NOT even consider walking, this was from Friday to Sunday. On Monday my doc admitted me to the hospital, I had several test done, including an MRI, a lower lumbar puncture, a cat scan, a muscle scan and umpteen more. They never came out with a for sure diagnosis. I was in the hospital for 4 days and was put in a wheel chair for 4 months. The closest they got to diagnosing me was saying that I had highly severe shin splints and that I came with in a hair of ripping everything away from my bones from knees to ankles in both legs. Now with being in a wheel chair for 4 months that should have solved the problem. Not even close.I have residual pain in both calves ranging from mild to severe depending on what exercise I do. IF ANY. I also have found that i can not tell the difference between hot and cold unless it is extreme cold or extreme heat, and even then it feels mild. This is only on the backs and sides of my calves. So I am pretty sure I have nerve damage. I am so so so glad I found other people with problems like mine, I was beginning to think It was all in my head. LOL. yay for not being crazy!:) if anyone knows or has a clue what they think I might have or another avenue to look down PLEASE let me know.

P.S i have also been tested for MS it was negative.