1. < Spine Health

Spasticity at night in legs/feet/cramping

Posted by meadows @meadows, Oct 26 10:39pm

Does anyone wake up during the night with spasticity in legs/feet/and calf cramping? One dr. thinks it's stiff-person-syndome, but I also have compression in L4/L5 and some disc issues (neck too a little bit). My legs also sometimes "push outwards" during these short attacks - such force that you could probably break a bone during the brief episodes. Thanks very much.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Oct 27 9:51am

Try exercise before you go to bed. I too was suffering from this and found that giving my muscles some work before bed fixed my problem. As part of my PT instructed home exercise program (HEP) I stretch upon waking and before bed and I no longer have these issues. I had surgery in 1990 L5-S1 fusion with laminectomy and now with OA, lumbar stenosis, peripheral neuropathy. Once you get a HEP keep on doing it cause your back will need it.

REPLY
1 reply
curvedspine | @curvedspine | Oct 27 12:45pm

Visit a massage therapist that does miofascial release. You will be so glad you did. Those tendons are so tight that they spasm during the night. I also take Cyclobenzaprine an hour before bedtime. Good vibes to you -

REPLY
catartist | @catartist | Oct 27 1:44pm

Muscle relaxer might help - does for me - when I need it. Gabipentin or methocarbamol maybe (500 mg)

REPLY
witzend | @witzend | Oct 27 3:42pm

I was having trouble with cramping in my legs and thighs so bad I was in actual pain. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist who also deals with veins. I had a procedure in both legs called Venus, basically closing down the main vein in each leg causing the body to find a different route. This did work for me and the procedure was done in the office and wasn't painful at all.

REPLY
1 reply
4petesake | @4petesake | Oct 28 1:37am
In reply to @jenatsky "Try exercise before you go to bed. I too was suffering from this and found that..." + (show)
@jenatsky

Try exercise before you go to bed. I too was suffering from this and found that giving my muscles some work before bed fixed my problem. As part of my PT instructed home exercise program (HEP) I stretch upon waking and before bed and I no longer have these issues. I had surgery in 1990 L5-S1 fusion with laminectomy and now with OA, lumbar stenosis, peripheral neuropathy. Once you get a HEP keep on doing it cause your back will need it.

Jump to this post

Tonight I did my exercises before bed, and here I am @ 1:30 a.m. with painful "near cramps." At this point I take an anti-spasmodic & wait to go back to sleep. Tip: If you get a full cramp put your feet on a cold floor asap.

REPLY
jenatsky | @jenatsky | Oct 28 7:09am

So maybe it did help since you did say “near cramps”? I use the device pictured when my feet cramp up by rolling my foot on this device which was a gift.
REPLY
jalcorn | @jalcorn | Oct 31 10:22am

I have had polyneuropathy with radiculopathy for 15 years. I haven’t driven for two years due to the loss of feeling in my feet when sitting, this also happens when sitting in a chair and when I’m in bed.
Lately I’m experiencing throbbing pain in my legs that wakes me up at night
I have chosen not to take any prescription medications as I am a retired nurse of 40 years and have witnessed the outcome of long term dependence on these drugs.
So my PCP has suggested that I see a pain specialist who works on back/ neck issues.
She has several patients with neuropathy that have seen this doc for epidural injections and they have been pain free for years.
We’ll see, but I think it’s worth exploring

REPLY
jalcorn | @jalcorn | Oct 31 10:26am
In reply to @witzend "I was having trouble with cramping in my legs and thighs so bad I was in..." + (show)
@witzend

I was having trouble with cramping in my legs and thighs so bad I was in actual pain. My doctor sent me to a cardiologist who also deals with veins. I had a procedure in both legs called Venus, basically closing down the main vein in each leg causing the body to find a different route. This did work for me and the procedure was done in the office and wasn't painful at all.

Jump to this post

Wow! I’ve never heard of this procedure but am happy for you that it worked.
Did you have pain or just numbness ?
Every time I see another specialist they tell me that my problem is not vascular, so I’m assuming that yours was.
What testing did you have that confirmed this?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.