Botox for Muscle Cramps

Posted by danye1 @danye1, May 25, 2023

I suffer from severe muscle cramps conclusively due to small fiber neuropathy. They strike in the legs either as I am trying to fall asleep or upon waking. Has anyone with my condition tried botox injections to control neuropathic muscle cramping? If so, with what results?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

@danye1, It must be awful when the leg cramps start when you are trying to fall asleep or when you wake up. I think Elizabeth @ess77 has posted about Botox for muscle cramps and may have some thoughts. While we wait for others to share experience, I did find this study that discusses the treatment for diabetic neuropathy.

--- Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A for Treating Cramps in Diabetic Neuropathy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30225985/.

The following article has some home remedies that might be helpful if you haven't already tried them.
--- What’s Causing Your Leg Cramps at Night? Treatment and Prevention Tips: https://www.healthline.com/health/leg-cramps-at-night.

Have you tried any home remedies to see if they help with the cramps at night?

REPLY

@johnbishop, @danye1, and all...Hello John and Danye1, yes, I have the cramping issue frequently at night while going to sleep, at times waking me in sharp agony while sleeping, and at times while awake.
I have neuropathy, one part of the problem. I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrom by the Mayo sleep study as well. They tested my blood ferritin level, iron protein that carries oxygen to the blood to various organs to keep us going, because they diagnosedsevere RLS, and have found ferritin levels are often low with RLS. Never tested ferritin levels before.

So, my ferritin was very low, I was given 2 iron infusions, IV iron a week apart. It made an enormous difference. The RLS settled down quickly. Cramping was far less. I began to feel better during the day, more energy than in years and could lift my legs and feet and walk better. Wow!
I also began taking magnesium supplements daily. That helps. Naturally, be sure to drink enough water daily.

I never had botox injections for this issue. I think my needs are increased and regular ferritin...IV infusions every few months. Magnesium supplements daily. And, I have a prescription cream, magnesium sulfate, that helps and I use it when needed.
All in all, I'm a much happier woman with better sleep and fewer nights in agony. I am so thankful for the ferritin cks and treatments. Changed my life.

I will add, I saw a Mayo hematologist yesterday for the low ferritin and wonky iron profile numbers that keep popping up. My PCP was concerned as was having low oxygen saturation and out of bounds othe profile numbers...and no one was addressing these issues...it seems I have absorption problems, with B12, D3, ferritin, magnesium, and other deficiencies. Have celiac disease. Just identified last week. Intestines don't absorb nutrients properly. I've been adding oral supplements for years in all these areas. Hematology suggested I stop the B12 shots, the B supplement, the anemia supplement, iron supplement, and have blood work to check levels in 6 weeks. They'll be low, so I'll begin regular IV supplementation on regular basis. This avoids the digestive tract, delivers the substance efficiently, my organs get oxygen and minerals they need, I save hundreds of $in supplements that don't work as well...quite a big deal in my life. A good doctor who analyzes clearly and follows through to an improved treatment.
Just added that info to let you know there are doctors out there who do think out of the box and investigate for your best interests. Amazing. After 50 years, I'm 76, I'm seeing one of them. Grateful isn't a strong enough word. This is miraculous.
Hope some of this helps. Blessings, Elizabeth.

REPLY
@ess77

@johnbishop, @danye1, and all...Hello John and Danye1, yes, I have the cramping issue frequently at night while going to sleep, at times waking me in sharp agony while sleeping, and at times while awake.
I have neuropathy, one part of the problem. I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrom by the Mayo sleep study as well. They tested my blood ferritin level, iron protein that carries oxygen to the blood to various organs to keep us going, because they diagnosedsevere RLS, and have found ferritin levels are often low with RLS. Never tested ferritin levels before.

So, my ferritin was very low, I was given 2 iron infusions, IV iron a week apart. It made an enormous difference. The RLS settled down quickly. Cramping was far less. I began to feel better during the day, more energy than in years and could lift my legs and feet and walk better. Wow!
I also began taking magnesium supplements daily. That helps. Naturally, be sure to drink enough water daily.

