Cramps!

[kat54]

Hi, do many of you with cirrhosis suffer from cramps? My husband goes through phases when theyre really bad and then nothing for a week or so. I dont think he drinks enough water etc but cant make him do it! Ive also tried a magnesium and zinc supplement which I think seemed to help but its difficult to say. Can anyone recommend anything? Many thanks x

[EditorAnt]

Dear kat54, my husband also gets these horrible cramps, even though he takes magnesium tablets. At my wit's end, I ordered magnesium oil on the Internet, and it actually seems to help. I am aware that its effect has not been scientifically proven, but spraying the magnesium oil on his leg or arm when he has cramps actually seems to bring relief.

[kat54 in reply to EditorAnt]

Thank you. Its a nightmare! X

[Kristian]

I used to get cramp a lot pre-transplant. I cant really recommend anything treatment wise, but yes staying hydrated should help.

[Huggy7614]

Hi kat,

Had awful cramps for about a year before transplant then almost none since!!

I would get them in my thighs, calves, fingers, everywhere!! Probably the worst side effect I had!!

I was advised to keep hydrated and keep electrolytes levels up.....so eat bananas and the like!!

Only had one bout of them post tp but nowhere as severe and nothing for a good few weeks now.

Good luck to him - and you.

Andy.

Ps. The water WILL help, some suggestion that tonic water is good for it but that tastes like crap!! But he really does need to drink loads of water!! 2-2.5 litres per day!!

[kat54 in reply to Huggy7614]

Thanks. Will try to get him drinking more water. X

[carllovatt]

also try the old fav bananas, but celery, sesame seeds and chocolate. and tonic water [ quinine ] if it is bad see your doctor for quinine pills they work but quinie is a serious drug.

[kat54 in reply to carllovatt]

Thanks very much. X

[jazzjam]

I eat a banana a day and take magnesium supplements, I get the odd cramp in my legs, toes and fingers. I have just been away and forgot my magnesium and couldn’t buy any, I also didn’t get my regular banana a day. I have had cramps in my calves on an evening whilst I was away. Now I did a lot of walking so maybe that contributed but I am quite active anyway now so I would be surprised if it was. I can’t say definitely they work but for me I am now back on my banana a day and supplements.

[ballie52]

I used to get cramps on both thighs and lower legs before I cleared my Hep C virus!

Not so much now..guess that's a good indicator of things significantly improving in the cirrhosis side of things!

I was always curious as to why people with liver disease get these awful extremely painful cramps!