Mine came on over a 10 day period, pretty sudden compared to most. I wouldn't say I had "cramping" in my calves - for me, I woke up with a little foot & leg weakness/heaviness that continued to worsen. My then PCP suggested watching it and scheduled a Neurologist visit (for 2 months later!) By the 8th day I was struggling to walk & found evidence of a UTI; I landed in the hospital for treatment, where I finally fell and started my life in a wheelchair for 6 months, and the Neuropathy also took over my hands/arms. The 2 weeks in the hospital & 5 weeks in a rehab Nursing home gave my husband time to try to make our condo villa handicap accessible. (We made a mistake in thinking our 2 carpeted rooms were manageable for a wheelchair patient with little arm strength though, but was blessed to have a friend with a friend who got us in hardwood floors in 2 days). This sudden illness came with sudden major expenses!
It would seem my case sounded like Guillain-Barre, but the test was negative then, so I've been labelled an Idiopathetic puzzle. I'm thankful how I regained enough strength to ditch the wheelchair, walk/waddle and perform basic life necessities, including driving. I can't thank physical therapy enough, which I still do to maintain my strength and keep getting ideas on how to accomplish things most effectively. This Mayo Connect forum has been a Godsend to learn from people living with Neuropathy and knowing better than doctors how to manage & live with symptoms as well as how to try to cope with acceptance. I know I'll never get back to where I was and have accepted that I'll never be able to work again, but I still wish there was medical interest and research funds to help take the Idio out of many of our "diagnoses"! In the meantime, I'm living life to my fullest capability and trying hard to keep up with a husband 18 years senior!