Leg cramps with Prednisone 5mg- what’s best to relieve them?

Thank you for feedback. Yes pushing more fluids have to write it down to make sure getting those min 8 glasses daily.

I experience terrible leg cramps, even finger cramps. I use Sifrol 1.5 which is a "restless legs" medicine usually for night time use, but this got me through the most painful & sudden thigh cramps I've ever had, (78 years old F). After 10 minutes, I knew it was working; and after 20 minutes, the cramps were gone. Lucky I was not driving a car! But the necessary precaution with Sifrol, regardless of the dose, is it will make you allergic to Penicillin in that it will collapse your kidneys! Only 4 Penicillin pills will do this. Sometimes in the box of Sifrol there will be a leaflet telling the user about this in very scientific language...that is, not simple English at all. I had to look up the language used and with the uni chemistry I picked up why it was so dangerous. But, that is really too complex for anyone to understand chemistry at that level. It involved a K and a 2? When your very life depends on knowing not to take Sifrol with Penicillin the words should be clear! Anyway, that is the facts of life. So Sifrol 1.5 will take care of those cramps! It might be wise to keep a check on your kidneys anyway, as PMR is not innocent here.
I am rather disgusted with the medical help from many sources, with exceptions of course, at my local town's hospital is where I would select to die, as it has been that troublesome at other bigger hospitals. I've had my personal baggage invaded and a doctor's pills confiscated. When I had cramps at the biggest hospital, I only got cream to put on my skin. When I needed more pillows, I got none and after 3 days, I had a sore back, and was out of there too. I found a specialist in a big citiy charging $400 just to tell you to go swimming...like back in USA, we don't tell people to piss off, we tell them to go jump in a lake! It took me 3 hours in travelling time to hear that!
So I can easily see that many PMR patients have many diverse issues getting help. Some times I wish they would just tell us how limited our options are. When hospitals are not going to effect a surgery on your heart valve for your infected blood with PMR, then seeing as many people have this genetic mRNA exposure to PMR, it would be enlightened of leadership positions to let the public know the limitations of the hospital procedures for them.

I experienced some leg cramps on 25mg prednisone when I didn't hydrate properly. After that I made sure I stayed hydrated, ate bananas and avocados and took a potassium supplement. Have your potassium levels checked. I had to stop taking potassium at lower levels of prednisone. I just experienced the worst leg cramp I remember last week when we were away for two days and I didn't hydrate properly. My potassium levels were high so it had to be my hydration.

I experienced some leg cramps on 25mg prednisone when I didn't hydrate properly. After that I made sure I stayed hydrated, ate bananas and avocados and took a potassium supplement. Have your potassium levels checked. I had to stop taking potassium at lower levels of prednisone. I just experienced the worst leg cramp I remember last week when we were away for two days and I didn't hydrate properly. My potassium levels were high so it had to be my hydration.

@kjoed53
I also have found that magnesium helps. I take 250mg
in the evening and have found that the leg cramps are getting less frequent. I've been taking magnesium for about 1 week. I feel like we have to be conscious of the weather, as others have mentioned. Water intake (and output 😆) can eliminate more than we realize. I'm still fairly new to all this, so I've been just trying to figure out what works best for me. With the help and suggestions of others on this site, I have been able to find some relief from many of the side effects of the pred. Best of luck to you and all of us!

@carolneedham magnesium and lots of water important , but pickle juice will stop the cramping. Tennis players do it all the time. It's the potassium. And it works! I didn't know prednisone would make cramping worse, but it did for me too . I keep pickle juice on hand.

Welcome @melissa24, I never experienced leg cramps with my PMR when I was on prednisone but @terryartist, @lsjaustin, @dadcue, @hopeinal and others have mentioned having leg cramps while on prednisone and may have some suggestions to share with you.

My wife gets leg cramps frequently when she doesn't drink enough water during the day in case you haven't already tried that. Have you discussed the cramps with your doctor or rheumatologist?

I experience terrible leg cramps, even finger cramps. I use Sifrol 1.5 which is a "restless legs" medicine usually for night time use, but this got me through the most painful & sudden thigh cramps I've ever had, (78 years old F). After 10 minutes, I knew it was working; and after 20 minutes, the cramps were gone. Lucky I was not driving a car! But the necessary precaution with Sifrol, regardless of the dose, is it will make you allergic to Penicillin in that it will collapse your kidneys! Only 4 Penicillin pills will do this. Sometimes in the box of Sifrol there will be a leaflet telling the user about this in very scientific language...that is, not simple English at all. I had to look up the language used and with the uni chemistry I picked up why it was so dangerous. But, that is really too complex for anyone to understand chemistry at that level. It involved a K and a 2? When your very life depends on knowing not to take Sifrol with Penicillin the words should be clear! Anyway, that is the facts of life. So Sifrol 1.5 will take care of those cramps! It might be wise to keep a check on your kidneys anyway, as PMR is not innocent here.
I am rather disgusted with the medical help from many sources, with exceptions of course, at my local town's hospital is where I would select to die, as it has been that troublesome at other bigger hospitals. I've had my personal baggage invaded and a doctor's pills confiscated. When I had cramps at the biggest hospital, I only got cream to put on my skin. When I needed more pillows, I got none and after 3 days, I had a sore back, and was out of there too. I found a specialist in a big citiy charging $400 just to tell you to go swimming...like back in USA, we don't tell people to piss off, we tell them to go jump in a lake! It took me 3 hours in travelling time to hear that!
So I can easily see that many PMR patients have many diverse issues getting help. Some times I wish they would just tell us how limited our options are. When hospitals are not going to effect a surgery on your heart valve for your infected blood with PMR, then seeing as many people have this genetic mRNA exposure to PMR, it would be enlightened of leadership positions to let the public know the limitations of the hospital procedures for them.

@johnbishop Water water water. Pickle juice. Ask your Dr about veins and arteries in your legs. I have pmr taking everything 3 years now can’t get to 5 prednisone and kevzara. They can scan your legs and check blockages I severe blockages going for 3 surgery next week. Check google leg cramps and blockages.Good luck. David
.