HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

severe cramp in upper thigh

Support Forums
>
Parkinson's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/27/2010 3:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hello all,

This is my first time posting on this site.  I have very severe leg

cramps in my upper inside thigh - the pain feels like my muscle has

bunched up into a ball or someone has reached in and twisted the

muscle as hard as they can.  It is kind of like a charley horse I've

had before in my calf, but much worse.  It doesn't happen that

often, once every 3-4 weeks. 

When it happens it makes me scream and I start to break out in a

cold sweat.  I've seen two doctors and gone to the hospital over it,

to be told you can't have a charley horse in the upper thigh.

Know one seems to know what I'm talking about.  Has anyone out

there had cramps like this in the upper thigh?

Posted 12/18/2010 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have had that very painful cramp. Mine feels like a severe electrical current running through my inner thigh. I just try to push against it. Sometimes that works.
Posted 8/22/2011 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Letter Re muscle cramps in thigh
To: Mirren and Steven794
August 22, 2011

I’ve been having severe cramps in my upper leg (outer left thigh). The pain feels like the muscle is in a charley horse but much worse. The pain isn’t constant but can happen four-five times a day. Sometimes putting pressure on it helps, but it seems vicodin pills are the only real source of relief. The pain is so severe that I either want to scream or cry! Is there any otherway of dealing with this or, hopefully, making it go away? This has been going on for 3-4 weeks now, and I’m at my wit’s end...
Posted 8/24/2011 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Maggie,Let your dr. know what is going on.Next time you get a cramp try pushing down with your foot hard on the floor.This will sometimes relieve a charly horse which occurs when a group of muscles decide to contract by themselves.Seems to be common with those with pd.could be a sign of low calcium or potassium.Should get that checked.Wish you the best .Welcome to HW,and let us know how you make out your info could help others with the same procblem.Ed
Posted 10/8/2011 1:32 AM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed with PD in March 2002 and I sometimes have cramps from my toes to my thigh.  I have to get up and walk it off but  it isusually short lived.

singingsam

Posted 10/10/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
In trying to figure out what's causing my upper left thigh cramps, here’s what played out this last month (September) to today:
I've been working with my neurologist and Family Practice doctors, who finally agreed that a back MRI was needed.
Once the MRI was done, I was referred to a doctor in the Physical Medicine and Chiropractic Services dept of our clinic. She in turn eventually recommended an epideral steroid injection, along with stopping the use of Flexeril, which I had been taking for relief of the cramping, since balance problems can be a potential side effect of that drug. The Physical Med doctor noted all the problems of an aging back, with notable inflammation between L2-L3 vertebrae (injection site).

I had the steroid injection under sedation (to control any dyskinesia) last Wed Oct 5 at a local hospital. It went well. After 5 days the cramp pain frequency has lessened (once yesterday) and might be slightly less in intensity. Encouraged, we’re hoping for continued improvement.
More later.

