Neuropathy and leg cramps

@trishdub
Thank you for responding! I will try some of your suggestions that I am not already doing. I'm 77 and have had these cramps for years, had them stop and they have now restarted every night after 2 hours' sleep. Then I'm up and down the rest of the night until I just get up. I'm already taking a multitude of supplements but will start with the CoQ10 tonight. My physical therapist has used radio frequency on the nerves which helped some for a day or two, but it is an alternative treatment and not real reliable. I've also tried 3 prescription meds which haven't helped either - painkillers and muscle relaxers. I look forward to a time where insomnia was my only concern at night! Thank you again.

@jwelker
Like you I have suffered for years. At times I’ve gotten so tired I could barely function.
The exercises that I think have helped the most are calf raises (the calf muscles apparently help get the blood moving) and foot pumps throughout the day (they help improve circulation). The other plus is elevating the legs at night. I have low blood pressure so raising my legs helps get the blood back to the heart.
I really hope you find some success soon! I’ve prayed for this!!

Absolutely feel your pain. I have suffered with nocturnal leg cramps for at least 40 years and have tried every suggestion given. Mine are mostly in my toes, shins and calves. Occasionally they will affect my thighs which are by far the most excruciating and unbearable. For the last 6-7 months I have been using Theraworx for Muscle Cramps roll-on at bedtime and then use a heating pad for 10-15 minutes while laying in bed. If you try this be sure to follow the directions using 2 applications. Theraworx had other modes like spray foam, etc. The roll-on works best for me. I also take Cramp Defense supplements (4 pills after dinner). Start slowly with these. I also try to walk 2 miles every day. I was recently diagnosed with pn - pins and needles in the bottom of my feet and lower legs most noticeable in the evening and early a.m. and recently started taking 20mg. of duloxetine at dinner. This has cut that "sensation" by about 80%. (hardly noticeable during the daytime).

I have PN and have cramps in my toes (no pain). They cramp when putting socks on. They cramp when use swim fins. I sometimes get cramps in my thighs and calves, but not often. I have actually had leg/foot cramping problems my entire life, as a teen and adult even before the PN kicked in. I used to get horrible hamstring cramps at night time, but rarely now. I have not found anything that works to prevent cramps. Good luck in your search!

@bjsatl
Thank you for this. I'll look into Theraworx!

Hello. I'm sorry about your nightly leg cramps. These cramps are a symptom of peripheral neuropathy, which I also have. I only get leg cramps occasionally at night, but also get them just from pointing my foot to get my shoes on. I wonder if gabapentin would help you with the symptoms of neuropathy-worth asking your primary care physician about it.

@neurojudy There can be other causes as well. I have evening leg cramps that have been diagnosed as being restless leg syndrome. I have had it under control previously with a combination of Horizant (time release version of gabapentin approved for RLS) and the Neupro patch. More recently I have stopped using the patch and instead have been using the NIDRA machine. I have also, the last few days, been trying to cut back on the Horizant.

@jwelker
Expensive and did absolutely nothing for me. Hope you have better results.

Before I experienced idiopathic neuropathy I was having excuciating leg, foot, toe, thigh cramps. They were horrible and scary. My physician prescribed Verapamil. Its an old fashioned blood pressure medication (I do not have high blood pressure). He said consider the cramps as a "leg attack" kinda like a "heart attack". This medication relaxes the viens and artieries. It has been a life changer for me! No more cramping!
Maybe it might be worth looking into.
Nancy