Posted , 11 users are following.
The past couple days, I've been experiencing an inordinate amount of Very Painful cramping/"Charlie horses" in my calves, feet, and now, today, my abdomen!
it seems to happen at the slightest shift in my positions and is Excruciating for a few seconds!
I'm in the process of a taper ( from 15 to 13 over the past 4 days ( is this too quick?)
has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do.
thanks Lynda
0 likes, 29 replies
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Anhaga lynda62707
Posted
Because pred has some negative effect on our electrolytes (and I guess calcium and magnesium are among them) it's possible you do need more magnesium. So the Epsom salts help with that. You absorb the magnesium through your skin, avoiding having to take another pill.
Flutterbie57 lynda62707
Posted
I have had the odd bouts of this since pred, in my feet, mainly around my ankles and lower legs. Excruciating pain, that goes on and on. Walking, standing, trying to stretch etc......I could not find any way of relieving it, but then I discovered heat stops it almost instantly. I use a wheat bag or hot water bottle as hot as I can stand. The muscles relax instantly...it is a weird feeling.
I have been told that my magnesium level is good. I am confused as always 😃
lynda62707 Flutterbie57
Posted
hi flutterbie...Confused seems to be the word of the day (or in my case, the past 7mo !😖)....ran ALOT of errands today and was reminded of when I was pregnant and felt my daughter moving....except, it WAS abdomen muscles spasming and going NUTS!!
Sorry Fellows...don't mean to gross ya out!....however, that's a really good description ( other than it was painful)....😖
ahhhh...another glorious day😁
EileenH Flutterbie57
Posted
Your blood magnesium level may be OK but the amount in the muscles not - the body scavenges magnesium from the muscles to keep the blood level up. By the time your blood level falls you are REALLY depleted.
megan42504 lynda62707
Posted
hey yo!
i had one excruciating leg spasm a few months ago. knew that low K might be an issue. i spent a few nights recently in ICU.... pulmonary embolism. big ol' ugly saddle one, and I'm blessed to still be here.
as much as i loved my doctors and nurses, ive been going over my discharge paperwork: didnt know i had heart failure (forgone conclusion perhaps?) or "hypokalemia". WTF is that?
SO thanks to y'all, I'm on my own scavenger hunt. just trying to put a few pieces together 😦.
best to you, Lynda!!
lynda62707 megan42504
Posted
lol Megan....are you in the US?...sounds like a US sense of humor!
I too, had Congestive heart failure (not sure if that's the same as yours).
Mine was lung related (??)....was in icu for 3da on an intubater....didn't know if I'd survive. I FOOLED 'EM!!
Man, the longer I'm on this forum, the more I'm realizing what a "hot mess" I am!!😱
All of this has hit (pmr included) over the past 7-9mo!
YIKES.....
Flutterbie57 megan42504
Posted
Thanks Megan. Mention of K has just rung 2 different bells with me that I had totally forgotten about. I have been a boderline bleeder for many years. Drs were going to look into the cause 30+ years ago, but never did. K is a possible reason.
megan42504 lynda62707
Posted
the more i learn here, the more frustrating and angry i become... im a middle aged woman with two kidos in college and one in 7th grade::
and am now dealing with the most challenging health issues!
yikes...am i whinning like an AMERICAN:
sorry, my sense of humor isnt for everyone..: just keeps the momma sane.
i cant lose it im front of my family:-)
so thankful for all of you!
EileenH megan42504
Posted
Hypokalaemia is low potassium - hypo = low, kalium is the latin word for potassium
EileenH lynda62707
Posted
People with lung problems often develop heart failure problems because of the BP implications and effect on the heart. So my husband was told by the cardiologist who says it is because of only having one lung.
Anhaga megan42504
Posted
Additional to PMRpro's post re hypokalemia, its not a good idea to self medicate to improve potassium levels. Get proper advice from doctor - if you need a supplement they'll prescribe the right level, if not you should be able to improve the level through diet.
Elijo Anhaga
Posted
I completely agree; you don't play with electrolytes. I take RX potassium 20 meq 3 X day, and have my blood work checked regularly.
megan42504 EileenH
Posted
wicked smart!!!i should have taken LATIN