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Muscle spasms & leg cramps

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Posted 3/27/2008 2:55 PM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed with RLS (restless legs syndrome) a few years ago and have been taking Requip since that time.  Last year I was diagnosed with Peripheal Neuoropathy.  Now my Doctor (Neuorologist) is treating me for Parkinson Disease.  I served in the Air Force at Monkey Mountain, just outside of Danang, Vietnam from October 1968 until March 1969.  I was hospitalized at Danang Hospital for 3 days with pneumonia around December 30, 1968.  Is is possible I was exposed to Agent Orange to cause these neuorological symptoms?

Posted 10/18/2008 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob, Your last post was a year ago so I'm writing this in the off chance that you're still checking this site. I don't know how or if leg cramping has anything to do with Parkinson's, but I can speak from experience about chronic leg cramping that I have brought under control. I had charlie horses for years. It finally got to where I dreaded going to sleep at night, because I had cramping all night long. It was usually so bad that I had to try to sleep sitting up in a chair. The cramping would hit both of my legs at the same time, and every square inch of my legs were cramped -- from my toes to my groin -- such pain and suffering. Doctors could not tell me why I had this chronic problem. Finally looked at my diet. I cut out carbonated beverages. I threw out every product in the house that contained artificial sugar or especially aspartame. My chiropractor has a detox setup, so I did twelve sessions, drawing toxins out of my body. I changed my diet to organic foods. Our food supply is robbed of the nutrients it once had, and one can only find wholesome nourishment these days in organic foods which are specially grown. I started taking 200 mg of magnesium three times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening, along with 1800mg of calcium, 600mg three times a day. It is the magnesium, however, that helps leg cramping. I also have stopped snacking after 8:00 p.m. When we eat a large flow of blood rushes to our stomach to help digest our food, thus leaving our extremities and muscles -- in my case -- without the necessary blood flow to cleanse my muscles. Thus, I had severe leg cramping. I still get leg cramping from time to time, but it is within the realm of "normal" cramping. It never fails, however, if I break my rule and eat even the slightest snack after 8:00 p.m., assuming I'm not allowing three to four hours for my food to digest before going to bed, I most certainly will be struck with one or more leg cramps in the evening hours as I sleep. I hope you find this helpful. Ann
Posted 10/24/2008 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
To everyone that is experiencing the many aspects of PD. No 2 people will have the exact same problems with it. I have had it for more years than I know. I finally seen a neuro when I questioned my PCP diagnosis that I was depressed, and he told me that I should see a neurologist if I was in doubt. I had also been told by a podiatris and a cobler something was wrong do to the way I dragged my feet and leaned to the oneside. Well, with the suggestion of my PCP. I took him up on it.

I was told by the neuro that he agreed that I was depressed, but went on to tell me that I also had Parkinsonism, and that he had no idea how long I had it up to then, but that hopefully it would be 10 years before it got really bad. That was 7 yrs ago, and I feel that I am holding my own thanks to doing exercising and remaining positive. I am on mirapix now, but in the past was on amantadine, requip, and the patch that was recalled. I know I was on another but no longer remember the name. I also take aricept do to memory problems and celexa due to the depression.

My tongue never stays still, I lost the swing of my right arm, because of this I find it very hard to run, I tend to not blink my eyes as often as others and suffer as a lot of those on this sight with bad pain from muscle cramping. This has been even before being diagnosed and for a long time did use tonic water as my PCP recommended. I now have my hands and feet get to the point that I say they become like claws and it is very painful Very scarey when it happens when I am driving. I have had dificulty in moving my neck for many years and a lot of pain in my shoulders and hip area. Some is due to osteo art, and some the PD.

I began to fall backward and lucky for me someone has been there to catch me, but I now use a walker since I fear breaking a hip, since I have soft bones. I use a U-Step walker and recommend them to anyone that needs a walker for safety.

I am glad I found this sight, and although my neuro has suggested I use APOKYN I have chosen not to go that route at this time, and maybe never, do to the cost. I have been in the donute hole since May even with what I am taking now. I am now 66 years old
Posted 10/24/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Putsie,Welcome to HealingWell.Glad you found us,and I would also like to extend a welcome to any new members I may have missed.I hope this forum provides you with info ,and support,which we all need.Let's hear from you out there .Wish you all the best.Ed
Posted 1/2/2009 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
You may also want to be tested for a condition called "thick blood" (especially if you also have stents)

A negative symptom of that condition, from what I heard, is Blood clots. Blood clots can form in the legs, hips, and even move to the lung/heart/head. Some cat scans, from what I have heard, may not show the blood clots. I am surprised this condition is not discussed more in the media, because more and more adults in their 40s & 50s are just now finding out that they have had it their entire life. Usually people with this condition see a Pulmanay doctor to possibly be treated with blood thinners.

