Anybody get painful muscle stiffness in feet & calves?

@lweave2
Hello there. Welcome to Mayo Connect! Sorry to hear that you have such an unpleasant condition. If you could perhaps elaborate on your condition a bit, such as when/how this started and what caused it (if you have any idea), whether the doctor had any sort of diagnosis for you, and how long and how often an attack lasts and how severe they are usually? Did you take anything else prior to the baclofen? A few more details would be super helpful. Hoping you find something to bring relief that works better w.o. the sleepiness. Hope others here can help to give you some good feedback on this issue as well. Best to you, Hank

Hello @lweave2. I want to extend a warm welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. When I read your post, it immediately made me think to ask you if this is more a cramping feeling or heaviness feeling just so I better understand your pain. Can you elaborate? Also, how long has this been going on?

Ironically, i find that exercise is the best treatment for what u describe. Motion is lotion.
Baclofen does act as a tranquilizer. Nothing u take by mouth can target specific muscles.

Hank & Amanda, In 2014 was Dx: Bilateral Mortons Neuroma in both feet, did all conservative treatments (alchol injections, B12 injections, custom foot orthodics), In 2018 had surgery on left foot for Mortons Neuroma- (Surgical removal of the nerve), a year later, started having pins & needle pain in both fett, harder to walk, went to Neurologist to do conduction test, results: normal, Dx: small fiber peripheral neuropathy, started on Lyrica, 6 months later started to notice muscle weakness, numbness, tingling in both legs, sometimes feel heaviness in legs, weakness in both arms, when walking in motion don't feel grounded, feel like I'm in space, skin changes with itchiness, feel stiffness in feet & calves that is painful, went back to see neurologist said common symptom of PN, muscle cramping, muscle spasms, muscle contractions, sometimes Lyrica can help the stiffness, ordered Physical Therapy & scheduled another nerve study in November, also going to Emory Pain Clinic, Rx: Baclofen 5 mg ( muscle relaxer), took 1/2 pill and got very sleepy, most of my foot & calve pain comes from muscle tightness, do you know of any other remedies for muscle tightness?- Thank you 😊

@lweave2
Just read this post but need to leave soon. First thought for muscle tightness is to look into myofascial release. It might be helpful for you. Here is a link to a discussion about it on Connect:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/?utm_campaign=search
If you are getting physical therapy your therapist should be able to suggest some exercises that could help you as well. I am sorry to hear that you have developed what does sound very much like peripheral neuropathy (PN). Do you have any side effects with the Lyrica?

I will try to follow any ensuing posts from you and others about you. Best, Hank

😊Thank you Jeff for your reply

@lweave2 I have foot neuropathy as well, and I have just about everything you describe. Horrible. Hank has already said much to you, so I will just add that there are some decent videos on you tube for foot exercises for people who have neuropathy that I use. Also, get a golf ball, and run it over the muscles that are very tight, several times a day, or use a side of a can to run your feet across. These simulate myofascial release of the foot. My best to you. This illness is treacherous. Lori Renee

Has anyone in this group ever used Magnesium Cream or tablets to help ease muscle stiffness in your feet & lower legs?-Thank you👱‍♀️

@lweave2 You'll notice I added your, "Magnesium Cream or tablets to help ease muscle stiffness in your feet & lower legs?" question to the previous, "Anybody get painful muscle stiffness in feet & calves?" question you posted. I did this so that there is a central location for members to connect with you.

I have the same probblem from and my doctor recomended GABAPENTIN for me at 1 capsule per mouth at night. You might ask your doctor about that rx. It's helped and stopped a lot of my cramping.