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Leg and calf muscle cramps

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Posted 11/22/2012 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
I got lately frequent leg cramps and painful ones at the calf muscle and this one increases while i'm sleeping. I thought wrongly that cramps are caused by vitamin B deficiency. I asked my GI about the cause esp that

i have finished two rounds of B injections but he said it's caused by vitamins and mineral deficiencies. I can't take a mutivitamin as it hurts my stomach. My GI told me a couple of months ago that he would give me the choice to choose the smallest pill of a multivitamin and take it but i never did. I think it's high time I find a way to make my stomach tolerate Centrum.

Any ideas for the leg cramps will be highly appreciated. 

Posted 11/22/2012 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I think low potassium contributes to leg cramps. Can you eat bananas or other foods high in potassium? Can you tolerate liquid vitamins? Are you getting enough fluids and electrolytes?
Posted 11/22/2012 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
Gumby44, thank you. No, I don't think I have enough of any. I have to pay more atttention to my diet.
Posted 11/22/2012 10:49 AM (GMT 0)
If you are still on entocort, that could be causing it too
Posted 11/22/2012 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
Carmen, thank you. Really? I've never known this before. Yes, I'm still and will be on Entocort.
Posted 11/23/2012 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I used to get it with the low potassium but also if I was unwell and dehydrating that always made it worse too.
I've spoken to a lot of people about vitamin supplements and many people have said that something taking the lower brands with lower levels in can be better because the higher levels of vitamin c etc aggravates things sometimes!

Hope you find a way to combat yet another horrible side effect of this disease!!!
Posted 11/23/2012 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Novice, thank you. I increased my banana intake yesterday and things are somehow better today. I also started to take Centrum but I know I still have a long time ahead until it kicks in.
Posted 11/25/2012 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Coconut water tastes fairly horrible, but it's incredibly high in potassium. Might be worth a go. In fact, I might get some, as I've noticed my calf muscles start cramping up when I walk sometimes :-/
Posted 11/25/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
NCOT, thank you. I think I can give it a try. Why not!
Hope you feel better too:)
Posted 11/25/2012 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hope it helps, minnie. And thanks :p
Posted 11/26/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - coconut water, or other hydrating, electrolyte-containing liquids, such as Vitalyte, Nuun, etc. I sip on a glass of vitalyte throughout the morning and sometimes afternoons. This usually helps eliminate those painful night-time cramps.
Posted 11/26/2012 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Dinkley, thank you. I will try the coconut water. I don't have Vitalyte.
Posted Yesterday 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I have had that problem in the past it was due to low potassium and electrolyte imbalance--the dr even tried meds back then for restless leg syndrome but it knocked me out and made me feel sick..I had to sleep sitting up in a chair because I had esophageal spasms and shortness of breath around that time as well..I was not eating well and had severe diarrhea all the time which lead to many deficiencies..
Posted Yesterday 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Cindy, glad that you managed to get rid of this problem.
Posted 12/1/2012 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had a CBC done lately

I get the same cramps when I start to get GI bleeds (unseen bleeds as well)

A CBC would let you know if you were anemic, or losing blood

 

Posted 12/1/2012 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Zoso73, thank you. No, I haven't. I have to ask the GP for one. I think I might be anemic.
Posted 12/2/2012 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I used to get really bad leg, calf and even stomach cramps.  I have been drinking gatorade more in the last 3 months and have noticed a big difference.  I don't care for the taste of water but was told for every cup of mtn dew you drink, you need to drink a cup of water as well.  Hope this helps.
Posted 12/2/2012 9:12 AM (GMT 0)
Terry B, thank you very much for the piece of advice. I'll increase Ensure and drink plenty of water.
Posted 12/6/2012 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
You are most likely anemic. I currently am sitting here with the same cramps as you while trying to head to bed. They say low iron causes restless leg syndrome. You feel like you can't stop kicking your legs or moving them? I go see a hematologist that my GI sent me to. I get iron infusions done and it does wonders. Don't have leg cramps for several months till my iron drops again from a lot of bleeding.

Also, a little helpful temporary fix......ICY HOT! It is my best friend at night. I rub it down my leg and it allows me to at least fall asleep then I may wake up n need to put some more on.

Hope this helps :)
Posted 12/7/2012 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Crohns_havoc, thank you very much. I don't have the restless leg syndrome but I think I'm anemic. I put analgesic creams and they work.
Posted 12/7/2012 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I take a liquid multi-vitamin that seems to do the trick. I've been told that taking the coconut water with some honey is a good way to get your nutrients and mask the not-so-great taste
Posted 12/8/2012 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
I get them, really bad. but they usually ccur when the iron deficient anemia to getting worse-like now. I have had bad night time leg cramps for the past few weeks. had my reg scheduled 6 mth visit with the hemotologist....the ferritin was down to 40 and dropping fast since 60 days ago it was 149. 6 months ago ferritin was 16 so i had a iron infusion. Plus the hemoglobin has dropped from 13 back to 11 in 60 days. And no visible signs of rectal bleeding. So, I go have another iron infusion in 10 days. Dr said i will have them scheduled for every 6 months going forward. she believe my issue is asorbtion issues from the crohn's and resection surgery. And yes, i am tired all the time. Tuesday is my annual colonoscopy. fingers crossed!!!!
Posted 12/8/2012 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Centrum makes a liquid multi-vitamin. Also there are thos Gummy Bear multi-vitamins that you could try.
Posted 12/9/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Any chance its the medicine?

I was on Asacol about 10 years ago and I swear it caused horrible back spasms. I've had back spasms in the past, so I just thought it was a recurring injury type of thing.

I had horrible back spasms, my hamstrings hurt, and my back really ached. It was a constant aching pain. I had been taking Asacol for about 6 months at that point. I stopped taking my meds for a bit. Mostly b/c I was young - I starting feeling better so I figured who needs meds. Within a month my back started feeling better. I didn't associate the two yet though.

My Chrons started coming back so I started take the Asacol again. Right away I noticed my back started hurting again. I stopped the meds and my back pain and tightness went away.

Like I said I've had back pains before so I can't definitely say it was the meds. But I swear it was. Just something else to consider...
Posted 12/10/2012 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
Dear all, thank you very much.
@Lightninbug. Unfortunately, liquid multivitamins are not easy on my stomach.
@Mirowpl. Wishing you good luck in your colonoscopy.
@JasonCPHT. I never knew there was a liquid form of centrum. I can't tell whether it will be ok on my stomach or not. Liquid meds do not match w my stomach.
@Sln78. I can agree w you. I doubt that Entocort might be the reason but I'm not sure.
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