I was getting horrible leg cramps and spasms a couple years ago. Thought at first it was from all the walking I was doing.

Then on a whim, I added Calcium and Magnesium supplements to my daily regime, and after a little while, the leg cramps/spasms calmed down dramatically.

Can't say for sure it's true, but I recall reading afterward that if you take Vitamin D, you can get the leg cramps & spasms unless you offset with Calcium and Magnesium - which in my case, was indeed the situation.

Hope you find something that works for you sweetie.

Thanks Debbie. I always forget about that Magnesium supplement connection
to spasms. Such a simple thing and inexpensive way to treat them.

I just checked and I'm still taking my calcium-magnesium cap with my vit. D in the morning.

I'm taking a pill to prevent breast cancer, there was something about leg symptoms with that, going to look it up now.


"Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;
pain or swelling in one or both legs;"

Found that on a google search!! The med is generic for Evista!

But there isn't any swelling, so I think it's just spasms from standing all day because it's better if I have two days off work.

Ok I saw the neuro today, and he prescribed Baclofen, but he also suggested neurontin, but I said I wanted to try Baclofen first since I have taken it before. I'm only starting on 10mg once in the early afternoon then before bed and see if it helps. I took my first one today and the muscles definitely simmered down.

He suggested going on a stronger med, maybe one of the pills? And said if the baclofen and/or neurontin don't help I should get an ultrasound of my legs. He said it could be from my simvistatin too, but I take a low dose of that.

I think it's because our store is now 3 times bigger, and there are less places for me to lean against counters. We'll see!

Wiz, I looked up simvastatin and it did say a side effect was weakness, tenderness and pain in the muscles. Does that explain spasticity? I do get tightness, and also the muscles in the legs are like taught rubber bands. Doesn't sound like their side effect...

You seemed to get some relief from baclofen; keep up with it and if you continue to get spasms, ask your neuro if you can increase the dosage to see if it helps. I take 60 mg per day, with 10 mg twice more per day if needed...
Keep up with the water, and try to stretch those legs out a few times per day. An easy on at work it to push against the wall with your hands as your legs are bent (an achilles stretch). It helps me somewhat. I also wiggle my ankles to give the spastic muscles something to do.

I took 10 mg of baclofen yesterday and I remember why I stopped it before. It gave me urinary problems of feeling like I need to go and not able to empty my bladder. So I'm going to try stopping simvistatin for a week or so and see if my pain lessens. When I woke today with minor spasms (I had taken the simvistatin last night) it made me realize that it might actually be the problem. If so, I'll let my PCP know because my cholesterol isn't all that high.

Wiz, let your PCP know right away that you're discontinuing simvastatin. Bill Clinton stopped his cholesterol meds without telling his doc and ended up with a bypass
Sorry the baclofen didn't work out-have you tried zanaflex?

About the simvastatin, talk to your PCP, there are other statins that may cause less muscle symptoms. My mom was changed and it improved her leg cramps tremendously. I am thankful that my cholesterol is 137 and that is one less area that I have to stress over, though I stay aware of it.

My cholesterol is not that high, and my ratio is excellent. I eat very healthy foods all but the night we eat out. My PCP knew that I discontinued them once before too. I was going to call him today but never got a break at work.

I hope it was something as simple as your meds. Well, as long as there is something else you can take to replace the one you discontinued.

I know I've brought this up before but thought I would mention it again. I drink anywhere between 3 and 4 liters of water a day. My PT and I did a input/output urine study and I've cut down to 3 liters a day. She felt that was a good amount since 1) I need extra water to keep my stool a certain consistency since I no longer have a portion of my colon; 2) I take medicines that can be dehydrating (Ditropan, stool softener, and antihistamines); and 3) three liters is really not too much. However, water alone is really not enough to keep one hydrated. Yes, we need water and we should all aim for an appropriate amount based on our age, medications, activity level, etc. But we also need the electrolytes - salt, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphorous, etc. to keep the "electricity" working well. So making sure you are getting adequate amounts in your diet (food, supplements, etc.) is important as well. If you are lacking one of them, no amount of water is going to replace them. A little salt water will help draw some of the nutrients out of other cells to help. I recently had some blood work done. My blood calcium was high and my potassium was on the low side. My electrolytes were out of balance. I did have to get some fluids via IV and they gave me a potassium pill to take. Also, drinking too much water can deplete your electrolytes as well and cause you symptoms. It's all a balancing act.

Stepping off my electrolyte soapbox. . .

I hope you start feeling better and you find out what is causing the increase in cramps and spasms, whether it be the simvastatin or something else.