Maybe during your next wellness exam you might ask your doctor what the cost would be for the test and if they think it might be something worth exploring.

Hope this helps....
Posted 1/3/2009 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Bluegrass,Welcome to HealingWell.Thanks for the info.Ed
Posted 8/14/2009 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
bob, this leg cramps will be cured by taking calcium medicines and doing exercises with good diet.most time u should walk which will cure your leg cramps.
Posted 11/17/2009 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
  I am 50, have had PD for 6 years. A couple years ago I was on Stalevo, and would get SEVERE cramps in my right ankle and calf during the wear-off stage.. It was so bad I couldn't drive, or be on my feet for a half hour. My Neuro at Cleveland Clinic suggested Botox injections in the areas to deaden the nerves and it worked great.
Posted 11/26/2009 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
EXERCIZE I ride a bicycle and it certainly helps
Posted 1/6/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

New to this forun

Posted 1/6/2010 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I am in my mid 70's and have had PD about 14 years. Sometimes I get awful pain and cramps that run from neck down to my feet.  Most of the pain is on my right side.  It appears to be getting worse.  If I sit too long I almost get paralyzed.  I can't hardly put weight on my right foot. Sometimes I have to crawl.  Never have crawled so much since I crawled as a baby.cool

For PD I take Sinemet 4 times a day and sometimes 5.  It is 25/250.  Also Requip 4 times a day, with 2 tablets for a totalof 8. 2mg

Other PD medicine is Gabapentin, taking 1 capsule 3 times daily 300 mg

I'm getting to the point whre I hate to take my medicine cause I will feel worse and my pain gets worse.

I have gone to many neurologists, but none to seem to find an answer. Feel sometimes I am over medicated. I am wishing for a better  quality of life. So in a nutshell is my story.

Posted 1/6/2010 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
time to get your calcium,and potassium levels checked.See your g.p. dr.for this.This might not be the cause but is worth eliminating.Wish you the best .Ed

Posted 9/18/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I use a homeopathic remedy at night- cuprum metalicum- helps me with leg cramps.
Posted 3/27/2014 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I have had PD for 6 years. My legs cramp in my calves & my thighs. A lot of times It hits after a long day or two when I sit down & put my feet up. Stretching seems to help & sometimes a hot tub works too. The worst are when I wake up at 3 or 4 AM. I just stretch them. The best thing for it seems to be a full 8 hours sleep.
Posted 5/22/2014 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
The doctors say I don't have PD but they have me on Artane and Requip. The say it is spreading dystonia, as well as restless legs. I used to get Botox shots in my forearm and hand until it spread to my legs. The spasms and severe cramping starts sometimes in my toes and goes up my calf into my thigh all the way to my groin area. My hand cramp in distorted ways sometimes with my thumb and first finger stuck together or my fingers frozen in odd shaping. Does anyone here have these symptoms? I have homeopathic quinine to take but sometimes I just take tonic water or an electrolyte drink. Does anyone have Wilson's temperature syndrome? I am at a loss to know what is wrong with my hands, feet, and legs. And the VA doctors don't have much of an idea either. Any advice
Posted 8/10/2014 5:50 AM (GMT 0)
I keep Salon Pas or the Walgreens pain patches on hand and will put those on if I get leg cramps. Sometimes I have to put three on one leg but it stops the pain quickly till morning when I take them off. Sometimes Aspercreme will help. The patches are amazing.
Posted 4/30/2015 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
yes I have diagnosed with PD in 2012, I just experienced with Muscle spasms & leg cramps about 2 month now. My PD at first the symptoms only effected my left body with tremors. I only take Sifrol .25 mg 2 times a day, Artene 2mg one table every 2hr. The symptoms seem to be in control for a while. After a year I stared to have problems with cognition, I can not siting at my PC browsing the Web Doing stock trading for more than 4 hrs. If I working on the Web more than 4 hrs. I got very tire, and my symptoms get worse.

My Movement Disorder said I have Parkinsonism. Lately, the last 2 months I stared to have Muscle spasms & leg cramps and walking balance.

