Help with cramps\spasms in body. COPD... - Lung Conditions C...

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Help with cramps\spasms in body. COPD/Emphysema sufferer.

12 years ago•12 Replies

My Dad was diagnosed with severe COPD/Emphysema in August 2012. This has got much worse very quickly, he is not on oxygen as yet but is very limited in what he can do. He has damage to his hear also. He takes these sort of seizures, not unlike epilepsy really. Although he has had brain scans and tests etc and they have said they are not epileptic seizures but to do with the heart and lungs. These have got more and more frequent, at least one every day. He is attending hospital and seeing a heart doctor and his COPD doctor but they dont really have many answers for us. Has anyone else suffered from these? My Dad is only 50 so this is very scary for us all. Thanks

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flumper0453

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12 Replies

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12 years ago

hi flumper -

i am in exactly the same position as your dad, in fact you could be talking about me - except i am a year older.

The only difference is i get the pains in my chest/rib cage area.

ring the BLF helpline and speak to the nurse there, she can give you some invaluable information and give you some help with what questions you need to ask your doctor.

flumper0453• in reply to12 years ago

Thank you, he also gets them in his back and chest area too. I will contact them tomorrow. Thanks x

medow12 years ago

Hi Flumper, I too get a cramp feeling in my back, a little in my chest, I went to the dr's and he couldn't find anything wrong, but maybe mine is also due to oxygen supply, think krazylady's advice is very good, I know I will be following it tomorrow, take good care of you flumper xxx

Puffthemagicdragon12 years ago

I get cramp in my toes and thumb sometimes. Even before I had COPD I always put cramp down to lack of oxygen.

amster12 years ago

I am not a medical professional either so will not try the google guess talk to the helpline and your fathers doctors. Hope you find out a treatment that helps and can report back with positive news.

12 years ago

From personal experience and the sharing of experiences with others...

Lung medications can also cause these symptoms, but your Dad's cramps sound really severe, I do hope he can get something to help him with this. The doctors can prescribe quinine for cramps, hopefully this can help your Dad's cramping (ask the GP)

Also cramping can be helped further by drinking plenty of water everyday, throughout the day, to help the body stay hydrated. Drinking water is helpful for all lung patients or anyone who needs to take medication for health reasons.

As krazy mentions do contact the BLF helpline for further advice, information and what to ask the doctor.

For those experiencing just night cramps an adjustment in time you take the medication may be useful (again check with your GP) others may get relief just by taking a glass of tonic water before bed.

Good wishes to all

Zoee

bluemagic12 years ago

Hello Flumper,

Sorry to hear about your Dad. I have bronchiectasis and get cramps in hands, legs and feet too. My late daughter had severe bronchiectasis and also got the cramps you describe. While in hospital blood test showed she was low on potassium, causing the cramps. They disappeared after treatment. She had also been taking quinine. (This may not be the case with your Dad, of course.) Good luck.

Relic12 years ago

Quinine sulphate belongs to a group of medicines called anti-protozoal agents and they are used to treat: malaria and prevent night cramps in adults and the elderly when sleep is regularly disrupted talk to your fathers GP about this medication.

12 years ago

Sorry to hear about your dad... I am getting terrible cramps in my legs mainly but also feet and other places have for months.. The hospital when I go in give me injections to thin the blood I thought was probably just circulation but my 02 is dropping to as low as 50% a month ago and am waiting to find if on top of everything else, whether I also have Bronchiectisis..

flumper045312 years ago

Well Dad was rushed back into hospital last night. They think he has yet anther infection but have said that these cramps he has been having are actually seizures and he has a weakness down the left hand side of his body. He is waiting on a brain scan. So all very worrying for us. Anyone heard of this before?

flumper045312 years ago

Just to update u all. Dad had lots of tests done, inc brain scans etc. They feel the spasms are as a result of the heart damage and COPD\Emphysema. They have not given him anything or really been much help in explaining things to us. We feel a bit lost. He is having a heart tracker put on next week for a few days to monitor his rhythm etc. He continues to take these spasms, four yesterday within 30 mins. Thank you to everyone who answered my post.

girliegirl20127 years ago

Quinine is not available in the USA. The FDA (Federal Drug Admin.) ordered it be removed because of side effects. Here is a website you can check out:

Quinine for Night-Time Leg Cramps - Consumer Reports

consumerreports.org/cro/201...

The FDA has issued warnings about quinine since 1994 and more recently about its minimal effectiveness in treating leg cramps. In 2006, it banned the sale of all unapproved drugs that contained quinine except the branded drug, Qualaquin, because of the risk of serious side effects or death.

I've taken Quinine before it went off the market for leg cramps. I now take requip for restless legs syndrome. I don't believe I could live without it.

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