[sony17]

Persistent calf cramps - sign of myeloma?

by sony17 on Mon Mar 14, 2016 11:38 am

I am 27, male. No obvious health problems besides some high blood pressure every now and then.

I started getting calf cramps and bad pulls when walking a lot. Now it happens a lot, almost every time I walk. There is a constant pulling sensation there. No stretching is helping. My shin hurts now from over stretching. The pain is on the medial side more so, all the way from back of the knee.

Can't be DVT, as the doctor said. I have squeezed, massaged, etc, doc said would have known by now if it's DVT.

I am really worried because walking is hurting so bad. When I put pressure on the leg, it can go numbish as well. At rest, I don't get cramps, but can still feel the lingering tightness a bit.

It's taken over my life. 2 doctors have dismissed me. One said drink more water, which I do. The other said he's isn't worried. How can you not be worried when walking hurts? I don't have any back pain that's worse than what I normally always had. Forgot to mention the anxiety has caused a few twitches here and there. No loss of strength.

Can this be myeloma?

[NStewart]

Re: Persistent calf cramps - sign of myeloma?

by NStewart on Mon Mar 14, 2016 12:43 pm

It's difficult to say whether the cramping is a sign of myeloma. Have you had any blood work done that would lead you to believe that you might be at risk of myeloma? Have you asked your doctor to do an ultrasound study of your leg just to be sure that there isn't a blood clot in your leg?

Often cramping is from an imbalance of electrolytes in your body such as potassium. Another cause of cramping is poor blood flow in the area where the cramping is occurring that happens with activity such as walking. It can also be a result of extreme exercise where the muscles are lacking calcium for good muscle function. There are many reasons for the cramping. I'm not a doctor so you need to consult one who can answer you better.

Nancy in Phila

[lys2012]

Re: Persistent calf cramps - sign of myeloma?

by lys2012 on Mon Mar 14, 2016 7:37 pm

You may have come across a link between calf cramps (or neuropathy) and myeloma when reading articles online. Yes, there is a link, but as far as I'm aware (and in my experience), this is usually a symptom related to the medications used to treat myeloma (Velcade and Revlimid are two common ones).

I also got really bad leg cramps when I was pregnant, but that doesn't apply in your case.

[Little Monkey]

Re: Persistent calf cramps - sign of myeloma?

by Little Monkey on Mon Mar 14, 2016 10:39 pm

Myeloma at your age is extremely rare. I'd take Nancy's advice on the ultrasound; she is a retired physical therapist.