I have extremely tight muscles. Nothing seems to help. Advice?

Not sure if this is the same but a few yrs ago I went thru a stretch of several months were my leg, back and arms would cramp up every day, so painful. With no medical reason given a friend turned me onto a stretch program and high dose of magnesium pills and rubbing magnesium oil into any spot that was hurting. Few months and I have never had another issue. I don’t know why but it worked and since no doctor was helping, who knows. I would check with your PCD before starting anything. Best of luck

Hello Daphne77, I am Sunnyflower. My heart is heavy reading about your muscle tightness and cramping. I know how this feels.

Often these excruciating muscle tetanies can be caused by an electrolyte imbalance such as low Potassium and abnormal sodium which can be an easy fix. Have you had your electrolytes and a blood chemistry panel drawn at the lab when symptoms are present? Calcium, sodium and potassium govern muscle contraction s.
Does your heart beat differently such as irregular and faster during these Sxs other than from the pain?
May I ask if you take diuretics which can also be responsible for your Sxs.

Exactly how much water do you drink per day? Coffee? Tea? Both diuretics.

What does your doctor say about your Sxs?

I suffer from what you're going through for years and lose many, many hours of sleep bc of it.

Stretching before bed hasn't worked for me but does for a lot of people.

I would ask your doctor to put in an order at the lab for electrolytes, chemistry panel and anything else he/she can think of that would be causing this, with the understanding you will go have your blood drawn as close to your Sxs as possible.

I will be upholding you in prayer for you to get relief and the answers you need.

Many blessings, Sunnyflower. 😊🙏

Hello, daphn47. Does youre muscle tightness cause pain all over? Cramping or spasms or constant contractions? The questions are based on the symptoms my son experiences, as do I to a much less degree. He's diagnosed with dystonia. This causes every muscle in his body to contract, all the time. He also has some jerking in his hand, arm, head, legs. Botox injections have helped him soooooo much, in his head/neckshoulders/back. This may have nothing to do with your situation, but it's worth a ck. He's seeing a movement disorder specialist, neurologist. Mayo has excellent focus on this area with lots of research as well. He is helped some with deep massage, but it's tough to get deep since his muscles are so very tight. Apparently this has been going on with his body most of his life, unknown to me. He didn't realize anything was wrong until he was in his 30's and the pain got so bad he couldn't stand it. He's been on qute a journey. We think a serious fall at 4 years old, landing on his forhead on concrete, caused whatever this is. Don't really know the cause.....Hope you find the right medical person. Movement disorder neurologist! Blessings. Elizabeth

sunnyflower, you've mentioned some very important issues!! I have the same muscle problems, with very painful, full let to waist cramping at night, both legs. My muscles stay tight, from anxiety, hormones and electrolyte & hormone imbalances. Suggestion: potassium! sodium! zince and magnesium, too. Mayo endocrinologists found my aldosterone doesn't work properly to remove sodium from my blood, causing edem all over my body (especially hands, feet, ankles, legs, abdomen). Diurectic help some, but not enought and don't address the cause. I take spironolactone daily to replace the aldosterone that redulates the sodium that regulates the potassium that causes all these issues. Now, add the thyroid messing everything up and we have finally found a good balance. Now, I take bumex, diurectic, only when I gain 3-5 pounds overnight. I've actually gained 9 pounds overnight in the past. Now, I have control of the diuretic and take it when needed.....love the control!!!!!.....and it's working. No dehydration which was happening, not so much swelling, less pain and less cramping. Add to that requip for restless leg syndrome AND Iron + C, I'm so much better! So, sounds like your adive for daphne77 to get to her PCP for bloodwork and good work-up is right on in my not so professional mind. Not pro, just experienced, I'm afraid. Blessings to you...Elizabeth

Good morning Elizabeth,
After reading your symptoms, it appears as if we are twins!

Except for your alderestone problem, I instead have adrenal insufficiency where are my adrenal glands do not put out cortisol, the body’s natural anti-inflammatory, equivalent of about 5 mg of prednisone per day.
I to take spironolactone and Bumex. Spironolactone is potassium sparing however, Bumex is not.

I am glad your endocrinologist has found the right pharmalogical fix and that you are responding well to that. I was thinking it might be prudent to talk to that doctor about taking some supplementary potassium on the days and at the time you take your bumex provided that you have food on your stomach because potassium can be caustic and cause some stomach pain.

