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What Causes Pain In Calf Muscles?

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Posted on Tue, 13 Jan 2015
Question: hello. I have been having muscle ache on calf muscles. this can be alternative. today could be this leg tmrw other. or after few days. sometimes at night I can't sleep. the pain is not much but enough to make u not sleep. I have taken pain killers but they don't help much. usually taking anti histamine meds makes it worse.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
They seem to be muscle cramps dont use antihistamin for this.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Welcome to Health Care Magic.
My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way.
I can understand your concern kindly answer my questions so that i can help you in a better way:

1- What type of pains are they? cramping piercing or like a sore muscle?
2- Do you have any other issues like high BP or diabetes?
3- How is your cholesterol?
4- does this pain aggravate or relieve by rest or stays same even if you rest?
5- Do you smoke?
6- what type of job you do? do you sweat alot?


My opinion
in my opinion according to history and description so far you dont have much serious issue seem to be simple muscle cramping but your answers will help me further to understand

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (20 hours later)
it's more like sore muscle. no I don't have BP or sugar. my cholesterol is also ok. pain is same if I rest it work. I don't smoke. I am a system administrator. not much sweating.

the pain makes me at times not being able to sleep. if I keep on massaging on right side for the right leg and left side for left leg. it feels like the paining nerve is getting little better. I have this pain for nearly few yrs. sometimes it feels like it's a nerve all the way from upper leg.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Soar muscles need few simple treatments.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back to me, in detail and answering all my queries.
They indeed helped me to understand the issue in a better way.

My opinion:
According to your history and description, and the answers you gave to my queries , in my opinion you are having muscle spasms, these are not very serious and can be treated, but will take a systematic approach to be followed , in order to coup up with this problem.

Things i have RULED OUT according to your answers:

1-Ischemic muscle pains( intermittent claudication ):
these occur with exercise or exertion and get relieved with rest , they are usually associated with high cholesterol and your answers were otherwise, so this doesn't seem to be the issue.

2-Nerve pains:
They are not usually like soar muscles they are usually pinching or piercing pains and they usually follow a course, according to your description it seems a remote possibility, but they can seldom present like a sour muscle. So my suggestions will also include points to get rid of nerve pains.

3-Nicotine pains:
They usually occur in smokers.

4-Diabetic muscle pains:
They usually occur in diabetics with uncontrolled sugar.


POSSIBILITIES:

1- Muscle spasms and cramps.
2- Nerve pains (less chances)

Suggested treatment options:

1- increase your physical activity, this will strengthen your muscles and nerves.
2- Drink good quantity of water and do replace your salts on daily basis with bananas or oral salt replacement drinks like Getorade etc.
3- You can use muscle relaxant drug along with a pain killer, this will relieve your pain and spasm in muscles.
4- Steam rooms have also been reported as helpful in relaxing soar muscles.
5- You can use warm compress at the soar muscle it will loosen it, and your symptoms will be relieved.
6- Topical anti inflammatory pain killers help too. like brufen cream .
7- Oral vitamin supplements are helpful, for example Centrum contains a complete blend of vitamins and minerals and have shown good results in my patients you can talk to your doctor about supplements.


What to expect:

No magic should be expected on immediate basis but if you modify your lifestyle as i suggested, In a month or so you will feel satisfactory change in your muscle strength and you will also get relief from your symptoms.

If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.

Wishing you good health !!



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (19 minutes later)
thank you for a very good analysis. I do exercise and cycle as well. I had tried walking and also cycling but none of these two helped. I had tried yoga for some time but that also didn't help. the pain keeps on coming back. at times there is no pain like does not exist. but at times the pain disturbs so much that my sleep is disturbed. thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Lets add other life style changes with exercise.

Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
Thanks for writing back to me,

It's good to know that you are already working out, with work out ,diet modification is very necessary, you got to have enough protein and carbohydrates so that your muscles don't deteriorate. Oral vitamin and mineral supplementation also helps in this regard. Vitamins also strengthen your nerves and connective tissue. Make a habit of spending some time in sunlight.

I can feel your concern about this pain and your sleep disturbance and hopefully suggestions i gave you , will help you out of this situation and you will get no more sleep issues.

You can also contact a physiotherapist for consultation , the maneuvers and exercises they tell you after listening to you history are focused on that particular problem and indeed more beneficial than random exercises a person does by himself.

Conclusion:
Follow the instructions i mentioned in previous answer i am here by pasting them again to make it simple for you with additional points after your input.

1- Keep the physical activity going, it will be great if you can find and consult a physiotherapist in this regard, this will strengthen your muscles and nerves, but don't over do exercise do only what your body is comfortable with.
2- Drink good quantity of water and do replace your salts on daily basis with bananas or oral salt replacement drinks like Getorade etc.
3- You can use muscle relaxant drug along with a pain killer, this will relieve your pain and spasm in muscles.
4- Steam rooms have also been reported as helpful in relaxing soar muscles.
5- You can use warm compress at the soar muscle it will loosen it, and your symptoms will be relieved.
6- Topical anti inflammatory pain killers help too. like brufen cream .
7- Oral vitamin supplements are helpful, for example Centrum contains a complete blend of vitamins and minerals and have shown good results in my patients you can talk to your doctor about supplements.
8-Walking and cycling is only focused to a small muscle group in legs and back a physiotherapist can tell you more targeted exercises.
9- Stay steady and persistent for at least 2-3 years you will see frequency of pain decreasing.


Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Causes Pain In Calf Muscles?

Brief Answer: They seem to be muscle cramps dont use antihistamin for this. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health Care Magic. My name is Dr Muhammad Ahmad & i will look into your problem. I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. I can understand your concern kindly answer my questions so that i can help you in a better way: 1- What type of pains are they? cramping piercing or like a sore muscle? 2- Do you have any other issues like high BP or diabetes? 3- How is your cholesterol? 4- does this pain aggravate or relieve by rest or stays same even if you rest? 5- Do you smoke? 6- what type of job you do? do you sweat alot? My opinion in my opinion according to history and description so far you dont have much serious issue seem to be simple muscle cramping but your answers will help me further to understand