Electrical pain in lower leg?

Question

I have had intermittent electrical pain in my lower leg for over 14 years. Have been seeing an acupuncturist and TCM practitioner for almost a year- thought it was helping. Last night, and today, it's back as bad as ever. Have been to neurologist-not nerve damage, not sciatica. I'm not particularly an uptight person, nor is my life stressful- I choose a quiet simple life.
The pain is like being whipped with an electrical cord, and sometimes like being injected with acid (it burns). It will 'spasm' (for wont of a better word) for up to 2 or 3 minutes, before I can feel a release, a relaxing, and then it stops. It leaves me exhausted, on the floor. It's not a muscle spasm, like a charley horse- not like a cramp. It makes me want to drive a fork or knife into my leg to get it to stop. I take calcium citrate and magnesium daily. I'm healthy otherwise, no HBP, diabetes, drug dependencies or abuse.
Anyone else experience this, or have any clue what it may be? Thank you.

Thanks to all who responded.
There *is* a teaching hospital near me, I will look into that. And will try a chiropractor too. I had an EMG ( I think those are the initials) - what a HORRID experience. If I'd known I was going to be repeatedly tasered I'd have brought my husband to drive me home. I was a basket case after.
Cowboydoc- sorry to hear about your bad experience with 'alternative' medicine- but it's really Western medicine that is the alternative medicine- Eastern's been around a lot longer. Sadly, both tend to treat symptoms and not causes, and that's been my problem with this. Hoping to avoid all shots and surgeries if possible!

Answer 1

I work for a spine doctor and we see this alot...sounds like nerve pain which can be tricky. Have you had a MRI of the low back recently (w/in the past 6 months) If not, I would try seeing an orthopaedic surgeon. There are also a few nerve studies (pssd, emg or ncvs) which can determine if there is a nerve irritated, if so, which one, and where it is irritated. Even if nerves are not pinched, they can still become irritated. There are several medications for nerve type pain. It's not quite known how or why these meds work, but the usually do. Also, have you had any steroids (like Prednisone) these can calm down irritation and inflamation. It sounds like the charlie horse type pain can be a type of spasm or contracture heat may help to keep you comfortable. This can also be from nerve irritation. Usually the low back is the culprit. Sometimes they can even give you a cortisone injection in the source of the problem (again, usually the low back) It is not uncommon for your legs to hurt from a back problem even though you don't have back pain. I would try seeing an ortho doc if you haven't yet. Good luck.

Answer 2

You've been to the right doctors, stay away from the alternative medicines, they're a relief not a cure, that's been my belief.
If there's a teaching hospital near you go there. They'll have doctors from all over that can look at you. It's a much better chance to find one, on something like this. These pains are sometimes nerve related but, for the most part a mystery.

I signed off on alternative medicine years ago when I had a stomach hernia, it was apparent, I knew it, could feel it, showed them all it. They chose to ignore it saying I didn't know what I was talking about. Although I had a degree (Four years) in LabMed Technology they wouldn't listen. Three of them
One treated my by pressing on body parts, then a cortisone shot. One by trying to leach the fats out of me with a diet, one with acupuncture. I almost died with a hernia the surgeon said was the biggest he'd ever saw, so, that's my story.

Answer 3

You should check this Sciatica Natural Treatment
http://cure-sciatica.info

Normally, I would not answer a question like this as my expertise is generally in medication but I had severe sciatica while I was pregnant with my 3rd child (after having had twins) and I had sciatica so bad that I was finding it difficult to walk. I tried massage therapy and physical therapy and could not take medication
I went to the chiropractor and the pain was instantly relieved. My hips and lower back were out of alignment because I had carried twins the year before. On occasion a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) can also work but they usually only work on one joint at a time - the chiropractor will do your whole back which works faster. Anyone who does not believe in chiropractors will tell you they are quacks - don't listen.
I don't necessarily believe that chiropractors can cure things like diabetes but they can definitely relieve some types of back pain especially if a pinched nerve is involved which is usually the cause of sciatica. Try a reputable chiropractor ASAP!

Answer 4

OH MY GOSH...my dad just experienced that 4-5 days ago. He said that it felt like he got shot with electricity on his whole left side. I didn't think of anything with that but after maybe 3-4 hours, my dad became extremely exhausted. My mom became afraid so she asked me to take him to the emergency room. The doctor couldn't find anything. They did a MRI, EKG...but nothing negative. Please email me if you find out anything about this pain. It's so mysterious. My dad did suffer from a stroke this past January. His left side is currently weak and not the same as before the stroke. He has high blood pressure but is taking medication to control it because exercise and a diet is not enough. My email is [e-mail]. Please let me know if you find any information. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

The nerves for the lower leg exit the lumbar spine. Look for an old back injury or out-of-alignment vertebrae. See a chiropractor, they specialise in this stuff.

Answer 6

As I sit here wiggling my legs to alleveate the discomfort - I wonder if anyone really knows. I had severe tightening in my calf - worse than a Charlie Horse. Gabapentin relived it but made me goofy. I found a surgeon who would do the lumbar fusion laterally (safer). And I am almost 6 months after the surgery but still have the discomfort in my leg not as bad, but still irritating. Along with that there are these electrical feeling jolts that come and go. For me the chiropractor was a blessing. I look forward to finally fusing so I can go back. Somehow there is still pressure on the nerves. Good luck. Hopefully you'll find an answer.

Answer 7

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