So after having had a lovely day out yesterday. We did quite a long walk,my first since my leg scalding accident. I managed the walk ok and did just short of six miles. I was tired but not overly so. Went to bed at my normal time and dropped off only to wake suddenly after about an hour with bad cramp in both my upper thighs. I relieved this by walking about as usual, then it came back in my lower legs followed later by in my feet . ... what a night!
I am going to see the pharmacy today about getting some magnesium spray or cream as Aussie Neil said he had used. Is there anything to be gained by adding magnesium tablets?
I did drink plenty but because we were in a remote area, drinking leads to needing the loo and where we were, there weren't any!! So I do limit my intake until we get back to the car.
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I found taking magnesium tablets helped to greatly reduce the incidence of cramps, but I still got them occasionally. The cream always worked, but you had to put up with a minute or two of cramping pain. I suggest you see how you go with the cream/spray and later add the tablets if you consider that necessary.
Great to hear you managed a good length walk, particularly after your leg scalding. You may find you will be less prone to cramps as you recover your fitness.
Thanks Neil, yes I think was the extended walk. I will get cream/spray today and report back. We have a walking holiday planned in a few weeks so need to be prepared. Thank you as always for your advice. Alice x
Amazing. we are in Australia and watch "Escaped to the Country series" which features this stunning country side and everywhere there seems to be these amazing walking trails.
Yes we are blessed with good walking. Just a few minutes from home we are in open countryside, less than ten minutes in the other direction and we have beach and fabulous clifftops to walk safely for miles.
I suspect a bit of dehydration has contributed to this. I’ve been plagued with severe cramps for many years and take daily magnesium. The magnesium spray didn’t help me much but despite the increased loo visits, I still drink plenty of fluid especially chilled water. Failing this, it’s country dancing round the bedroom at ungodly hours as the only other solution to what can be agonising cramps! 😖 I know every squeaky floorboard!
I use topical analgesic cream (Bengay)on areas that cramp up during the night. It helps me and the cramping goes away after a few minutes and I can go back to sleep!
Thankfully I dont get it often. It is agony. That cream will be good whilst travelling and sitting. I havent thought to use it for cramp. The rehydration salts help if I get hot and sticky. My sodium levels are low and I was shocked when I was told to go to the hospital to have them checked. We are told not to eat a lot of salt and maybe when its hot weather we need a bit more. Anne uk
Here in the US you can get it at any retail pharmacy or grocery store. Hopefully you have it in the UK also. People use it for arthritis joint pain as well. Hope it helps. Let us know what you think!
Can be used for a variety of issues- there are different brands available. The one I found to be most effective lists active ingredients as follows: camphor 4%, menthol 10% and methyl salicylate 30%. Helps with muscle cramps for me. Barb.
Just note that methyl salicylate is a form of aspirin, and might be absorbed enough to affect platelets if used too often/over large body areas. The creams were developed to allow the aspirin effects be localized instead of throughout the body like the pills. But studies show frequent use, or over large body areas, can get blood levels up through the body. So caution is warranted unless use is only occasional. And if one is on a BTK inhibitor, uses the cream, and the area appears bruised or bruises afterwards, this would be expected. Whether or not the topicals are OK for those on BTKi's is best discussed with your docs. I am sure it would relate to how often it gets used, how much is used, and how much your skin absorbs as well as your particular platelet function.
I have been on Imbruvica for over 5 yrs. The cream is only used occasionally when my sleep is disrupted due to muscle cramping. Only a small amount is needed and I have never had bruising at the site. As with anything else, moderation is the key and one has to do what feels right in their situation.
I had two knee replacements. The 2nd was easier than the first. My husband attempted to help me on my 1st by lifting my leg onto the couch. I soon learned it was much better to use a strap to lift up my own leg. He could adjust pillows but I moved my leg!
Sorry to hear this. I find a soak for 20 mins in a warm bath with Epsom salts works for me. Don’t use soap just soak then overnight magnesium penetrates through the skin.
