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Easing muscle cramps

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Posted 4/4/2012 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
My brother has been complaining of bad muscle cramping in his hands, legs (thighs, calves). Is there anything that helps?
Posted 4/4/2012 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Cat girl,

Your brother should have a basic metabolic blood test to rule out electrolyte problems. Many of us with cirrhosis have troubles with our potassium and/or magnesium. I had terrible cramping in my hands and feet. The diuretics I take make my potassium low so I have to take supplements.
Posted 4/4/2012 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
My hubby had calf cramps and he began eating 2-3 bananas a day and the cramps stopped.  I don't know if a Dr. would say it helped, but once he started eating them and the cramps stopped, he just naturally does it and it seems to help.

Angie1953

PS Supposedly bananas have potassium in them.

Posted 4/4/2012 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Bananas do contain potassium, though I was told by a doctor that there isn't enough in them to alleviate low potassium symptoms such as cramps. They had me on a potassium supplement for awhile. Right after transplant, I was on both Lasix and Aldactone, which worked well in taking fluid off, but they eliminated the Aldactone after the first week or so as they said my potassium was getting too low (or maybe high, I've forgotten which.) I now take a magnesium oxide supplement twice a day.

Massage helps with muscle cramping. I also take a muscle relaxant at night, Flexeril, as it does make me sleepy, but prevents nighttime cramping.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 4/4/2012 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Before my transplant I took quinalone (quinine). My cramps aren't nearly as bad these days, mainly when I have a long day at work. My PCP told me to drink a glass of Schwepp's Tonic water when I come home from work. I've been doing that for the past 3 weeks and while it doesn't totally stop the cramps, they're less common and aren't as intense. He specified Schwepp's as some tonic water doesn't have as much quinine added. It tasted weird at first, but now I'm getting used to it. Regular, or diet both work. Now, if I go to a party, that's my "drink."
Posted 4/5/2012 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
He's on a prescription potassium pill, not sure of the name of it.
Posted 4/6/2012 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Talk to his doctors. If it is magnesium and not potassium casuing the cramping, too much potassium could be dangerous. We had assumed that potassium was the problem when my husband was experiencing cramping. When admitted to the hospital for dehydration they found his magnesium really low and gave him and IV dose and cramps were gone. After that he took a magnesium supplement. After TP he is taking 1200mg 4 times a day!!(not for cramping tho)
Posted 4/6/2012 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I also take Quinnalone and sometimes it just does not work if I exert myself or if I'm on my feet to long in a 16 hour period. I read it was caused by not enough Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc than Potassium. I started drinking 1 glass of milk or even better orange juice with calcium and eat raw broccolli or raw spinach or cooked. swiis cheese, unsalted peanuts, low sodium tuna, low fat lamb or rib eye roast, tahini, squash and pumpkin seeds unsalted with the quinnalone and still sometimes I cramp. And yes I do eat at least 1 banana a day and potatoes at least 4 times a week or more. I probably should not post this but my pcp and hepatologist in the past prescribed me 1 mg. lorazepam for anxiety and taking one of these is the only thing that really has worked to stop the cramping if you are having one of those real bad nights. That is when it hits me when I lay in bed I automatically start cramping sometimes. My doc thinks I am crazy. But it is the truth with me. Everybody is different. Isaw my PCP a few months ago and he did not write me a script for the Lorazepam, so now i just deal with it when it comes. I get up and walk it off or try to sleep in a reclining chair. The docs make a big deal out of prescribing benzo's because they may be toxic to the liver. if i have an anxiety attack i just go to the ER. But it has been awhile since my last anxiety episode.
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