MaggieT
Posted 1/31/2013 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
"MaggieT.......you situation is identical to what I have experiencing. I had a very bad "sciatic nerve" episode twice now last one being sept. 2011 & I haven't been the same since. I couldn't walk for days cause of the pain in my left leg. I did physical therapy for two weeks being put in traction for a week of that. I also visited a chiropractor & she always said, I have pinched nerves. She did relieve some of my pain as I continued wit PT. finally dr orders a MRI.....I have two herniated disc". My left leg hasn't been right since all that. So Dr orders the shot....it did help, but the muscle spasms are so painful!! I just experienced one of the worst ones ever! I'm wondering if I need to do another injection. I just need RELIEF AGAIN!!
Posted 3/3/2013 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I too have a severe pain in my leg. It's on the back of my right thigh and kills. For a while I had to roll out of bed a certain way so as not to feel the extreme pain. Now I still have to be careful how I get out of bed. But my pain never really goes away. I can't stand up straight right away and walk. I'm hunched over for some times hours before I can find a way to stand straight w/o (or minimal) pain. Sometimes it feels like a rubber band snaps. Been to the doctor, my last visit was with a new Dr., she seems to think it's related to the Sinemet, since I started that drug end of Sept.2012 and pains started end of Dec.
0nly relief came with morphine when I was in hospital for cellulitis in same leg, and with Percoset. Does anyone else seem to think it's related to the meds, or is it just the PD?
Posted 6/15/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has lung cancer for the 2nd time (after being cancer free for almost 2 years) and does have chemo one day a week for two weeks, then skips a week. (He DID have radiation on his right hip bone because they saw a spot there, but it went away with the radiation.) He is on his 4th type of chemo cocktail and started getting a severe pain in his right upper front thigh after that new treatment started. It was localized in thigh muscle, but has moved to left leg (somewhat) and to his arms (somewhat) but is CONSTANTLY in right thigh. Originally both legs were swollen, right one was worse, but that went away. Finally, last night, at my prodding, he said it feels like a charley horse that will not subside. (This started about May 6 and is ongoing through today, Jun 15.) He told the oncologist about the pain and he removed one chemical from the chemo that has a possibility of this type of pain. However, when he went for labs on May 31, I called the oncologist and he told us to go to the ER right away if he was in such pain. We went and were there for 7 hours - ultrasound and xrays showed no blood clots. Doctors asked him to rate the pain - 1 to 10 - and he said at least 11. The Morphine did nothing, but Dilaudid on top of it helped a little... Went home with generic Rx for Dilaudid and Percocet..they don't do much at all! He had me buy some crutches but has mostly been using a cane. He has only been out of the house for doctor appointments, not even outside to get the paper or feed the cat, for 5 1/2 weeks. In order to get around in the house, he uses cane with left hand and puts his right hand behind his right knee to lift his leg and set it back down as it causes too much pain to take an actual step. (The last 2 chemo trips I have had to bring out a wheelchair in order to get him inside for chemo.) He finally told me to call the family doctor on Monday to see if he can figure out what it is. (He is not unfamiliar with pain, as he has had several surgeries on knees and back and will always have back pain and seldom takes pain meds.) I feel so bad for him since there doesn't seem to be much I can do except get him a new ice pack and drinks or food.
Posted 6/22/2013 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have had these severe cramps,they are the worst cramps ever a person could have,Trying to stand up at once is a way to relieve them,but I believe that mine only come on when I get dehydrated,and after having one I think about how much I had to drink that day,and believe me there is a connection..potassium is a must for the body in helping with cramps.I try to eat a banana a day to help.I hope this may help someone else,because I know the severity of those cramps.trying to explain those types of cramps to people who have never experienced them is almost impossible..Believe me I feel your pain.
Posted 8/28/2014 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have upper leg cramps usually at night or as I get out of bed in the morning. Devastating is the only word that comes to mind. This is in the inner thigh and it is by far the most painful muscle cramp I have ever experienced in 70 years. Has anybody ever had this or does anybody know what will help?
Posted 8/29/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I had the severe upper leg cramps for most of this past winter and spring. These cramps would bring tears to my eyes. The stretching exerices and mirapex dosage changes did not help. Even though my blood potassium was within normal limits my cardiologist gave me 60 Meq Potassium Chloride daily. Within 48 hours the cramps disappeared and have not returned.
Posted 8/29/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I had the severe upper leg cramps for most of this past winter and spring. These cramps would bring tears to my eyes. The stretching exerices and mirapex dosage changes did not help. Even though my blood potassium was within normal limits my cardiologist gave me 60 Meq Potassium Chloride daily. Within 48 hours the cramps disappeared and have not returned.
Posted 9/22/2014 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I've been having excruciating leg cramps as well. I've had very painful Charley horse cramps in my calves, feet and toes, and sometimes thighs in the past. But these new cramps take the pain to an entirely new level. The cramps of the past always seemed to be in the back of the leg--the calf or back of the thigh--or the bottom or the foot, usually in the arch. And my toes would sometimes cramp and the toes would contort.

These new cramps go up the front of the leg--the shin (to the outside of the shin bone) and the outer front side on the thigh. Sometimes the top of the foot and the front of the ankle is involved. Often the cramps are symmetric--if I get on on the left shin the right shin will also be involved, or it will cramp later in the night. Two weeks ago I was awakened about 5 times with these cramps. One time both legs, fronts and backs, were involved. It felt as if someone was twisting a muscle or tendon or something inside my leg. And they kept twisting. It was pretty darn near unbearable, and frightening. Last night, for the first time, only the thighs were involved. Something just to the outside of the front center cramped up, first on the right side and then on both sides. It was all I could do to swing my legs out of bed. When both legs were involved I was unable to stand up straight due to the tightness of the muscles. Again, it was excruciating and I just wanted to howl in pain.

