Vice grip on both legs with both feet feeling stiff on bottoms.

Not sure if this thread is still going but it is amazing that I stumbled on these posts and went “what? Someone else has those vice-like sensations in their legs??. My vice like sensation is mainly in my right lower leg but at times can be in both, And then it may move toward a “cooling” sensation (kind of like a menthol cooling). In my research I have found that valve prolems in the legs can cause some of these symptoms. I have feet issues as well with neuropathy, tightness and various painful syptoms. All nerve and muscle tests came back normal but indicate pinched nerves but the neurologist unsure if the pinched nerves were causing all of my symptoms.

I am contemplating getting an ultrasound to assess valve function. I am getting some discoloration on one leg on the shin area as well (dark red spots). The vice like sensation in lower leg is worse first thing in morning but can vary throughout day. It improves after I exercise.

Than you so much for your input maremouse! I thought I had developed diabetes, since I have been experiencing leatherlike feet pads and aching and stiff calves, but I don't have diabetes either. Statins (3 different ones) were responsible for most of it, but after I stopped all forms of statins, feet pads and calves got better, except it caused an Achilles heel injury 🙁 which they are apt to do. Doctors don't tell their patients about that!!! I do believe I have an incredible allergy to ALL forms of statins, including over the counter, which I have tried. Ater stopping all statins, the feet pad, ankle and calf discomforts mysteriously reappeared a few weeks later. Unfortunately, it is statins that have caused all of my symptoms, including the aching joint syndrome everyone here talks about. I am trying now to control my cholesterol with diet, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, all manner of nuts, green tea, etc. I am so glad you found treatment for your spinal decompression. That leathery feeling on the feet bottoms is really annoying!!! I too take Magnesium, which is such a nice supplement for so many things, including sleep, which I love. I would just like to find a doctor who can address the feet, ankle and calve scenario. It is SO weird and I don't see any responses that discuss a diagnosis or cure (if available) ! What the heck?!!!! Somebody, somewhere MUST know what this is about. I am trying compression socks. They seems to be helping some with ankle swelling from the statin caused Achilles heel injury. Are they a Cure? I don't think so, but relief in any case. I do not have heart problems; nor diabetes (as I mentioned above). Thanks again for your reply and very best of luck resolving your neuropathy. 🙂 d.

hi, njejhwk - I loved the term "vice-like sensation" you used to describe the sensation in your calf!!! I assume you are not taking a statin? If you are, your symptoms are related. The dark red spots are a mystery though. I am trying compression socks for the swelling in my ankle due to the statin induced Achilles tendon injury. It is helping. The compression socks seem to he helping that nasty stiff crinkle feeling of the feet pads. Go figure! This feet pad and calf discomfort thing is a real mystery. Statins also mess with nerves in calves. Hopefully this
situation passes, but who knows?!!!! 🙁 Guess we will just have to keep chasing doctors to see which one can help. (sigh). d.

I am a Brest cancer patient who had to stop my aromatase inhibitor. Letrozole, because my leg muscles began to give out.
Off for 3 months and then decide what is next.

Have burning pain in feet and legs during the night and develop Achilles tendonitis since going for Osteoporosis PT.

PT used an EMS on the legs once. All the above started more after that one procedure.
Do not know if she had it turned up too high and permanently damaged serves in legs.

Have appointment with phlebotomist + ultrasound next week and appointment with sports med Dr and X-ray day after.

Just want to give a bit more information the chiropractor/doctor that I am seeing here has told me that it can be cured or very close to it, but it is not an overnight cure, he told me it could take up to two years, and I have only been in the program for three months but I have noticed a difference, but beware before it eases up, the symptoms or pain gets worse first as the nerves are starting to wake up again, so you wind up feeling a lot of discomfort and unease . I sometimes get firey feelings in my legs--which he is is absolutely normal, means the blood flow is getting back into the parts it should be going through--it is like getting a hot flush. I take something called NOx Synergy which is a source of substrates for Nitric Oxide, which is what gets your blood flowing to the muscles. The best thing is to keep moving without overdoing it. Standing a lot is a bit of a problem, if pain does get too much I do take a pain med called Diclofemex (spelling might not be quite accurate) with an addition to it to protect the stomach as it is hard on the stomach and best taken with food. Told to take it twice a day as needed, but I find one can last for a couple of days and a lot of times I do not take it for a couple of weeks or more. I always check out any pills they try to give me, if too many side effects I refuse them there are always alternatives--I will not take statins, they do more harm than good as far as I am concerned

You name it I have tried it, compression socks foot machines, none of that really worked--the electrical stimulation does help, just make sure you get the right kind, it is a very slow process sad to say.

Well, it is helpful to know Maremouse that electrical stimulation may be helpful for our feet and calf symptoms. My best guess is that the Letrozole you take and the statins I was taking, both cause problems with feet, calves and Achilles tendons :(. I just hope we both recover from the nerve damage, because that's what it sounds like to me has happened. 🙁 d.

I don't have a medical issue that caused my feet pad stiffness, Achilles heal tendon injury, aching-stiff calves, and joint aches and pain/reduced energy - statins did all that. After stopping all statins, symptoms got better, but reappeared several weeks later. WHAT???? Now I am flummoxed. I do not have a heart problem, but I am trying compression socks. They make the swelling on my ankle due to the Achilles tendon swelling look and feel better on a temporary basis , and actually help soften the the feet pads too. I have no pain, just discomfort as described above. That is so curious! I wish there were a doctor observing these comments who could contribute suggestions for which kind of MD can address these issues. Really appreciate your post ajh5285.

Hi, maremouse - Yeah, I'm trying to be patient while my Achilles tendon heals, but I am still shocked that it happened becaue of statins!!! 🙁 Thanks for another great post!! 🙂 d.