Hi all,

Just posted this on the peripheral neuropathy forum, but thought it might apply here, too.

I was just wondering if anyone would be able to shed some insight on my situation of undiagnosed nerve pain in both legs?

I experience:
-burning in my hamstrings/ glute area which radiates down the back of my thighs
-a buzzing sensation in my feet
-sharp stabbing pains in my hips, hamstrings, and other leg muscles
-muscle spasms throughout the entire legs and feet which feel like elastics snapping
-muscle twitching (fasciculations) especially in my toes and feet
-a sensation extreme leg muscle tightness like saran-wrap around the muscles which is brought on with movement and makes me feel weak
-painfully hot burning feet and hands and alternatively, cold, blue feet and toes
-tingling in my muscles
-muscle cramping in my feet, calves, and thighs
-I also get a strange sensation of cool water trickling down my leg muscles (especially the hamstring) and near my pelvis into my buttock region

My symptoms worsen with activity, and I am hardly able to do any at all, at the moment. In the past, I have had good periods for a while where I very slowly build up my muscles and am able to do yoga and walk around, but then, all of a sudden, I'll do a bit more than usual, and BAM. Back to not being able to walk around again without extreme leg muscle tightness and pain for about four days. Then I have to very slowly add in walking, and often have repeated leg flare ups where I am unable to return to my previous state and can hardly move around. It seems that my situation is worsening, however, and it is harder to stay in a less-pain phase.

I have been experiencing these symptoms for many years. It began with extreme leg antzyness (the burning)-almost to the point of pain- in high school, which, at first could be relieved with exercise, but is now worsened with it.

Currently, I have had a MRI on my spine, nerve conduction testing, vascular testing, an MRI, a lumbar MRI, nerve conduction testing, compartment syndrome testing, all of which have not shown any issues. I am just waiting for the results of an MRI on my pelvis/ hamstrings which I just recently had. My doctors believe my sciatic nerves may be getting compressed somehow.

Sound familiar to anyone? Have any ideas? Please feel free to give me a shout!

Thanks!

Just wondering if you are feeling better - and if you were able to determine what was going on with you?

I am having same issues and have no idea what to do.

I am seeing a neurologist, a physical therapist, and orthopedist etc and pain management doctor - but none can attribute reasons for the tremors in my arms and the most upsetting to me is my legs...(I have abnormal brain, neck and spinal MRI's, abnormal EMGs etc but nothing that points to current leg issues and tremors and vision loss in one eye according to multiple doctors)

I am a daily athlete and when you are an athlete you know when something is amiss with your nerves and muscles - when you cannot recover from a workout and when you are down for three days and cannot bear weight from a short workout....

I have the crazy eletrical-buzzing - like throbbing pain or vibrations in legs - and severe pain if I am up on them for more than one hour anytime of the day - they are swollen and laying down for about one hour helps....

But trying to walk is ridiculous - I look like am drunk - like someone is holding onto my thighs to prevent me from walking....so weird.

Please let me know if you came to any conclusions and I will check back later.

So sorry it took me so long to get back to you!

I have been away from this site for a long time.

I am currently pursuing the possibility of myofascial pain syndrome (or MPS). It has to do with trigger points- hard bits of connective tissue- forming with overuse of the muscle, etc., and keeping the muscle in constant contraction.

Have you had any luck with your diagnosis?

Cheers

I am going in for a surgical consult on 2/7/2013 - there appears to many reasons I am having problems with my legs due to severe central canal stenosis in my cervical spine and my lumbar spine and lots or other stuff.

Thanks for checking back.

Hey, I find that using a foam roller for myofascial release is wonderful. It is like having a full body massage that you can do to yourself anytime you feel like it. I bought one on line from Amazon. I got the softest foam roller to start and I have graduated to the nubbed roller.

the foam rollers come in several densities - like medium and hard or something like that....start out with medium.

It is worth the money to get one. Mine costs about 45 dollars US. And I went on line to learn different moves I could do with the roller. My Physical therapist started me out on it. And I asked if I could buy one outside of PT.

I have never heard of myofascial pain syndrome. I will look it up and learn about it. Maybe that is part of my problem too.

I just had a caudal epidural injection two weeks ago - and I have had some relief from searing pain - it is more like complete numbness than relief of pain but hey I will take it at this point.

You might want to try epidural steriod injections (ESIs), they help with inflammation which you can't see on MRI's or CT or scans usually -

You may want to look into having your muscles tested - or biopsied. A surgeon told me to check it out - he said I should eliminate the possibility that I am dealing with a muscle issue - and the way this is going I strongly believe it could be a muscle issue, although it would be rare.

How did you come to your current diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome? ARe you still having the strange muscle/nerve issues? Can you still exercise?

Since I can no longer stand or walk more than a few steps I sit on an exercise ball and do P90X moves sitting - I also spend a lot of time laying on the floor doing core work. It keeps me sane.

Write back if you have time.

You're welcome! Sorry I keep forgetting to check back on this site. Glad you could reply, still!

How was your consult? Did you come up with anything?

Glad you're getting some relief from the roller! Thanks! I use two types of rollers, as well! A smooth roller and a rumble roller.

Have you figured anything out about myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and know if it relates to you? Feel free to ask questions anytime! There's also a good group on Facebook for MPS if you are interested! I can hook you up lol.

I have had a good chunk of tests done on my muscles, but the strange thing about MPS is there's no imaging test (like an MRI) that can be done to confirm it.

I was fortunate to come across someone on a different pain forum who had similar symptoms to mine who directed me toward MPS. I still have the muscle issues and nerve issues when I do a lot of movement, but day to day I am much better. Also, I am able to stop the issues with trigger point therapy now, which I wasn't able to do before! I am slowly building up my movement and can now walk in the mall a bit.

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time walking! I've totally been there!

Hope this helps!

Hi there!

I’m in the same boat here.. my leg pain is related to injection trauma I had a few months ago.. I developed a lump after a buttock injection, and possible nerve damage.
I’m unable to walk for a long time, or exercise..
very frustrating..waiting for EMG FROM neuro.

Were you able to find the cause of your problems?