cramps
 

Hi--

I just got back from a 2 week vacation that was all I could have wanted. The epidural I had before I left kicked in pretty quickly, and I was quite comfortable. But I have a new problem that I don't like.

Last night when I laid down to go to sleep one of my calves cramped up. All the usual maneuvers didn't work (getting up, walking, stretching). Finally, it eased and I got back into bed and the other leg cramped. Then both together. Somehow I got to sleep, but was awakened several times by return of the cramps. Some in my calf, but also in my thigh muscles. I had some strange sensations in my hands, like prickles of needles, just in one or two places, and not nearly as disturbing as the leg cramps, though worrisome, because I don't want to think the neuropathy is worsening.

I'm not dehydrated and have no reason to have a new electrolyte problem. I don't get it. I looked up nocturnal leg cramps and the only thing I came up with was magnesium. My magnesium level was good a few weeks ago.

Then today I went to buy a new bed with my son, and everytime I laid down, the cramps came. They clearly were related to position. Also, as soon as I laid down, I had neuropathy symptoms that I haven't had since the beginning---my feet itched, felt crawly, prickled.

So I think I'm having symptoms related to position, not just sleep. Anybody know anything about this?

Tonight I was sure to take my CaMg supplement to the fullest, it's all I cant think of. I'm not eager to lie down to sleep.

Hi Liza
 

Welcome Back!

I have leg cramps in my left leg, and it also has to do with position and flex. When I flex my toes, my toes and calf seem to spas up,and my foot has even rotated inwards 90 degrees. Like dystonia.

Since my PN has always been mostly sensory (small fibre) with some autonomic involvement, I assume that this has to do with motor nerves, though my nerve conduction studies were normal.

I take large amounts of magnesium and it seems to help, some days are worse than others and sometimes there is much abating,although I have tenderness in that calf 24/7.

On several occasions while flexing my legs at night while asleep I was woken by the most painful leg cramp,and my leg was twisted up and I couldn't control my foot. It passes thank God, but I still don't know why it happens either?:confused:

Wow, you take large amounts of magnesium... and it doesn't help?

Gosh... I wonder how that can be...

(there was a long gap in here while I was wondering and thinking about it)

Have you read much about magnesium? I was surprised to read that it's pretty hard to absorb, a lot like B12... so now when I take mine I take it with a hydrochloric acid tablet or vitamin C... I read that the acid in vitamin C helps for the magnesium to be used.

Apparently when someone is low on stomach acid, then they tend to get magnesium depletion... because apparently we need stomach acid (some kind of acid, like the vitamin C) in order to make use of magnesium that we take...

I get these but yours could it be from the procedure if not had them before? I take magnesium but also glucosamine msn,calcium with d. I also wonder if it may be from potassium? I don't take a supp but try to eat foods with it. Awhile back I had a deficiency and of iron too and it made me feel crampy. Hope you feel better and enjoyed your trip

Positon related--
 

--opens up two other possibilites:

--neruomuscular compression, especially from the lower part of the spine (and that would hardly be a surprise, right?), or

--ciruclatory issues in the lower extremities.

This is, of course, in addition to the electrolyte possibilites.

I too get cramps during some of my stretching exercise work-outs, generally in the lower legs and toes, and they are associated with certain positions I assume--usually when I am tightening muscles or stretching them considerably; it seems that the conscious process of "hardening" them produces spasm from time to time, though it goes away within a minute or so if I release the area. I have found these have lessened with good hydration and major magnesium citrate dosing, though they haven't gone completely.

The fact that you are getting sensory symptoms with these sort of points to some sort of compressive forces--could be the pressure of muscles/fascia on the lower spine or cauda equina area when you're lying on them--could you lie down on your side to sleep? (And how was your night?)

probably related to the position
 

Liza Jane,
Are you still using the Miralax? I know you have just gotten back from vacation and even tho you think you are hydrated, perhaps you are a little low in the hydration area. Miralax, very little water on the plane, perhaps not as much magnesium as you need, hot vacation climate and all the sun etc. Your epidural has most likely worn off by now. Try hydrating yourself really well, using more magnesium than you usually do and mix the Miralax with Gatorade or Pedyalyte. Also sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.

I sure hope this helps.

Billye

Oh, Liza Jane. I sure can relate.

Coping with motor problems has caused me to adapt in not-so-good ways for years. And in recent weeks I have been coping with a similar problem, but it is the right side of my lower back (opposite of the worst side, so the right has been doing all the work). Can manage during the day, but night time has been a bear.

I've been getting help from a woman who is very good and is helping my body to at least try to do the right thing. :cool: And in working with her I have discovered some bad habits I can do something about.

Upping and upping the doses of calcium and magnesium, and getting lots of potassium in my food.

Now that it has eased quite a bit, the pillow between knees helps somewhat. Been trying that and every possible contortion to keep from having to spend all night sitting up.

The magnesium I had been taking was in tablet form (citrate), but the powdered form of calcium and magnesium I'm using now seems to get through better (a little diahrrea, whereas I have never had any with even larger doses of it in tablet form). Not sure it is making the difference, but I'm sure not willing to take a chance!

Also started taking bromelain and have become more diligent about the glucosomine/MSM. Anything that is safe!

Wishing us all a good night's sleep!

rose

Liza Jane, gotta ask....
 

HOW long was the plane flight back? Were you able to get up and MOOOVE around much or not? You had gone on vacation, did Lots of things probably, and then had to SIT Stand, SIT for extended periods of time?
I know I feel like a geriatric [not there YET I surely hope!] when I've got to SIT for any period of time over 30 minutes! I get up and walk around the house, go to a store [just to walk] and up and down the driveway just to keep things 'rolling'...
Just hope it's nothing airline related = EVIL! - j

I was getting terrible calf cramps until David advised me of taken magnesium and calcium supplements, i have not had a calf cramp since that day.

Thanks everyone
 

Last night I made sure to take the Ca/Mg pills, 4 of the, but I can't remember the number of milligrams. Then I got worried because it was my first day injecting myself with Forteo, and I wasn't sure if there would be an interaction between the forteo and the calcium.

But all seemed to go well.

So, now I'm on the Forteo for 6 months, which will hopefull make my back fuse. I'll use the bone growth stimulator with it, though no one is actually suggesting that. Why not? Also, I'm still doing Feldenkrais for the pain, and it still works. and yesterday started PT for the pelvic floor, which my new colo-rectal guy ordered. I don't expect it to do anything. But I do think the Forteo/calcium/mag/bone stimulator with feldenkrais and weights will help.

I'm feeling pretty good, actually, despite it all.