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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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@lfisher66 I shouldn't laugh at you calling your doctor a schmuck, but I get, I have also felt that way about my neurologist in the past. You know what's weird? Is that once we start all this testing, we do run the risk of opening up that "can of worms" by seeing everything both big and small. We're hoping for the big, so we get solid, glaring answers, but the small (no biggie stuff) weighs on us anyway because we're in a heightened state of "what's wrong" with pain and symptoms on deck. Maybe that was just me, no?
When do you meet with your doctor to go over the results?
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1 ReactionInformation about neurological reactions to the Covid vaccines may be found at the Neuro V Long-Haulers Facebook group. I'm not sure this applies in your case. However, it's common among Covid vaccine-injured for the vaccines to exacerbate a pre-existing autoimmune or neurological condition. I had some pre-existing mild painless nerve damage in my feet from an inappropriately prescribed antibiotic. The muscle spasms and eventual peripheral neuropathy began within 2 weeks of the first vaccination. My condition is slowly improving. The improvement began around 8 months, which is typical for these vaccine injuries.
Hello lfisher66,
I too have fibromyalgia, since 1999. Have you tried Theraworx or Magnesium oil night spray? Theraworx you can buy at drugstore and the Magnesium oil spray at a health food store. I also have a large hard foam roller that I use all over my body. For my calves I just sit on floor with leg under calves and roll back and forth very slowly.
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3 ReactionsI have one calf that cramps at night and an ILT that hurts. I've been chasing the symptoms for years. PT to build strength in hamstrings, glutes and core helped, but even so I sometimes am in misery. Percoset, magnesium and staying hydrated helps. I tried gabapentin without any good effect so stopped that. I didn't take the Lyrica either. Some foods set it off, but again nothing consistent. I don't know if going off Methotrexate about the same time as the problem appeared is connected. However, I did have MRIs here and there and the only commonality is Hoffa Syndrome. Past EMGs and xrays are normal. The pain clinic where I have my Percoset prescribed to keep me asleep recommended a nerve block and it does help with the restlessness/cramping but not the tendon. I found edema massage (toes to torso) before bed helps, but sore hands (I have MCTD with fibro) are a problem. I purchased The Stick for nightly massage and it is easier. Some have those massaging leg sleeves for circulation and find those help. PT helped somewhat, and I think movement might be key, but not sure what consistently helps. Biofreeze and heating the back of my knee (I don't have Baker's Cyst) before sleep and cool pak if I awaken seems to help. A good CBD ointment sometimes helps, as does a lidocaine patch. I haven't tried Magnesium cream yet. Don't give up; I know someone, sometime will figure this out!
WOW! I just had an EMG again at the neurologist, thinking that maybe the severe degeneration in my back might be a cause. I thought I was at least partly "nuts" for thinking that way. Anyways, results should be in over the next week or so. Every muscle she tested was one of the culprits for pain/restless leg, etc. I've been on 800 mg of Etodolac (NSAID) for the past five years and even that didn't cover the pain. I've been doing edema massage/the stick lately and that seems at least somewhat helpful.
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2 ReactionsDid your back Hurt though? My lower back is pretty much the only place I Don't have pain. I have mostly C spine issues. :/
At night I wear knee high white compression socks I bought on Amazon. 3 pairs for 13 dollars. 85% nylon and 15% polyester. They help reduce cramping but be careful walking on bathroom tile at night.
Yes, my back hurts, but it it's usually at a low level. For example, yesterday no lower back ache, but mild leg pain. I didn't apply a patch because I don't want to medicate if I don't need to (and yes, that contradicts what I've heard about keeping ahead of the pain).
This morning my legs hurt and the lower back is a little sore, but it's not really bad.
Maybe your pain is coming from a nerve that originates elsewhere? Or you could have a completely different problem.
I can't wait to hear the results. It might not be the same problem as mine. Also, my previous xrays, MRIs, and CTs didn't really show disk bulging, or bulging so slight that "this can't be causing your pain." My theory -- and I'm not a medical person -- is that for some people there is pain without obvious disk bulging and that if you calm the nerve (like I'm doing with a lidocaine patch) the pain goes away or is calmed enough that you can deal with it.
I wear support knee highs at night. Got them from Amazon and are a blend of polyester and nylon. About $4 each. They seem to quiet the spasms without having to take pills. Quit gabapentin months ago. No relief from it for me.