I never had botox injections for this issue. I think my needs are increased and regular ferritin...IV infusions every few months. Magnesium supplements daily. And, I have a prescription cream, magnesium sulfate, that helps and I use it when needed.
All in all, I'm a much happier woman with better sleep and fewer nights in agony. I am so thankful for the ferritin cks and treatments. Changed my life.

I will add, I saw a Mayo hematologist yesterday for the low ferritin and wonky iron profile numbers that keep popping up. My PCP was concerned as was having low oxygen saturation and out of bounds othe profile numbers...and no one was addressing these issues...it seems I have absorption problems, with B12, D3, ferritin, magnesium, and other deficiencies. Have celiac disease. Just identified last week. Intestines don't absorb nutrients properly. I've been adding oral supplements for years in all these areas. Hematology suggested I stop the B12 shots, the B supplement, the anemia supplement, iron supplement, and have blood work to check levels in 6 weeks. They'll be low, so I'll begin regular IV supplementation on regular basis. This avoids the digestive tract, delivers the substance efficiently, my organs get oxygen and minerals they need, I save hundreds of $in supplements that don't work as well...quite a big deal in my life. A good doctor who analyzes clearly and follows through to an improved treatment.
Just added that info to let you know there are doctors out there who do think out of the box and investigate for your best interests. Amazing. After 50 years, I'm 76, I'm seeing one of them. Grateful isn't a strong enough word. This is miraculous.
Hope some of this helps. Blessings, Elizabeth.

Jump to this post

I have had off and on RLS for years because of fibromyalgia. When I had some sort of brain or spinal "attack" this past February, my RLS became increased times 20, every night, and haven't calmed down yet. I have been taking Baclofen, which has helped substantially, and I have recently begun sleeping in my recliner chair with my head below my feet, and that has helped tremendously!
Thank you all, John, Danye1, and Elizabeth, so much for your comments and things that have helped you. I'll check out the websites you noted, and see what my neurologist might agree to try, as I still have no clear diagnosis. Wishing you many more nights of wonderful, restful sleep, Karla B

REPLY
@karlabgs

I have had off and on RLS for years because of fibromyalgia. When I had some sort of brain or spinal "attack" this past February, my RLS became increased times 20, every night, and haven't calmed down yet. I have been taking Baclofen, which has helped substantially, and I have recently begun sleeping in my recliner chair with my head below my feet, and that has helped tremendously!
Thank you all, John, Danye1, and Elizabeth, so much for your comments and things that have helped you. I'll check out the websites you noted, and see what my neurologist might agree to try, as I still have no clear diagnosis. Wishing you many more nights of wonderful, restful sleep, Karla B

Jump to this post

@karlabgs, @johnbishop, @danye1 and all...You're having some serious RLS it sounds like. So sorry for that. I neglected to mention the one medication I've added that's been wonderfully helpful. Requip. It helped me within a few days, drastically.
And, within a week, I was walking more easily, lifting my legs and feet and they didn't feel like tree trunks, weighing hundreds of pounds. Nights were much improved after Requip. My neurologist said I have Parkinsonism explaining the daytime improvements with walking and such. So, Requip is a very important part of my improvement cocktail.
Iron and ferritin supplementation, Requip, magnesium, B12, CBD/CBG gummies with herbs, pain relief supplements with CBD/CBG and herbs, magnesium cream when needed, Voltaren as needed, weighted blanket on my feet and ankles even in the hot, muggy Florida summer nights. Cool air. Bi-pap with oxygen.

If I have all that working at once, I have a good night's sleep, hopefully.

Blessings and my you find the best combination of help for your needs...Elizabeth

REPLY

Elizabeth, Thank you so very much! Your suggestions are so appreciated.

Best health and blessings to you, Karla

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.