Leg cramps: About 4 months on Lupron... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

22,373 members28,135 posts

Leg cramps

runtrails profile image
42 Replies

About 4 months on Lupron. Besides the miriad of daily hot flashes, mild tired, I have been feeling decent, but last few days lots of leg, calf, and other muscle cramps. Can this be related to Lupron? Taking Oxybuton for hot flash, but low dose. Any reason not to take a potassium and magnesium supplement to see if it is electrolytes?

Written by
runtrails profile image
runtrails
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
42 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Oxybutynin may be the source of your problem. Try not taking it and increasing your water intake.

mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy

I increased my water and MO put me on Potassium as it constantly runs low

katartizo61 profile image
katartizo61 in reply tomrscruffy

add Trace minerals worked great for me

Nusch profile image
Nusch

There are APPs for your smartphone such as CRONOMETER and they offer a free version, too. You can monitor your food intake for a few days and see, if you get enough magnesium. Otherwise change your diet (preferred) or complement with a supplement. I‘m not a doctor, but that’s what I don

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

Similar experience but not sure I can trace it back to Lupron. Coconut water for electrolytes and bananas for Potassium seemed to help. My MO also prescribed Potassium Chloride due to low potassium in my blood tests.

Cyclingrealtor profile image
Cyclingrealtor

I haven't had cramps but muscle and joint aches that have increased substantially since I have been on Lupron. No matter what every day feels like "the first day back" to exercising.

TMcgee profile image
TMcgee

my MO put me on tonic water and Claritin, which surprisingly worked.

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy

Have you tried transdermal E2 in place of those nasty, exorbitantly priced Lupron injections?

maley2711 profile image
maley2711 in reply toE2-Guy

Is that a proven way to lower T to acceptably low level? If so, what doseage?

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply tomaley2711

I have been using the E2 gel for almost 5 years now and here are my PSA levels: Check out my posts for images of how much I use. I apply it 'most' days. I don't know if it will eliminate leg cramps since I haven't had that problem for many years. I have been dealing with PCa for 20 years and still feel great at almost 80…I am totally asymptomatic. I don't even know what a hot flash feels like? I still do two sets of 15 pull-ups each day.

4/1/2018     - 0.71 [started using tE2 4/15]

6/19/2018   - 0.49 

8/3/2018     - 0.19

10/30/2018 - 0.046

1/22/2019  -  0.076

4/23/2019  -  0.014

8/10/2019  -  0.004

11/06/2019 - 0.003

2/11/2020   - 0.012

5/14/2020  -  0.003

2/16/2021  -  0.003

12/11/2021 - 0.012

4/2022        - 0.006

7/2022        - 0.006

11/2022      - 0.006

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers in reply toE2-Guy

I still do two sets of 15 pull-ups each day.

Impressive!

I do 3 sets of four, alternating pull ups with chin ups ( easier).

You have raised the bar Ron😎

Oldie68 profile image
Oldie68 in reply toE2-Guy

Impressive! What's "E2" ? Where can I buy it?

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply toOldie68

Estradiol…I buy E2 gel here in Thailand. It is not available in The US. The pharmaceutical companies and doctors do not want it sold there since it would eliminate doctor visits and $6K trimonthly Lupron injections. I haven't been to a doctor for five years.

in reply toE2-Guy

This has been quite a learning experience on this 13th month of Jims C diagnoses. Thank you for your valuable input❤️

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to

Hi Karen,

Is Jim using the E2 gel? If so, is it helping him?

in reply toE2-Guy

E2, not yet. I will email you for some advise before he starts.

Mio

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to

Why is he waiting?

in reply toE2-Guy

Ronnie, I always respect Jims decisions. I think he is ready for a change at this point. Waiting for his scans now. Are you saying the original email address has been changed?

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to

ronpitelka@yahoo.com is the best way for us to communicate.

in reply toE2-Guy

Good I have that, I thought maybe you changed it. Thank you Ronnie!

E2-Guy profile image
E2-Guy in reply to

Please use my email instead of HU.

Vynbal profile image
Vynbal

I was on Orgovyx for 6 months (rather than Lupron) and during that time I had muscle cramps in my hands. They stopped once I was off ADT and my t recovered.

FinnO profile image
FinnO

On ADT (Orgovyx) for 7 wks now. Started developing unexpected intense calf cramps by week 5 during normal workouts. Already getting electrolytes from regular dietary sources (bananas etc) so I upped hydration and added an electrolyte supplement which has resolved it. For me it seems to be the ADT and forgetting I’m not 30. 

fish7days profile image
fish7days

Maybe switch from the Oxybutynin to Megace 20mg daily. That stopped hot flashes almost immediately for me with no side effects. Try drinking Gatorade G2 low sugar or maybe Pedialyte for a few days and see if it helps.

