If you'r cramps are not related to exercise or position, they're not likely claudication. And the cramps that come with position changes often mean that that position is compromising blood flow to that area, so change position.

But if they're from out of the blue, you might want to try magnesium. It's helpful to many.

Re: your epidural injections. I have had 3 recently in spine for thigh pain, and also noticed sudden problems with charlie horses...in calf. Also just happened to be tested for Cortisol levels with stim test and mine were so low the doc called in cortisone pills and wants me in for further evaluation. since she called I have looked online and found out that steroid injections can severly suppress adrenal function. NO DOC told me this at Spine Center. My endo is not sure this is the only reason, though, so I will have to see whats next...low cortisol levels can be dangerous, even life threatening, I am wondering if mine were low before that. And now wondering about the leg cramps. I am taking Magnesium too...just wanted you to be aware of that...

Liza Jane.

Been a while since we corresponded. How are you???

I never take calcium supplements or magnesium. I don't know why I never take magnesium, but I do know why I do not take calcium. Makes me constipated.

Is there a specific cal/mag pill that you can recommend? I had a spasm the other night in my big toe. Don't want that repeated.

Thanks, Melody

Calcium supplements do me the same way. Rolaids doesn't seem to have that effect though. So that's what I take for my calcium supplement. Oddly enough, not having a gallbladder one would think constipation would be the least of my worries. Not so for me. Most people I know that have had their gallbladder out are *never* bothered by constipation. The opposite is more the norm.

Melody,

Sounds like you may need magnesium. And if you up your dose of magnesium citrate until you get diarrhea, and then back off, you will probably find the right dose.

I've found that a powdered form of magnesium will loosen my bowels if I take enough, even though a tablet didn't (same form of magnesium, good brand, and even higher dose). I don't need that, but in a desperate attempt to treat a spasm with higher doses and more absorbable form I learned about the effect on me.

Now calcium magnesium (citrate) powder did the trick on me.

rose

Rose Bob have been havings that problem as well . L.J Bob's dr. said after
only one phone call that with some people cramps are side effects
of Ed injections. Bob sure got them after the first 2.
Then went on and on but i couldn't find my tape recorder,sorry.
I have them often they are awfull,i was in the grocery store once and
some wonderfull lady helped she could see my pain,it was a blessing,
because i could't talk or scream. And that day i think it would of been a
scream..A well deserved one but there's people in that store with
heart conditions. Get better sweet lady.. Sue

Hi Rose, Jarrett and Sue:

Well, I got my gallbladder out about 6 years ago. Had to have two operations in two days because I bled internally. Boy, did I get skinny after that because I didn't eat for a long time. Had no appetite. I remember telling Alan "you have to go and buy me orange cupcakes". He just looked at me like I was out of my mind. I had no appetite for anything else. Just orange tasting stuff. And this all happened after they took out my gallbladder.

I coudn't get enough of orange chocolate, and orange cupcakes. No other food though. So I lost weight, but as soon as I went off the orange cupcakes, and began to eat like a normal person (without exercising though), I put on 20 lbs just like that. I never understood. I never ate beef, I ate salads, actually I ate like I do right now, but for some reason, I gained 20 lbs. It has taken me years to get the rest of the weight off but off it has come. Don't forget I've been on diabetic meds for many many years and they cause a person to retain weight also. And I've been on insulin for two years and even though it's almost impossible to lose weight if you take insulin, I've managed to do it. I have had to step up my walking though.

I rarely get constipated. I go every morning. But now that I believe I should add calcium, I'll add the magnesium. Thankfully, haven't had a cramp in two days since that episode.

Spasms, cramps, whatever you call them,, they are most certainly NOT FUN!!!

Mel

Constipation is my middle name as many know. I did read that the magnesium offsets the calcium. I take though calcium with vitamin d which I don't think the calcium/mag/zinc so I take the magnesium on the side and zinc is in my multi. I'm not sure if everyone needs the d but my doc really wanted me to have it cause of the osteoporosis.

daniella, forgive me if I'm wrong, but are you still taking the painkillers? For me that was a cause of constipation. As soon as I quit Lortab or whatever other painkiller I was given my bowels were much happier.

can you send me references on suppression of adrenal function by epidurals. That would be an incredibly bad thing to happen to me at this point in time.

Thank you.