eep! hand/feet cramping
 

I have started (going on 3 weeks now) to have cramps, mostly in my hands but it happens in my feet as well. They feel like horrible charlie horses. When this happens my hands/feet stiffen, hurt like crazy and sometimes I can't move them for a few minutes. My hands occasionally want to ball up like a fist and stay stuck there. My thumb and fingers are achy all the time and only get worse as I try to do anything.

I am working with my Neurologist to slowly taper off Prednisone. I am currently at 25mg daily until 2/15 then I will be on 25mg odd days 20 even days for two weeks then 20mg for two weeks and so on. Prednisone has helped me a lot but also caused WAY to many dangerous side effects for it to be worth taking anymore. As I get lower on the dose these cramps seem to happen more frequently.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I am not sure if it is MG related, prednisone related, a vitamin issue ...or just some other additional issue I really do not want added to my already overwhelming pile of health issues.

I would like to exhaust any options I can try at home to possibly deal with this before setting yet another doctors appointment. I have GREAT doctors, whom I adore, but I see them WAY more often than I would like. :D

I have that problem, mostly in my feet. I've had it for a few months now. Originally I went to my doctor and he told me to take epsom salt baths and take calcium supplements. He tested for electrolytes and vitamin deficiencies and didn't find anything.

However, my understanding is that people with MG shouldn't supplement magnesium (which is the active ingredient in epsom salts) and I really wouldn't supplement at all without asking your doctor.

I do roll my cramps with a rolling pin or a tennis ball sometimes. I can't really say that it helps although people keep assuring me that it will. I'll be following to read the other responses.

Hi both of you,
I found out that the frequency and intensity of my muscle cramps was a function of the quantity of liquids I was drinking: the more water I drink, the less cramps I have...
Another information: I'm a reasonable chocolate addict, so Magnesium is not a potential help...
Maurice.

Thanks, neutro. I think I do okay on water. I'm a lifter (or was, anyway) so I drink a lot of water to make sure I don't get so much muscle soreness. I gauge my fluid intake by urine color (sorry, TMI). I'll have to start paying attention and see if there's any correlation.

Thank you guys for responding!

OK first I drink a LOT of fluids, mostly water. I used to get frequent issues with (TMI ALERT!!!) constipation and UTI's. So a few years ago I started to track my fluid intake and soooo long story short I know that my fluid intake is solid.

Second I was also under the impression MGers should stay way from magnesium. However I do take Epsom salt with lavender baths. I get a lot of bruises due to my "awesomely super thin skin" (direct quote from my Dermatologist haha) due to prednisone. I have never had trouble with the baths but I won't take magnesium supplements.

I will attempt to roll out the cramps and see if that works at all.

Side note: neutro... It is a reasonably solid statement to say I am a chocolate addict as well :D

Curiosity, as a real chocolate fanatic. You both say that you are chocolate addicts... but what sort of chocolate? And how much? Often chocolate addicts are not actually addicted to the chocolate but to the sugar, milk or other ingredients with which it is diluted.

chocolate is known for its ability to increase levels of the calming neurotransmitter serotonin, it also contains small amounts of a compound called phenylethylamine, which acts like an amphetamine, stimulating your brain cells to release dopamine. Tyramine, a compound in chocolate that is derived from the amino acid tyrosine, has similar dopamine-promoting effects. These substances may be more concentrated in white chocolate, which increases dopamine levels significantly more than dark chocolate.

It could be that your MG is getting worse as you withdraw. You might need to withdraw at really small intervals, such as 1 mg.

It's worth a discussion with your primary doctor. A hands and feet presentation is typical of a B12 deficiency/neuropathy. And although ArtandIron didn't have a vitamin or electrolyte issue, that doesn't mean that you couldn't. It's worth checking out.

The other electrolyte that might be to blame is potassium. Do you have a diet rich in potassium? Are you retaining fluids from Pred?

People can be addicted to the "high" they get from the chocolate itself, but it could also be a sign of a craving for something else. ;) I quit chocolate two years ago (due to sugar) and haven't craved it since. It's a hard habit to break.

Annie

It's funny that this came up because I was up half the night last night with foot cramps. They haven't seemed as bad lately until that one-- it was a doozy.

I was kinda hoping someone would claim that chocolate was the cure, because that's a treatment with which I could get on board! :D

For juliejayne:
I think that for a chocolate addict, the only chocolate worthwhile to mention is dark...
My favorites are 60 to 80 % chocolate and my consomption is about 20 g/day plus what is contained in my lunch desert, but in this case I try to vary to be reasonable!
Maurice.

Cramping muscles will quickly respond to Topical magnesium.
Many of us including myself use Morton Epsom lotion for fast relief from muscle tightness, cramping etc. The magnesium also blocks the NMDA pain receptors, and improves circulation.

Apply to the lower shins and ankles for foot cramping and forearms for hand problems.
A little dollop goes a long way. And it is not expensive.
Available at WalMart, some Walgreen's and online at Amazon.
Not everywhere yet, as it is relatively new.

http://www.amazon.com/Morton-Epsom-L...n+epsom+lotion

I use mine everyday. About a quarter's diameter once a day ..you can move the site of application, as it works for more than one day at each site.

Dark chocolate is the ONLY way to go! haha The darker the better. I eat chocolate daily. I have cut a lot of sugars and additional processed stuff from my diet so chocolate is my go to for something in the sweets department. Most of the time milk chocolates and such contribute to my migraines. hahaha I always hope chocolate is the solution to any issue... It usually isn't but I can always hope! :)

MrsD. I am going to look into that lotion. Even if it helps a little that would be great. A little relief can make the difference between tolerable and debilitating.

Annie. You are amazing. Seriously! You always have so much information. I read you have been living with this for quite some time and have amassed a wealth of information. I am so glad there are people like you available for those of us still figuring this out.

As I lower the Prednisone dosage I have noticed I am wearing out faster and having more difficulty breathing. I do think I may have to go slower with the Prednisone. UGH! I want off this soooo much! I am holding water from Prednisone... quite a bit.

I already have a Vitamin D deficiency so I very well could have additional vitamin issues. I think I have just been in denial that I need to go to the doctor again. *sigh*

michaelunty
 

Your recent insert mirrors my situation. At present on 20mg every other day. This sickness has become a tremendous challenge to me. Stay positive no matter what!!! It's 5 months now that I've been coming off Predisone.

Over on the peripheral neuropathy forum I believe it was MrsD who suggested putting a bar of Ivory soap under the bottom sheet at the foot of the bed to relieve foot cramps. My husband and I both get them, and I believe it has cut down on the frequency of our "attacks." (I might have read this in the Peoples Pharmacy column too.)