Ramp7 profile image
Ramp7

I found lots of exercise really helps with symptoms. Also convenience MO to prescribe low dose Estrodiol 0.05. Helps with Hot Flashes and bone density. Check studies for proof.

Ramp7 profile image
Ramp7

For me exercise includes hiking in woods and rowing.

London441 profile image
London441

How much do you exercise and what kind?

runtrails profile image
runtrails in reply toLondon441

5 to 6 days a week. Weights, Swim, run (not like I used to with mortons neuroma in feet). Have trainer.

London441 profile image
London441 in reply toruntrails

In that case up the exercise intensity if possible and round up the other usual suspects-minerals, stretching and especially hydration.

If you have been athletic a long time you know how to hydrate. If not you might be coming up well short even with perceived effort. It has to start upon waking if you’re working out hard, especially in warmer weather of course. Not necessarily large amounts at a time, just consistently.

I never cramped until I started taking Lupron. Even after being off of it for 2 1/2 years I still cramp if I don’t hydrate well, but if I do almost never.

If you’re only at 4 months address this now. ADT side effects are usually cumulative.

Nighttime urinary frequency complicates the situation for me but then so does everything. Great luck to you!

in reply toLondon441

London, Thank you for your advise!

Teaker profile image
Teaker

I had a similar problem. I tend to sleep on my back. During the colder weather, the extra weight of the blankets would cause the tops my feet to bend forward and put tension on the calf muscles. After a few hours, I would wake up with leg cramps. Started sleeping on my side and cramps disappeared. Never have leg cramps in warm weather when quilts and wool blankets are stored away.

RCOG2000 profile image
RCOG2000

i was able at one time to participate in ultramarathons. Found tums were very helpful for cramps in legs during competition in addition to hydration

SteveTheJ profile image
SteveTheJ

FWIW, none of that has resulted for me in 3 years of Lupron. Hope you figure it out.

Jim has no muscle cramping any more you can also add a little Pomegranate juice to the mix. I hope you feel better!

Easy to use, mixes well. a drug free way to solve your problem.
dagreer profile image
dagreer

Are you all on statins? I find I seem to get leg cramps when I am on statins full-time. I lowered to 2 - 3 days a week and much better.

runtrails profile image
runtrails in reply todagreer

Yes..but been on them for over a year

john4803 profile image
john4803 in reply toruntrails

I was on Lupron for 2.5 yrs. & never had cramping. When PCa returned & went back on Lupron, plus, Erleada, started having leg cramps. Embarrassed to say it was constipation. From Erleada, I assume? Anyway, added yogurt to my diet & got rid of constipation & leg cramps!

deepsci profile image
deepsci

I've been on intermittent ADT for 7 years. My leg cramps (not sure they are from the ADT) are prevented by my oncologist's recommendation of a quarter teaspoon of magnesium citrate, plus a half-teaspoon of potassium chloride (both from Bulk Supplements) in a cup of water, rinsed three times with a bit more water, as the magnesium is slow to dissolve. My cramps only come late in the night, so I drink the treated water at my first bathroom stop about 2 am.

There is something else you can do. At night take melatonin along with your magnesium glycinate. Start with 20mg melatonin and work up to at least 60 mg at night.

Melatonin, a good brand.

Just to give you an idea

I hope you feel better❤️
Dynamo profile image
Dynamo

I used to have a lot of problems with leg cramps almost every early morning.. But I ran across this product & haven't had a cramp since I started using it.. Its Hyland's Leg Cramps ointment.. I just smear a little bit on my calves & the top of my feet.. Doesn't take much.. I order it from Amazon 3 tubes for about $20.. It comes in a couple of days.. Only once did I see it in a local pharmacy.. Most don't seem to have it in stock... Sure works for me..Good Luck..

Runner1957 profile image
Runner1957

I had the same on zolodex but took advice from a consultant who was was also a runner. He said the hormone therapy was causing muscle wastage and to lift weights to rebuild them. For me it improved things within 3 or 4 gym sessions.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Stomach cramps

Advice needed- dads stats: 71 years old stage 4 one met to bone that was treated with cement,...
Nyquist5 profile image

Leg Cramps

For the last week I have had severe cramps in both calves. I have also been having mild occasional...

Herbal remedies for lupron side effects?

Is anyone aware of herbal remedies to counteract the side effects of lupron, particularly the hot...
wellness profile image

Any correlation between hot flushes and effectiveness of ADT + Casodex

I started ADT + Casodex in November 2018 for my metastatic PCa in many pelvic and abdominal lymph...
dac500 profile image

Nausea

For those of you who experience regular hot flashes, as I do, from lupon or other, do you feel a...
runtrails profile image

Moderation team

Bethishere profile image
BethishereAdministrator
Number6 profile image
Number6Administrator
Darryl profile image
DarrylPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.