Muscle Twitching and Spasms in Legs and Feet

[Maxkwak]

Can lumbar spine problems (or spine problems in general) cause chronic twiching and/or spasming of muscles in the calves and feet?

My background: Posterior interbody lumbar fusion (L4-S1) 7 months ago, anterior cervical fusion (C5-C7) about 4 years ago, and undifferentiated spondylitis. Leg muscles twitch constantly, regardless of activities, worsen when I first lie down, but then settle down to mild twitching all night long after being in bed awhile. If I do any physical activities (walking on treadmill, stretching, eliptical machine, etc.) the twitching goes into severe spasms in my calves and sometimes in my feet during the night. Sometimes the calves will spasm when I climb stairs during the day, but I immediately walk out the spasm. On bad nights, however, I have to get up every 10 minutes all night long to walk out the spasms. If I don't exercise, the spasms are infrequent, but the twitching is constant. With exercise, the spasms are chronic on a nightly basis. At night my lower back frequently tightens or spasms, and in my sleep I'll arch my back and tightly lock my legs in a stretch to counter the lower back spasm, and it will wake up in the process; this may, at times, contribute to the leg spasms, but it doesn't happen everytime. I'm still having moderate groin and hip pain since the lumber surgery, but benefits have far outweigh the discomfort, and the pain is slowly but surely diminishing. The twitching and spasms preceded the lumbar surgeries and have not abated since the surgeries.

I don't have MS and don't seem to fit the pattern for RLS. I've taken RLS meds, potassium, magnesium, quinine, heomeopatic remedies, etc. but nothing help. Flexeril 3x daily will help when spasms get bad, but the side effects are pretty intense, so I stopped exercising for the sake of trying to sleep at night.

I would appreciate any insight you may be able to provide regarding back problems and leg and foot muscle issues. Thank you.

[laurili]

I have these identical symptoms. Constant pain in my lower back. Central canal stenosis L4 L5 formidable stenosis on the left and right. I have constant twitching in my calves and up my spine I do have some neck issues but nothing that surgery would address. I'm exhausted from the twitching and pain it does get worse when I walk. All they laying down is the worst any answers to your issues yet

[CindyW3604]

I've been reading yours and the others postings and unfortunately I can relate to you all so well =(  I had a triple fusion in 2010, (L4-S1), and over the past few months have developed muscle spasms on the bottoms of my feet and the back of my thighs.  Happens when I walk, sit, lay down etc., no special time.  When they spasm the bottoms of my feet and toes then go numb or have that pins and needle feeling which lasts for hours.  Over the past couple weeks I've started getting severe muscle spasms down the back of my thighs that radiate onto the sides of my lower legs then into both feet.  Last nights was a winner.....damn thing lasted over 35 minutes.  I couldn't find a position to stand, sit etc., to relieve it and my family was ready to call 911 as I was trying to walk it away while screaming and holding onto furniture so I wouldn't fall.  I've never had pain from a spasm that severe and all I was trying to do was get into bed when it happened.  Today I have moderate pain down the back of my thigh and it does feel like another spasm is getting ready to strike again at a moments notice.

My last MRI, (Oct 2011), showed "moderate to severe fibrosis" in my L5 nerve root, "moderate fibrosis" in my S1 nerve root and I'm sure this contributing to these spasms.  I take 250mg Soma on a regular basis but recently it's like taking a water pill.  I'm calling my doc tomorrow to see if moving up to 350 mg can help.  Last night was night #4 with only 2-3 hrs of sleep and I'm exhausted.  I'm used to a certain amount of pain 24/7 and do take heavy pain meds to control it but these spasms have to go.  I'm willing to try anything now, there has got to be some sort of P/T or the like I can do to help relieve this...

[diana1117]

sounds like severe nerve damage, I know as I have the same thing due to spinal surgery, the doctor put one of the screws into my spine, then I had to have a  second surgery to take it out and put it back right, but he did a lot of damage to my spine,  I ended up with Arachnoiditis AND cauda equina syndrome, if only I could relive that day, I would have never had the surgery to begin with, I am now 1000 x's worse than before, and it has been 6 years.  

