[Gerald]

I am having some muscle issues and I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue and what sort of treatment/recovery they found worked for them. The issue is confined to my legs and manifests itself as unusual stiffness and soreness, particularly when having been in a resting position for awhile and then going to get up and start moving.

Once I get going the muscles and kinks work themselves out and I can move pretty normally. My legs still feel stiffer then they should and there is definitely some weakness as well but it's not extreme. I am able to walk and run and jog about 1.5 km a few nights a week. After a jog though my legs stiffen up right away like two steel poles and it takes awhile to loosen them back up again. I do stretch quite a bit before and after a jog.

Some background, I am a type 2 that was one of those folks that ignored my diabetes for a few years until I ended up in the hospital with DKA in April, my blood sugar has been under decent control since then (h1AC of 6.7). I did notice my legs getting progressively worse during that time but since it didn't affect my day to day living I ignored it (yes I am an idiot I know). The problem first manifested itself as a burning sensation if my leg brushed up against something, that went away but they slowly built up a tendency to get stiff and sore and got weaker over time.

The condition seems to have leveled off but doesn't seem to be getting much better despite regular exercise. While I find running does help, the stiffness and soreness is less if I run the night before, it hasn't been improving in overall fashion.

I did some reading and was thinking I might have diabetic amyotrophy/proximal neuropathy but looking at the symptoms I am nowhere that severe. For example, I don't have any trouble standing from a sitting position. Also, proximal neuropathy is most often, but not always, asymetrical and I'd say I'm affected equally in both legs making it a less likely candidate. On the pro side I did lose a lot of weight during the three years my diabetes was uncontrolled which seems to be often mentioned and I suspect I do have some muscle wasting but I don't have any pain or severe complications, my day to day living is pretty much unaffected.

Now that my blood sugar is better controlled I am looking at dealing with some of my other ancillary symptoms to make sure things don't get worse. Part of that is regular exercise such as the running I mentioned earlier and I'd like to increase my distance for better weight control but the state of my legs is holding me back.

I am working my doctor on this but am trying to narrow down the suspects on my own a bit in order to have an intelligent conversation with her and not to waste time. Based on what I described could this be proximal neuropathy or are there other conditions I should be looking at? I've searched the net but not found too much so far that fits my symptoms.

[Alice]

I have a friend who is Type 2 who has some "conditions" lets just say...

He just had a test the other day at a cardiologist that involved "wrapping" his legs...I don't know what this test is, and he wasn't sure...he has foot problems and probably some circulation issues due to congestive heart failure.

I don't think you have any of this...but a cardiologist might be a good place for a check-up.

Also some cholesterol drugs such as Zocor can cause muscle soreness in a small percentage of people. I've taken for year and have no problems, but am aware that it is listed as a side affect.

Sorry, I don't have any personal insight. I use to get a "tight" feeling in the legs when I walked quickly...but that has all disappeared for the most part...

[Jan B]

Gerald,

I have no idea, but wanted to say HI! Every time a health issue comes up with me, I do a lot of internet research and nearly always come up with the right answers for myself. Then I tell my doctor what I think.

Is the running that important to you? Can you not be satisfied with a lot more walking? From reading your post, and seeing that you are already searching for answers and taking better care of yourself . . . I think you are already prepared for an intelligent conversation with your doctor.

I hope someone on this forum has a little more to offer, but since I'm the first to post, it's possible you know as much as anyone else (?) I wish you the best & I wish you some answers. I don't like not knowing what's up!!

[Bunkins]

Although I dont know if it's related at all, but maybe... My neck does that.. Gets so stiff the only way I can move it is to use my arms and slowly stretch it out. I have to do this every morning for atleast 15 mins. It's all in the muscles, I can stretch the muscles, it's the "compression" ( moving side to side, one side stretches, the other compresses ) that makes my neck pretty much "lock up"... Mostly on the left side, I get headaches everyday because of it.. Been fighting it for 2 yrs, it came on all the sudden, I didnt hurt myself or anything, x-rays show nothing, and nothing odd like that has happened to any other part of my body... I've tried to find out what could be causing it, but nobody I've spoke with can really tell me anything... Everytime I ask if it could be related to diabetes, I always get told "probably not", but they cant tell me what may be causing it so I'm not counting it out... But just like everyother ache and pain I've just learned to live with it..

I would like to know what you come up with though, obviously you've looked into such matters more than I have...

[Gerald]

Thanks for the replies guys, if I find more info I'll post it here. With regards to running versus walking, I like to run as a form of exercise because it burns more calories then walking and does a better job of increasing the bodies resting metabolic rate. Now that I'm on insulin and processing food correctly I've packed on 15 pounds in the last six months and am now working on taking it off and in the past I've found running to be really helpful in taking off a few pounds.

[pdxdennisj]

Are you on statins?

[notme]

We are of one mind pdxdennisj. The symptoms you describe are the exact ones I had while taking Lipitor. Once I came off Lipitor, the symtoms went away. My blood tests always came back in the normal range, but I was a mess while I was on it. Something to check out anyhow Gerald if you are taking any statin.

[Gerald]

Funny you should ask, I just started on Lipitor on the weekend, however that shouldn't be the issue as I've had these symptoms for a long time now. Having said that I appreciate the tip as I'll keep it in mind if things worsen while taking Lipitor.

Other then the Lipitor and insulin I am not on any other medication.