I would Anne but we don't have a bath now. Had a hot shower and I got some magnesium oil spray. The muscles which were affected last night really hurt tonight but I am hoping for a better night. xx
It maybe that going on that long walk was the problem with cramp at night. Muscles that haven't been used regularly can strain the muscle and cramp up when the rest of the body is rested. It can be like going on a long walk and then sitting down for a while, when you get up your legs will feel stiff until you start the walk again. Many people carry out stretching exercises of the muscles before starting any strenuous exercise / event and then the same after the exercise / event has finished. Massaging the muscle before bedtime may also help. Good luck on your walking holiday.
Thank you, I think you may be right. I haven't had much exercise lately. Gently does it I think, Going foraging today so a bit more walking. I think with me, since I was diagnosed with CLL, I am determined not to let it beat me or stop me living.
I did have some cramp before I started treatment but I don't have any anaemia now. I take an iron tonic every morning, it's called Spa Tone and approved by my CLL consultant.
Sometimes I get a ".feeling "before I go to sleep Thst I'm going to cramp up. I take two magnesium aspartate capsules and that usually helps. I also have made use of magnesium cream which works almost right away !!
I discussed with my GP and she said the tablets can cause diarrhoea, and I also have the spray but not sure how effective it is, so like Newdawn it’s dancing around the bedroom at 2am. I just try to be aware of not suddenly stretching my feet in the middle of the night.
Thanks Colette, I certainly don't want diarrhoea so will leave the tablets unless I am forced. I used the spray last night, only because I could feel the soreness in my thigh muscles. It tingled for a while but I slept better. xx
Sorry for your terrible night. I know magnesium spray helps me but also potassium. If you walk a lot and drink a lot of water, you deplete your electrolytes. I use pink Himalayan salt in my water or drink Dr Bergs Electrolyte powder drink. It’s got magnesium and potassium in it. You need 4700 mg of Potassium. For reference: A banana only has 100. I hope you find relief.
I have 1 vitamin B12 injection for 5 weeks to help the pain in my legs and the numbness in my foot. I started last Tuesday. I read that it can cause low potassium. I will take supplements and include magnesium.
I also have been dealing with leg cramps, mostly nightime, for years. The worst are the inner thigh cramps - hope no one ever gets these. Its most likely a combination of dehydration and overuse of muscles from the extended walk. Even college and pro athletes cramp up during games and these people are very young and very fit. So the solution for me and many has been: 1. Tonic water with Quinine - Quinine was given to the French foreign legion troops in Africa for cramping. And it works!!! But there may be a small risk of cardiac and other issues with Quinine. So check with your Doc. I have been drinking it for 20 years - aprox 16 oz for cramps and it works in 5 minutes usually. 2. Yellow mustard. Participants in the iron man type events all carry small packets ( like you might get with your Chinese food order) of yellow mustard and it works fast. 3. Hyland pills - available in USA and perhaps near you. these are also Quinine based I believe and 4. Finally for a more preventative approach - Theraworx Relief Foam. Rub it into the muscles prior to your walk/event. It certainly helps but does not work fast. Sometimes I use 2 or more of these solutions at the same time - sort of a combo approach. Remember, dehydration can occur quickly - re-hydration takes time. Hope this helps.
I too get inner thigh cramps, and when both legs are in spasm, I cannot walk. They are much less intense and frequent and last less time now that I take 2 ibrutinib capsules instead of 3. My doctor is pleased with the bloodwork results. I have used the reduced amount for over a year now.
But the thing is a banana only has about 100 Mg of K. You need 4700 per day. May I suggest a V8 juice. I think that’s almost 800 You can get low sodium too. Or a K supplement. I get the Dr berg mag and k but Amazon sells bulk supplements of K. I used to use that too. Just to maybe get 2000 mg then the rest through what I eat.
I've had some horrible leg cramps at night!!! Mine are usually in the calves. They checked my blood and told me low potassium. Gave me a script for potassium fizzies which got rid of my cramps. Hope this helps. Keep up the long walks. You've inspired me to go this evening when the heat is down.
Since tablets of magnesium didn't seem to work for me I started a magnesium liquid that foams when you pump it from the container. I rub this on my legs and feet before I go to sleep. So far I have gotten through the night without leg or foot cramps.
Six miles with hills is good going so big well done for that.
Try the mag (both types) and see if it helps.
Also try a warm bath and gently massage the legs in the evening.
Physio hard foam rollering might also help if you can do that, but take it easy. Rolling pin (type with bearings) might be an easier alternative (I've not tried that, but should).
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