Actually its pretty common for folks with hsv to get pain outside the area that is affected by the outbreak. Herpes lives in the nerve tissue away from the outbreak region. I find it kind of useful when it happens to me. I use supression therepy sometimes and when I get pains, which are in my legs as well, I start the meds in order to squelch the outbreak early. Sometimes the outbreak never happens if I take care of it in time.

I have some friends that have told me the same thing including those with oral herpes.

Yeah, that's interesting. I don't have pains like that other than in the immediate area, that I'm aware of anyway.

The 'leg pain'/burning sensation is one I associate with prodrome, when my lymphatic system is going haywire trying to fight off the onslaught of a potential outbreak. Over the years this has been a minor or major aspect of prodrome symptoms; much worse 10 years ago or so, sometimes it would feel like my whole thigh or an entire leg had gone to sleep, that 'pins and needles' feeling. Usually the more severe it was and the longer it lasted, the more likely I would get an actual outbreak of lesions, but more often than not I get prodrome and few - if any - lesions.
The last few years have been like a return to the earliest days that I had HSV, with very definite flu-like symptoms - fevery, sweaty, sniffly, aching head and joints, and of course swollen lymphs. Toss in the desire to sleep for days, major mood swings; depression and anger...great fun. Usually I feel it coming early enough to be ready for it when it takes over but occasionally, after prolonged masturbation or fairly 'energetic' sex, the whole process can flash through my system and I'm in the middle of it before I kow it, cranky and miserable..much like an ex who's menses used to 'take her by surprise' every month.

I almost always get lower back pain and leg pain to the point of barely being able to walk sometimes...I get flu like feelings as well when I am about to have an outbreak...so yes, these are very common symptoms unfortunetly!