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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@californiazebra ..Again...thanks!! we will definitely look into this.
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1 Reaction@bb03 Thanks. I will see if I can get ahold of the nutritionist. She has tried to speak with the doctor, but he is retired. The other doctor at the same office is only doing surgeries and doesn't have time to talk to her....can you believe that?
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1 Reaction@mpg0514forlisa thank you so much. We appreciate it. That's very kind of you.
@mpg0514forlisa
You mentioned you massage out her cramps. Another thought is for you to massage her leg muscles manually for a few minutes before bed and see if that helps.
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1 Reaction@bb03
Your gut health is important. Make sure that you’re taking or eating enough food that supports your gut sauerkraut kimchi anything that has natural probiotics awesome. The other thing is there could be a vitamin deficiency. You know they always lean towards potassium, but there’s not enough potassium that you can eat with actually without actually taking potassium. The other thing is I use a product called Dr. Schultz superfood which has all the vitamin B and iodine and a lot of vitamins that your body needs that you don’t usually get through proper diet. I wish you nothing but the best and I hope everything goes well.
Hi Fisher: I'm 84, waddle 5ks, do lite weights, modified planks and tie my own shoes. Pro football? You know more about pain and cramps than I ever will. Foot and lower leg cramps; warm fuzzy loose socks at night and stable running shoes in the day. Fifty, inch and a half achilies stretches every night. Two two pound bags of frozen peas in the freezer and a frozen blue wrap. Ow, hopefully will get you to the coaches' "walkit off, walkit off"stage. May they cramp in Hell. We suffer together, but at least you have a good excuse.
@lfisher66 Hello!
I just read your post and even though it’s 3 years old now(!), I thought I’d try and reach out. Probably because I’m also with Kaiser and it had not been a good experience.
Doc put you on Wellbutrin for ADHD?!? 🤦♀️
Like I said, Kaiser.🤬
Anyway, if you’re still dealing with with the cramping, let me know. I have been there, done that! Much better now!
Cheers!
Melanie
I use Magnesium Glycinate to prevent let cramps. I used to get severe cramping while lying in bed. The MG really helps prevent them. Make sure that MG does not cause a conflict with other medications you may be taking. Good luck.
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3 Reactions@mas79 I found something for my cramps or spasms over the counter!! I have not used my Baclofin since e. Got it at Amazon called "Zapcramp"!! Works GREAT in about 2 minutes!! Good luck
I’ve had fibromyalgia for 12yrs now and mymy muscles cramp everywhere! Even when I bend down in a sitting position to put shoes on my while stomach and ribs all go into horrible cramps! I get them in my back, legs, hips, arms. I recently started taking the brand Qunol magnesium, it’s 420mgs. It’s helped a little bit. But not nearly enough. I just recently heard about a medication for fibromyalgia called Savilla that’s supposed to be really helpful? Even with taking the magnesium, 10mgs of valium 3xs a day, baclophen 20mg 3xs a day I still get them terribly. On top of fibromyalgia I have CRPS , so I’m also on norco 7.5/325 5xs a day none of it helps. Has anyone ever tried the Savilla here? Does that help with cramps?