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Calf problems when walking

Posted , 12 users are following.

pat38625
pat38625

Hi, was diagnosed in November past with PMR but was undiagnosed for approx 6 months.  All my pain and stiffness was from neck down to knees.  I have never had problems below my knees.  When I go for a short drive to do some grocery shopping it's really not a problem (my son comes with me so that he can pack and put away my groceries).

Two weeks in a row I have walked to my slimming club which is 5 mins away but after a short while my calf muscles start to ache, the left more than the right.  I have to hold on to my son for support.  Before PMR and on a good day I could walk 4 miles.  Never in my life have I had a problem with calf muscles.  If it's not bad enough having PMR, now I cannot go out for a short walk without real discomfort.  Thank you in advance for any replies.  Also I have lost 1lb in weight in 7 weeks even on a very low carb diet.  So am not going back to slimming club, am just fed up with everything at present, but it will pass, when I don't know, but sure I'm not going anywhere.

2 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • EileenH
    EileenH pat38625

    Posted

    Does the calf pain go away when you stop and then return when you walk again? If so, that is something called claudication pain and is an indication that the arteries supplying your legs with oxygenated blood are narrowed. This is something that can happen with GCA and other forms of vasculitis but can also happen independently.

    Your GP should refer you to a vascular surgeon for assessment to identify where the problem is and for recommendations as to the best way of managing it. Your doctor can check the pulses and blood pressure at your ankles - but that is going to be at rest, the problem occurs during exercise so you need to be sent to a vascular diagnostic laboratory to get it tested properly.

    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      Yes Eileen it does, as soon as I stop walking it goes away, after a short rest period. As soon as I start walking again it starts. So I need to make appt with dr and get her to refer me to a vascular surgeon.  Oh but I thought ME was bad but managed it quite well, most times I forgot I had it (well after 14 years) but this PMR has really stopped me in my tracks.  Thanks Eileen, I don't know what I and others would do without you and a few others on this site.  
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall pat38625

    Posted

    Hello pat, as I understand it prednisolone can cause muscle wastage and that's one of the reasons  we are encouraged to exercise as much as we each can. Also exercise helps with lessening the effects of preds of bone wastage on our bones. Some days when I exercise later on that day or even the next day I get pains in my muscles. I simply ignore it and continue with walking or exercising a day or two later. I am no Dr and have no medical training but I don think it's anything to worry over. All the best, christina 
    • pat38625
      pat38625 tina-uk_cwall

      Posted

      Hi Christina, thanks for your input.  Simple walking, not excercising causes the pain in my calves, I have to push past it in order to get home.  I want to strenghen my bones as I am aware of the damage of steroids.  I just want to be able to walk, even a short distance but the pain in my calves stops me in my tracks.
    • tina-uk_cwall
      tina-uk_cwall pat38625

      Posted

      Hi pat, I hope you get a drs appointment soon and things work out well. Regards, Christina 
    • pat38625
      pat38625 tina-uk_cwall

      Posted

      Thank you Christina, will make an appt soon.  I have yet to see a Rheumy.  It's just this PMR sometimes gets me down.  But thanks again.
    • EileenH
      EileenH pat38625

      Posted

      One of the first approaches suggested is often to walk through the pain: you walk until it hurts, rest and then walk a bit further before resting. It has the same effect as training for an athlete:

      "Walking programs, when carefully followed, can double or quadruple the distances you can walk without pain.

      Your vascular specialist will tailor your walking program to you, but walking programs generally follow similar guidelines. Your walking program will work best if you:

      - Walk three or more times per week

      - Increase the amount of time that you can walk without reproducing the pain in your legs by gradually walking for longer and longer periods without stopping

      - Avoid tobacco completely

      - Maintain your ideal body weight

      You will need to maintain the walking program for at least three to six months to maximize benefits from it.

      Although your physician will tailor your walking program to your specific needs, typically sessions contain the following elements:

      - At first, you should walk until you feel mild leg pain, often about three to five minutes after starting

      - Continue walking until the pain becomes moderate to severe (on a scale of one to five, the pain is three or more)

      - Then stop and rest until the pain goes away, usually after a few minutes

      - After the pain goes away, begin walking again

      - Repeat this cycle of exercise and rest for a total of 30 to 35 minutes

      - As your program continues, gradually increase the time you walk to a total of 50 minutes to one hour

      - As you progress in your walking program, you will usually be able to walk for longer periods of time without pain"

      It isn't an instant cure but it does work if you are consistent with your exercise. If the narrowing gets worse or you start to get what is called resting pain they may consider other things. 

