Leg Cramps: For the last week I have... - Advanced Prostate...

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Leg Cramps

Scout4answers profile image
60 Replies

For the last week I have had severe cramps in both calves.

I have also been having mild occasional restless leg syndrome for about 6-9 months very sporadic.

Is this a side effect of ADT? or am I just starting to feel the effects of a 75 year old body breaking down?

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Scout4answers
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60 Replies
treedown profile image
treedown

It's probably all that dancing with Coco (sorry on spelling). JK. If they started after ADT could be. If your activity choice or level increased or changed that could be it. I get seep tissue massages and the spots that I cramp are always triggered.

MiaAmia profile image
MiaAmia in reply totreedown

My partner was having significant leg cramps for a while (on Firmagon and Erleada). His thyroid function had been reduced so he was put on thyroid medication which might have helped but his personal solution, to drink about 200 mL of paedialyte (not as high sugar as gatorade and more controlled dosage of salts from what we've read) as soon as cramps begin has been very effective. Almost always happens when he's been golfing or working out. Water alone is not sufficient as salts can be depleted too. Good luck!

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toMiaAmia

thank I will check it out

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply totreedown

there is a lot of dancing going on.

2 dance dates this weekend 😎

in reply toScout4answers

Love baby! 👏👏

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply to

Her love is powerful...

in reply toScout4answers

yah!❤️

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

Its a good thought, I try not to drink much before bedtime as I need to pee frequently if I drink too much

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

What is life like in Montserrat? It sounds like an exotic place.

MJCA profile image
MJCA

If your doctor allows, taking magnesium citrate eliminates leg cramps. I used to get them a lot. Started taking 500mg daily and no leg cramps.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toMJCA

thanks

noahware profile image
noahware in reply toScout4answers

I second the idea on Mg supplementation... may be a good idea even for those without cramping! I suggest taking in the pm. Some googling will reveal other possible benefits.

Fightinghard profile image
Fightinghard in reply tonoahware

i 3rd the magnesium suggestion also might try a little potassium. I think the adt causes some basic minerals to slowly deplete

mrssnappy profile image
mrssnappy in reply toMJCA

You can also try soaking in a hot bath with Epsom salts for magnesium. Costco sells Dr. Teals's brand. Make sure to stay hydrated too.

in reply toMJCA

Good for heart health too.

Don_1213 profile image
Don_1213 in reply toMJCA

Yeah - Magnesium supplements should quiet them down. It's like age-related peripheral artery disease. Also potassium - a banana with breakfast will usually eliminate them also.

cmdInTx profile image
cmdInTx in reply toMJCA

I like magnesium glycinate as it's better tolerated by the digestive system. Magnesium taurate is also good.

ARIES29 profile image
ARIES29 in reply toMJCA

I take magnesium Glycinate, is that the same as citrate I wonder? Cramps started after starting Firmagon ADT.

Andy1569 profile image
Andy1569

Try Coconut Water. They make a version that has some added Pineapple Juice that is great tasting. It's a bit pricey but its full of potassium and magnesium.

It helped me relieve the leg cramping I was dealing with a few years ago. And I still use it as necessary.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toAndy1569

I will pick some up on my trip to Costco this afternoon

Izzygirl1 profile image
Izzygirl1 in reply toScout4answers

Let me know if Coconut Water helps! My husband gets leg pain, at night especially, and deals with restless leg. I'm going to up his electrolytes today! Hope you find relief!!

in reply toAndy1569

👏👏👏💪

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

I have been replacing e .

Will watch C MP #s

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

Jimmy Buffett mentioned it in a song or two

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber

after I adt started Lupron Xtandi, for a couple years I get that restless leg looking thing , joking call it my Saint Vitus Dance episodes.

I make sure I’m well hydrated with those mineralized sports drinks and a Xanax makes quick work of it for me. I pretty much have it now and then continuously. Every day for sure. Compared to the “ other “ issues I have, it’s a minimal thing I kinda ignore unless it cranks up ( which it does. ).

😁😁😁

CAMPSOUPS profile image
CAMPSOUPS

A lot good of recommendations, comments. I'll throw in my 2 cents. For women it is quite common and relates to low potassium. Witness my wife who when it starts to predominate she makes sure to eat a banana a day and by about 3rd day cramps subside.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toCAMPSOUPS

This is my 3rd banana day, we will see what happens tonight.

CAMPSOUPS profile image
CAMPSOUPS in reply toScout4answers

🙏🤞

Hey scout! It could be dehydration ? Potassium might help . A couple bananas a day? Or a combo of both . It is the adt . Imho That’s drives muscles down ..

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber

omg …… yayahahahaya yayahahahaya. Brutal ….. you one lucky guy, big guy, …… ronron is in the same boat as you are too. At least it shows that it’s possible, you probably looked so good in that tux , she just couldn’t resist you. Talk’in about QOL …. Wooooooow 😂😂😂

RS265 profile image
RS265

Calf cramps became part of my life with ADT despite daily stretching in Pilates sessions and other activity. Magnesium supplements did not seem to help but since starting with Estradiol for hot flushes they have diminished to cautionary/annoying, not crippling jump from bed type.

Vynbal profile image
Vynbal

While I was on 6 months of Orgovyx, I had muscle cramping in my hands. Never happened before ADT and only a few times since.

bobdc6 profile image
bobdc6

A banana a day takes care of mine, if I skip a few days, cramps. Stretching helps too.

