Cramps: I have recently been diagnosed... - British Liver Trust

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Cramps

Nof1nidea123 profile image
18 Replies

I have recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. I am experiencing very severe cramps in my hands arms feet both lower and upper legs and stomach has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas for how this can be helped

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Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123
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18 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

This is often a sign of a mineral deficiency (common with cirrhosis) and you might need a blood test to check what you might be lacking. My hubby was getting cramps quite regular and found a banana a day helped. A small drink of tonic water can often help too.

Katie

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply toAyrshireK

Thank you Kate I will try it as the cramps are so painful. I'm new to this there is so much I don't no. It is really scary as there seems to be so much going wrong with me. I'm very grateful for your advice

Fastkat profile image
Fastkat

Before diagnosis with stage 4 cirrhosis I used to get cramps in hands feet and legs. These could be pretty severe and go on for a while. Now I just cramp in my left hand so it has pretty well stopped with no treatment. My feet still cause me a throbbing type pain which can be 24/7.

I’m at hospital nxt week and will ask about treatment as I’m not allowed pain killers.

Do you have edeema in your legs?

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply toFastkat

Yes my legs are very swollen. I sympathise with you not having pain medication I'm in the same boat I have a cold at the moment and they wouldn't allow me paracetamol. It's just so frustrating

I kept having severe foot cramps when suffering from cirrhosis too, especially during the last few months leading up to the transplant.

Since the transplant over a year ago, I might have had 2-3 cramps but they've been relatively mild, nothing compared to before really.

For me the transplant sorted out the cramps and all other issues. Not sure what can be done about them if a transplant is not an option I'm afraid.

All the best, Klodian

jojokarak profile image
jojokarak

I tried tonic water for a time and it worked for a bit and then I was prescribed some medication called questran powder just go to your GP and see if it's suitable for you and for times I had nothing a cold or hot compress helped depending on where I had it x

jojokarak profile image
jojokarak in reply tojojokarak

Sorry it's not questran predictive text you can be prescribed quinine medication x

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply tojojokarak

Thank you

Bermuda1 profile image
Bermuda1

I take a supplement of Calcium , Magnesium and Zinc , its worked for me , no cramps for years now or arthritic like pains in hands , ankles and knees which I used to get . My consultants are happy for me to take this , I take what is the normal RDA . Those minerals , and potassium are the ones which when you have cirrhosis are often depleted , some people do not absorb them as well from diet alone. Blood tests, unless very specific rarely show a magnesium deficiency . My blood tests have never shown any deficiency in those areas , bit I am evidence that it works . If I stop taking within 10 days they will return , tried it to test out it once.

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply toBermuda1

Thank you I will Pursue this with doctor.

missunites profile image
missunites

I found Tonic water and magnesium tablets helped but not entirely as i was getting exceptionally painful cramps around knee and ankle joints. I now take Quinine as well.

Irene

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply tomissunites

Thank u irene

Wendy57 profile image
Wendy57

Yep. Every night. Agonising. Reduced me to tears. I feel for you as, sorry, nothing would stop them. Had my transplant 8 weeks ago and not a twinge since. Good luck and keep posting to offload. Always someone listening.

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply toWendy57

I'm not any where needing a liver transplant so I feel like a bit of a wuss. I am glad your doing well now. Thank-you for your supportive words

Wendy57 profile image
Wendy57 in reply toNof1nidea123

OK. If that's the case then I feel there must be something to help. How you presented your problem to your GP?

Nof1nidea123 profile image
Nof1nidea123 in reply toWendy57

Yes I told my gp but as I have a lot of things going on right now I don't think she thought it was a priority

Litimag profile image
Litimag

I really sympathise with you, pre-transplant the cramps were bad for me too. Used to wake me up during the night, truly agony. I never tried tonic water though I wish I had, however on a side note I find that it helped me with the Prograf shakes after my op.

in reply toLitimag

Hi I've got Nash and have terrible pain and cramps. I'm having an mrcp on 28th January then I see consultant on 1st Feb when he will tell me what's next. I really hope you feel better son

. Lots of love Lynne xxxx

PS my Dr also referred me to a podiatrist for my feet though I don't think it will help but I will try!!

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