Constant excruciating leg cramps

Posted by lfisher66 @lfisher66, Jul 16, 2022

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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for Zebra @californiazebra

@mpg0514forlisa

The muscle massager I have is 30 years old from Walmart but looks something like this. Probably any of them would work.
https://www.amazon.com/Hangsun-Handheld-Massager-Percussion-Massagers/dp/B07GWTF4JT

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@californiazebra ..Again...thanks!! we will definitely look into this.

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Profile picture for bb03 @bb03

A visit to her bariatric Dr in needed asap and he or she can order labs like a CMP. Her sodium, potassium and a baseline magnesium should be done. Usually bariatric Drs have nutritionist that work for them they can assess her diet and fluid intake annd see her labs and see how best to treat her with fluids, diet and supplements. Your wife’s problem stems from fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Supplements can cause more problems if not paired well with other supplements, especially in your wife’s case. Drs rarely divulge to there patients who have these surgeries all the long term detrimental consequences of these types of surgeries. They may but not to the extent that they should.

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@bb03 Thanks. I will see if I can get ahold of the nutritionist. She has tried to speak with the doctor, but he is retired. The other doctor at the same office is only doing surgeries and doesn't have time to talk to her....can you believe that?

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Profile picture for mpg0514forlisa @mpg0514forlisa

So sorry you are going through this. I don’t know why we have the best doctors and yet we can’t get the answers we need. I pray for your relief and healing.

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@mpg0514forlisa thank you so much. We appreciate it. That's very kind of you.

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Profile picture for mpg0514forlisa @mpg0514forlisa

@californiazebra ..Again...thanks!! we will definitely look into this.

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@mpg0514forlisa
You mentioned you massage out her cramps. Another thought is for you to massage her leg muscles manually for a few minutes before bed and see if that helps.

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Profile picture for bb03 @bb03

A visit to her bariatric Dr in needed asap and he or she can order labs like a CMP. Her sodium, potassium and a baseline magnesium should be done. Usually bariatric Drs have nutritionist that work for them they can assess her diet and fluid intake annd see her labs and see how best to treat her with fluids, diet and supplements. Your wife’s problem stems from fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Supplements can cause more problems if not paired well with other supplements, especially in your wife’s case. Drs rarely divulge to there patients who have these surgeries all the long term detrimental consequences of these types of surgeries. They may but not to the extent that they should.

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@bb03
Your gut health is important. Make sure that you’re taking or eating enough food that supports your gut sauerkraut kimchi anything that has natural probiotics awesome. The other thing is there could be a vitamin deficiency. You know they always lean towards potassium, but there’s not enough potassium that you can eat with actually without actually taking potassium. The other thing is I use a product called Dr. Schultz superfood which has all the vitamin B and iodine and a lot of vitamins that your body needs that you don’t usually get through proper diet. I wish you nothing but the best and I hope everything goes well.

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Hi Fisher: I'm 84, waddle 5ks, do lite weights, modified planks and tie my own shoes. Pro football? You know more about pain and cramps than I ever will. Foot and lower leg cramps; warm fuzzy loose socks at night and stable running shoes in the day. Fifty, inch and a half achilies stretches every night. Two two pound bags of frozen peas in the freezer and a frozen blue wrap. Ow, hopefully will get you to the coaches' "walkit off, walkit off"stage. May they cramp in Hell. We suffer together, but at least you have a good excuse.

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Profile picture for lfisher66 @lfisher66

I will watch it. My doctor did refer me to the Pain Clinic. (I’m with Kaiser.)

They said, we’d like you to start CBT. Yes, I said, I’m familiar with that. Let’s give it a shot.

Well, it’s in group sessions only, oh, and virtual, and available on the two days from 10-12:30, or these two days from 3:30-6.

I say, I work from 12:30-6:30.

She says, can you work at 12:30?

1) No. 2) Nor can I magically appear somewhere immediately after finishing a virtual group.

I asked if the “Pain Clinic” also offers any Physical treatments—physical therapy, trigger point therapy, chiropractic? She says I will have to make an appointment with the clinical psychologist. They’ll let me know when that’s available. Haha.

I have tried muscle relaxers in the past. Magnesium, potassium, I do stretch— I pretty much have to. I’m currently going off the Gaba because it doesn’t help at a low dose and the Neuro doesn’t “discuss” with me (via e-message), he just tells me to take more. Not, “try taking 300mg more at night,” just “try taking more.” Grr..

Additionally, I was recently diagnosed with ADHD (formally. I’ve known for decades! Haha) That doc prescribed Wellbutrin. After about a month I messaged that I felt good on Wellbutrin, but not any different than any time feeling good Without Wellbutrin, and it Definitely did not help with ADHD symptoms.

Turns out directly after seeing me once (virtually of course,) my doctor left Kaiser. That was probably three months ago and they’re still waiting for a replacement doctor. I called and asked “Was that the Only psychiatrist in Kaiser? Can’t I just get a different doctor?” Meanwhile, they prescribed my adderall, of which I take the smallest dose once a day. It doesn’t help either, and, in fact, I suspect it makes my pain worse. After I get off the Gabapentin, I’m going to get off the adderall. (I don’t want to quit everything at once and this is literally only going to be a two week process since I take so little of each.) When I tell the docs they say, “Okay.”

Anyway, I’m rambling on now, but am interested in anyone else having these terrible, constant cramps.

Thanks all! 🙂

PS-I’m not “down and out”. The facts may suck, but it’s just what it is. 🙂

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@lfisher66 Hello!
I just read your post and even though it’s 3 years old now(!), I thought I’d try and reach out. Probably because I’m also with Kaiser and it had not been a good experience.

Doc put you on Wellbutrin for ADHD?!? 🤦‍♀️
Like I said, Kaiser.🤬
Anyway, if you’re still dealing with with the cramping, let me know. I have been there, done that! Much better now!
Cheers!

Melanie

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I use Magnesium Glycinate to prevent let cramps. I used to get severe cramping while lying in bed. The MG really helps prevent them. Make sure that MG does not cause a conflict with other medications you may be taking. Good luck.

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Profile picture for mas79 @mas79

I use Magnesium Glycinate to prevent let cramps. I used to get severe cramping while lying in bed. The MG really helps prevent them. Make sure that MG does not cause a conflict with other medications you may be taking. Good luck.

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@mas79 I found something for my cramps or spasms over the counter!! I have not used my Baclofin since e. Got it at Amazon called "Zapcramp"!! Works GREAT in about 2 minutes!! Good luck

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I’ve had fibromyalgia for 12yrs now and mymy muscles cramp everywhere! Even when I bend down in a sitting position to put shoes on my while stomach and ribs all go into horrible cramps! I get them in my back, legs, hips, arms. I recently started taking the brand Qunol magnesium, it’s 420mgs. It’s helped a little bit. But not nearly enough. I just recently heard about a medication for fibromyalgia called Savilla that’s supposed to be really helpful? Even with taking the magnesium, 10mgs of valium 3xs a day, baclophen 20mg 3xs a day I still get them terribly. On top of fibromyalgia I have CRPS , so I’m also on norco 7.5/325 5xs a day none of it helps. Has anyone ever tried the Savilla here? Does that help with cramps?

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