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.

[soccerstar12]

I am a former soccer player, but when I got into my 30s I started feeling cramiping in my calves which by 40s became very painful after any excercise, particularly running or prolonged walking.

Massages would be an ordeal where pain was all over.

Like many here, the doctor ignored the issue and said it is due to strain. I also used antibiotic Cirpo (yeast), like some, which has some connection with this condition.

One thing I used to alleviate the pain was to wrap the calves with large plastic bags - area between ancle and kneee - then sleep with it so the heat relieved the pain overnight.

Anti-inflamatories like Ibu do not help.

Last year, doctor put me on statins for cholesterol and these pains have largly subsided, although I do get soar after run or walk but it is not as bad.

Statins also impact yeast levels, I hear, so I am planning to include lots of probiotics like yougurt or some probiotic suplements...

Will definitively update my condition on this board because like many here I have been mesmerized with the condition (and like some use Cipro).

[Fitnesstar]

One year ago June 17th, I woke up with severe groin pain... I didn't know what to do. I waited a couple of weeks and nothing changed. In tears, I went to the doctor and he ran an ANA panel. I was told I tested positive for Lupus; later I was tested with 5 other tests for lupus they all came back negative. Still, the pain was so severe. Four months later I went back to the same doc telling him the pain was still the same. He wanted to medicate me. Bye Bye Doc!
I then saw an orthopedic surgeon. He said it was tendonosis; MRI showed this; although I don't know how. Months later the pain was going into my legs on both sides. This has been going on now for 1 year! Last Friday I was told I tested positive for Lyme Disease yet the other testing for lyme came back negative! I'm so exhausted... So now I have, pain in the groin both sides, pain in lower back, pain and burning in my calves; both sides, my stomach feels like it is burning along with upper and lower back burning. BM burns.... This is crazy!!! My legs and feet feel like they don't belong to my body... I get the chills down both legs... Anyone? Anyone have this? I'm thinking MS? Please help!!!! I've had MRI's, Sonograms, Xrays.... I feel like I'm dying.... Thanks, Fitnesstar        

[sarge1944]

THIS  IS NOT A JOKE PUT A CAKE OF SOAP
IN YOUR BED AND LEAVE IT THERE IT WORKS
FOR LEGS CRAMPS. GIVE IT A TRY A CAKE OF
SOAP $ i.00 A DOCTOR VIST ?????
DON KOOS

[Mickey1963]

I have had the exact same thing for the last 6 months. I have had xrays, emg and a doppler test and nothing shows up. I thinks doctors think its all in my head,  I feel like my life is being stripped from me because the pain gets so bad.  If you should find something that gives you relief, please contact me.  I have  $5000 worth of doctor bills and no relief or answers. I have bought ever over the counter pain relief and nothing works.

[Parrotmaniac]

I have been reading your posts with intense interest and wanted to chime in.  I too have had muscle cramps and charlie horses, sore legs, muscle weakness and all of what most of you have mentioned.  It is also quite true that doctors do not recommend much of what we have all found and recommend to each other.  I have used the magnesium/calcium/zinc combo with good results, I also found that comperession socks work well, as do orthodics, and new shoes with good heels.  As does hydration, drinking quinine (tonic) water.  The problems change over time. One cure will work until your one of the factors that contribute to your problems change. If you gain weight it will affect your calf muscles. If a pair of shoes hurt and you walk incorrectly it will cause hip pain and muscle pain in your calves.  Get rid of the shoes.  Get a new pair.  Do what ever you need to alieviate your pain because doctors do not have all the answers and frankly will not recommend things like support socks and quinine water.  

[kris63]

Try eating plenty of water melon. i had sever cramps in both calf muscles when i was 26. We went for picnic near a water stream and running  bare feet in the shallow stream and at times on the hot rocks. I suffered constant calf muscle pain for two yrs. I went to all kinds of doctors and quacks but no help. then i had water melon once and the pain reduced. the pain was back after couple of days. Again I had WM and the pain reduced and so i discovered that it helped. then for two months i had lots of water melon till the season lasted and the relief was dramatic. Next season I again gouged my self with water melon and the pain left me forever. Now i am 48 and the pain is back since six month but i am in different country where there are no water melons.