Leg,Muscle and foot pain

[jacks1447]

Hi
I have been diagnosed type 2 for nearly 2 years now and back in February I started having problems.

The meds I am on are Metformin 2 x 500mg, Ramipril 1 x 1.25mg, Atorvastatin 1 x 20mg and Naproxen 2 x 500mg.

Basically I work on board a high speed train and with all the tilting etc plus being on my feet up til 15 hours a day thats home to work and back again it finally took its toll on me.

I woke up end of July with severe leg cramps and sore feet, I have varicose veins in both legs and when I walk a little both feet are sore at the heel and by the toes.
I have also now started to get pain in both hips and feel so much pain even after walking for 5 mins.

Gp changed my dosage of the statin but it just made me worse.

My doctor has referred me twice to see a specialist but 4 months on I am still waiting to see one, his excuse is they didn't think it is serious enough, even though he is still signing me off from work.

3 weeks ago my company sent me for a medical and the lady agreed that I was in pain and needed the veins removed and told my company that at the moment I was unable to return even on light duties.

Today after visiting the gp who has now signed me off until February I managed to get him to refer me back to the hospital as an urgent case, but he says It could take another 6 weeks.
He said signing me off for another 3 months was to save me coming back to him for a certificate.

I want to go to work, I want to be healthier and I so need a hug right now, 41 years old and I feel as though my life is deteriorating on a scale I can not discribe, my sugar levels are between 6.2-8.5 and all other bloods are very good.

If I have not heard from the hospital in 6 weeks time then I might just get to the A and E or a walkin clinic.

Sorry for the long winded post and sorry if I posted this in the wrong place, but any advice would so be appreciated right now.

Many thanks.

 

[angieG]

Sorry to hear you are suffering.
Just as a matter of interest have you stopped taking the statins for a week or two? Since you say that the change of dose made you feel worse. I would be very tempted just to have a statin break for a couple of weeks and see if anything improves. I know quite a few people who after statin treatment ended up hardly been able to walk and after stopping saw vast improvement even after a few weeks. Some folks are lucky and able to take them no problem but some have suffered greatly with muscle damage and even years later still have serious muscle damage that has never reversed even after stopping the medication.
This is just my opinion and obviously I can only explain what I have witnessed, these are not medical recommendations.
Hope you get sorted soon.
Angie

 

[Yorksman]

I had, and occasionally still do have, sore ankle joints, night cramps in my feet and calves and sometimes in my thigh. However, it is nothing like as frequent as it used to be and is invariably if I forget my routine. I too thought it was statins and had a break. Whilst that seemed to initially work, it didn't last. What greatly helps is proper hydration and good circulation.

Drinking decent amounts of water is important, especially as it is easy for a type 2 diabetic to become a little dehydrated wihtout realising it. Secondly leg and calf stretching exercises every evening. Nothing crazy, just a few minutes and thirdly exercises which move the legs and get the blood pumping, walking briskly, using a machine like a rower or cycling.

Also of use is a little bit of leg and foot pampering. Thick warm socks, cosy slippers, even bed socks. Have a look at http://www.cosyfeet.com You'll see that these things are more common than you might think. It's not necessarily diabetes related but diabetes won't help either, so you might just have to pamper yourself a bit more.

Comfy shoes too are a bit help and maybe even insoles. I get some from the NHS every six months or so, they wear out, and they do help. Anything to make you more comfortable.

One note of caution, overdoing it is just as bad as not doing it. Don't rush into any exercise routine, build up slowly but surely. Leg stretching and a little warming up will suffice to begin with.

 

[IanD]

Sorry to hear that. I agree with Angie - statins are a major cause of muscle problems & cramps. I had muscle pains, I read about those side effects & stopped taking simvastatin. A week later I was greatly improved & do not take them - with Dr's approval. At your age, you almost certainly don't need statins - they are prescribed routinely to diabetics. That was years ago.

Also crippling muscle pains developed later, although my BGs were acceptable (around 7) & I joined this forum & learned the benefits of low carb diet - it took 3 months to be out of pain, fit & well. I'm 74.

I've just prepared a talk for the local diabetes support group - I can email it if you PM your email address.

Ian

 

[jacks1447]

Thank you all for the advice :clap:
I did stop the statins for nearly 3 weeks but the pain, cramps etc were still with me, so after talking to
the gp he reduced it to 20mg instead of 40, my cholesterol according to my bloods and the gp were excellent.

The fact that I have large varicose veins in both legs probably contribute to the problems but not being able to work
or even venture out far is a nightmare, I think I will stop the stains for a further 3 weeks to see if I have any improvement.

 

[Jgos]

I have had the same pains and lack of sleep - without being incorrect - look at the posts on Benecol on this site.

Jgos

 

[Jgos]

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