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How to eliminate nocturnal leg cramps
I had a routine ankle arthroscopy 7 years ago (left ankle) due to old MVA (motor vehicle accident). I got a golden staph infection and had 3 months on flucloxacillin. I recovered. Pain continues but that is not my current problem.
6 years ago I started getting nocturnal leg and foot cramps. Mainly in the left foot and calf. Sometimes also in my right calf (much milder)
My GP (general practitioner) suggested I take magnesium- which I did with good results. After about year I started developing other symptoms. Noticeably hot feet at night, tingling/numbness in the hands. Then I became clumsy, unsteady on my feet and then my vision began to fluctuate. Terrible brain fog. Trembling hands. After 5 years of taking magnesium I was alerted to the possibility of B6 toxicity. I saw I was taking 25mg a day in the magnesium. I had my blood tested and yes, I had very high levels of B6.
I have been detoxing for 2 months.
This is the background to my question.
Since stopping the magnesium and the B6 I cannot control the foot and leg cramps.
My magnesium levels are ‘normal’. My full blood scan was ‘normal’ except for high B6.
I don’t have diabetes, I don’t have thyroid issues. I have a healthy BMI. I have good electrolyte balance. I am hydrated.
The only relief I can get is rubbing the cramping area with an anti-inflammatory gel.
I’m so tired. I dread going to bed. I sleep a few hours, awake with sharp pain, dance around the room, rub the area with gel. Drink some water. Get back to sleep. 2-3 hours later - start again!
I would love to hear from anyone who has had this and found a cure.
Thx
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@isamuel
I get painful leg cramps in the night that seem to run in episodes. Won’t have any for several weeks then have them several nights in a row. The worst are the ones in my thighs.
I am trying a Magnesium supplement to see if it helps.
@isamuel You are unlikely to get B6 toxicity from food. If you have issues step one is to get a full blood scan. Liver, kidney, thyroid, inflammation, B6, magnesium - everything. Once you have that data (even if it shows all levels are normal) you have a starting point and a process of elimination can begin.
Guessing is a recipe for making things worse.
I started with a full scan but B6 is not a usual test. If you don’t take any supplements it’s highly unlikely you have high levels. I didn’t know I took B6, it was ‘hidden’ in a magnesium supplement. Check the labels on the bottles/packets of anything you take. Good luck.
B6 is common in electrolytes drinks and also on fortified food which is Synthetic that present a problem. I try to always choose non- fortified food to avoid ingesting synthetic chemicals.
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1 Reaction@lorry Make yourself some rice packs if you don't care for heating pads. hot water bottles also still exist. however rice packs in the microwave are great.
@psoriaticarthritis thx. All handy hints gratefully accepted. This group has been very supportive and I have investigated very simple and sometimes bizarre suggestions, because you never know where the ‘holy grail’ is … and it is likely to a different recipe for everyone. We are all similar, yet unique and therein lies the challenge.
(I remember executive think tanks being stimulated by some rather ‘odd’ suggestions that opened another thought in another participant. )
I believe my cramps are influenced by inflammation and by blood pressure. My blood pressure is low, so dilation using heat (lowers blood pressure) is good for people with high blood pressure - if their cramps have a vascular component.
The rice pack is a great (economical and portable) idea.