Leg pain Charlie Horse Sensation?

Posted by saltyg @saltyg, Mar 3, 2023

Has anyone experienced leg pain with PMR that feels like the sensation you have after a Charlie Horse cramp. It lasts for days sometimes?
I am very hydrated so I do not think it is a true cramp that’s just the best way I know how to describe it.

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No, but I do get cramp-like sensations in my feet, hamstrings and thighs.

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I had that problem with my thighs. I take magnesium before bed. It rarely happens anymore.

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Twice, at night, I’ve had painful muscle tightening sensations in calf and ankle. Crazy sensation as though it’s just tightening and tightening and you can’t make it relax. Same sensation I had in neck and shoulders when I first became acquainted with PMR. My rheumatologist said it was JUST a muscle cramp. Following that logic my neck and shoulder issue was just a muscle cramp.

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I also get Charlie horse pain in my feet. Not fun but my doctor informed me that they are part of the PMR symptoms. Hoping that we are all in remission soon.

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@loyal

I had that problem with my thighs. I take magnesium before bed. It rarely happens anymore.

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It's a good suggestion. I take magnesium Biglycinate daily at night. I still have the cramping though.

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I take 200 mg of chelated blend of high absorption magnesium and 250 mg of another magnesium. I also do lots of stretching of my legs and hips--every morning before getting out of bed and in bed at night before sleep.

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Yes, I typically have calf and foot cramps several times a week, but mostly at night. I have even had upper leg cramping which is really fun to deal with. My Rheumatologist tells me it is a symptom of the long-term prednisone use. I agree "Hoping that we are all in remission soon"!

Take care everyone, sorry you all are going through this but talking through this help.

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Yes, I had it for a few days recently. The pain was right in the center of my quads, about halfway between my hips and knee on both sides. I think it was referred pain from my hips. It got very bad, like maybe 6-7/10 one night, and affected my whole system - I could not sleep and almost vomited. Fun!

I also take magnesium, but that didn't stop it.

After some other, even scarier episodes with inflammation, emergency room doctors upped my prednisone dose and the charlie horse pain is gone now, along with a lot of others. Wish my other doctors were as proactive.

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@redboat

Yes, I had it for a few days recently. The pain was right in the center of my quads, about halfway between my hips and knee on both sides. I think it was referred pain from my hips. It got very bad, like maybe 6-7/10 one night, and affected my whole system - I could not sleep and almost vomited. Fun!

I also take magnesium, but that didn't stop it.

After some other, even scarier episodes with inflammation, emergency room doctors upped my prednisone dose and the charlie horse pain is gone now, along with a lot of others. Wish my other doctors were as proactive.

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My understanding of my condition has evolved, and I now believe the "charlie horse" pain I had was actually due to Giant Cell Arteritis, where the immune system attacks the arterial linings. However, Prednisone relieved this. Hopefully, the Actemra I am now on will also.

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