Cramps and tightness in calves

[JazzMan42]

Since November 2018 I've been on Lupron/Prednisone,Zytiga and recently started Prolia. PSA has been steadily dropping (now 0.51). Side effects manageable so far. Lately I have been feeling tightness in my calves especially in bed. Had a few cramps that went away quickly. I am exercising regularly on treadmill, stationary bike and plenty of walking. Is my calf issue (no cow jokes please) caused by: 1. My meds, 2. PCa, 3. exercise, 4. Any combination of the three ? Has anyone experienced this? All wisdom from my fellow sufferers gratefully appreciated.

[noirhole]

Keep hydrated and add some potassium either a supplement or a banana a day. That helped my cramps.

[Magnus1964]

I have those cramps also. They come from my peripheral neuropathy. Among the other drugs I take for the neuropathy i take mirapex and Leg Cramp by Hyland.

[Hidden]

I had horrific calve spasms while sleeping too; was on lupron, zytiga and prenisone. Just to keep blood test potassium up to a passing level, I take like 5000mg of potassium a day. Added a big dose of magnesium too, and the cramps stay away, plus it keeps the restless legs under control as I have had that my entire life. No longer on lupron due to orchiectomy, but I still get the cramps if I don't take my supplements.

[Gearhead]

Lupron + Zytiga +Prednisone for 9 months. All the common SEs, plus some not-so-common ones (e.g., scrotum itch), but no cramps in calves. Of course, as posts on this site demonstrate, we all have somewhat different reactions to the same treatments.

[Hidden]

I agree with other posts that your Potassium is probably short. I would not go as far as 5000mg a day, as that can go the other way into hyperkalemia. But a 450mg a day until things ease off should be safe enough.

The problem is these meds alter the "normal" ranges of Potassium (and other minerals like magnesium and calcium). Find your "New Normal".

I also take a bean bag to bed - heat for 3 minutes in the microwave and that lasts long enough to get legs and numb toes comfortable and get to sleep.

[monte1111 in reply to Hidden]

I have severe cramps on occasion. Have to walk them out. I have hot/cold gel compresses around here somewhere. Will try them for my neuropathy. Thanks for the idea. If I didn't have a microwave, in two weeks they would just find a pile of bones.

[EdinBmore]

For no apparent reason, "Charlie Horse" cramps in calves usually at wake up time occurred out of nowhere. Hurt like hell. Massaged calves until cramp stopped. I attributed to Lupron. I, too, drank more water and took potassium (but check out side effects to too much potassium). As quickly as they cramps appeared, they disappeared. Go figure. Side effects from Lupron are varied and brutal in my opinion.

Good luck to you.

EdinBaltimore

[Don_1213]

All of the above. Lupron certainly doesn't help. Leg cramps can be a sign of PAD (peripheral artery disease) which also is made worse by Lupron (one of it's many "side-effects" that may eventually kill you instead of the PCa.)

Banana a day certainly helps (as will orange juice - the pulpy kind) and staying hydrated.

[Currumpaw]

Hey JazzMan42!

Are you taking a statin? Could be the reason if so. If you are, are you eating grapefruit?

Something that works wonders for cramps in a link below.

Science Finally Helps Explain Legendary 'Pickle Juice ...

nbcsports.com/philadelphia/......

Currumpaw

[JazzMan42 in reply to Currumpaw]

Thanks to all who responded. I am taking atorvastatin but laying off grapefruit. I have started the banana a day and have low sodium V-8 juice in the morning. I'm hoping that this will help as I am trying to avoid any more pills than I am already taking. I'll let you all know if this works.

[Hidden in reply to JazzMan42]

You may take a long hard look at taking a Statin and do some reading. The growing mound of data is that statins are to cure a non-disease (or at least not needing a sledgehammer non-fix). Watch this space - it is beginning to look like a multi-billion dollar publicity and "scare" stunt that worked beautifully. My guess is they will fade off the market over the next 5 years and heads will roll. Find other natural ways to control cholesterol (if indeed it needs controlling at all - the problem is way over-rated) and throw those statins in the rubbish bin. The less poisons the easier the fight against Pca.

[j-o-h-n]

First of all: Bananas,

Next: POTassium,

Nex:t Bend toes up (towards body) to eliminate a cramp.

Next: Don't take guitar to bed or you'll "fret" all night about cramps.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/24/2019 6:45 PM DST

[MateoBeach]

You have lots of suggestions to consider offered here. But please also be sure to get a calcium level. Prolia is known to cause a significant drop in serum calcium as it is taken up into the bones. At least 1,000 mg of supplemental calcium is appropriate (in combination with 500 mg magnesium), and if your level is low then double that amount might be appropriate. Calcium is involved in muscle cell relaxation so low levels can lead to cramping.