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Severe leg cramps and burning feeling in the front of both legs

Posted , 12 users are following.

r.d.s26296
r.d.s26296

Last night I was in agony nearly the whole night with severe cramps in both my legs and toes. 

For a few days I have been suffering a sort of burning feeling down the front of both my legs from the knee down

I'm now on 20mg pred and trying to reduce. 

I'm totally exhausted most of the time. 

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • EileenH
    EileenH r.d.s26296

    Posted

    Try taking a magnesium supplement for a start - if that doesn't help, go to the GP and ask to have your electrolytes checked. A lack of magnesium can cause night cramps - but so can potassium, calcium and sodium imbalances and they need to be checked if the cramps continue despite magnesium. Pred can make us lose these ions through the kidneys.

    The fatigue in PMR is a systemic effect of the underlying autoimmune disorder - you have to manage that by lifestyle changes, pacing and resting appropriately:

    https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/posts/135650532/fatigue-pacing-spoons-and-a-gorilla...

    • r.d.s26296
      r.d.s26296 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen thanks so much for you help  ...I'll try taking magnesium as you suggest. 

      I literally had a nightmare night last night. 

      Thanks for the advice  👍

  • Guest
    Guest r.d.s26296

    Posted

    When I started Prednisone I also started magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D. I don't think I have many problems with cramps, but I do have muscle spasms, especially in the neck. I am not sure about this, because I don't know how to tell the difference in cramps and spasms.

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy r.d.s26296

    Posted

    I managed to get my doctor to prescribe quinine sulphate which is brilliant for cramps, but they are none too keen on using it nowadays. 
    • rocketman42
      rocketman42 EileenH

      Posted

      Increases the risk of bleeding and heart rhythm disturbances. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy rocketman42

      Posted

      I have never seen or read that it caused bleeding. I know it can cause dizziness and nausea like every other drug it seems. 
    • rocketman42
      rocketman42 ptolemy

      Posted

      Quinine treatment can cause thrombocytopenia.

      This disorder is characterized by a decreased number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are the cells that give blood the ability to clot. Thrombocytopenia can lead to abnormal blood clotting or abnormal bleeding. Thrombocytopenia may also lead to blood clot formation, which can cause headaches, dizziness or tingling in the extremities.

    • EileenH
      EileenH ptolemy

      Posted

      Took a bit of reading to find it but it can cause thrombocytopenia - low platelets, can lead to bleeding. 
    • rocketman42
      rocketman42 margaret22251

      Posted

      Lol......drinking tonic water and taking prescription quinine is not the same.  Just put some gin in it and enjoy !
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy rocketman42

      Posted

      My platelets are fine. I believe thrombocytopenia is pretty rare. My GP reckons that tonic water and quinine tablets have the sane effect although you need more tonic water! 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy EileenH

      Posted

      As Silver49 says it would numb the pain and a lot of other things too I should imagine!
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