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Neuropathy and leg cramps
I have burning and tingling in my feet which has gotten steadily worse over the years. I mostly notice it at night after getting into bed. Some nights they are on fire, other nights it's not too bad. I have never been to a neurologist. But I also suffer, and I mean suffer, from nocturnal leg cramps. The PN website notes muscle cramps/twitching as a symptom of neuropathy. Does anyone else experience leg cramps along with the neuropathy? I am desperate for a solution as I have tried many things. Magnesium at bedtime; epsom salt soak; magnesium oil with massage; stretching; exercising/not exercising; nervive; capsacin creams. Nothing always works, so I don't know what actually can work; perhaps I haven't found the right combination?
I do take 30mg of amitriptyline every night for the neuropathy. Perhaps I need to check with my DCP about upping the dose?
Thank you for any help you can give!
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Your leg and hand cramps are probably caused by dehydration. drink plenty of water before 6 pm though. Wearing socks in bed causes my right leg to burn and I quit that long ago. Hope these suggestions help you. Vyolet
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1 Reaction@vyolet
Thank you. I know that I am well hydrated so I need not consider that. My best guess at this point is not enough movement.
@gmabecky1955
Thank you! I think you are spot on saying that what works for one may not work for another. I've received all of the comments that people have made, taken what I think is relevant to my personal condition, and come up with my own plan. You may have seen it in another post. Once I have had success with this plan for a couple of months, I will begin, one by one, dropping the various strategies to see what is actually helpful and what is not. It is going to take quite a bit of time. but at least I get to see any results on a daily basis since I go to bed every night! So glad you've found some answers. It's tough to get into bed at night having no confidence in your ability to sleep.
@gmabecky1955 I was diagnosed with neuropathy in my toes and feet. Many times, especially at night I had 10 out of 10 pain. A frozen water bottle was one strategy I used. I am so grateful to report that I found online by chance some stretching exercises - for toes and feet. If I do the exercises faithfully each day, for 10 minutes, the most pain I’ve experienced is six out of 10. I am not waking up crying and praying and looking at the clock to see if enough time has passed so I can take another Tylenol. So I get the rolling pin. Like you, usually just some numbness and tingling. Thank you Jesus! 🙏
Hello, I have had terribe and frightening leg cramps for years until a new doctor I went to prescribed Verapamil. Its for high blood pressure, which I don't have. It relaxes the arteries and viens. It took away my leg cramps for a couple of years now. I am so grateful.
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1 Reaction@amanancy
Thank you for this information. Personally, I have low blood pressure, so that would likely not work for me. So glad you found an answer! 🙂
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1 Reaction@trishdub Mine is on the low side too. It does not affect my BP at all. I have been taking it for a couple of years now. One before I go to sleep. You might ask your doc about it. I tried EVERYTHING and this was the only thing that worked. Good luck.
@amanancy
This is very good to know. For the last six nights I have been doing well with supplements and an exercise scheme with plenty of stretching. But I have found things in the past that "worked" but it was always temporary. We shall see!