Since you've had this problem for so long I assume that you have had all the traditional diagnostics and appropriate musculoskeletal and neurological examinations performed (including MRI's of the lower back, NCV/EMG of the back and leg, etc). The age of onset and the chronic history of your symptom leave me with 3 conditions in mind. The first is dystonia which is a neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle spasms (or cramps). In children it often presents with toe walking. The spasms can be extremely painful and the condition often remains chronic and can progressively worsen. A neurologist specializing in movement disorders is most experienced for the diagnosis of this condition. Some are responsive to medications. Others are not. An experienced chiropractic neurologist can provide customized neuro-rehabilitation that can significantly improve this condition. The second is restless leg syndrome which is characterized with "restlessness". It is often worse at night and can be painful. This also is a neurological condition and often involves triggers of systemic inflammation. Blood work to evaluate inflammatory markers, Iron, ferritin, TIBC, magnesium, CRP, ANA, RF should be performed. Restless leg is often improved with magnesium and 5HTP, and an iron supplement (only if blood work indicates you are deficient). When combined with chiropractic neurology I have always have had excellent results. The third is an infection such as lyme disease. This usually will show up as migrating joint, muscle and nerve pain. The joints can become chronically inflamed and sustain significant damage. Lyme can also affect the brain and nervous system--which can cause all of the above I described. The best lab for testing is Igenex.

Not knowing what you have tried, I will simply mention the most common cause of leg pain I have found, which is related to muscle cramps. Please consult your doctor re: starting a chelated magnesium supplement, such as magnesium glycinate, usually at 400-600 mg per day. Keep in mind magnesium can be somewhat laxative, and if you need that effect, try the magnesium citrate instead for added benefit. Also, avoid dehydration as that may trigger cramps and body pain. Also, have your Vit D level checked, as deficiency in that is associated with body aches and pains. Lastly, try rubbing cold pressed organic sesame or olive oil into your lower leg skin and muscles twice a day (an Ayurvedic tip to prevent pain, restlessness and cramps.) Lastly, regular gentle stretching exercise, such as yoga, on a daily basis may benefit you, in this as well as other ways. Wishing you a quick recovery from this!

Without knowing the quality of pain, it's distribution in your lower legs, and the results of any medical tests that have been performed it is difficult to make suggestions for treatment options. The pain could be a mechanical issue in the lower back the pelvis or the knees. It could also be related to a connective tissue, a muscular, a neurological or a vascular issue. Pain and cramping can also be associated with magnesium or other mineral deficiencies. I would therefore, highly recommend that you see a Chiropractor who has a specialty in neurology. A Chiropractic neurologist can address all of these issues and if necessary make the appropriate referral.

Hard to say but I would consider foot orthotics from a chiropactor trained in sports medicine.

This sounds like a difficult situation you are in. Without knowing the quality of the pain, and the exact distribution in your lower legs, and the results of hopefully the range of medical tests that have been suggested here, it's a bit difficult to offer suggestions for treatment. If ALL of the usual examinations have been performed, MRI, EMG, NCV, Blood tests etc, and no one can diagnose the problem, then a more detailed look at things like phopholipid antibodies, collagen antibodies, fibulin antibodies, might be in order. We don't know yet if this is pain emanating from your knees, and referring pain into your leg, whether this has a neurological basis, a vascular basis, or a connective tissue or muscular basis. So if all testing has come back negative then it's imperative to keep looking to see what has been causing this for the last 15 or so yrs. I think autoimmune reactivity needs to be considered in this case. Hope this is helpful to you, and good luck!

Here is what I think. Since your leg pain affects both legs, its cause is most probably systemic and blood related. Since It also started early in life, and it may be genetic in origin. So request your doctor to evaluate you further for ischemic bone pains from sickle crisis or thalassemia if you are white. In either case good nutrition and adequate health maintenance to keep your hemoglin level above 9 -10 will prevent those severe bone pain crises.

Here is what I think. Your leg pain affects both legs, its cause is most probably systemic and blood related. It also started early in life, and so may be genetic in origin. So request your doctor to ischemic bone pains from sickle crisis or thalassemia if you are white. In either case good nutrition and adequate health maintenance to keep your hemoglin level above 9 -10 will prevent those severe bone pain crises.

It would be nice to know if your symptoms are worse after exercise or worse when first getting up in the morning. Since your problem is chronic and has bee pharmaceutically managed, with limited relief I would start over with a chiropractic examination. This would help rule out a musculoskeletal problem. Next investigate possible imbalance in mineral or electrolytes. As mentioned in other posts chelated magnesium, vitamin D, or B2, B6 may be contributing to your chronic symptoms.

It's hard to get enough info when not speaking face to face as you can see. You should find a doctor who is skilled at history-taking and diagnosis. Your youth is on your side and there are doctors (chiro, medical, osteo, etc.) who can determine the cause of your problem so the right approach can be taken to manage or get rid of it. Perhaps you live close enough to one of us on this message board.