Help!! I need some advise

[mistylee]

The last 6 months or so the right calf muscle has been tight especially noticable after sleeping or sitting. I have just had another mild relapse over the last 5 weeks and that same calf muscle has been getting the odd spasm/cramp.  It feels like cramp but it is mild.

Anyway my question is the last 3 days I have had really achy leg from back of the knee down to the ankle especially at night.  At times it has also felt colder than the left to touch.  I'm not sure if this could be an MS symptom or weather it maybe something sinister like a clot??

The coldness has only been there briefly and I have had no swelling or redness. The aching does seem better when I am walking around. Also a pressure stocking does relieve the aching.

I have been rather lazy and inactive the last 5 weeks due to fatigue so could this just be lack of circulation, or aching veins???
Can anyone relate to this as an MS symptom??? I am reluctant to just file it away as another annoying symptom incase it could be something totally unrelated.

Help anyone??
Mistylee

[mistylee]

OK seen the Dr.

She does think my circulation is not great.....cold feet, getting warmer as you go up the legs but all the pulses were checked and all good. So no clots etc.

I am going to get some pressure stockings cos pressure does seem to help.

I have heard that aching legs can be part of MS. Does anyone relate to this at all???

Thanks
Mistylee

[mistylee]

Thanks Mary.
Actually I had to cancel my appointment  and today the aching has gone so I was  thinking I might just wait and see if it returns.  I have been doing as you say, moving my ankles while sitting and getting up and walking frequently and even went for a walk today thinking I need to excercise more.

Actually I think I'll make another appt anyway just to be sure. (very indecisive lol)
I'll let you know how it goes.

Mistylee

[twopack]

I'm glad you are going to have it checked by the doctor Mistylee.  It's too easy to blame everything that happens to us on MS.  I know it's a real bother to constantly make those trips to have things checked out.  I guess it's just part of learning about our own body/illness.

The exam to check for a clot is pretty simple and well worth it since there would be things you might due for cramps that you wouldn't want to do if there is a clot present.  I know there are specific symptoms for clots and vein inflammation but I have known people who have one or the other and the only things they had was an achey feeling.

When you are sitting around fatigued try to frequently move you ankles and legs to keep that blood flowing.  Frequent repetitions are more important than logging large numbers of reps at any one time.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
Mary

[mistylee]

I've read the article and am really confused now.

It could be a mild varicose vein issue but I don't have any noticable nobbly veins that stick out. Also there is no change in colour just the occasional cool feeling in the calf although I do suffer from cold feet constantly.

The pain is in the outside ankle, back of the knee and also back of the thigh and buttock now. The ach is driving me mad. I am going to the DR tomorrow to get it checked out . Some people here talk about achy legs as part of the MS.

Maybe its nothing at all ,just part of these MS problems?? I am just recovering from a flare so it could very well be this.  Going to get it checked out anyway just in case so I'll let you know what she says.


Mistylee

[mistylee]

Ok thanks heaps JJ. I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to read through.

Cheers
Misty

[supermum_ms]

Hi again Mistylee,

This is one i was reading last night, i've got others if you want them, just let me know.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1085412-overview

Just follow each section, but this will put you at the start.

Cheers....JJ

[supermum_ms]

Welcome to my world, though i do have change in colour, it just happens when it wants too. I've always been told its poor circulation, though i'm thinking not doing anything for the poor circulation is probably why all the veins in my body are now popping up like rope.

Poor circulation is vein, blockage or insuficient venous flow could be whats making your calf ache. There are two types of veins, one causes spider veins these are little, the other causes varicous veins and these are the big veins, often the causes of lower leg ache, swelling and colour change. You get relief from walking around, which suggests that being verticle restores the venous flow to the limb, aching and tight calf due to the blood flowing again. I just happened to be reading a very good article last night, i'll go find it for you.

I seem to have the problem of being verticle making it worse, if i'm not horizontal the bigger all the veins in my body bulge, which gives me that ache from the neck down. This I cant find anywhere, all information is focusing on legs, but i will find it. I only developed this issue after my 2009 episode and the temperature started to heat up, prior to that happening i wouldnt of even known i had veins lol well you know what i mean, i couldnt see them like i can now.

cheers......jj