CRAMPING

Hi everyone

I'm being a bit lazy.  I should read through old posts for this information but right now I haven't got time. 

I read a while back about symptoms of liver disease and cramping was mentioned.  Each time my liver function scores have deteriorated i have had cramping and muscle-like spasms in my hands and feet.  Is this the cramping mentioned in the symptoms?

If I recall it was one of you lovely girls who are carers for your partners.

Hope you can help me with this.  The last few days I have had these strange cramps return and I'm hiping it's not a set back.

Hope everyone is doing well.Take care.

Marg

Hi Marg,

Gene also gets terrible cramping or muscle spasms; usually in his calf muscles but occassionally in his arms. They tend to occur when something is setting his system off but not necessarily a decline in liver functioning unless the liver is temporarily reacting to an electrolyte imbalance or his more recent iron toxicity. He also lhad spasms when his back went out 6 months ago.

I hope this is helpful. Gene doesn't take anything; he just remains motionless until the worst is over as any touch or movement is excrutiating for him. And Gene has a high threshold of pain.

Hugs,

Barb

mnmom...

I am new to the board here.  Just joined today.  Would I be correct to assume that you live in Minnesota (thus the name)?  I do, too.  Is it your husband who suffers from UC?  Has he tried to combat it with diet ever?  I would love to give him a gift (a book to read).  I was diagnosed with UCsome 5 years ago (could have been 6, I don't remember).  Through some kind of luck, my mother discovered a diet that changed my life.  Not only do I live a totally normal life (save for my somewhat restrictive diet), but I haven't had a UC related flare-up in probably 4 years or more.  But not just no flare-ups...no pain whatsoever. 

I don't say this lightly.  The diet has literally saved my life.  Not only am I very active (enjoy running, sports, etc), but I have an extremely stressful job with long hours (investment banker).  Without the diet, the life I lead now wouldn't be possible.  I don't like to  post the name on the site, because I don't want people to think I am promoting one book or product.  Nothing could be further from the truth. I am only 26 years, and certainly don't have any interest in promoting one viewpoint or potential solution to UC.  But for me, months and months will go by and the fact that I have UC will never cross my mind (because my diet is second nature).  To me, that is about as close to a "cure" as one can hope for.

Let me know if your husband would like me to send him a free copy of the book outlining the diet.  I promise, no strings attached.

All my best to you and your husband,

A friend in the Twin Cities

Hi Mnmom,

I'm guessing, but I think UC refers to ulcerative colitis rather than a liver related condition. I'm glad you're reading the posts even when not replying. We would also love to benefit from your experiences, questions and comments however. We are a close knit and loving group as you already know.

Your husband is fortunate to have you there to nurse him and troubleshoot. That seems to be the role we caregivers assume whether or not we are medically trained as we know our loved ones bodies and subtle changes even moreso than the professonals who don't live with the day to day problems.

Fortnately my husband has taken an active role in his diet and medical decisions and for the past three years has done whatever it takes to regain or maintane stability.

Even a few hours of sunshine boosts our spirits. I grew up in St. Paul but we've lived in CA for the past 43 years.

Hugs,

Barb

so glad to hear from you mnmom,,,glad this forum is helping you,the role of a caregiver is ROUGHHHHHHHHH!!! it is extremely strange how many times somethin new has come up with rick,and bammm,there it is on this forum,,its amazes me.. personally i am very grateful for this forum,,i dont feel like im shouldering the burdens alone anymore. even if ya dont post often,let us know how ya doin once in a while,and ill make sure to keep ya on my mind and in my prayers. good luck
trish

Thank you teresa, barb and mnmum for your confirmation about the cramping. Even though my heptologist says it has nothing to do with my liver condition, I find it amazing that it was one of my first symptoms (at least three months before diagnosis) and twice when I have gone into a temporary decline the hand and feet cramps have accompanied the failing liver function. Combined with the fact that my abdomen is a little larger (keep hoping it's still those extra Easter eggs) I think I'll get along for another set of blood tests.
Glad to have you on the Forum mnmum. I don't know what I'd do without the new friends I have made here.
Take care everyone.
Marg

Hi Marg, I get a lot of cramping to in my feet,hands,calves & ribcage & upper abdominal area.Good luck with your hepatologist appt. on the 7th. My thoughts & prayers are with you. later...

lerie said...

Hi Marg, I get a lot of cramping to in my feet,hands,calves & ribcage & upper abdominal area.Good luck with your hepatologist appt. on the 7th. My thoughts & prayers are with you. later...

Is this cramping part of liver disease? Now that I read your post I could describe what I have sometimes in my liver area as cramping but it's the hands that are the worst. If I hold a pen writing for a while, play the piano for a while, type for a while, even hold the car steering wheel on some days, the first finger sets straight in a sort of spasm, up through the adjoining muscles of the hand. It lasts for just a short while but is often extremely painful. I sometimes use a heat bag to relieve the pain in feet and hands.
While it's not bad now i have the feeling often that's it's just around the corner - only seconds away- and i stop the activity before it comes. Is this common with anyone else?

Marg, I'm inclined to think that you are having muscle spasms in your hands and feet, either from stress or osteoarthritis. I get these a lot in my hands. It doesn't bother me typing, but I can no longer write in long-hand...I have to print, and that also hurts, though not as much. The spongy exercise balls are good at keeping the fingers loose. You can also try to pick them up with your toes. It's a matter of trying to keep the joints flexible.

However, a cramping sensation in the upper belly is more associated with liver disease. Even before the liver cancer was diagnosed, I was having an odd type of cramping, twisting sensation under my left ribs. I now know that is is likely due to enlargement of my liver from the large tumor, where my spleen and left lobe of liver are being compressed.

That is unusual for you to experience this cramping when your labs deteriorate. As we all know, every individual is different...so I wouldn't entirely rule out a correlation between the cramping and poor lab results.

Connie

I think low potasium can cause cramping or charliehorses

marg,when i was sick and my liver function wasnt good,,it seemed all my aches and pains got worse,so maybe,you have another problem with your hands,but when your liver isnt functioning well,,it makes the other problem feel worse??
trish

Marg, a "Charley horse" is just a term for a tightness and cramping, usually referring to a specific spot, like the calf. ;) I think it's normal for us to wonder if new symptoms are a result of liver disease.

As for osteoarthritis, tell your doctor that you are having cramping and pain in your hands and would like an x-ray to rule out arthritis. (Go to a different doctor, such as a primary care physician.) Of course, if you do have osteoarthritis, there is nothing really to be done except to get on a regimen of antiinflammatories (which you may not be able to take) and/or pain pills.

Hugs,
Connie

Thanks everyone for you advice. The cramping seems to be improving. I'm guessing it was a bit of stress.
Take care
Marg