Leg cramps making life miserable

Hello friends who understand,

Six years ago I had a discectomy to take some pressure off lower lumbar nerves and it was only partially successful...I've been fairly functional since, but my whole left side has never been the same, I'm never out of pain, and on pain meds. That leg gives out if I try to squat (so I don't) and I favor it and use a reacher constantly. But I've accommodated it because that's what you do.

Now my "good" side is having similar issues! I'm sure it's a disc again, but apparently insurance says 6 weeks before you can even get an MRI (it's been less than 3.) Welllll, I may have to become a pain-in-the-butt squeaky wheel because this is ridiculous. This time it's not the electric zaps as much as the horrible cramps in my calf. I never knew cramps could be so powerful! I got one the other night that made me shout animal noises and almost fall over.

Now I'm living in fear it will happen again. In the meantime, I'm fighting smaller ones constantly. Heat, ice, round and round. Walking and around the house and sitting with extreme caution. Not driving - because what if I get another cramp? Sleeping very little and only on my back, because any other way hurts...with my blankets off because my feet can't take the feel of being covered and I don't want to encourage more cramps.

My "old bad" side is fired up too, of course, since I've been putting more weight on it now. My PA gave me prednisone and it's done nothing except keep me awake all night on Saturday.

Yep, just feeling sorry for myself! Thanks for listening!

Debbie

Hi Debbie: Good to see you here, but sorry about what you're dealing with.

Do you take either (or both) calcium and magnesium? I think they're kind of the 'biggies' for muscle cramps, from what I've read. Maybe you could check those out with your doctor.

I have had improvement since taking magnesium supplements with my supper. I also make an Epsom salts rub, by dissolving some in warm water and rubbing it on my legs and feet after a shower, or soaking my feet in a basin with the mixture. You can buy a "real" Epsom salts oil (usually called "magnesium oil," I think?), but it costs more.

I like home remedies, and was reading at People's Pharmacy about some of the odd "fixes" for cramps--some are strange!

With your other issues, I don't know if the oil or calcium/magnesium would even help, but again, maybe you could run them by your doctor and see what they think.

I just 'eyeball' the amount of Epsom salts I put in the water, but I think if you just do a search on "make Epsom salts oil" or "make magnesium oil," you'll get more accurate measurements, if you get the okay to try it. One thing, though: it is very drying, being salt!

Hope things are much better soon! You're in my prayers. That cramping is just so painful and annoying. Muscles can seem to have a mind of their own!

Well, I do take magnesium and malic aid, and I eat a banana everyday. Maybe I'll see how my potassium level is and go from there. I didn't realize calcium was important here too, good to know. I sure need all the tips I can get!

I wish I could blow my nose. Or clear my throat. The pain that shoots through me when I do is so intense. Having a sudden sneeze is excruciating!

Debbie

Do you do the calf stretches? They help.. i was getting hamstring cramps..that was bad!

It would help me to sit on a pool noodle behind the thigh, to help stretch it out some..


The calf stretches are standing..

Cal mag helps

Hi Debbie,

So sorry to hear you're having such issues. You might want to google on reputable websites for side effects of the medications you're taking.

Years ago, one of my doctors wanted me to take Gabapentin. After a few days it caused horrible pain in my upper leg. I called my phamacist and he encouraged me to take more. The next morning I phoned my doctor's office and she was on vacation. So I weaned myself off of the medication. No more leg pain.

Interesting that my mother-in-law was put on the same medication and she collapsed, her legs would't hold her. She didn't have a problem with that again after being taken off. And one of my friends was put on the med also, and she also experienced leg pain.

We have to be our own best detectives and even though they're very beneficial for us--we can't completely trust our doctors.

I'm sure you've tried this, but some of the topical muscle rubs help me when I have pain that shoots down my legs at night. I use sombra warming therapy a lot for that. I believe it's non-medicinal (capaicin I think). It at least works long enough that I can fall asleep. My pain source is usually deep in my glutes, but it still seems to help, so it might give you some relief.

Had wierd muscle spasms in the lower ankle, calf area last night..

First one ankle , then the other..got up , walked them off.. applied topicals

So i was thinking about you, while i was up walking it off.l these happen just randomly at night.