Is this cramp?

All day I have been getting intermittent really nasty pain in a specific point on the outside of my calf.  Cramp is not something I have had for decades so I am not sure but it maybe feels like a cramp pain.  But its a very specific point high up on the outer part ( but not on the surface) not in the main muscle, it goers away and comes back again lasting only a minute or so each time.  Maybe a dozen times since 6 am this has happened.  Calf is not red or swollen.

thoughts?

I’m just feeling paranoid.  No you cannot have my bikes!  🙂

Does the pain prevent you from moving your ankle? In my experience calf cramp basically locks my ankle in a a fixed position that you have to flex and extend forcibly to make go away.

Robz No – but its not in the main muscle of the calf.  Its in one of the smaller ones to the side

You know the drill… drop-in centre and D-Dimer test if you’re at all unsure

Doesn’t sound like cramp to me – at least not how I’ve experienced it. I tend to get cramp when my leg is in a certain position or making a specific movement and it doesn’t repeat like that.

Cramps are resolved by making the muscle as long as possible. If it doesn’t go away with a stretch, then is isn’t cramp

Hmmmmm

The pain goes away with pressure on the point and / or moving around.  I think its in one of the muscles that moves the toes. Only lasts 30 seconds to a minute and has also gone away spontaneously.

its the reoccurring thats got me confused.  DVT would be continuous and you would expect swelling and redness./  Cramp you would expect to be once and gone maybe leaving residual soreness.

DVT would be continuous and you would expect swelling and redness.

Yes, I would expect DVT to be more of a constant, throbbing ache

If it’s the muscle that moves your toes, then you should be able to switch it on or off by moving your toes. Worth trying your ankle as well

Cramp is caused by fatigued muscles trying to contract, which is why it is switched off by elongating them

Cramp in action

Hmm,sounds strange and not like any cramp that I have had.

Could your jeans be too tight?

Or maybe glancing in a shop window to admire that new hair style caused you to twist your calf.

Failing that ,possibly an alien implant.

😉

🙂

I’d give a foam roller a go. They’re easy to use on calves and will pinpoint and release any knots.

Its still doing it today – but less painful and easier to get rid of with pressure and stretches.  I think I have found the stretch needed but its weird as anything.

Doesn’t sound totally crampy to me.

Came to say “DVT” as well. Few people at work had it and the only symptom has been a knotty pain in one calf muscle.

Well its back again this morning although not as painful.  I’ll give NHS 24 a shout.  Its really not showing the signs of a DVT tho

Well, it’s definitely not cramp.

Don’t neglect to keep well hydrated in the meantime, dehydration is the worse thing for DVT

GP urgent appointments have to be made before 9 am so I missed that

NHS 24 are not that bothered – referred me back to GP.  No PE, unlikely DVT

Awaiting call back from duty GP now

I still don’t think its anything of note.

I hate these marginal things.  Proper poorly – get dealt with quickly.  Malingering – away and shite.  But that bit in the middle?  Irritating 🙂

NHS 24 are not that bothered – referred me back to GP.  No PE, unlikely DVT

They are not clinicians, they just follow a criteria. If you had said it was a continuous pain, probably would have ended up in A&E.

Avoid 111 and direct to GP or A&E for the win.

Could you have actually torn a muscle? Is possible to do without realising it, but then you would expect different movements and pressure to change the pain level.

Funkydunc – in Scotland they are clinicians.  I spoke to a senior nurse practitioner.  IT is NOT for A&E.  If I had breathlessness or obvious swelling or redness or continuous pain then yes.

Muscle tear is a possibility I guess

GP called back to triage.  2.30 appointment just to check

You may have a pastry deficiency. One of your many politics-related bets needs to pay off! 😉

Varicose veins?

Vit D overdose?

I had a bit of a sore calf last year. I was having a couple of weeks off running so thought it was the muscles complaining about being un loved and un used.

It apparently was a DVT which then became a PE which then got infected which then resulted in blue lights and 5 days in ICU plus a bonus 5 in the Coronary unit as it had stressed the heart.

They told my wife I may not be coming out…

Get a D-Dimer test as soon as possible. Just to be certain as the food was horrible… Phone consultations are not really much use in these circumstances.

I’ve had two DVTs that didn’t show classic symptoms. The second one resulted in a PE as the blood test was a false negative. Don’t risk it, get a Cat or ultrasound scan. Hopefully it’s just cramp.

I must say I would have thought a dvt would be a constant pain and swelling which you don’t have. I’ve always got pains in my calf tbh, usually just a slight muscle strain.

But if concerns follow the advice above and go see a professional.  Best of luck.

Im now at tbe hospital for scans and blood tests.  The unit is heaving with folk.

Gp is 99% sure its muscular but just to be sure Im here

Ffs

2 hr wait minimum as we wait for blood results.   Ffs i am becoming a frequent flyer.   At least this time i do not have to show my arse to everyone but its tempting to do it just for the hell of it

At least this time i do not have to show my arse to everyone but its tempting to do it just for the hell of it

It’s remarkable how quickly you (one) get used to showing your bits to people in a medical setting!

Hang in there, TJ.

i do not have to show my arse to everyone but its tempting to do it just for the hell of it

There are benefits when features like image posting occasionally go AWOL on STW. I notice the “like” button is back though

Do you think I will be seen quicker if i drop my trousers and go for a run around the unit?

I didn’t know they could take blood to test for hypochondria ┗(｀O ´)┛

Apparently they can

That’s one of the reasons my situation turned so serious. I left A&E with a jaunty fkc em and nary a backwards glance. It didn’t prove to be the wisest move.

Yes it’s horrible in there but that’s your only route in. Even the ambulances wait multiple hours outside so that would be no betterer.

Do you think I will be seen quicker if i drop my trousers and go for a run around the unit?

Well, you’d certainly be noticed.

Boblo

I was not in A&E.  Its a service where GPs refer for urgent testing.SDEC – same day emergency care. Different to both A&E and Minor injuries.  GP has access to refer you there or to minor injuries.  Minor injuries is not a walk in service here – you need a referral from NHS 24.  We also have urgent care as an out of hours service adn AMU which is a GP or ambulance admitting service

4 hrs wait for a negative D-Dimer test so sent home – not even a scan.  “Its muscular spasm”

Sounds like a reassuring result – good on you ?

Bloody hell, that all sounds complicated…

Good news on the negative for claggy blood. Now stop whinging and get yersen home ya mallingerer!

At least you know (apart from that false negative up there^ Who knew there was such a thing?) and can consume Brufen in industrial quantities to get rid.