Bizarre leg pains only when not moving, what could it be?

Question

I started getting really bizarre leg pains 4 days ago. It started one night when I laid down to go to sleep and was only annoying at first. I woke up at 3:30am with pains that kept me from going back to sleep. The next day, I noticed the pain whenever I was not moving, then that night, the pains were severe at bedtime and I struggled to get 2 hours of sleep. All day the next day, anytime I tried to sit down or lay down, the pain kicked in within a minute or 2 and again, I struggled to sleep, getting only 2 or 3 hours of sleep. Last night, I took 2 tylenol, 10mg oxycodone (left over from dental work), and an OTC sleeping pill. I slept 6 or 7 hours and woke up with less pain. Once I started my day, the pain came on strong, but it has faded throughout the day and now I only feel it slightly.

Any ideas what would cause this or what it is? The pain is really hard to describe. It would start coming on in waves and it affected both legs from the hips to my feet, front, back inside and outside. Certain areas would hurt for a while, but then it would start hurting somewhere else even if I didn't move at all. It would hurt when I first stood up, but once I started moving it would go away almost completely. The minute I stopped moving and sat, it would start flaring up again.
I work out 4-5 days per week, am not overweight at all, eat lots of fruit,veggies, and lean proteins, and drink a gallon of water per day on average.
If it happens again, I will go see a doctor, but when I started searching online to see what it was, I couldn't find anything even close. Its not restless legs because my legs aren't cramping, spasming, or twitching at all. I don't think its a nerve because I've had disc problems in my neck and the pain is not even remotely the same, plus it only hurts when I stop moving. There is no movements (even squatting deep) that cause the pain to be worse, only NOT moving. Its not sciatica or piriformis syndrome, I've had both of those in the past and effectively treated them and this pain is 100% different. No loss of strength or stamina other than being tired from not getting any sleep.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I would suggest going to the doctor to rule out anything serious. It could also be something as simple as a deficiency (potassium or magnesium come to mind). I actually just read that leg pain can be caused by not having enough sodium, which might be true for you since you said you drink a lot of water. The article suggested mixing a little sea salt in a glass of water once a day and see if that helps. You could also drink a Gatorade or something for electrolytes.



Hope you get things figured out soon. I'm actually having a similar problem, only it's just my right calf. If I sit too long or lie down it starts hurting again, so I just have to keep "walking it out" like you would a charlie horse. When I went to the doctor it turned out to be just really persistant muscle cramps, so I'm waiting it out. Hopefully both of us will be back to normal soon and we can get some sleep!

Answer 2

As Marcia said, BP meds can dehydrate you, making you lose electrolytes which can lead to cramps. When I get them, I drink a big glass of anything and eat a high potassium food like an orange, banana, or tomato. It's not an immediate cure, but within an hour or so, the cramps usually subside.

Answer 3

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