[Sun717]

My fiance was in a car accident back in march...if it wasnt for a light post he probably longer would not be alive..lucky he had minor bruses abd a couple scrapes on him..but after awhile his legs started twitching..to the point where it looked as if he was just shaking his leg himself..and at first thats what I thought he was doing until I felt it myself..could he have some nerve damange and not know it?

[hurtin123]

Here's my story I am 46yrs old female,I had a baby 4yrs ago at 42yrs old. I had a scheduled c-section. The anesthesiologist gave me the epidural-everything went fine,they take baby roll me to recovery and then it happens.I am numb from the waist down,couldn't feel any legs or feet. Then all of a sudden my right foot started going side to side it totally freak me out cause I wasn't doing it. It even startled the nurse she said she never saw that happen before(comforting hu?) my husband was trying to calm me down so they paged the anesthesilogist-here comes someone else cause mine was busy at the moment and this jerk was so uncaring and said: "oh,it's doing that cause you're thinking about it"....HELL NO, I was not thinking about this damn foot or leg. He was really making my nerves worst,at this point - my legs are covered w/the blanket cause it was making me crazy and you can see the sheet going back and forth... Well, thank godness the orginal anethesilogist came in and put the other guy out....then my left foot started the same motion- they end up giving me a muscle relaxant and it help stop going side to side- until it wore off and in the middle of the night started up again.  I had NO feeling in either leg for over  24hrs after I had the baby. Eventually, I got feeling(slowly) But I noticed after that week -I started and still have tingling in my arm at night...I haven't been to a doctor I just live with the pain and shake it off but I KNOW it wasn't til I had that epidural this all began. This week the tingling in my arms in aggrevating which is why I started looking up this topic. What kind of doctor do I go to for this problem?

[skeetelmore65]

Hello hurtin123.  
Sounds like when they did the Epidural, they hit your spinal cord. I had one done and it went down my leg too, but didn't get the numbness.
Now, I had a nerve block and they hit my spine. It is called a "wet tap" and to this day, my hands and feet are numb. :/
It never has gone completely away, but nerves do grow back ...at 1mm a year. It will take a while, but believe eventually you will get the feeling back. :)
Prayers for you... ^_^

[Aissele]

Hi, I was just reading your posts, especially the original one. I had guillain barre syndrome about six years ago, and my legs started twitching about 2 years later. I did some extensive research about this- mainly to make sure it wasn't something else really serious. I stumbled upon something called Benign Fasciculation Syndrome- which is what sounds like most of you have- it is related to nerve damage. There is also a variant of it that causes chronic cramping. So they treat it with blood pressure medication, and they aren't sure why it works, but it does for me. I usually have to be careful with it because I can easily end up with too low blood pressure, so I only take it when the twitching gets bad. I thought I'd put it out there for you all.

[NOLAKatie]

*UPDATE*

I will be having a Decompression Lumbar Laminectomy on the 25th.  I am scared, but this is my only hope at having some relief.  I will let y'all know how it goes.  I am scared.

[Callmeteejay]

Hello! I've read and took screenshots of all of your posts for my mom, she has nearly identical symptoms. She is getting spinal shots and is on neurotin as well. Did you find relief? I see it's been years but had to reach out to ask. For you and for my mom! Thanks so much.
T

[djb67]

I am sorry/glad to see others have the same problem with feet twitching/cramping at night.  It keeps me up for hours (like to night).  Pain meds help, muscle relaxers sometimes but not always help.  Clonazepam aka Klonopin oral disintigrating tabs work the best.  With 10 minutes they stop.
I broke my neck, C6specifically , and had to have c4 to c5 to c6 fusion with discetomy between c4/c5 and c5/c6 replaced with donar bone since mine was pretty much gone.  C6 was nice enough to have pinched/poked my spinal cord enough to cause these foot twitching and cramps, plus tingling in my fingers and toes for, from what doctors gather the rest of my life.