I take my share of magnesium but not sure it’s helping. I take 400mg with breakfast which includes Bumex and Spironolactone aka BP/CHF meds, 400mg with my afternoon diuretics/ blood pressure and CHF medications and then 400mg at bedtime about an hour before. I only recently added the extra 200mg so can’t tell if that’s working yet or not.

I have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the autoimmune thyroid disease among many other diseases and conditions. Most of my vital organs and several of my glands are diseased and then there’s things like severe osteoporosis (daily Prednisone over 20 years and lots IV and large taper doses before daily, 3 pelvic, 1 rib and then other small fractures) arthritis, neuropathy and the list goes on.

What gets me through my unrelenting pain and suffering is my intimate relationship with God; His comfort and peace through Christ which surpasses human understanding, Philippians 4:7. And, knowing He has a purpose in my suffering, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18.
Warmest wishes for relief and many blessings, Sunny. 🙏😊

Oh, my goodness, Sunnyflower!!! I've taken prescription potassium for many years. My potassium blood level has never in my alult life been within the normal range. It always runs low, below normal. At one time, I had to be taken to the hospital by rescue from a party at a friends home. My potassium was 2! Low normal is 3.4 or 3.5. Now, before I left the Mayo hospital a few weeks ago, potassium was up to 4!!!!! I do not remember it ever being that high! Perfect. Thyroid med level is good now, since hospital as well. Prednisone has caused me longtime problems, as well. I was diagnosed at Mayo in the 80's with sarcoid, on an extremely heavy dosage of prednisone for 8 months, then tapered down after having serious brain/thinking/suicidal thoughts. I have a love/hate relationship with that drug. It did save my life. Put the sarcoid in remission. I have flare-ups occasionally, my lungs are the weak spot for inflamation. Steroids are usually involved with treatment, with z-pack, inhaler, prayer. Lots of prayer. I don't know what prednisone has done to my organs. No definitive answers to that. Just know my body has a lot going on......osteoporosis, CHF-better EF in hospital, from 50% a year ago to 70% few weeks ago in hospital. Doctor attibuted most of the increase to a difference in technician measuring techniques during the echo. I attribute it to the water therapy pool 2X weekly. BTW: I haven't been to the pool since a couple weeks before I was in the hospital.....I'm stronger now, so will be in the pool this coming week! My word....you were on prednisone for 20+ years? and IV treatments? I've been on it throughout the last 40 years, off and on, but never had IV treatment. I so thrilled to have the right regulation of my thyroid. HAd no idea what a booger it can be! Heart rthym, skin!!!, nails!!!, hair!!!!, brain, cognitive abilities, and more. Hospital docs reduced my levothyroxin, now even my nails are improving. Dry skin has been a problem for a hundred years, but it really got ridiculous the last couple years. My dermatologist recommended Veniderm??? from CVS or Walmart. Any suggestions? Well, sunnyflower, what a hoot! You, ashby1947 and I have much the same kinds of issues and lives. It's wonderful chatting with you both, sharing with folks who truly understand and I don't feel like I'm whining or having a pity-party. I allow myself 1 pity-party a month. That's fine, but no more. But, to be able to discuss with folks who know and know first hand what I'm feeling is amazing. I have a very alone life, for many years, due to health issues, and caring for others and just life. Aloneness is my normal. Loneliness comes and goes, but you are a gift. Thank you for being here. Elizabeth

Goodness, so sorry to hear! No, I do not have the constant contractions. Not like your son. Thanks for sharing, really appreciate it.

Thanks, i will look into that magnesium oil for sure.

I have been tested for Rheumatoid arthritis, since its in myfamily, it was negative. The rheumatologist sort of poked fibro spots on me, said I had a few, whatever that means. Then gave me muscle relaxers. I've had blood tests done up the wazoo, and right now do have a bit of a low potassium problem, it has to do with my kidneys i think, which I see a specialist in a week and half. I took supplements that helped, but I do not think this is the problem. I just have a lot of autoimmune and arthritis in my family.

Ive had recent problems with low potassium. Seeing a specialist soon to figure things out. I have on and off high blood pressure, which i recently got on medication again. My resting heart rate is kinda high. I drink enough water, probably too much. Potentially something like diabetes insipidus, on lithium over 10 years. So, we will see in a few weeks! Thank you so much for your reply.