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Neuropathy and leg cramps
I have burning and tingling in my feet which has gotten steadily worse over the years. I mostly notice it at night after getting into bed. Some nights they are on fire, other nights it's not too bad. I have never been to a neurologist. But I also suffer, and I mean suffer, from nocturnal leg cramps. The PN website notes muscle cramps/twitching as a symptom of neuropathy. Does anyone else experience leg cramps along with the neuropathy? I am desperate for a solution as I have tried many things. Magnesium at bedtime; epsom salt soak; magnesium oil with massage; stretching; exercising/not exercising; nervive; capsacin creams. Nothing always works, so I don't know what actually can work; perhaps I haven't found the right combination?
I do take 30mg of amitriptyline every night for the neuropathy. Perhaps I need to check with my DCP about upping the dose?
Thank you for any help you can give!
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@trishdub, I know that you are not alone and that many members have shared similar symptoms. Here are a couple of searches I did with links to the results that show the many discussions and comments from members. You can do your own specific search with different phrases for your symptoms to get some closer matches.
-- Searching for "neuropathy leg cramps" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
-- Searching for "neuropathy pain at night what helps" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy YouTube channel has a few videos on neuropathy pain at night that also might be helpful - https://www.youtube.com/@foundationforperipheralneu4122/search
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3 Reactions@johnbishop
Thank you, John. I had tried to do a search but I guess I wasn't using the right combination of words. I will look at these links closely.
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1 ReactionTrshdub, amitriptyline can cause low sodium which would cause muscle cramps, but may not be operative in your case.
I was at the chiropractor's and suddenly had a muscle cramp in my leg. He said--that's your sciatic nerve. He adjusted my hip and the cramp released immediately.
Desperation looks in many closets. I hope you find relief.
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3 ReactionsWhat always works for my children and I is magnesium calm, water and a banana.
If that doesn’t alleviate it try doing some sessions of stretching your legs and feet as well.
Best,
As recorded here, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-cramps/ I had cramps, but I am pleased to say that they have largely disappeared.
Before bed, I do twenty stand-on-my-toes to exercise the calves, a couple of slow squats, and then some calf stretches.
But perhaps the key for my cramps is the glass of tonic water.
Do occasionally get restless leg, but only for a few moments.
Cramps and restless leg can really mess up one's sleep.
What causes these things, whether they will return, all I can say is that it's OK at present.
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4 ReactionsI am taking Nervive or Alpha Lipoic Acid and am having the best night's sleep because I no longer have restless legs. I have reduced ALA from 1800 mg to 1200 mg.
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2 Reactions@joanihm
A lot of people have mentioned ALA as being helpful. I ordered some today and am hopeful that it will work! Thank you!
@v8auto
Thank you for this. It reminds me that I used to do calf raises before bed. I must have stopped when it seemed like they weren’t helping. They make sense though. I read once that strong calf muscles assist with circulation. I’ve wondered if poor circulation isn’t part of my problem.
Anyway, I’ve also ordered some ALA today. Hopefully that will help. 🙂
@azsunshine7
Thanks for your input. I do take magnesium and potassium and am well hydrated. There’s a combination of things I’m missing, I think.
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1 Reaction@trishdub wishing you the best with ALA.