I know a number here suffer from PAD (peripheral arterial disease) that usually affects the legs and occasionally the arms.
The usual symptom of PAD is cramp in the calf area when walking although it can occur anywhere from groin to the end of the toes. Occasionally it occurs when resting/sleeping.
Before the angina limited my walking it was a freqent occurrence. Since my bypass it has thankfully been rare and usually when I have walked further than usual for me. I have only had one or two night cramps since. However, a few hours after going to bed last night I woke in absolute agony with cramp it my left foot and toes. I could not stand for fear of falling and it took a good fifteen minutes to subside.
I was wondering how others were affected by PAD as it often seems to come hand in hand with CVD?
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MichaelJH
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Might be an idea to have a duplex scan of your legs to check on blockages. Or have an ABPI test if you haven’t had a recent one.
The only way to help PAD is to keep walking at pace through any pain as much as possible to build collateral vessels. ( which I know must be difficult with angina) bike riding or swimming can help too.
Cramps can also be electrolytes imbalance or lack of magnesium.
I fear loads of folk with heart problems don’t realise they also have PAD.
I have a whole family experience of it including amputation and bypasses. ( heart and legs)
For my sins I’m also now on the board of a patient advisory service along with several surgeons from around the world which is saving people from amputation just because their surgeon can only use certain tools or certain techniques. It’s all fascinating stuff!
I went to the doctor office complaining of feet, legs and hands pain. They get cold and numb and hurt. I have been getting real pale as well. he did a brancial ankle test and it didn’t go past 1.. hmm 🤔 PAD but he dismissed it. Saying cause I am petite .. They keep getting worse. Like times hurt so bad and twitch. I asked can I have a vascular doctor referral to see if their is a blockage or what can be done. he refuses to get me one. Saying who told you need a vascular doctor?? I can get a ekg on you in my office what’s that going to help? . I have sinus tacarydia which is leaning towards IST. Low BP and my weight is BMI 18.5 4ft11 42 yr female . Can he deny me a referral ? What can I do help minimize this.. I feel that my blood is not reaching where it needs to. Dizziness etc. Thank you in advance
Can you ask your GP for the actual test results, what kind of machine did they use as I’ve only had them done with blood pressure cuffs?
The best thing for PAD is walk walk walk to build collateral vessels, but you need more investigation at this point. You have a right on the NHS for a second opinion.
I have had a number of duplex scans and even more ABPI tests done over the past decade. In addition I had balloon angioplasty to the left leg some years ago. A planned bypass behind the knee was cancelled when the Head of Vascular Surgery changed to someone who only intervenes when there are other problems like ulcers or gangrene. I imagine he doesn't service his car but has it repaired when it breaks down as he is not from the school of "prevention is better than cure"!
Yes, very much so as my walking is now limited by arthritis, and not angina and breathlessness. In fact I had ceased having cramps when walking for about 18 months before surgery I was that limited by angina. My LAD was 85% blocked and three other coronary arteries over 70% blocked. I feel the fact that the heart can pump blood around properly reduces the effects of the PAD. Why do you ask?
I didn’t know if I totally understood what you were saying in your previous comment. You’d be within your rights to have a second opinion if it’s limiting your lifestyle.
I am sorry we have crossed wires. My reason for originally joining this forum was I had severe angina and was awaiting a heart bypass which I have now had. You of course were referring to the one behind the knee. As there is a restriction I would have liked it to have been done. However, not restricting me at the moment. Treatment of PAD in UK worst in Western Europe sadly!
They might think it's a bit cheaper to...remove the offending leg off down the line? Logic, "we haven't got enough money here, he could go to A& E if necessary" . Who knows?
I have had the cramp once. It does hurt.
You or I may well have reached a stage where change in a lifestyle might save the leg. 💪
Totally agree with you. It’s actually more CD based than just PAD .
But my actual identity is on there and after all the hounding I and others have had from other members on this forum just for having a different opinion . . I’d rather not. I can do without it following me on there.
Thanks Michael. Although I'd heard mention of Pad on this forum before I had no idea what it was. How would you know its PAD & not just a bout of cramp?
PAD normally makes itself known when you walk at a reasonable pace for a while, could happen quite quickly or after a half mile or so. You can feel one leg or both feel heavy, or aching, or even think it’s hip pain. Most also get cramp type feelings in the calf area. If you stop waking the pain will stop, but it will start again after you start walking again.
You may also notice your legs or toes are colder than normal, different sensations in your legs or feet or toes. Discolouration of the skin.
If anyone gets cramps or pain at rest it can mean PAD has progressed and you should get assessed quite quickly.
