As the title says. I go for a 20 minute walk and when I stop moving, I’m not feeling tired or even agitated at all, yet my legs feel like they’re pulsating in different areas, always near the skin. It’s not synchronised with my heartbeat. It stops after a few minutes.
Chat GPT says these are just muscle twitches caused by dehydration or lack of electrolytes. I’m not convinced. Why does it feel almost on the skin and not deeper in the muscles? Why do I feel it after a 20 minute walk that doesn’t make me sweat but I don’t feel it after a 40 minute leg focused workout??? Wouldn’t that be more strenuous on the legs?? Does this thing even have a name?
Thanks
I know what you’re talking about but I don’t know what it is.
it’s perfectly normal for muscles to twitch after an exercise, and when you get a muscle twitch like that it usually feels like it’s near the skin. your muscles are having trouble recovering and it’s either because they’ve been overworked, or you’re dehydrated, or you’ve been taking stimulants, or you’ve got low magnesium.
Okay, so you’re saying even though I feel it on my skin and not my muscles is still on my muscles. Fair enough. But then why does it happen only with mild activities like walking but not with something more intense?
lol your skin can’t move without muscles dude.
Have you checked your blood pressure?
No, I don’t have the means. Why would it be the blood pressure?
Many chemists and supermarkets have automated blood pressure check machines. Some are even free.
It’s the blood pumping through your arteries. I used to get this even in my teens after very long walks. You’re literally just feeling your own pulse as your heart works a bit harder to meet your body’s elevated demand for blood/oxygen.
I’m not sure why it seems to be more apparent after milder activity, but maybe something like walking doesn’t dialate your blood vessels so much so there’s a bit more pressure at certain points?
If you want to confirm its your blood vessels and not muscles, check your pulse as it’s happening and see if its the same rythmn.
As far as I know it’s normal, since I was in peak physical condition at that age (a lot of athletics, running etc.) but if it seems unusual for you personally I guess bring it up to a doctor.
I have never experienced anything like this. Personally I would ask my doctor about it immediately, it sounds very outlandish, walking should not lead to pulsating of any kind
I’ve met plenty of people who do experience it, but nobody knows what it is. I even encourage you ask people you know, you’d be surprised. I’ve never met someone who would be alarmed by it though. But you are right, it is something I should be asking a doctor. I always forget unfortunately
Fair enough, yeah I’ll check back in on the thread too in case someone knows what it is. Very intriguing symptom
You might consider taking notes of things to bring up w/ your doctor. As someone who lives in the US, I gotta make the most out of every appointment lol. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to try if you have health concerns.
Don’t ask medical questions of chat gpt. You may as well shake a magic 8 ball. Your legs are probably fine. Bodies just do weird stuff sometimes
Why do you think it isn’t dehydration? I was told muscle spasms were due to dehydration and lack of body salts like magnesium. I’m no doctor, but I might suggest you drink more water.
Because it seems to happen as a consequence for the movement, and it’s consistent. My hydration levels aren’t. Regardless of how much or what I’ve been drinking, of how much I’ve been sweating, I still feel it. Also note I don’t feel it as much after doing an intense workout in which I sweat bullets. And I’ve never felt it if I’ve been resting the whole day even though I’m sure I must have been dehydrated occasionally on rest days. Also it feels more like something on the skin and not like a regular muscle spasm.
That’s just why I don’t believe it is dehydration, but you could be right, it could be dehydration.🤷🏼♀️
A magnesium deficiency can cause twitching in your legs, but I don’t know if anyone on the internet would be able to help tell if the pulsing sensation is caused by muscles contracting or something else.
If you have decent access to healthcare and it’s bothering you, bring it up with your doctor. It’s unlikely anyone here is qualified to be giving you medical advice. And if they were, they likely wouldn’t be comfortable giving a diagnosis based only on a post.
No, this isn’t something bothering me in any other way than making me curious about it. I’m not seeking medical advice, just physiological or biological information about this phenomenon. It doesn’t really feel like a twitch in my muscles, it’s more like my skin is pulsating. My body doesn’t move. It’s just a sensation
You’re not supposed to use your legs for walking. That’s wrong.
On leg day do you stretch first, then lift? On walking day do you stretch as well? If that’s “Yes” and “No” try the same warmup on walking day.
Do you have different shoes you wear for each type of activity? Shouldn’t be shock/impact stressors, but if so try wearing the same pair for walking to see if that helps.
Do you have the same drinking pattern during both? Just because you’re not sweating during your waking doesn’t mean that you’re using up fluids. Especially if you’re outside in a much warmer environment vs. inside a moist, humid gym.
Doesn’t sound like blood clots nor (shin) splints, as those are deeper. Nor does it sound like allergies, as that’d be on the skin, from say your laundry detergent, or any grooming lotions and potions.