I would love to find a home remedy to stop this.  

Bananas before bedtime do help, but to many backup the plumbing.

Cheating and a shot of vodka helps, or make me just not care about them, but when they start I am willing to try anything to make it stop.  I can't sleep once it starts.

[NOLAKatie]

*UPDATE*

The Amitryptaline stopped working in the Spring and it made me gain a ton of weight.  My doctor switched me to 60 mg of Neurontin, which controls the localized lower back pain, but does not really help with the sciatica.  I had my second round of bilateral epidurals 2 weeks ago.  I have yet to see improvement.  The first round lasted for 2 months.  That was it.  I am beyond frustrated.  I am ready to tell my orthopedic spine specialist that I am going to a neurosurgeon.  I want to fix the problem, and not mask it with drugs and epidurals.  The procedure in which you get an epidural was extremely painful and very very uncomfortable.  I love how people on other sites make it out to not be a big deal.  I cannot stand the thought of going through this procedure every few months for the rest of my life.  I feel like I was robbed of my 20s (I'm 26).  I will be damned if I am robbed of my 30s too.  Do y'all recommend going to a neurosurgeon?  I have tried everything.  I did the whole "conservative treatment" for a while now.  I cannot stand this pain.  Most of my life is spent lying in bed because it hurts to stand/sit/walk.  It still hurts lying down, but the pain is lessened when I do lie down.  My next dr. appt. is in December.  I will keep y'all updated.

[winnie840]

I had L/3 L4 L5/s1 fusion a year and a half ago and I'm pain-free in the back now but have the leg twitching and body jolting problem.  The last time I asked about it I was told it wasn't going to go away (it started before the surgery).  When I touch my left leg on the outside (by the hip), I feel ripples up my spine (which is downright creepy but bearable), and I'm starting to think I might have a touch of caudal equine syndrome (where you don't feel sensations "down there") - for me it's hard to determine when I need to have a BM....I feel a funny sort of tingling in my groin in general and it's taken me a long time to figure out that's a sign to go to the bathroom.  It's hard to know because my BM's were so messed up being on all the previous pain meds. I also think I'm not sexually aroused as well as before (but this might be due to being on an SSRI)....but anyways....it's a year and a half out, I was turned down for disability too but am doing pretty well now.  I'm not on any pain meds. I lost all the weight I gained when I was couch-bound and reading your story about not being able to lay clothes out on the bed brought back some memories (not good ones).....I also had a 1 year old when the severe pain started and it really hampered my ability to care for him.  

[doll123]

Hi there,
I to have been suffering with similair complaints ,.I have a badly missaligned spine ..
Have had shooting pains regular ..I,m now having power assisted micro -manipulation..Its somethin new and is very good ..I have had 3 treatments up to know and I can walk properly again the pains are going .. please google it and try it ..Love to you all ..Brenda..

[froggeegirl77]

***UPDATE***

Well, Its Rather funny...Back on Nov. 2008, There was a post, Rather long post made by Queenfroggee1, looking for some advice. Well, I found this message board looking for some advice on my problem and I hope someone helps me out. Well, as I read that other post it occurs to me...That was me way back then. How funny is that. Well, so here is my update. Well, I found a new primary Dr. down here in Lake Geneva closer to where im living now, actually only since Nov. of 09. Its been a year as of Feb that I have been unable to work due to my back.
      
   Well, I found a nurse that saw my MRI results from Sept. 08, yes no new scans or xrays....My regular dr. who i have recently fired for lack for care and other things associated with lack of time spent on his each of his patient. He kept telling me he couldnt get me into see the surgeon any earlier because of my insurance(being that it is state insurance) yet this nurse called the same surgeon and got me an appt. 2 wks after i went in for pain and saw her. Nearly a full 2 months before his set appt for me.
      So I went in and seen the surgeon in Nov of 09, He came into the room after looking at the only MRI film i had ever gotten done, he looked at the results from my nerve test, and the report from the 2nd spine doctor and the first thing and pretty the only thing he said was, Since what I have read and looked at, the only conclusion i can come up with is that since you were born with these conditions, and have tried several things...its gonna be surgery. I said wow. Finally, Im thinking someone is actually doing something for me.

