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Leg and foot cramping at night

Posted , 10 users are following.

Mrs.Mac-Canada
Mrs.Mac-Canada

Hello,

Sorry, I know I have read about this but couldn't find the previous posts.

I have been on 10mg of pred for about a month due to a flare trying to reduce from 4mg to 3mg using slow reduction method (had been at 4mg for a few months prior to that) 

i have been having pain in my calfs when I walk. This is new to me because my usual areas to act up were my butt and thighs.  I was thinking maybe the PMR was working it's way down and might be thinking of leaving me😉.

in the past week I have been getting nasty leg and foot cramps during the night.  I seem to remember someone mentioning taking something that helped.  I have also been doing calf stretches to lengthen muscles that had tightened due limping with a sore ankle. Wondering if that might cause it???

I'm also thinking about trying to start reducing my pred to 9mg and look for advice on that as well.  

Thanks, Diana🌸

1 like, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK Mrs.Mac-Canada

    Posted

    I to have had cramps, but I started taking magnesium tabs (not prescribed) some 3/4 months ago and it certainly slowed down, at the time,  to the extent I now no longer have cramps - thank goodness!  The type I had would not ease if rubbed or moving about it just went on and on - sometimes for hours.  Hope you find an answer as this only adds to all the other problems we all seem to have with PMR.
    • Mrs.Mac-Canada
      Mrs.Mac-Canada Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      Hi John,

      we do have our problems but how wonderful to have so many "friends" to help us along the way.  Can't imagine doing this alone😟.

      Thanks for the info.

      Hugs, Diana🌸

       

  • escot
    escot Mrs.Mac-Canada

    Posted

    If it helps,I take take  Tonic Water for Cramps not everyone believes in it, but I do and I have been taking it for years and it takes about 10mins then the cramp goes. I keep a bottle of Tonic water in my bag, one on bedside table and also my daughters keep a bottle in the Fridge for when I visit.
    • jean39702
      jean39702 escot

      Posted

      I love tonic water, especially with a nip of gin, and slice of lemon.  biggrinUnfortunately, even virgin tonic has been off the radar for months because of the sugar content.sad So, I'll have to settle for magnesium tablets for now.
  • EileenH
    EileenH Mrs.Mac-Canada

    Posted

    In mainland Europe the first thing you will be asked by any GP if you go complaining of muscle cramps is whether you have tried magnesium supplements.They are sold in every supermarket.  There is no need to worry about having blood levels checked - your body gets rid of what you don't need so don't take too much as it will give you the runs (very useful if you are bunged up though).

    And why any doctor with their brain in gear would tell a patient on pred to stop taking magnesium I fail to understand - taking pred makes you get rid of calcium and magnesium via the kidneys which is the reason the cramps may happen. Having good BLOOD levels doesn't always mean the TISSUE  levels are OK. It is the same as with vit D, the blood level doesn't always tell you what your BODY level is. The blood levels are kept OK, but the reserves are depleted.

    • Mrs.Mac-Canada
      Mrs.Mac-Canada EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen,  

      good to know you can't OD on magnesium.  I'll definitely be giving it a try.  Start with recommended dose and work up from there if necessary.

      Hugs, Diana🌸

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      Is there some concerns with stomach ulcers, as it adds to what the preds do, unless you have the enteric version?
    • EileenH
      EileenH Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      Sorry John - somewhat bemused there? Don't know what you mean.

       

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      It was just a question as in the back of my brain! magnesium can also have side effects in the form of stomach ulcers - or am I having a senior moment?rolleyes
    • EileenH
      EileenH Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      The most likely side effect of magnesium supplement would be, um, shall we say a rather laxative effect ;-)  It isn't a good idea to take too much.

      Magnesium is what is in Epsom salts and it is claimed you can absorb it from a bath. Maybe what you are thinking about is that magnesium can act as an ant-acid - it is GOOD for reflux.

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      I will retrain my memoryeek  only problem is not throwing out the good stuff!!    I take the supplement myself but only 100mg per day.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      I wonder if the spas that are said to be good for rheumatism are ones with high magnesium levels in the water?
    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      Now there's a thought ...I can still taste the water, even now, that was given to me 40 years ago in Harrogate, Yorkshire..  What it contained I have not a clue but, there are many who swear it does them good!
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy Mrs.Mac-Canada

    Posted

    I asked my GP about cramps with pred and she gave me a prescription for quinine sulphate. Quinine is also found in tonic water which I hate.
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