Muscle Spams and Neuropathy

Posted by jeanniem @jeanniem, Jun 10, 2021

I was diagnosed last year with small and large fiber neuropathy. Originally, the neurologist said that he thought it was a slow-moving peripheral neuropathy. Since then, it has been suggested that this is an atypical polyneuropathy. And things are advancing at a pretty regular basis.

One symptom that has increased significantly over the last couple of months is muscle spasms. I am having them in my lower leg and foot and there is one spasm in particular that just won't stop. It is beginning to last longer and longer. For those of you that have neuropathy, is this a common symptom?

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@sharon1966

Hi ~~ I have had muscle spasms in both legs for a year now with no apparent cause...have MGUS...just monitoring...have had CT scans, etc. which come back as normal...been to every dr, one can think of...taking Tiz and Soma at night...small doses...is there anyone on the board that can share what they do and/or have done to stop these nightly spasms...walking, baths, massage, etc. have not been of any help...thank you for your insight...very much appreciated !!!

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I know this sounds ridiculous but if it works. Somewhere along the line of healthcare professionals I see, it was recommended to put a bar of soap in my bed, and it worked for me. I also; upped my potassium, stretch, and do yoga before bed.

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@sharon1966

Hi ~~ I have had muscle spasms in both legs for a year now with no apparent cause...have MGUS...just monitoring...have had CT scans, etc. which come back as normal...been to every dr, one can think of...taking Tiz and Soma at night...small doses...is there anyone on the board that can share what they do and/or have done to stop these nightly spasms...walking, baths, massage, etc. have not been of any help...thank you for your insight...very much appreciated !!!

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Yep, sounds like some of us have the same spasm problems. Late fall and winter months is when I have leg-muscle-spasm problems. When it first started with me, I couldn't hardly walk for about and hour in the mornings, and then it began to loosen up some. I researched frantically, and overall, a leg stretch routine was the best answer, so I started it up twice a day.
I sit on the front edge of a chair, stretch my legs straight out in front of me with knees locked down. I then bend over, my arms and hands straight out in front, extending toward my toes. It hurts doing this, but I held it for 2 min. twice a day morning and evening. After awhile, my condition improved considerably. When I get flareups, I just start the routine, as needed, and it does help. Any medication was no answer for me.
The stretch routine has been my treatment to get along with it. Wish you the best coping with it.

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From an article in the “Atlantic” about grapefruit——-
“ Grapefruit can also raise blood levels of the cholesterol drugs atorvastatin and simvastatin, prompting muscle pain and, eventually, muscle breakdown.”

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Anyone having sharp pain in knee this is new to me.I have terrible pain. and numbness in feet and lower leg?

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@jeanallen

Anyone having sharp pain in knee this is new to me.I have terrible pain. and numbness in feet and lower leg?

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Hi @jeanallen, I'm sorry to hear that you are now having sharp pain in the knee along with the pain and numbness in feet and legs. In an earlier post you mentioned you had swelling in your feet every night along with the pain. Did you ever find something that helped with the swelling or did it go away? Wondering if the new pain in the knee is related to a different condition?

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@sharon1966

Hi ~~ I have had muscle spasms in both legs for a year now with no apparent cause...have MGUS...just monitoring...have had CT scans, etc. which come back as normal...been to every dr, one can think of...taking Tiz and Soma at night...small doses...is there anyone on the board that can share what they do and/or have done to stop these nightly spasms...walking, baths, massage, etc. have not been of any help...thank you for your insight...very much appreciated !!!

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I began a home exercise program to assist my weight loss when I retired. I stretch in a set routine when I awake and before bed and I walk 2 miles a day. The big one for me is stretching before bed, especially my legs and feet. And I now that it’s cold I sleep with socks on my feet with fleece PJ bottoms and a light fleece blanket. It has worked well for me so far, but last night I was up twice with cramps!

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@deb1972

Diagnosed with SFN . Muscle spasms and cramps in legs. I drink 1/2 gallon water a day, Dr's orders so I know that I stay hydrated. Has anyone else felt like they are walking on rocks ? Or that they feel like their feet are three inches above the floor when they try to walk ?

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How much exercise are you doing to supplement the water to stay hydrated? Yes it’s great your doctor recommended a gallon a day as treatment for your dehydration, but put that fluid to use by flooding your tissues to be healthier, The longer you maintain a condition of homeostasis the healthier you’ll be overall.

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@ellengrubb

I’ve struggled with RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) and what feels like burning soles of my feet, diagnosed as ‘Neuropathy’ for many years. I take Ropinerol and Gabapentin for both respectively. Since having the two initial Covid vaccinations and 1 booster, both RLS & neuropathy have worsened. I now have moderate shacking hands most days and tingling, jumpy hands at night. Never thought the worsening could be caused by Covid vaccination. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully these will wear off eventually like the vaccination serum.

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I believe the vaccine has caused the neuropathy. Has a doctors said it might wear off? I sure hope so - not sure what to do -

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@lorikalodimos

I believe the vaccine has caused the neuropathy. Has a doctors said it might wear off? I sure hope so - not sure what to do -

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Thanks for your comment and well wishes. I’ve been dealing with RLS and neuropathy for many years (40 yrs) before Covid. Dr said there is no cure (yet) and both will likely get worse with age. I’m just hoping someone might know if a new breakthrough.

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I took developed muscle spasms in legs and feet related to my osteoporosis and nerve damage to lumbar and sacral facets. What I found to prevent these was in winter wear socks to bed and keep legs warm with add’l blanket if needed and exercise and stretching before bed, especially my legs and feet. I have PT exercises I do twice daily and so far I only have occasional flare ups. I have non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy not diagnosed as small or large fiber neuropathy. I cannot take NSAIDs and only use turmeric 2400mg 3x day as my anti inflammatory. I occasionally use Duclofenac gel 1% OTC for specific pain location but exercise is my go to for pain relief. I am on other meds plus MMJfor my chronic back pain but no others. Gabapentin caused bad side effects.

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