Norm, when my kidneys were failing I had "charlie horses" in my feet and calves. definitely not my shins. I still get them occasionally if my electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphorous) are out of balance.
a blood test should be done to check your numbers.
let us know what you learn.

Yes, same here, as to what Spiderwoman said. Also, when my numbers got way off for parathyroid, I had terrible pain in my feet mostly, and my legs. I don't think that my doctor believed me, but once they put me on Zemplar, it almost immediately calmed down.

Thanks girls. I will see my NP on Monday and she has my lab results, so I guess I will find out what it is. The Last I knew I was still about 42 percent, that was 4 months ago. Have never had any issues with the parathyroid but I am getting pretty old now, so we shall see. All I know is that I can't take it anymore! We are leaving on a 2 week cruise to South America on the 17th, something has to be done before that or I won't be able to go :(. We were so looking forward to it ... Sigh

Hi Norma,

Sorry you're suffering with this. I have had terrible itching of my lower legs every night for months, which drives me (and my husband!) crazy. The doctor just said to use anti itch cream, which has no effect whatsoever. Meanwhile, I'm scratching my legs to pieces. I wondered whether this could be Restless Legs Syndrome.

Could your shin pain possibly be from stress fractures? My mother has had several of these, some without realising. That said, it sounds more like a soft tissue thing. From what I've read, a Podiatrist or Physiotherapist might be able to help if there's no clue from your lab results.

I do hope you will be able to take your cruise: it sounds wonderful.

Good Luck

Chewitt

Jim, my husband has been researching leg cramps this morning and this is what he found in addition to kidney failure and the parathyroid. Medicines that I am taking, especially for this length of time. Ace inhibitors, short term diuretics referred to as loop diuretics, statins, and many BP meds all can cause leg cramps. Somehow, they allow minerals such as potassium to build up on the blood and over time, will cause leg cramps. If you research all the drugs you are taking, approved by the FDA, you will probably croak! I just did, howver remember that I have been pretty much taking these since I was 38 yrs. old! It's no small miracle that I am not dead!! I am very anxious to see my NP on Monday!

Thanks for the good advise chewitt, I will look into that as well. This has been an ongoing problem and I have blamed it on my shoes, not walking enough, walking too much, you name it, I have done it. I finally give up and need help! I will keep you all posted about my labs on Monday. Chewitt, I wonder if your legs itching could be from a similar issue of meds building up in your system? Just a quick thought. Thanks again girls!
Love,
Norma ...

It will be interesting to hear what comes of this Norma... Honestly, I have been going to so many doctors in the last couple years, and then after my accident... blah blah blah.

But I have found some stretches that are helping my sciatica, which you know, can really cause some electrical/pins and needle type issues, of course always worse at night time, isn't that the case? I have been researching about shoes, insoles, and all manner of things, and have really actually been helping too! I have flat feet, which has an effect on the sciatica. But I do wish there were doctors who could help us as individuals rather than just give a drug or something. But you DO need those labs, of course.

My gosh, blessings on the cruise!

It would appear that I am getting older than I think, totally told you guys the wrong date for my office visit! It was yesterday! Anyway, she seems to think that I have restless leg syndrome as many patients with kidney disease have it, that was the furthest thing from my mind and actually still is. She prescribed another PILL!!! Reqip, only the generic form and it is difficult to treat. She said that I will have to start taking them and if the 1 pill she prescribed doesn't work to up it to 2 pills, possible up to 5 pills a night. The Reqip supplys the brain with dopamine sometimes used to treat parkinson disease and restless leg syndrome. Honestly I don't think it is that but of course I will have to go through this course of treatment to prove her wrong, but who am I? Only the prime resident of this body. Labs are still ok, holding at 39 percent, creatinine is 1.6 but potassium, phosphorous and calcium are high need to make some food adjustments. Note to self - get rid of the milk! Frankly, I think it is my back causing the leg and feet spasms, but who am I! Just another patient with PKD! If anything good happens from these pills, you all will be the first to know.

Love,
Norma ...

I had RLS when my kidneys were failing but never took nything. bothered me most when sitting, watching tv. I would prevail on Jim to rub my feet. it wasn't pain but "pins and needles" like when you sit on your feet too long.
my belief, not as anyone who actually knows anything, is that it is a deficiency or overage in something dietary like potassium.
as to your calcium Norma, unless you are taking supplements or heavy on dairy products, may have to do with your parathyroid. PKD does more than affect our kidneys.

Parathyroid numbers were fine, Helen, it's not that either. I have spinal stenosis and it's my opinion that is causing the pain, but who am I? only the owner of this old body! :) and there is nothing other than surgery to fix that! Thanks Helen

My experience on Requip for restless leg syndrome, which I do not have is just awful! I am awakened very two hours with muscle spasms worse than I ever had to begin with. That stuff is going in the garbage! Have called my doc but of course she isn't in today. Waiting for the on call doctor to call me back. The nurse told me he probably won't do anything and will refer me to my primary physician! It's 10:15 am right now and I know I will never be able to get an apt. With my primary on Friday. We leave for our cruise on Monday, I am so royally screwed!!! Our health care is getting so bad that I am shocked!! Have no idea what to do now and going to an ER isn't going to help either, they too will tell me to go to my primary! This is going to be one nightmare cruise!

Oh Norma! I am so sorry. I know, I know... it is indeed hard to get what one needs in time... oh the stories we all could probably tell.

I wonder if some nice sunshine on your body would help. Let us know how this all works out.

Shocking news! A doctor called me back! I was sure I would never get this resolved before we leave and that still might be the case, but anyway .... This kidney doc told me that statins are responsible for more muscle spasms than he would care to divulge! Of course I am taking them, but after listening to this guy, I am done taking them! In the mean time he put me on vitamin E and told me to drink diet tonic water, 6 oz. at night just before bed. It's that old quinine thing that they took off the market, remember folks? He said it will not harm my kidneys mostly because once I stop the statins I should begin to feel better and won't need the tonic water. Hopefully he is right so Jim ran out and bought some tonic water and I can't wait to drink it tonight all though he said it might take a few nights to gain some full relief. I will keep you all informed! Maybe there is some help after all !
Love,
Norma ...

This is SO encouraging! And yes, my doctor had complained about the quinine issue when I was struggling with the leg cramps. WOW!

And I am SO GLAD to hear about the statins. Honestly, i wanted to say something, but I am careful to second guess about things between a doctor and their patients, but I just think that that is one of the most over prescribed things, and also DAMAGING. This gives me a lot of confidence for you, the drug will stop HURTING you, and you should be doing much better. YES!!!! Have a GREAT trip!

Thanks Heather,that means a lot to me! I did have a little relief last night, the muscle spasms weren't quite as intense. I still had to get out of bed, but just walking around a bit and they stopped! Can't tell you what a relief that is. I am hoping for more improvement tonight. Maybe they will be gone by the time we fly out of here on the 15th, praying that they do. I know more people that say the very same thing about statins, they are like poison!! Poison the drug companies were getting filthy rich from!! Well, it's over for me now and I am hoping for the best. Thanks again Heather! I will send a messanger Dove from Venzula to you all!!

Love,
Norma ...