I also have cramps however, it's unusual that one would get a cramp like a charlie horse under my chin like someone is poking their finger there as hard as they can. GOD>>>it's painful!
My husband thinks IM a nutt LOL...It really hurts. I took some potassium and it helped somewhat...I know that some seizure meds can play with the electralyte balance...
I found some good ways to prevent them...again thanx for your help here, I thought I was the only one who was crazy as the dr. cals it. WTH??

Cramps under your chin? Yes, after my first long term bout with Prednisone I had cramps in my neck, under my chin, and it seems like nearly every where on my body. I can't remember my tongue cramping, but .... let me think, it is a smooth muscle I think, not striated.

Our bodies are amazing.... until they start malfunctioning, then it seems like we can just hang on. If I wrote down each malfunction I have in a week I would be nominated for the "Whiner and sniveler Hall of Fame."

Until Prednisone I seriously don't remember having cramps. I know I must have had one at one time or another, but very few. Like headaches... I get one a year at the most. I am really blessed there.

Just remember, it could always be worse.

Hi-
You'e added all I can think of for muscle cramps. I am ama3d that you can stand and jump on the affected limb. When they hit me that badly I eake up screaming and crawl across the floor - screaming to wake someone up to get me a Skelaxin muscle relaxant - it helps to at least quiet me down.

I know you are trying to get off meds but maybe having a good dose muscle relaxant on hand is an alternative. Another possibility might be to rub Arnica ointment, a homeopathic remedy, into your calves, prior to going to bed each night.

My leg hurts now in sympathy-
Noreen

I have suffered with leg cramps myself for many years. Mine are caused by the large doses of Lasix I take for a neuro condition called pseudo tumor cerebri( also called intercranial hypertension) I take 120mg of lasix a day. My Dr's decided to test my calcium, potassium and magnesium levels after I started getting eye twitches along with the leg cramps. All my levels were in the basement. I now take otc calcium, 1200mg 3 times a day, 250 mg of Magnesium twice a day and a prescription strength potassium ( 20 mediquil) three times a day. This has helped tremendously. I had tried eating bananas and taking otc potassium, but it wasn't enough. Maybe this is something that you can try. It was great for me.

Stephanie

Thank you for the suggestions. I am sorry to hear of your problems. I went back on 972mg of Quinine a day and it stopped the leg cramps. I now take 972 one day, then 648mg the next day. My goal is to get back down where I was (324mg a day, maybe skipping every third or fourth day).

I am so glad mine have let up. Hope you are doing ok with yours.

I know this may sound too simplistic but I have been having some serious cramping going on in various places.

Part of my issue was low iron and therefore low oxygen getting to the muscles. I had iron deficiency anemia. I correct that with supplements.

The other thing which is not confirmed but I follow a regime for it is secondary adrenal insufficiency and fatigue. My sodium and potassium levels often get out of whack and then muscle spasms. So in the mornings and in the afternoon I have a glass of water with 1/8 sea salt in it because my body does not hang onto fluids well because of the adrenal fatigue. But please do not add any salt if you doc says you have high blood pressure. My pressure usually runs low so the sea salt and water help me hang onto fluids and electrolyte balance.

Just a thought

Make sure you have a good amount of electrolytes in your system daily.

For the cramps if they are in that specific area i would use a magnesium transdermal cream. My 81 year old grandmother had these nocturnal night cramps for years before i recommended she start using the magnesium cream well in a few days the cramps stopped and she is able to sleep without disruption.

Low iron as mentioned can cause cramps and poor circulation in the body.

Also low thyroid conditions can cause these cramps and again poor circulation due to lack of blood flow, it could be something worth checking out.

Hope this helps.