Muscle problems

The last few years i've been struggling with my leg muscles tightening whilst walking, so much that it happens every day. It's so frustrating because i try to walk reasonably fast, then i have to keep stopping every few minutes. I've tried resting for weeks, i've tried stretching and exercising more often, nothing seems to work. Periods of higher blood glucose make it worse, but it still happens to some degree when i walk anywhere outside. Unless i walk stupidly slow. Doesn't happen indoors, because i'm not walking quick enough. It's not caused by medication, i know that. I've put a bit of weight on and that definitely makes it worse, as do higher blood glucose and higher blood pressure.

Anybody have any suggestions? My GP doesn't have a clue what is causing it, just the usual "exercise more to strengthen the muscles" line. Pretty hard to do when they stop me walking at a decent pace!

Dark Horse said:

Did your GP rule out intermittent claudication? http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/publications/clpl/clpl-00.htm

By the the way, waking is not really considered a strengthening exercise. Any exercise where you would have trouble doing more than 12 repetitions would generally be regarded as strengthening - some ideas here http://dailyburn.com/life/db/lower-body-exercises-leg-workout/

Click to expand...

Didn't rule anything in or out, only had a quick look but it sounds like that could be it. I'll have a proper through tonight. I have used a roller thing, not sure the technical term, it seemed to help but it's pretty tricky trying to roll my leg on it. I also have a revitive machine, which also seemed to help, but like most things in life i eventually got bored of using it/life gets in the way etc.

I get pain in my feet that is probably arthritic, but the thing with my legs is definitely muscle related. I've tried multivitamins before (centrum advance) and they don't seem to do anything for me. Tried Berrocca and again i notice no change in any part of my health. I'm currently just taking NAC, which seems to be a bit of a miracle. My skin is loads better, i get loads less phlegm etc, have more energy, less kidney pain, even seems to make my eyesight a bit better. I'm very skeptical about all drugs, vitamins, supplements etc but after about a month of taking it this seems pretty remarkable stuff. Doesn't help my muscles though. I've read taking NAC longterm could cause problems, anybody had any experiences with this stuff?

I thing it's pretty much a certainty this is what is wrong, after reading through it all. Strange how my GP didn't know about this, because my symptoms fit perfectly with it. I walked for about 2 hours yesterday and it was a nightmare, had to stop about 50 times no exaggeration. I had a hot bath last night. Today i walked for about an hour and i only stopped about 10 times, definite improvement. I suppose i need to keep trying to walk through it. The revitive machine i have should help if i start using it again? Sounds like i need to get healthier generally if i'm going to improve it. I also have a constant slight burning sensation around my ankles, which made me wonder if i had circulation problems. Doctors only seem to be bothered about my blood pressure and how good the feeling is in my feet (which is fine), don't take anything to do with my legs seriously when i mention it.

Not on statins, so it isn't that with me.