The day after the worst of the cramps I will often have multiple muscle spasms up and down both legs as well as a tingling sensation in my feet and toes, almost like they're asleep. So far, my internist doesn't have a clue where to start searching for answers. I wonder if it could be thyroid related. My levels are all considered normal, however. I've been well hydrated. I take supplements of magnesium, potassium, calcium. I now drink electrolyte beverages. And the cramps still come. I do not have PD, but my father and several men in his family did. In my immediate family of origin, in addition to my father we've had other autoimmune diseases-RA, vasculitis (temporal arteritis), colitis, chronic fatigue, and Raynaud's.

Would love to hear some suggestions about how to figure out what is causing the cramps. Something is clearly off.
Posted 9/23/2014 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Get charley horse mostly in my sleep - lately in inner thighs, which makes walking almost impossible. I do have a quick solution. Magnesium. A 400 mg capsule will work for me in 10-15 minutes, but liquid magnesium in water works in minutes. I keep a solution by my bed. Also.. there is a powder called "calm" - mix in water and it works very fast.
I think now that I am in my 70's, I am more suseptible to mineral imbalances. I do have to watch my sodium (salt) intake and think I have problems when eating at a restaurant. The magnesium always works for me.
The 400mg dose should not cause loose bowels, but sometimes a higher dose can.
Posted 9/24/2014 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
What works for me to loosen up the tight cramped thigh muscle: lay on my stomach and bend the leg with the cramp at the knee drawing the foot up towards the buttock. At first it will suddenly and painfully cramp and I have to back off. But as I repeat it I can bring the foot closer and closer to the buttock and each time the thigh cramp lessens and relaxes. Now I do this each night to prevent the cramping. Hope it helps you too.
Posted 1/28/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I also get severe upper leg cramps that are so painful they take my breath away. They usually begin as I am getting out of bed at night and are not as easy to just walk off like regular calf cramps. Sometimes they are so painful that I can't get out of bed. When that happens I just lay there and take deep breaths and try very hard to relax. Sometimes they can last 15 minutes and not completely go away for hours. Not sure what is causing them, but I am diabetic so it might have something to do with that.
Posted 1/30/2015 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all. I am a 45 year old male in decent shape and very active. I have been suffering from these leg spasms for over 3 years. It is random and EXTREMELY painful. I have had episodes that make me literally pass out and I have sobbed in pain for hours. LITERALLY It hurts so bad that I have often thought of the worst scenario to stop the pain. Morbid, but true. I would not think twice and cut off my leg to never have that pain again. The after effects are just as bad, as my leg takes several weeks to come back to normal. I can't walk, sit, or even lay down. I have seen two doctors and both have no clue what it is. Thousands of dollars of x rays and crap with no results.

