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Chronic Muscle Problems In Right Calf

Do you or anyone you know experience this? Do you have any information or advice that could help lead me to a diagnosis and relief? Here is my backstory & pertinent information:

Since mid 2010, I have been experiencing the following symptoms in my right lower leg:

*Excruciating leg cramps in my right calf, which are primarily nocturnal, but do occur sporadically during the day. On average, I have anywhere from 5-15 per night.

*Muscle twitching(fasculations), also primarily at rest & mostly confined to my lower right leg. On average, I have 75-100 twitches per MINUTE, most of which are not painful. Again, this mostly occurs after I have been resting for 10-15 min. You can visibly see most twitches as they occur.

* Constant soreness & the feeling that the calf muscle is tight. I stretch it often throughout the day to relieve the soreness temporarily & in hopes of avoiding the cramping. While it does work at times, it has not alleviated the cramping at night, nor has it reduced the number of cramps per night. The soreness & tightness is worst in the morning with the first several steps.

*The cramping & twitching has slowly, but progressively, gotten worse. Recently, I have begun having  new, mostly mild, twinges of pain in my right back lower leg. These are not confined to my calf muscle & do not seem to have any rhyme or reason.

I have seen my internist, a rheumotologist, an orthopedic & a neurologist. I have been checked for the following serious conditions:

*Lupus
*M.S.
*Myositis
*DVT
*Compartment Syndrome
*Lyme Disease
*Fibromyalgia
*ALS

I do not have any of these conditions & didn't think it was a correct fit even before being tested for them. I have also ruled out the obvious causes of nocturnal cramping/charley horses, such as vitamin deficiency. The list of bloodwork & testing I have had done is very extensive. The MRI of my calf did show fairly significant muscle wasting, but we have been unable to pinpoint the root cause. I have a muscle biopsy scheduled for next month. The doctors have tried several medications/supplements & even home remedies, but so far none have worked.

Lastly, I have done extensive research online in hopes of finding a possible cause and/or solution to my symptoms to no avail. I have been unable to find anything which matches, or even closely matches my symptoms. I have gone through the MedHelp forums & haven't been able to find anyone with these exact symptoms only. As you can imagine, these painful cramps & the constant twitching has caused me to have very poor sleep, which is taking a toll on my body in other ways.

Please help! I am wondering if anyone has suffered from these symptoms or could offer any new advice or information which would help lead to a correct diagnosis.

3 Responses
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2100204 tn?1334809453
I am no doctor, but just had a thought to share. Herpetic neuralgia can cause pain in the legs. I do believe it usually affects one side of the body as opposed to both. Over time your body adapts to having the virus and pain will subside. It seems as though you have been suffering with this pain for quite some time (almost 2 years?). I wonder if you just have a chronic charlie horse?? Make sure you get plenty of which I'm sure you already know. I have also heard of "Restless Leg Syndrome" but I don't know much more about it. If your muscles get overworked they will twitch. I have had problems similar to what you are talking about, but I believe mine was caused from exercise or excessive walking. It went away after a period of time, so I never checked into it. I do hope you get relief soon. Let me know if you find anything more.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you seen a Neuro Muscular Doctor? While it appears that you have had extensive testing done , Have you had any autonomic testing done for small or large muscle neuropathies? Did they (Dr's. say anything about  peripheral neuropathy with your muscle wasting diagnosis? Sounds like you have some kind of Myoclonic Jerks/ Twitching in a muscle group in your leg? I hope you feel better soon.
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
Ask your doctor to do a heavy metal toxology test to see what if any toxins are in your system .
Helpful - 0
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