      Getting yourself some walking poles will help your balance and help you manage further - and are easier to use and less "old granny" than walking sticks. If you can find a class to teach you how to use them, Nordic walking poles are best as they have hand pieces which help your action. AgeConcern and other age charities used to do them and some local authorities can provide advice.

    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen, even 30 to 35 minutes of walking seems like a mountain to climb at present.  I will try soon.  I don't want to do anything just yet as I have just reduced from 17.5mg pred to 15mg just yesterday, so don't want to  jepredise that.  
    • EileenH
      EileenH pat38625

      Posted

      Exactly - so you start small and build very slowly, always having your rest and then walking again. You don't walk for 30 minutes in one go but a total of that with rests in between. Five mins to a park bench, rest, five minutes to another park bench, rest, another 5 mins to a cafe - have a cup of coffee and then do the same walking back! That adds up to 30 mins altogether. If you get a rollator you have some support when walking - and always have a seat with you! You also walk better than with a walking stick.
    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen that is something I need to plan ahead for.  I live near a park so maybe when the weather is better or I am stronger or both I will start the progressive walking with interval stops.  Much obliged.
    • lynn74653
      lynn74653 pat38625

      Posted

      Pat, I have the exact same problem with my calves.

      When I start walking my calves get majorly painfully tight.

      It also stops me in my tracks literally.

      Sometimes I do have to stop & try to sit on the side walk or a bench somewhere. These are really short walks I am talking about. Not intense or fast paced at all, just basic short walks.

      I was trying to walk home today, short walk, felt like I could barily make it,

      I had to force myself literally.

      When I walk around a really small pond, I keep having to stop, sit on the bench & try to massage the knots & the pain out.

      I have tried heating pad before I go for short walks. I have used pain gels on my legs before walking, the ones that chiropractors use. Nothing helps.

      Except massaging the knots out so I still just barily make it. Got to force myself too. It''s awful I want to lose weight been over a year diagnosed with diabetes, I want to be active & try to lose weight, really hard when can barily walk. You have my understanding

    • pat38625
      pat38625 lynn74653

      Posted

      Hi Lynn, I am so sorry that you are having the same problems that I had.  Yes I could not walk very far and I had to go out with my son so that he could help get me back home.  I use to be able to walk 4.5 miles and not a bother.  Not being able to walk incensed me.

      At present I am waiting on Physio for my left calf.  Both calves hurt so much, it was like someone was pulling the muscle apart.  Eventually my right calf became alright but I am still having problems with my left calf and I am waiting on physiotherapy for it.  It seems my left side is weaker than my right side, left arm, left calf and I am right side dominant.  

      I can understand your concerns.  I now have steroid induced Diabetes Type 2 but I am not on medication  for it.  It is so frustrating when you want to walk but cannot.  I'll keep you up to date Lynn and in the meantime don't be too hard on yourself.  I was diagnosed November 2014  with PMR and started on 20mg pred and I am now down to 2.5mg.  I'm also finding it very difficult to lose weight, even though I don't eat much carbs, no rice, potatoe or pasta.  I don't have an appetite but I have been like that for more than 10 years or more.

      Oh the joys of PMR, having said that Lynn it could be much worse, so it's a matter of making the best of it.  All the very best Lynn and take it easy.  Regards Pat

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH lynn74653

      Posted

      Has your doctor considered you may have claudication and investigated for that? Claudication pain is due to the blood flow to the muscles not being enough to allow for exercise, it starts when walking but then fades when you stop, only to start again when you walk again. 
  • jennissw
    jennissw pat38625

    Posted

    I do get severe calf pain sometimes..its more of a cramp. I use magnesium spray which helps but the best help I have had is from arnica and even better pernaton gel.

    Since the bowen treatments its not happened though

    • pat38625
      pat38625 jennissw

      Posted

      Hi Jennissw, I cannot say my calf pain is severe but terribly uncomfortable, I have to stop walking in order to get ease.  What is a magnesium spray?  I have arnica gel but don't need to use it because the pain/ache stops as soon as I stop walking or when I get home and am resting.  
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