Foot Disorders Forum - Horrible Shin Cramps And Foot Weakness

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Q: Horrible Shin Cramps And Foot Weakness

asked by: rootvetwife on June 10th, 2007

New User

I am almost 48 years old. I live in the UP of Michigan where we have extremely cold winters that keep me inside my home most of the year. We moved up here just 4 years ago and it was 2 years ago that I started having this problem. I can only imagine it may have something to do with the lack of excersize.
Anyway, I am having major problems with being able to so much as walk up our street without suffering from the most excrutiating cramps on the front of my shins and ankles later that day. The cramps are so bad that I had actually developed a panic disorder from it. Now, I was recently diagnosed (after and grand mal seisure) with a Cavernous Angioma of the right temporal lobe, but I don't think it has anything to do with these God awful cramps. The thing is that it seems that if my legs are out of shape from sitting around inside too much, I'm in a bad postion because now I'm afraid to walk anywhere. I'm also afraid to stoop down to pick something up.
I walked uptown day before yesterday to help my husband with a fundraising event he has going on, and I am still in agony from the walk. I have noticed that I haven't been able to lift my toes up when I walk and I feel incredibly unstable or out of balance. I have tried over the counter leg cramp medicie with quinine. I have tried xanax, partially because it calms me down when I feel a cramp starting, and I have tried Motrin for pain, drinking tons of water, and I use my foot bath to massage and warm them, but nothing seems to make them better. I'm a mess and feel that I can't even support my husbands cause when I am not able to walk.
Can someone PLEASE help me. This whole thing is scaring me a bit and I already have the brain thing to worry about. This is just too much.

Replies(7)

Tylanas

replied on June 10th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Have you told a doctor about this leg pain?

I can't tell you what might be causing it, but I do think that some physical therapy might help. Gentle exersizes that you could do indoors to strengthen your legs without walking might help.

rootvetwife

replied on June 10th, 2007

New User

I just came back from the hospital and the doctor said that everything looks fine and that I more than likely have shin splints form walking more one day than I normally do. So he upped my dilantin because he said it was a bit low and gave a a prescription for darvocet(which only relieves some of the pain and not any of the "pre-cramping" feeling).
He told me to try to build up my leg muscles by walking short distances like a mile and then more and I told him if I walked even a half a mile I'd be right back in the hospital. =/
I just want my freedom back. Having horrible leg pains like this makes you feel so confined.

Tylanas

replied on June 10th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Half a mile may be too long at this point. Try quarter mile walks, around the block or wherever. Physical therapy is a slow process. Any distance you know you can comfortably walk, do so.

paulajc

replied on June 15th, 2007

New User

Shin Cramps

I get the most horrible shin cramps, typically only at night, which results in my jumping out of bed to relieve. However, like your typical cramp, walking doesn't help. The cramp makes my food bend up and I'm unable to walk to pull it down. I end up in the shower running hot water on it until it was loose enough to finally bend back down. The pain was horrible and I just cried during the whole event.

I was never a runner and don't exercise much anymore (for about the last 2 years). This just began about a month ago and has been steadily getting worst. My doctor suggested reflexology, but wondered if anyone knew of something "I" could do to "cure" this painful experience.
Thanks,
Paula

Tylanas

replied on June 15th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

Well, you could wear an ankle brace at night to prevent the foot from curling up if it does cramp. This should relieve some of the pain.

dukeof

replied on August 1st, 2009

New User

SHin (and leg) Cramps

I have been getting alot of cramps in my calves, shin muscles, feet and toes for years now - but I know for a fact that they worsened greatly when I injured a disc in my lower back (L5/S1). Immediately after that, random leg cramps got far worse, esp. at night - including all above plus occasional thigh cramps. Sometimes they hit like clockwork around 5am every morning!
I found that some stretching before bed of all leg muscles, gentle squats right down so you are sitting on your heels and back up, stretch toes back, stretch calves anything you can think of - do it. AND drink plenty of water before bed to make sure you are fully hydrated - even more important if you have drunk any alcohol. AND good fitting shoes are a must for walking. I still notice the cramps get worse if I tweak my back in the slightest so an old back injury is something to consider in my opinion. (Note: I'm not a medical professional). Good luck to all fellow crampers!!

beepinthewoods

replied on September 12th, 2009

New User

Horrible shin cramps at night/how to get relief.

I too have horrible shin cramps. I have had some wonderful relief from drinking Tonic water with quinine. Yes, it really helps but you have to be consistent in drinking a full 8 ounces (evening) every day. It will take 4 or 5 days to start helping. I also do 10 straight leg exercises (one leg at a time)every morning before I get out of bed and walk 1 mile a day. Hope this helps someone!

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