So on January 19th, 2010. I had L4-5 fusion with a PLIF procedure. Except and this is the scary part. The surgeon told my fiancee that he was taken back for a minute when he opened up my back, my spine was so compressed, he said it looked like someone took a vice grip to it. He couldnt believe how i managed to function and get around like i was all this time. He ended up adding 4 spacers and I had not just 1 pinched nerve I had ****6**** severly pinched nerves...

So now, Ive applyed and been denied ssi/ssdi bennifits, but i have since then reapplied and am waiting to hear back. my recovery is a year. But the reason i came on here is I too get those ghost pains...No fun...
***But, I need help....Ive been getting these severe and painful massive jolts/spasms. They start like on one side of my body and then they work there way up and around and down the other side. Its like they when you think your gonna fall out of bed and you try to catch yourself. But this is hard and it hurts something fierce. and then sometimes is my hole body like someone shook my whole body all at once. Im hoping someone understands cause its really hard to explain. Also, my legs, lower back(by the insicion) and butt check almost feels like a numb not my own body feeling. like i know im touching it but all i feel is pressure sometimes not nessicarily the actual touch. and then sometimes its just pain and pins and needles. And ofcourse i still have the severe rls.
***Now my question is...I know i still under 30 days post-op and I know that Im gonna have new feelings for awhile or lack of feeling for awhile. And I know that i had an extreme amount of damage due to the shape of my spine and how long it was damage for, but are these normal for the time frame...Whatcha think?? Please anyone

Tis Me Froggee....(Kelly)

[NOLAKatie]

*UPDATE*

I wanted to tell you all that I am currently on 20 mg of Amitriptyline.  I am no longer having convulsions and my lower back pain is greatly relieved.  I do still have the numbness and shooting pains in my legs, but overall, I have had a lot of success.  I have been on this amazing drug for about 3 months and I love it.  It took a couple of weeks to work, but it was worth the wait.  Apparently the drug blocks the pain pathway.  The only noticeable side effect that I have experienced is some hair loss.  I am not balding by any means.  I am just "shedding" a little more than usual.  My hair does not look thinner, so I can live with this.  I highly recommend this drug to anyone with chronic pain.

I hope all of y'all are doing well.  Y'all are in my prayers.  Take care.

[twitchrus]

I just read all the posts and must say that my symptoms are nothing compared to what you are all going thru.  I really feel sorry for you and hope you find some relief.  However I thought in the interest of all readers I would share my stuff too in case it's useful to someone.

I have had very mild muscle twitching in my right calf for I think 10 or 15 years, barely there, but if you watched it for a while, it would look like I had some small rodents hiding in there moving around.  No biggie. I've been fairly active, mostly hardcore mountain biking.  Then last year after the last day of snowboarding, I woke up in the middle of the night with my left calf (which is the back leg on my board) fully cramped up which i walked out, rubbed, stretched etc and it was painful for a couple of days and started twitching.  Then it happened again.  I started stretching my calf regularly and the cramps stopped but I get them every now and then at night and sometimes it wants to cramp as I run upstairs.  But the twitching has been constant ever since and lately the twitches are strong enough that they make my foot move.  My calves feel crampy all the time and a bit tender when I rub them and feel like they can cramp without notice.  But I was able to mtn bike all last summer to the smae level althought there were a couple of days when my calves would cramp, usually in the middle of a jump where I would spring off both legs (and they would both cramp in mid air!)  Along with all this I have had back pain for a few years which I assumed got worse from laying hardwood, tiling , moving large boulders by hand, all the stupid stuff I do at home. So went to the doc as my wife says I'm starting to walk around like an old man (I'm 50 by the way), stooped over because standing up straight would cause a sharp pain in my lower back.  So bent over activities like biking seem to be ok. Had an MRI and they concluded I had moderate to severe spinal stenosis and that I had a syrinx from about the mid back to the lumbar, but very thin.  They supposed that the stenosis may be the problem but also said that it could be that I'm just twitchy for no reason.  This is because I sometimes have twitches elswhere like my shoulder, bicep, eyelid, just random it seems.  A couple of years ago my left bicep had a regular twitch which was constant day and night for about 3 months.  But the left calf seems certainly due to snowboarding, or perhaps some underlying predisposition to twitching was inititaed by it, who knows.  But my sister also has had twitching, but not at all to my extent.  She also is not as physical as I am.  Also should note that when I am doing work (renos) on my knees for a long time, I am more likely to get the cramps that night.  Thats not my job, tho seems like it sometimes.  I'm a desk jockey during the day staring at a computer.