I stared physical therapy. I did VLST big home exercise, and Every day 60 min on chair exercise for seniors. two times a day. The exercise help control my muscles spasms and leg cramps. You can get the above exercise on YouTube.

I was on vacation for a few days I did not exercise and I was stay late at night for a few day playing blackjack. The muscles spasms and leg cramps getting worse, and I also have walking unbalance. My left site body stared to have tremors. I have to end my vacation a few days early.

After the vacation, I did exercise again and my symptoms were under control.

At the time I stare the muscle spasms , my Movement disorder doctor subscribed the Cabridoba Levo 25/100

1/2 table 3 times a day. Without the exercise the Sinement did not have any effect on the Spasms.
Posted 7/7/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I HAD A SIATICA NERVE PROBLEM AND TOOK SHOTS IN THE BACK AND ENDING UP HAVING AN INAVASIVE SURGERY TO RELIEVE THE NERVE PINCING. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SURGERY MY LEFT FOOT WENT NUMB...STARTING A DAILY ROUTINE OF SEVERE CRAMPING, MOSTLY AT NIGHT, IN MY FOOT, CALF, AND THE BACK OF MY THIGH WITH A "GOLFBALL" EFFECT, AND HIP. THE CRAMPS HAVE BEEN SCREAMINLY PAINFUL AND THE ONLY RELIEF IS VERY VERY HOT SHOWER WATER APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE AFFECTED AREA. I BOUGHT A VERY EXPENSIVE NEW GEL FOAM MATTRESS THINKING THIS MIGHT END THESE HORRIFIC CRAMPS. IT HAS HELPED BUT I CAN TELL YOU IF I MOVE MY LEG ANY WAY EXCEPT FOR ONE CERTAIN POSITION...IT IS ON. I HAVE TO LAY ON MY LEFT SIDE , ALWAYS, PUT MY LEFT HIP INWARDS SORTA OF UNDER ME, AND MY LEFT LEG BENT OUT A LITTLE UNDER A PILLOW. MY FOOT "CONSTANTLY" DRAWS, AND I WORK HARD MOVING ITS POSITON TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO ONE OF THOSE CRAMPS. MY TOES DRAW ALSO. I DO HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES AND I THINK, WAS NEVER TOLD, THAT I HAVE NEUROPHY IN MY LEFT FOOT AND BOTH HANDS, BUT THEY ARE NUMB AND TINGLE AND SHOOT PAINS THROUGH THEM AND DRAW UP. I NEED TO KNOW MORE about PERHRICICAL MUSCLE GET LOGDED BEHIND THE HIP...ANYONE KNOWN ANYTHING POSITIVE??? THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS ALL.
Posted 7/7/2015 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
MAURAROSE PLEASE READ MY POST ITS RIGHT AFTER YOURS...
Posted 12/13/2017 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I realize this is 7 years after the original post, but I thought it might be helpful to reply for those suffering the same symptoms who may just now be reading this.

One of the common symptoms of PD is involuntary muscle contractions and spasms. Aside from being painful, this, along with poor posture and unbalanced repetitive movements and positioning can cause musculoskeletal misalignments that pull your body away from its natural center of balance. This is often one of the main causes of the balance problems that people with PD have while walking.

If you can afford it, getting weekly Deep Tissue Massage can be very helpful in softening the muscles, releasing the contractions, calming over-excited nerves and easing or even eliminating the pain. Stretching is also very helpful. It doesn't have to be a yoga class, as you can find stretching tutorials online. Also try being mindful of your posture, being careful not to slouch, noticing when you're leaning or shifting your weight one way and consciously leaning or shifting your weight the other way.

As a massage therapist and personal trainer, I currently have 3 PD patients that are greatly helped by these natural therapies. I'm not advertising my services - just sharing my experience in the hopes that it helps someone.

Ultimately, "HealthCare" is you taking Care of your own Health. Going to the Doctor and taking medications is "SickCare." The more HealthCare you do, the less SickCare you need.

Blessings,
smile Michael Raphael
Posted 12/18/2017 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Zenfinity,
Thanks for the refresher.
lizzy4451
Posted 5/14/2019 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was getting horrible leg and back cramps several years ago. I have been taking perhaps a tablespoon of vinegar mixed with water four or five times a week and they have never returned. I have also used a banana with the vinegar on occasion. I have also substituted Pickle Juice for the vinegar juice with the same results. Or just eat the pickles.
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