Looking for any ideas to reduce leg cramps when reducing medication is not an option

Hi, Sylv. Welcome.

Well, the first thing to do is to figure out why you are having leg cramps! Since you're posting here, I assume you have MG. If it's from the MG, massaging the leg muscles does help.

There are a lot of things that can cause leg cramps, including thyroid imbalance, electrolyte imbalance, peripheral artery disease, etc. It's best to go see your primary doctor and see if it's something other than MG causing it.

Heat is not usually good for MG but if you put some warm compresses on the legs, that will help - in addition to the massages.

Seriously, it's always best to figure out the "why" of a new symptom before fixing it. I hope you can figure it out because leg cramps are just awful!

Annie

I usually do a 1/4 teason of sea salt in water plus one tab of slow release potassium from Whole foods. really been working for me lately.

Others swear by putting a bat of soap at the foot of the bed when sleeping

Shelley, That would be good but if someone with MG already has too much potassium causing leg cramps, it will make MG worse. Too much or too little of electrolytes can make MG worse. Sorry, but I had to add that. I didn't know how much you knew about MG.

Annie

Thanks for the heads up Annie! Good call I did not know

sylv,
I have severe leg cramps and I have found that drinking pickle juice takes the craps away. This is the only thing I have found that helps me. I also eat pickles and that helps also, but drinking the juice works immediately! Try it and let me know if it works with you.
Simon

Hi Sylv and welcome to the BEST site on the web for MG'ers!

Have you had labs drawn lately? I know when I had really bad cramps b/4 it was because I was very anemic - in fact my Ferritin level was 10 - waaaaay low!

I noticed that baby bananas and OJ really helped me out! You may want to try that but you do need to find out why you are hurting!

Again, welcome! You are going to LOVE it here! It is a great site to vent and meet others who know exactly what you are going through, so feel free to ask any question!

Take care!
Erin

Hi Sylv,
I feel for you! Leg cramps can be miserable! I don't have them but I do have alot of jittery, shaking with my legs at night, especially when I'm trying to sleep.
I think Erin may be right about the Ferritin. My mom used to have horrible leg cramps due to a blood disorder and I know the Dr. talked about her ferritin levels. Her Dr. had her take something over the counter called Quinine. My youngest son also took it after he was involved in an ATV accident and had alot of trouble with his legs cramping. Please check with your Dr. or your pharmacist before taking it to make sure it is safe for people with MG. I am a newbie myself and still have to check on everything before I take it.
Hope you can get some relief soon!

Kendra, I'm afraid that Quinine does the opposite of Mestinon. So an MGer should not take it! It is in tonic water.

I'm sorry to be the contrary and cautious one here but if Sylv is having leg cramps due to MG, or any other reason, she needs a doctor's help.

Annie

Until I am able to visit doctor (Oct 9) whats your opinion or experience on using tylenol or other over the counter pain meds