So theres my story, no surgeries or accidents like most of you, but still got twitching and cramps and still have back pain, still doing my ab workout which does seem to help, but now the twitches seem stronger than ever.  Electrolyes are fine, eat well, drink lots.  But after reading Skeetals note have decided not to do back surgery, try the core strengthening first.  Like really try for a year or more.  Things seemed better for the first 3 months of the ab workout, doing twice a day religeously, then life got in the way and now I think its a bit worse.  Doing bent over hard work is definetly not helping and the renos are almost over.  I'll let you know in time if my renewed ab thing works out.  btw, had a friend who did do surgery and it did not make that big of a difference to him and he did not stick to any core strengthening routine, thinking the sugery would fix it.  Not!

Good luck to all of you.

[opus88]

HI again skeetel, I would also suggest that you go on the ASK A DOCTOR forum and see what they think may have happened.
Have you seen any doctors since that are willing to tell you the truth?

[skeetelmore65]

No one wants to touch it and of course, I understand why because they don't want to get involved. I have seen several docs, but there will be one..one day that will give me answers about what happened to me. I thank you so much for you caring wishes and thoughtfulness.. :)
I've been doing some Yoga and do get up and move around. I'm blessed to be able to do that. :D  

I'm wear a back brace right now that seems to be helping, but taking strong medication as well---Fentanyl Patch for continuous pain and Norco for breakthrough pain. I want off of these meds because it has been 12 yrs of it. :/ I live in Arkansas, where Medical Marijuana has been legalized and thinking of going for it. I don't know much about it or if it will take my pain away. I've heard great things about it and with me having the nerve damage, it should help. :) I hope so!

[opus88]

Hi Nola...I wish we could help one another out alot more, our info is pretty darn limited..
I wanted to mention abt the neurontin..most of those side effects will wear down in a few weeks so be patient...
As far as the narcotics..I am on a fairly low dose of oxycontin, and it does help with the back pain,,,as far as inhibiting mentally, there is some fuzziness/forgetfulness/lightheadedness....but quite minor really, and no I don't think mentally I'm any different, just maybe you'd call it slower reactions???
It would be worth a try if you're pain is limiting you're life!!
Just make sure and see a Pain Management Physician (PMP) who can prescribe and monitor the use of these meds for you correctly.

SKEETEL
My God girl...You need to see a good lawyer/doctor combo(apparently there are some)..what that doctor has done to you is inexcusable ....how can they talk and play music when they are dealing with our bodies and in an area that could effect our whole lives???....I am so sorry for your problems and how unnecessary too.
All I can say is its my opinion that this doctor...has seriously injured a nerve in your spine...read up on ESI's and what complictions are possible.

I suggest both of you join the PAIN MANAGEMENT forum....there are many posters there in similar pain and they have sure helped me with many questions...