Bob, age 80

MateoBeach profile image
MateoBeach

”Come Mr. Tallyman, tally me bananas. Daylight come and me wants to go home.” Get some Kirkland Calcium with Magnesium at Costco to go with those bananas. Then dance, dance, dance!

in reply toMateoBeach

I believe the quality of your supplements is extremely important or you will be wasting your time and money....I love Costco and their olive oil from Italy is fabulous, but multi vitamins and other supplements from there, not so good.

in reply toMateoBeach

Lol was gonna say, keep those bananas coming, great for you! You can also cut and freeze , delicious in your smoothie.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toMateoBeach

perhaps you cold perform that live at my 105th Bday party😎

London441 profile image
London441

Your supplementation is good (or is becoming so it seems), so you’ll see if that makes a difference.

It’s been said, but you must hydrate for many reasons, preventing cramps being only one of them. You know this, but nighttime frequency can make one reluctant, with this I can empathize.

Hydrate anyway. You can train your bladder to hold more very safely. Think of your younger years. At the least, you can try hydrating more consciously during the day and stopping early in the evening.

Do you stretch your calves thoroughly and regularly?

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toLondon441

Normally I do but knee injury as kept me out of yoga classes lately. be back to it soon.

Max24 profile image
Max24

You are not alone buddy! I have been going through the same thing for a while....doctor says to increase levels of magnesium intake...will let youknow...

in reply toMax24

there are a few types of Magnesiums to choose from, for all of you guy's, I would choose Magnesium (glycinate)

dagreer profile image
dagreer

I get that from Statins

Gunner2017 profile image
Gunner2017

pickle juice works in a pinch

Scout, there is a great product that my husband takes, an electrolyte drink mix. It comes in a box with packets of different flavors. I put one packet in about 24 ounces of water. LMNT electrolyte drink mix. contains 1,000 mg sodium, 200mg potassium, 60mg of magnesium. I call it my home made Gatoraid...its good for you and has helped Jim with this problem. I have a juicer and sometimes I add juiced watermelon , believe me its really good. It mixes easily as I put it in a mason jar and just shake it up. I do this every day for him. I hope this helps you! Jim likes citrus salt flavor, I have tasted every flavor, all good!

Have you been doing your stretches? On an interesting note I found that calf stretches help prevent hamstring cramping.

erjlg3 profile image
erjlg3

Maybe ask doc about potassium supplements or just eat a banana. Helps me every time I get leg cramps or toe and finger curl cramps.

🌻

groundhogy profile image
groundhogy

look up sciatica. Lower back pinching nerves. Typical pain pathways go down back of leg. Can appear in calves and foot heels. And other places

Miccoman profile image
Miccoman

Great suggestions already posted with a number of issues to pursue.

Off the wall suggestion. This probably won't work, but it's easy and free to try...

A somewhat successful remedy for cramps at night and RLS is to put a bar of soap under the bottom sheet, down by your feet. Any soap, wrapping removed. Ivory and Irish Spring (US brands for a mild, plain soap and a strongly scented one for men) are supposed to be really good: Google it.

Worked for my mother, has worked for me. YMMV

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toMiccoman

interesting

Why does this work?

Miccoman profile image
Miccoman in reply toScout4answers

Millions of opinions, from placebo effect to various components of different soaps to interaction of feet with a solid under the sheet to, um, alien influences? LOL No one knows, but there are enough people who try it and it works for them. I can guarantee that no one, well except those that believed everything Dr Oz said on his show, expected a stupid bar of soap to make any difference at all. But it did. Effect does fade and then it's time for a new bar. This world is full of strange and wonderful things!

in reply toMiccoman

I don’t know how good for you that would be, breathing Irish spring chemicals all night. I’m glad it worked for you, but it’s a no, for me❤️

Miccoman profile image
Miccoman in reply to

On a side note, I was talking to an elderly neighbor yesterday and she was telling me she has been successful using grated Irish Spring soap to repel mice! I'm going to try to help the poor old thing seal off her house to keep them out.

I wonder what else the "refreshing spring" chemicals in IS soap will ward off! LOL

CAMPSOUPS profile image
CAMPSOUPS in reply toMiccoman

I'll try it in my bird feeder. See if it keeps the squirrels away. ha.

in reply toMiccoman

I think this is true Mic, I’ve heard same!

Are you on abiraterone? If so, how much prednisone are you taking? My husband was having terrible calf cramping after restarting Zytiga. The pharmacist printed the label with instructions to take 10 mg, which he did. Leg cramps started within days.

The MO's instructions were to take 5 mg, so after adjusting the dosage th cramps stopped. MO says it isn't the Zytiga, it is the prednisone that causes the cramps.

Hope yours have since resolved.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply to

interesting thanks

I have been taking 5 mg prednisone but was thinking of increasing to 10 mg to lower my blood pressure. So many moving pieces and trade offs

StePeteMN profile image
StePeteMN

Requip works well for RLS!

CAMPSOUPS profile image
CAMPSOUPS in reply toStePeteMN

Im interested to know more but "Requip" doesn't show up on searches.

StePeteMN profile image
StePeteMN in reply toCAMPSOUPS

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ropin...

CAMPSOUPS profile image
CAMPSOUPS in reply toStePeteMN

Thanks. Appreciate the quick link to Wiki too.

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