Here is the better part.......I have found several things that i have read that really helps and in the last six months I have not had one bad episode. First, if you feel your leg starting to spasm or cramp up, put a back brace and a knee brace on. I am not sure why but the knee brace really helps in the recovery and when I feel one starting I will put that knee brace on. I wear one for bed. Second, reduce alcohol and drink alot of water. Third, I started taking B12, Potassium, and Magnesium vitamins regiment. I was told by my doctor that it is a water soluble and you pee out what you don't use. This is really helping and I hope that this stupid thing never comes back. Good luck on finding out what it is.
Posted 3/29/2015 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I gave up salt because I was told it was bad for me. Within a month I started getting sever cramps in my feet and legs. It started in my toes, then calf, and went up to my inner thighs. All of which were very painful... I was limping because of the after pain. Then my sister suggested I take salt pills. I called around and found a medical store who sold them from behind the counter. As soon as I got into my car I took 2 tablets. By the time I went to Bingo that night I wasn't even limping. Now when I feel a cramp coming on I take a salt tablet and I'm fine in 5 minutes or less , very rarely it may take 2 tablets and some pain before it works but I've never needed more than 2 tablets.
Posted 5/2/2015 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
I had a long bout (I am talking 10 years) of recurring bunching of muscles and muscle cramps in my thigh and it radiated down my leg causing calf and knee pain some times and I had/have varying degrees of hip pain in my hip flexor. I thought I may have torn a ligament and it bunched up in my leg or something but had a hard time getting a diagnosis. It was always tight and felt rough and knotted along the hamstring. The things that worked some what - keeping hydrated, eating bananas, massage, rolling on a roller, any muscle relaxants only worked for a short time, active release (like acupuncture), stretching, hot baths or hot tubs, gentle yoga etc. But... miraculously yesterday I tried a floatation tank (an isolation tank in a salt solution that you float in) and I wasn't even thinking about my leg thing. I was able to work out the problem in the 90 minute session by stretching in the tank and allowing the muscles to spasm completely and then gently stretching in all sorts of weird but sort of intuitive positions. Because you are weightless it isn't as excruciating as it would be if you were not suspended in "water" when the muscle spasms. It is no longer all bunched up and feels much different both to the touch and in my leg. My hip feels realigned. I think this is really revolutionary...
I really felt clear that spending time really checking in with what was going on and trying to figure it out myself was way more effective than seeking some one else to figure it out for me. Oh and one person said magnesium was helpful and apparently in the tank you absorb magnesium.
Posted 5/18/2015 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to find people who understand my plight. I had an episode 2 days ago (severe cramp/pain in left thigh). I am an obese female, don't work out, age 45, don't drink much water and consume way too much salt. I assumed it was a blood clot or muscle spasm due to my poor health. But, I see there is a 45 year old man active man in decent shape having the same issue. I don't know what it is. I have been eating bananas almost every day for 2 weeks straight and I drank more water than usual last week, but, still had this severe cramp over the weekend. I also broke out in a sweat and felt very dizzy (almost fell as I tried to walk bent over to the bathroom). If its not a blood clot, then I can relax a little, because those can kill (especially when they are in the left leg). If it has to do with my excess salt intake and lack of water, then I can work on that. I never want to feel this pain again as long as I live (I've felt it about 4 times in 2 years).
Posted 2/23/2016 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I too have a severe pain in my leg, got this pain when I was changing tyre of my car . It's on the back of my right thigh and kills. For a while I had to roll out of bed a certain way so as not to feel the extreme pain. Now I still have to be careful how I get out of bed. But my pain never really goes away. I can't stand up straight right away and walk. I'm hunched over for some times hours before I can find a way to stand straight w/o (or minimal) pain. Sometimes it feels like a rubber band snaps.

Having this since last 2 days. Please help.
Posted 6/15/2018 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mirren,
I am a new member. When I searched severe upper thigh muscle cramps and read your post; I immediately related to what you are feeling. There is someone out here that understands your pain. I get the most excrutiating cramps, mostly on the inside upper thigh muscle of my left leg and sometimes both. The back of my calves can knot up and the bottom of my feet are temporarily paralyzed with pain. My primary doctor seems to take me lightly and once put me on vitamin D supplements and told me to drink tonic water which has quinine in it before bedtime. The tonic water seems to help relieve the calf muscles a bit, but not the pulling of my thigh muscles. I too have wanted to scream and I tremble and sweat so hard till sometimes I vomit. It has started to get more intense and takes longer to stop in the past couple of years. But I live in fear of the next episode as I get in and out of bed, chairs, and car rides.
I have used Hyland's leg cramp homeopathic pills that helps the calf and foot problems but, I had to take them everyday for a long period of time to get results. I used to stand up and walk around putting my weight down on the pain but now I can bearly stand up at all, crying until the pain passes. I do leg stretching movements, keep lidocaine creams on my night stand, heating pad, water, and a prayer. I am diabetic 2 and I have cirrohsis of the liver: if this is related to the cramps? I need help from a good physician.
Posted 6/16/2018 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Try magnesium capsules
I had to go gluten free and dairy free last year, and eventually started waking in the middle of night with calf muscle cramps.
From my searching it seemed to be due to low magnesium in my muscles.
I take magnesium every day or two now (calcium capsule a few times a week too),
maybe your issue is similar.
Posted 4/3/2019 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I too have been woken up by severe cramps in my upper left thigh. I stand up when they hit, but the muscles in my abdomen cramp too and yank me back down. I have had an MRI done on my back, and I have spinal stenosis in two places. My leg cramps in my lower legs are worse when I take too much (but not more than prescribed) atorvastatin. I am prescribed 60mg, but I won't take any more than 40mg. I tried taking more calcium a few years ago, but that gave me kidney stones, and then it was discovered that I had a node on one of my parathyroid glands. FYI, this is something you might want to have looked at. The parathyroid control the amount of calcium in the blood stream, and a node can cause it to release too much parathyroid hormone. I AM NOT A DOCTOR. That being said, getting enough water is very important. I am also a type 2 diabetic. I take a medications that affect the amount of fats in my blood (atorvastatin, fenofibrate, ezetimibe). Anybody else taking these?? Going to try yoga if my knees can take it.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply