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Cramps

Posted , 2 users are following.

jan52884
jan52884

i realise people are trying to be helpful but when it is said "i promise you or i guarantee you the cramps will stop if you take xyz...." i just tune out.  i have seen several specialists over the last 15-20 years without relief and last chance trying a muscle expert in the next couple of weeks.  started a diary of the amounts and types of cramps experiencing to give the doc a little picture of my life.  at 65 i can unhappily say i will not be here for a long time if i cannot get relief and a decent nights sleep.  at the moment i am lucky if i can get an 1 1/2 at a time before i am up under the shower or using a powerful hairdryer to heat the muscles into relaxing.  i am not depressed and have attempted throughout my life to put troubles behind and move forward positively.  Our children are all grown up and happy with their own family.   If this is my reality of life now my husband understands exactly how i feel and my desperation to find relief and peace.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • gwen45436
    gwen45436 jan52884

    Posted

    Hi there, I am new on here - I am on the arthritis and gastritis and cystitis sites - lovely or what.

    I am also 65 and have been having leg and toe cramps and also hand for the last couple of years.  I have always had cold feet and take meds for high blood pressure for the last 30 years which I know causes bad circulation.  But now they are coming every single night, which I know gets worse as you age!!  I will get them if I bend my toes forward during the day or kneel down and I have to jump up.  The night ones though are the worse.  I also get 1 1/2 hours sleep before I am woken then loosen it up but cant go back to sleep for hours, when I start drifting off and my toes relax downwards up it start again, a nightmare.  If I turn over (which I do toss and turn all night long) too quickly, off they go again changing legs.  I am exhausted and dread going to bed.  I dont have anythig from the doc but have bought some diet tonic water to try.  Also have read about yellow mustard and how some people get real relief when an attack starts.  I have started stretching the muscles as seen on various sites and am an active person anyway usually getting in 30 mins walking at least.  I could put up with it during the day but its the night - they are dreaded and important to get some sleep.  My hubbs gets them too but not every time he turns over in bed.  I really feel for you as it is only 7pm here in England now and already I am dreading going to bed.  I'm thinking that maybe I should sit in a chair with a cushion and duvet and keep my feet on the ground maybe with a shoe on to stop my toes curling when I start dropping off.

    Any ideas from anyone are always appreciated.

    Keep searching hun x

    Regards G.

    • jan52884
      jan52884 gwen45436

      Posted

      Hi Gwen, i am sorry you too have such a tough time with the cramps and lack of sleep but it is kind of good to know i am not a freak in my suffering too!  it is the current escalation that concerns me greatly too and one wonders where it will end.  i have a specialist appt with a muscle your beaut doc next week and as much as i try not to get too excited about 'the answer' i dread not getting an answer and where to from here.  i too have tonic water - taken with my gin i might add but no changes with this regarding cramps.  i have taken to using my powerful hairdryer to heat and relax the muscles but just have to be careful not to burn myself.  i know exactly what you mean about dreading bed time.  i have started a chart for the past 2 weeks so give the muscle doc and it appears i get up every 1-2 hours x 4-5 times a night so no deep sleep at all which makes me a rather tired person.  i have found nothing makes a difference as in what foot wear, exercise, eating and drinking i have done in the day.  wishing you well Gwen from here in Western Australia..

       

    • gwen45436
      gwen45436 jan52884

      Posted

      Hi again, let me know what the muscle doc says.  Yes it was as I expected last night.  I got 1 1/ hours sleep then it started.  We have a striking grandmother clock and I heard every god dam strike.  Uggh.  I was just starting to slip into a comfy sleep at 4am after my bed socks had kept my feet warm as I was ok for a couple of hours - (relief relief) and as I drifted - BANG - both feet went with curling toes and tight instep.  So I just sat up in bed until 6am then got up.

      Its a real bitch.  I did the gentle stretches before going to bed.  I have seen somewhere on here about using a stationary bike a few mins before bed.  I use one anyway but maybe I will give it a go before bed.  I also have read from this forum but not this actual thread from a lady called Osteo Barb an she says very loud and clear that it is a Magnesium Deficiency.  I do take a Calcium, Magnesium D3 supplement but only on half of the dose stated, so I am doubling that.  Do you take a supplement.  I really cant improve on my diet, expect cut down on alcohol.  Laughed at your G & T!  I like red wine at it is literally my only pleasure in life and definitely helps when the cramps worry me, they calm me down and also me feet ! What is that all about lol.  But I can't very well take a bottle up to bed with me can I and have a snort on each toe curl.  I'll then end up with a massive red nose!!!!!!!!

      I am on also a site for an issue I have been looking into at Patient uk due to the starting of a problem and honestly these ladies are is such a bad way and totally housebound.  So you have to think like I do that there is always someone much worse off.  I have spent all day with my head in my alternative books etc.  Have you been down, accupressure, route or TCM and the pressure point called the valley between your big toe and next toe.  I didnt try that last night as dancing around the bedroom moved it.  (Hmm maybe I will take a bottle up with me - only joking).

      Keep your chin up, I'm not giving up.

      BTW list me what you have tried and I'll see if there is something different I can find.

      Gwen x

      p.s.  You say you are not depressed but you are at the end of your tether and that should be addressed.  Just a thought does your doc know how bad you feel - I was on anti-press fo 14 years and they calmed me down so well with no side efffects.  I am wondering if these would help relax your tense cramping muscles????????   Just a thought hun x

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