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Constant excruciating leg cramps
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.
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@toejam Hi Jerry, I do love pickle juice and actually drink it for no other reason than that, but these are not run of the mill cramps. No electrolytes, hydration, magnesium, stretching or massage, help. They happen for a few weeks and then stop for a while.
Many years ago, maybe 15, when it started, it'd be one calf. I thought it was just a cramp. I tired all the suggestions. It never happened more than a week at a time then.
As time has gone on, iit became calf and shin simultaneously. Later, both calves and both shins at once. It was always in my sleep, but then it became while I was awake, lying on the couch or bed. Then it started happening when I was actually on my feet, which had previously been the only way I could get it to stop (stand up.) Then it became also my left hamstrings.
Honestly, the closest thing I ever got to thinking might really be the problem was gluten. I've tried a number of times to eliminate it, but since the phenomenon remits on its own for months at a time, and staying off gluten is a huge challenge for me (since it also doesn't cause any other obvious ill effects,) I've not been able to really find out. (I do know that it doesn't start again immediately after resuming gluten, so...)
I'm actually in the "have it" phase right now. I have a loft bed, and lemme tell you, that was a mistake. haha.
I haven't been on this site for months due in part to having fallen and breaking my hip (femur) and shoulder. I spent 1 entire month in rehab. Home now with walker and outpatient pt. I have several thoughts and the first one is that while in rehab I was almost kicked out for pinching, punching etc aids who had to move me. I am not now or ever a combative person yet I could not help myself because of the level of pain in my shoulder. My hip was no problem but the shoulder pain was unbearable. I finally came up with my own fix and that was biting as hard as I could into a clean washcloth. while I was doing this, I was thinking to myself surely I can't be the first person here in this large rehab facility to feel such pain. In hindsight I believe that we all have to come up with our own fixes. the aids didn't care that I was biting into a washcloth. I just had to focus that level of pain into something I animate or I could not move. Okay so everyone is wondering how is this pertinent to this column. This fall and living with a slow rehabilitation is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and believe me I have not lived a charmed life. I believe again that we are all on our own journeys. one med might work for some and not for others. one otc remedy is included here too. trust yourself. if biting into a washcloth was my simple answer, find your own answer. pickle juice? I will give it a try. listen, late at night while in agony from foot cramps etc. I have tried everything else. are my cramps and pain worse than some others??? I doubt it. I firmly believe that my body's inability to tolerate it is my problem. as I continue to seek solutions from the medical profession, I will also include bon medical answers. remember our journeys, our solutions.
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1 ReactionI wonder could it be dehydration? Have you tried drinking more water?
@cardigan
There is a product called Theraworx that I use on muscle cramps in my calf area. The cramps would wake me from a dead sleep, I had to get out of bed quickly in order to get my feet flat on the floor and stop the cramping. Theraworx is a foam, that you apply to the muscle that is cramping. The cramps were so strong that I felt soreness the next day. And I agree with the previous post about dehydration contributing to muscle cramps.
Thank you for that information.I never heard about Theraworx for muscle cramps.I must try it sometime as I get night cramps occasionally.