The Doctors Lounge - Neurology Answers

"The information provided on www.doctorslounge.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician."

Back to Neurology Answers List

Forum Name: Neurology Topics

Question: Man with constant muscle cramps x 4 years

justme29697 - Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:31 pm

Hi, I am a 50 year old white male. I have been experiencing muscle cramps in different parts of my body for no reason. These cramps are happening in my sides, back, lower abdomen, legs, arms, toes, fingers, and neck. They can last from a couple of minutes to 45 minutes off and on. They come on at any time. Even while I am sleeping. This has been going on for well over 4 years now and seem to be getting worse and lasting longer. Sometimes these cramps are so severe and hurts so bad I cry in pain. I try to stretch to get them to stop, my wife massages the area for 10 to 20 minutes which does help some. But after the cramp stops there is a twitching in that area like the cramp is just waiting for me to move wrong so it can start over again. I first noticed getting these cramps while working at a drum remanufacturing plant where we would clean used drums and load them on trucks. It was summer and I over worked myself to the point where I quit sweating. Then I got cramps all over my body at one time that made me curl up into a ball and was extremely painful. After drinking small sips of water with salt they subsided over an hour timespan. I quit working there but since then I have these cramps. If I work to much they come on. If I am just sitting in my recliner they come on. Even while fast asleep I get them and they hurt so bad. I have been to two doctors. Each doctor took every test they could think of and all my results come back normal. The first doctor said it was all in my head and I was imaging them. The second doctor after taking all of his tests says he has no idea why I get them and that is as far as I have got. They took blood gases and blood tests for everything. I could not even begin to explain the tests they took but each says there is no more tests they could do. The only test I know of they have not done was a spinal tap to see whats happening there. I look up cramping in men on the internet and get nothing. Its like I am the only person experiencing these awful cramps. My body is constantly sore as if it is bruised from the inside. And I always hurt from them. Have you ever heard any other man having these cramps and if so can you direct me somewhere that I could get some help. Please, I can not take much more of this. I am not on any medications. No family history of this illness. Thank you.

Dr. Leigh Anderson - Sun Jan 21, 2007 9:08 pm

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, hereafter known as "CFIDS", is a complex disease involving multi-system disturbances and abnormalities. Here are some basic facts about CFIDS and its symptoms: It is a debilitating condition marked with extreme exhaustion and fatigue. CFIDS patients have a severe chronic fatigue experience some of these symptoms, sore throat, tender Lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep. Speak to your Doctor to see if "CFIDS" could be the culprit behind your pain. Dr. Anderson

justme29697 - Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:27 am

Dr. Anderson, Thank you for your reply. May I ask a question? How does my cramping relate to this desease when after looking up CFID it only refers to muscle pain and twitching. These cramps I have are long lasting and extremely painful. I have restless sleep sometimes due to waking up with cramps but that was really all I could relate to this desease. Please explain. I really want to know more why you think this might be related to this condition. Thank you so very much.

Dr. Leigh Anderson - Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:48 am

Without being able to to examine you and solely reling on your symptons there could be more than 1 illness that is effecting you ,"CFID" could be responsible for the initial discomfort you are experiencing with your muscle cramps. It is possible to have more than 1 ailment at a time and one aliment has nothing to do with the other. Speak to your physcian about the possibility of having "CFID" as your primary pain. Anexity attacks can cause increased physcial discomfort, there is a wide rang of anexity medications available to help you cope with the pain, consult your doctor about what if any medication will be good for you. I hope this helps. Dr. Anderson

Check a doctor's response to similar questions

send to a friend