God bless you both

[skeetelmore65]

Thank you Opus88. It has been a long battle for years to rebuild those nerves that were affected, but I didn't have any recourse against that doc. Even though he did deserve it. >:o
My attorney said that I only had two months left to do something and didn't have enough time. I was so ill at that time, dealing with all of the rest of the stuff I had going on..at bottom of comment. :/

They say a nerve regenerates 1mm a year and that isn't much. I was hit in 2006 and for years couldn't feel in my hands or feet. Now in 2015, I finally felt the sheet in my bed. They felt so good...cold and crisp. I LOVED IT!!

I'm getting better because of using essential oils. I only use Young Living because I trust them and they've changed my life. They've been around over 20 yrs and fantastic!! :)

I've been dx'd with Lyme disease since, Adrenal insufficiency, Hyperthyroidism and every layer of my back is affected, but I'm up and living my life now. We only have one life and have to make the best of what we've got. I do feel blessed because I can get up and walk and I'm happy because I want to be. I try to keep a positive attitude and keep going. God Bless you and all who are suffering!! ^_^

[skeetelmore65]

Hello, I just read all the posts and have some things in commen..the excruciating burning back pain. I was told that I had DDD and arthitis in my L4-L5..It can be so miserable. You can't do anything..but lean against something to get some ease. Temporarily..unfortunately. I had ACD & F Spinal Fusion '06 and 3 ESI's in which were a mistake..bc the first two helped and I was so happy I hugged the doc and told him that I loved him, but the third one tore all of that down..I was lying there w/my face in little hole and they had music blairing in the background and the doc was talking to someone that apparently was helping him that he was taking a trip to LA and he hit something that made my whole body jump. I raised my head and asked what..what what was that? He told me to put my head back down and he studdered and answered with FRICTION. He told me to immmediately sit up and got in my face and asked if I had heavy breathing or was my ears ringing. I just told him that my hands and my feet were numb. They kept me for an hour under deep surveilance..I mean that they paced in front of my door and I had a heart monitor and blood pressure every 5 min. I truly believe they messed me up bad and I would like to know just what happened ...I am still numb in both hands and feet. It is only getting worse since now I have pain everywhere in my body. Actually that is when all the back pain started..HMMM? Of course, they cover their hides with the statute of limitations..conveinient..It is just not fair that they can destroy a persons life so quickly and I worked professional as a Vocalist in Nashville...not anymore. I can't play my guitar. My whole world has been turned upside down. What am I gonna do? Does anyone know. I have the leg pains, especially under my knees...oh...it is terrible. I can't stand for over 5-10 min.my back feels like it is on fire. I run...or should I say limp to the bed to lay down. I stay in the bed a lot..since my pain is still in my neck too. I feel like I am falling apart or should I say have fell apart. Well, I sure hope u get ur symptoms under control. If anyone knows what is going on w/me..I would appreciate it..oh..I do have those leg and arm rls symptoms ...so creepy and you have to stretch all the time..I sure hope u feel better and I will say a prayer 4 u guys...Take care and always GOD BLESS    visit my website that I am just now working on,but it has a lot to say @ docs that leave u hanginng and ur life tooooo    http://skeetelmore65.blogspot.com/

[NOLAKatie]

Dear opus88,

I'm reluctant to take narcotics only because I'm a teacher and I need to be on my A game.  Do you find that these drugs inhibit you mentally at all?  Opus88, thank you so much for your suggestions.  You are really very helpful!  Take care!  

[sandy8800]

some times when you are on a muscle relaxer for a long period of time it can cause twitting.  I had the same thing i was on flexarill for years and out of the blue i had twittes my pain managment doctor changed my muscle relavxer to soma and two days later the twittes are gone  i hope this helps you

[opus88]

HI again, I am so sorry for all your pain, I can hear the agony ur in.
Have you tried narcotics? My pain was never as severe as yours sounds but never the less were very limiting in what I was able to do. I've been on oxycontin for 6 months now and it does help the back pain and mobility, however I find it doesn't help at all with the leg/thigh pain.
I've also read on the pain forum where TENS machines can do wonders for some people and back pain, have you looked into that?
I'm glad epidural is no longer an option for your sake, and I sure hope surgery is a last resort also.
keep fighting

