Connect
Constant excruciating leg cramps
I was “diagnosed” with Fibro in 2009. I had a false pos for Lupus and so this is what they decided I have.
My symptoms increased and decreased in severity for years. About 11 years ago I started getting leg cramps in my sleep. Sure, everyone gets them, but mine would be calf and shin simultaneously. I couldn’t stretch one or the other, because the opposite would spasm more and cause terrible pain. I’d have it for a couple weeks and then it’d disappear.
I went through times were I was very active, in the gym all the time, hiking, etc. but then I’d get, say, tendinitis somewhere and have to lay off.
In august 2021 I fell. I’d been exercising and walking—up to 4 miles a day— for a couple months. I didn’t fall because of pain or disability, I just tripped in a normal way. But I landed in my face requiring stitches in three places, and got whiplash.
Since then, I’ve been downhill. But the cramps! I started getting them in both legs at night. Both shins, both calves, the feet. It decreases in intensity, but hasn’t gone away. Then it increases again. It used to stop when I was up and around, but now both legs are pretty much in spasm all day. It spread to my hamstrings (never as bad), and now I have it in my forearms.
The rheumatologist found “nothing wrong”. The neurologist found “nothing wrong”. He put me on gabapentin, but anything more than 300mg once a day turns me into an a$$h*le. And doesn’t help.
The doctors literally wipe their hands and say, “that’s just your Fibro.”
Is it? I’ve never read about that with Fibro. 🙁
56 yo. Used to bodybuild. Played women’s pro football 20 years ago. Used to cycle, swim, etc.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.
Connect
Dehydration is the cause for me so I take Hylands Leg Cramps pills I buy them on Amazon. Also I take a hydration power you mix with water I also buy on Amazon. Jigsaw hydration packets. Mix with 8-10 ounces of water. Get the Berry flavor the other is terrible I think. Gods speed!! Diane.
Hi
I'm so sorry your going thru this. About 4 yrs ago my feet started cramping at night. Over the years they have gotten worse. My doctor tested me for neuropathy and it's mild supposedly. My legs cramp at night most nights. He put me on 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid a day and it seems to help somewhat. I also eat a banana a day and take magnesium at night that helps. I do find if I don't hydrate enough it's worse at night. I play tennis alot and drink plenty of water then but I think I need to drink more throughout the day.
I hope this helps
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello, ideas for you.
https://frequencyspecific.com/
Above gets good results with fibromyalgia/muscle/etc etc
Check magnesium levels as low magnesium is a prime cause of leg cramps.
Far Infrared Clothing is 'recovery' clothing for muscle/joint soreness and inflammation. I have polymyalgia rheumatica and started sleeping in this clothing which helped me. You emit your body heat which this clothing turns into fir and sends back into your body. Opens arteries and promotes more oxygen in them.
Hope you are finding some relief
I’m so sorry that you are and have been suffering so much. I have RA and Lupus. I also suffer with spasms and boy are they painful. It may seem simplistic but these things really help me a lot. Hylands Leg Cramp pills on Amazon. Jigsaw dehydration packets also on Amazon. Cyclobenzapr a prescription it’s for spasms. This am I woke with spasms and I fixed a packet of Dehydration packet in a bottle of water and in a short time I had relief. I get spasms a lot because of dehydration. As I have aged I dehydrate more easily. Good luck and I hope anything that works for me might help you!!
I feel happy that your doctor knows about GABA. That's not gabapentin, but GABA.
I have taken that dose and not even felt sleepy, but my body stopped the spasm. Occasionally it makes me tired. Other people might get very tired from that dose.
I wouldn't ever want to give you medical advice, that's your doctors job.
I found a pub med article to explain the interaction between opioid and gaba.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9403690/#:~:text=Opioids%20inhibit%20GABA%2Dmediated%20(GABAergic,the%20mechanisms%20involved%20remain%20uncertain.
Please be cautious.
I know people that removed the alcohol and opioid, and just take health food store gaba for pain. Opioid withdrawal is a thing, and I would recommend expert advice as I have no personal experience with this.
GABA and the GABA system does change the effects of the opioid , please use extreme caution.
This appears to be evolving research.
Must talk to Dr, and not mix this stuff until there's a plan for you from your dr, is my advice, that's not medical, but caution.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6139983/
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1915143117
My Dr does not know about GABA. What is that ?
I'm so sorry about the cramps. I have FM for years and the cramps come and go with the seasons. Water is important and so are electrolytes. Another is calcium, magnesium, potassium, and the correct dosage for yourself. I have found some stretch online that really work and my pt told me when it's in the foot to roll a ball under the foot. it works.
After years of left knee/ILT pain, I think it is pretty much solved. It all started this year with a sore big toe and images show osteoarthritis. Just in my toe. Anyway, off to PT for that. But the orthotics that helped my toe gave me a severe back ache and so I got help for that. So, the osteopathic PT believes that lumbar, L5, is the cause. I now have stretches to get my sacroiliac back into place and it nearly immediately alleviates the knee pain. I am working on core muscles to help with the back, not real strong yet, but on my way. So now I know my toe issue is because I was not picking up my feet when walking, resulting in weak, tight calves which annoyed the back...and I have foot stretches, too. I have percoset from the pain clinic for nighttime pain. I am going to see about referrals for updated spinal xrays and neck area. I have MCTD.
I'm looking for help for my wife. She is experiencing excruciating foot and leg cramps at night. It will usually start in one place like her foot then travel upwards to ankles, calves and legs. It gets her out of bed right away and I can tell she is suffering because I will look over and see her hunched over, trying to manage the pain. So, we have a bottle of Muscle Relief (CVS)foam. I immediately apply it and start messaging it in. It is horrible pain, but usually with the foam I can get it under control within a 3-5 minutes. But, you know how long that is when you are in extreme pain.
One complication to the solution of this problem is that she has had bariatric surgery. This complicates the matter because she cannot absorb all the nutrients she needs to from her food. I feel, though I do not know, that it makes it more difficult for her body to absorb and process not only food and essential vitamins and minerals, but medicine too. If she could take something orally to help with these cramps, she could incorporate it into her diet or nightly regimen.
If anyone has any information on how I can help her, it would be appreciated very much.
Thank you,
Mike
Welcome Mike @mpg0514forlisa, My wife also gets leg cramps similar to what you describe your wife is having. For my wife it mostly happens when she has not taken in enough water during the day. Hyland's Leg Cramps PM tablets have helped her through the episodes, usually providing relief fairly quickly - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002YXUPGK/. Another thing that might be helpful is to use a magnesium lotion or other moisturizer on her legs at night before going to bed.
Does she drink much water during the day? Has she discussed the leg cramps with her doctor?