terifying cramp in legs

Hazel, Hi. I am no expert and I am new to the forum but Prednisone can cause potassium loss and doctors usually put you on a replacement tablet as a precaution. Normal potassium is 3.5-4.5 in the USA. Leg cramps and other muscle aches can be caused by low potassium and Calcium. Eat bananas, apricots, potatoes, orange juice. Check for a list on internet. I would also call doctor for advice first to tell him your symptoms. Don't take supplements if potassium without his OK. Potassium helps regulate B.P., heart rate and rythm, and fluid balance with other electrolytes. Hope you feel better soon. Pat

In my experience, yes. I would also add to Pat's advice and suggest Magnesium to your regime.

If your prednisone dose is high enough the pain should be subsiding - I presume you've been started on it?

Hazel, I empathise as I also suffer from night leg cramps but for me it has been since actually coming off steroids.  Although ruled out in my case, it is usually a sign of low magnesium levels so do ask your GP for a magnesium blood test along with a potassium blood test, to see if you need to take supplements.  My GP recommended that I do hand press-ups standing facing the wall before bed, therefore stretching the calf muscle - it can help, as can eating magnesium-rich foods such as bananas and apricots, as Pat has suggested.

Hello Hazel, I cant tell you about the potassium etc but others already have.  Its a great site.  I do know what helps me if I feel cramp coming on.  Usually you get mini- second(s) before the cramp fully kicks in. So , quick as you can - 

you need to stretch the muscle so it has some slack to loosen into when cramp shortens it, and often there is just time to do that.  With me usually a calf muscle,-  straighten your knee, shoot that leg out straight and bend your foot UP, hard as you can, as if you were trying to get your toes to meet your shin!  (dont pull foot up with your hand, use your leg muscles )

It doesnt prevent cramp but it makes the attack milder and briefer.  I hope it works for you or better still potassium etc solves your problem. Good luck.

I experienced cramps around a few weeks after starting pred.  The advice I was given was magnesium tabs, these worked for me and over a period of time the cramps went away - I still take on the odd occasion!  I also eat a banana a day, or more, which along with other fruits helped as well.  Hope this is helpful to you.