[NOLAKatie]

Thank you, both, for your advice.  Since my insurance won't cover the epidural, it is no longer an option.  I guess some things work out for the best.  I am still, however, in a world of pain.  My insurance also wouldn't cover Cymbalta, so after weening myself off of that, I am on Neurontin.  The side effects are intense, but I know I can get through this in a few weeks.  I am so frustrated.  My doctor wants so badly for my pain to go away, but the insurance company could care less.  Surgery seems to be the only remaining option.  Physical therapy did not work and meds don't seem to help with the pain.  The jerking and pain down the back of my legs have improved with the Neurontin, but the severe pain in my lower back won't cease.  I don't mean to use this site to complain.  I just want a solution to this problem.  Is surgery my only hope?  Ironically my father is a retired surgeon and advises against me having surgery, but I feel like I am running out of options.

Jrussbag,
I used to be a ballet dancer (before the back pain) and I am not a stranger to muscular twitching and pain in my legs.  What seemed to help me was using a heating pad before activity and stretching the muscle.  After activity, ice helped.  The heating pad loosens up your muscles and gets you ready for action.  The ice relieved the pain after activity.  I don't know how helpful this advice is to you, but I would try using a heating pad first.

Take care, everyone.

[Jrussbag]

Katie- from my experience (and great spinal specialist) i have chosen not to take any meds and espec not epidurals, as they are temporary and perpetual. I saw 3 spinal specialists, REAL Dr's dont advise you towards an epidural unless it is your last option...think about it- its a needle to your spine, that has temporary effect!
I have DDD and minor herniation on several lower discs. I ruptured a disk about 3yrs ago. It was explained to me that it was actually good since it acted as a pimple would. (when it pops, it relieves pressure internally) With the rupture however, it put pressure on a nerve, caused my calf to weaken (to a limp), thus, a discectomy 4days later to relieve the disc fragment pushing on the nerve..
I suffered mild nerve damage in my calf that causes perpetual fasciculations, especially at night.... which brought me to this thread!
I apprec any advice but i would offer this to all..... it seems the more i utilize the calf and STRETCH regularly the better it is. I know our schedules dont coordinate properly but it helps and it makes sense. Its almost as if my calf is telling me it needs attention. As with any muscular issues in the body, stretching can only help. Try to lean towards exercise bikes and elipticals over running, as running is not good for joints/back. I realized this after my wife convinced me to run NYC marathon! Best of luck, i hope this helps.

[opus88]

hi there sorry for you're unwanted side effects..not easy to deal with!!
I have the same issues with my back and the nerve pain down the legs. I've never tried cymbalta however I've taken neurontin(gabapentin) for abt 5 yrs. its an anticonvulsant and works wonders for this type of nerve pain.
I have a few side effects especially like now when I am increasing the dose(2700 mg now)...feel sort of spacey and yes dry mouth. but otherwise no biggie, these side effects are minor in comparison to the pain...
BTW do you're homework on epidural steroid injections....
best place to find more info on them is the PAIN MANAGEMENT FORUM....
read alot before you go ahead with this treatment, ok
good luck to you

[NOLAKatie]

*UPDATE*

I wanted to update my last post.  I went to my orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday and we scheduled an epidural steoroid injection because PT and the anti-inflammatory did not help my pain.  She also put me on 30 mg Cymbalta for the "phantom" nerve pain/numbing/tingling, and not for depression.  Apparently it "blocks the pain pathway".  I have been on Cymbalta for a few days now and the side effects are intense.  My mouth is dry and I have a metallic taste in my mouth.  I am very loopy, which is affecting my work performance.  I am very drowsy.  I zone out frequently.  Sometimes I feel like I am going to throw up.  It's day 3 and I'm wondering when these side effects will cease.  My pharmacist said it takes some people 2-3 weeks, but my doctor said it will take a few days.  I am supposed to increase my dose to 60 mg in a week.  Have any of y'all ever taken this drug for your back issues?  Any advice?   Thank y'all!