Leg and Foot cramps.

Hello:
I've been taking Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) 600mg once a day for quite a few years, at first it seemed to work for me, but now I'm not so sure...how long have you been taking BID, and did/have you had any side effects?
thanks

I started taking ALA in 2015. I had been having very bad tingling and numbness in both feet, sometimes it would spread upwards to my knees. It was pretty maddening, so I was ready to try anything, even supplements, which I am quite skeptical about using. However, ALA worked really well, and fast; it reduced the tingling and numbness within 30 minutes, and regular use nearly eliminated the problem. I don't take ALA anymore, since I no longer have the foot problem. I never had any side effects, no withdraw, just relief.

tsch | @tsch | 26 seconds ago
Cramps and cures in my opinion are totally random-both in cause and cure. They come and go, sometimes coming daily, sometimes gone for a year or more. I walk when I have a cramp til it eases, usually within 3-5 minutes. I get in arch under foot, and calf occasionally. I don't believe there is any supplement or exercise that will really make a difference.

i believe you're right about this. i've been having these problems for over half my life. doctors tell me to take this or that. you need to do more walking. you need to lose wait. eat this type of diet. and ABSOLUTELY none of it helps nor works. it's just a guessing game to see what relieves it for EACH individual that has this condition. so all i can say is, just try to figure out what works for YOU.

I agree. Docs don't know real cause. And a "fix" for one person probably won't help another. People who claim something will help everyone are mistaken. Cramps are annoying and painful for sure, but for me totally unpredictable and erratic.

I have the cramping problem occasionally too, and agree with you, that there doesn’t seem to be a way to stop it. I walk to relieve my calf discomfort, after a cramping episode to! Hang in there!

Hi Danny,

I have had L5-S-1 trouble and have problems in the legs and feet.

I get spasms symmetrically in both legs although it’s worse in the left leg and feet. I get spasms elsewhere, but you have not mentioned that, so I will focus on the legs.

I have foot pain that include; burning, stinging, skin sensitivity. I have feelings that there is something rumbling/twitching beneath the skin (not limited to legs and feet). The twitching lasts longer now. It used to be brief. Now it’s longer. What is recent and new is a lot of that happened in the area of the bottom of foot/feet where I had lightning like shooting pains following that twitching/rumbling.

I wake-up almost nightly from spasm mostly in lower calf and 24/7 in bottoms of feet which is part of the reason for balance issues.

Is the twitching new for you? The first time I had twitching/rumblings was in the face following facial weakness a lot of years ago. Back then it was so brief it was not worth mentioning. I think now it’s relative because of the frequency and duration. It’s worse since February.

I have heard dehydration can cause that. But I drink plenty of water. So, I have no idea. I never mentioned it before, to the doctor only that I had facial weakness two times back years ago on right then left side a year apart. The first followed a horrible upper respiratory infection. I. It affects if I recall the 7th cranial nerve.

Anyway, I’m stil waiting for a proper diagnosis with a worsening of symptoms including these. I have spine issues. I’m not sure how much of its caused by the falls I’ve taken from being dizzy or if its widespread (which is what it feels like)

Check out the bottoms of the feet and the nerve that innervates that area. It falls to the area I’m having trouble with. Will have epidural next week L5 - S1. Hopefully that helps.

I really hope you feel better. Baclofen and lidocaine ointment address some spasm and foot pain.

💜

Has anyone used the Nooro EMS foot massager? Does it work or worth buying? Is it recommended to use if you have blood cluts (DVT) and taking Eliquis 5mg 2xaday?

i do have the spasms. oddly in the left leg & foot. but the leg cramps are mainly in the right leg & foot. i do have a herniated disc. L5. but the leg issues i've had longer than the disc issue 🤷‍♂️. also i have what feels like bugs or spiders crawling around on my legs. the outside. creepy. like you i have bad balance issues. i've fallen more times than i can remember. i use a cane to get around. mainly outdoors. and a little indoors. i don't know about the dehydration. i drink plenty of water with electrolytes. another IDK. 🧡

i have no idea about either one of these. but i will check out the Eliquis.