leg pain and foot cramps

[agent231]

I am 80 years old. Lately I have been having pains and cramps in my calves and upper feet. I do water exercise 2 times a week, I did it today and I am in a lot of pain since then. The only new medicine I am taking is paxil.I do have a sciatica problem and have a spinal cord implant for pain.

[Cath278]

Hi ggreg and thank you for the link. I looked it up and yes, it does sound like Gout with the exception of the inflammation.
I am currently undergoing tests, to do with my kidneys, as they think there may be some damage from the Diomax I was taking for two years for IIH.
It does all seems to link up together,unfortunately.
Once again, thanks for taking the time out to answer, Cath278.

[ggreg]

Cath, here is a link about gout:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout/DS00090

[Cath278]

Hi. I also am haviing cramps in my feet. I am 49yrs,female, and have PCT.But am not currently taking any medications except pain killers. I have been to see my dr who diagnosed Gout and put me on Colchcine tabs,500 x twice daily,  which seemed to work for the first ten days but no longer.
I have not agreed with his diagnoses as my feet, toes, were not red nor inflamed. Just cramping under the toes.
I had a blood screen done in June and everything was normal.
What next?
Thank you, Cath278

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. From the symptoms you describe, it sounds that it could be a circulatory disturbance (due to compression of blood vessels) or a nerve pinched.  This may most likely occurs due to any clots in blood vessels, excessive alcohol use or diabetes. I would suggest evaluating all the possibilities with the help of a doctor first. Further referral to a neurologist will surely help you in getting a more precise opinion here. Hope this information proves help you.

[ggreg]

Could be something as simple as your potassium and iron are low.  Next time you see your doc, have him draw blood and check your vitamin and mineral levels.  When those numbers are low, it can cause cramps.  But also could be coming from your back issues, I developed Restless Legs Syndrome, where my calves tighten up and are very uncomfortable, the more active I am the worse they are, I take medicine for it.  And then there's leg spasms that are not RLS, but rather are as a direct result of irritated nerves in the lower spine, which you have that with sciatica.  So, a visit to the doc is in order, he might want to order a scan to see if you've got additional changes in your spine.  In the meantime, I don't know when you swim if you do a forward stroke, but you could try a back stroke or side stroke, see if it helps your legs.