For years I've had pains in my toes when I've been walking. Not all the time & not aways, but very painful when it does happens which is less often as I've grown older though I'm as active as I've always been. I've also had cramp in my calf before now but I could probably count on 2 hands how many times I've had it over my lifespan!! So how would I know if its PAD or cramp? Would've been interested in adaboo's website but perhaps someone can point us in the direction of a reputable website to look into it further?
Just google it, there are loads of information sites about.
It’s not my website, I’m just a small part of it, but I’m sure it can do without the bickering , arguing and sniping that seems to happen on here unfortunately.
Sorry, confused?? Are you accusing me of bickering, arguing & sniping? I'm interested in PAD as my previous comments show not sure why you're accusing me, if I'm fact you are??
You made the comments to me??? . I have no idea why you would feel the need to start this purely because I asked about PAD?? However, your comments have been reported, so I'll not reply again.
I don't think you were being targeted in that reply - I think Adaboo meant some of the flak other commenters have lobbed at several other commenters and then carried those nasty-grams through several different discussions aimed at the same persons from discussion to discussion.
Not going to name names, here, but they've targeted you several times and I think Adaboo has been targeted as well by the same louts (if I might be permitted to call the ill-mannered fractious argumentative types by the quicker-to-type term 'lout(s)')
I've seen these louts try it on with Milkfairy - but she takes no prisoners and they usually back off quickly.
Posting on message board forums isn't always easy and sadly there are usually a few commenters who try the patience and goodwill of members.
Thank you Sunnie2 day. I have indeed been hounded on here by some, even followed onto other healthunlocked forums! I was not targeting Lezzers at all, but this always seems to happen, and it happens because this site does have some people on it who are spiteful to say the least so people are always on the defensive when nothing has been aimed at them.
All I did was answer Michael to help, seems I can’t win 🤷♀️🤷♀️
I think we agree - Lezzers is not the kind of commenter you were talking about but there are those who are and boy howdy do they push it. I try to ignore those unpleasant types and again, I'm glad we agree Lezzers is not one of the unpleasant types
Must be something in the air. I was on the indoor bike on Friday afternoon and that night I had horrible cramp in the lower part of my shin/ankle and under the arch of my other foot.
I managed to jump out of bed, get downstairs, have some paracetamol, drink some water and get a hot water bottle which I rested my feet on. I find I have to be very gentle in all my foot and toe movements. In the end I did drop off. I think I need to keep the feet warm...
Anyway I will speak to the Vascular consultant tomorrow at my annual appt.....
You just reminded me of my hot water bottle, as my feet tend to get cold, was diagnosed with PAD, in May. Tonight I shall snuggle up with mine!!! Thanks for reminding me 😁👍
PAD can cause nerve damage because of the reduced circulation so extreme care should be taken as burning could occur without the person realising! If this happens healing is comprised because of the circulation problems.
Thank you Michael, but it is not that bad with me. I am pretty active when I am at work and try to variate my tasks. But I still get quite tired and legs ache after a very long day.
Had a lazy day today but need to exercise again tomorrow to aid good blood circulation for heart and legs. You take care tonight Michael 😊
Please (read that underscored!) forgive me for innocent ignorance but does lying flat and 'pulling' (via muscles, not reaching down and grabbing) the foot on the cramping leg up towards your head (keeping the foot and leg flat) help at all? I don't know if PAD leg cramps can be relieved that way so again, forgive my innocent ignorance if it doesn't.
I get these leg cramps frequently (no PAD and yes I've been examined for it). A cross-country runner friend of mine taught me the foot-pull (also known as the inverted foot stretch) and it works for me instantly if I do it within a few seconds of the cramp starting.
If I wait until it becomes a 'full-blown' leg cramp (most often in my calf), I find wrapping a thick sock under my toes and using the ends of the sock to get a good grip, pull towards my head. Keeping my leg and foot flat, and again, it works nicely and reasonably quickly to relieve the agony.
I have PAD blockage in common iliac artery, my claudication pain is in the buttock muscle not calf. You will get muscle pain when you walk a certain distance,,, if you rest pain will vanish, it will happen again when you walk the same distance. Walk as much as possible through the pain and you will build collaterals to compensate blocked artery. I have had it for 10 years. Some days are worse than others now hills and stairs are a bug bear they hurt like hell. Stents behind knee are not used they would bend and block the artery
My previous vascular surgeon was planning a bypass behind the knee but when they restructured (he left for a better position) his replacement has a treat in emergency only mentality!
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PAD question 
pacemaker and electric heat pads
More pain than usual !!
