Leg Spasms!
 

Ack! Make them stop!

When I go to bed at night, I can 'feel' my legs (calves) with tiny twitches. At times, it feels like little pop rocks going off in my legs. It's virtually non stop!

Not to mention the frequency with which I'm waking up 1. with charlie horse cramping in my legs (1 or the other, take your pick, some nights I get both at intervals) or 2. leg cramp that is borderline going to charlie horse, but not yet there (I'm a light sleeper).

I walk a lot, I exercise daily. I've been doing both for 2+ years now. I also take 1000 IU of vitamin D daily, and I had read if you don't offset with calcium, magnesium and possibly vit. E as well, that this can result in leg spasms, cramping etc.

I'm thinking this is simply the MS, or are these types of twitches common in those who walk a lot/exercise? Are they tied into diet? I eat a very low Sat. and Trans. fat diet, no red meat...

I'm thinking this is the MS, and I will see my neuro/GP about it, but the pop rocks in the legs .. anyone with me on this one?

As I sit here writing this, I can feel the darn calves popping away. :rolleyes:

Stupid disease! :p

Several folks here are on meds for muscle spasms...can't remember the names. (Of the meds or the people!)

Do some gentle leg stretches before going to sleep...It helps a little. :hug:

Make sure you are drinking lots of water and have you doctor check your potassium level. It may help with the charlie horses. I take baclofen for muscle spsticity -- spasms plus stiffness.

Thanks for the suggestions! I did some leg stretches last night, as well as leaving my feet uncovered (I normally have my sheet pulled over the bottom of the bed) which gave my legs a bit more room and less constriction, and I had a good night's sleep :).

Barb, you may be on to something with the water idea. That's definitely a possibility, big time! I'll make an effort to drink more, and see how that goes :)

(plus have my potassium checked, another good suggestion!).

I have the twitches too...they're called fasciculations, although I say that the babies are rockin' in my calves (reminds me of when my babies were full term).
As for the spasms, I drink plenty of water, eat right including fruit/veggies, and I still get painful spasms. If I get them during the night I stretch the legs out. I take zanaflex for them, but sometimes the pain is almost unbearable...

let your neuro know...they can sure get nasty!!

Soma worked (at least once so far)
 

2 nights ago I took one Soma (prescribed 3x for daily spasms w/baclofen but it relaxed intestines so stopped using it) and I didn't wake up once from spasms. Even once awake, when I move a little and watch 1/2hr tv I just had minor ones. Fell asleep last night w/o takig it and boy..I won't forget tonight! Try it. 350mg I believe.