Hi there,
My dad has really painful legs (24/7) but if he drinks, he is in agonny that much the next day that he has stopped socialising completely and is a changed man. He has been to the nhs doctor lots of times and nothings helped, any advice on how he can (at least) help the level of pain that he's in is much appreciated? 
For preventing severe leg cramps,especially in the upper thigh, take an over-the-counter Calcium Magnesium tablet about once a week . If you get a cramp take one of these ( I crush mine up before taking) and it will release the cramp quite quickly!!!
I have found that this is the only way to prevent and/or relieve the very painful upper thigh cramps!
Good Luck
tom
It would be good advice if his dad had cramps.
What tests have been done? Tell me something about results of these. How much he has to drink so the sympthoms appear?
First advice: stop drinking alkohol and replace this one with other beverages. Second one will apear when I will know results of examination.
nhs staff dont have a clue.... its defo circulation based... he has stopped alcohol but its really afected his life so want an alternative so he can go out again... they are throbbing all the time but more common when in active or cold, he struggles sleeping almost every night... thanks for your help time by the way...
Alkohol can affect muscles, if we stay with drinks, so Mg level should be checked. To be honest blood test is the basic, what was the result?
If we do not consider alkohol any more, tell me more about pain. Describe it.
It can be also deficiency of D vitamin. I do not have any other ideas for now. If I knew blood test results it would be a bit easier.
What rough (or precise) age is your dad?
Are the legs hot / cold / warm to touch? Are they their "normal" color?
Is your dad on any medications? (Particularly any statins?)
Have they done an ABPI? If so what were the results?
Does he / did he used to smoke? Also is he diabetic?
Does he have any ongoing medication conditions / significant events in his medical history?