Coping with leg cramps and pains during the night.

[Joanne_Joyce]

I thought I has solved this problem when I started sleeping in a chair a few weeks ago. Gone were the cramps and leg pains and I slept with less interruption. But the last few days my feet have been swollen and I am suspecting I should be elevating my feet at night which is hard to do in a chair. I dread having to go back to sleeping on the bed again. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any suggestions?

[Hikoi]

How aboujt sleeping upright in bed - does that work?

[park_bear]

If you can fit a recliner into your furnishings it works very well - you can adjust the angle of your back as you like and there is a swing-out foot support to elevate your feet.

[Kntrach]

Hi yes your not alone in have it real bad iv got an electronic bed and have my legs up but it doesn't help my dr started me muscle relax Meds to try and help I can only take 1 of a night tho cause iv got muscle waste in my legs which doest help ..

[Prayergirl in reply to Kntrach]

@Kntrach I have cramps in my left leg. Someone here told about taking 2 Benadryl when the cramps start. I've trie this and most of the time it works for me within 15 minutes. I also usemy favorite thing that I keep with me always. It is a heating unit called

MY HEAT BUDDY that my daughter found for me. It gives me great relief. The best $30 I have ever spent. myheatbuddy.com

[parkie13]

Magnesium helps with muscle relaxation. If you're on some kind of a heart medication Maybe you need some potassium. Aside from Parkinsons they can both cause leg cramps. Did you read about mustard for leg cramps it really works. You can take a teaspoon of mustard and just swallow it with water it's absolutely amazing it stops the cramps.

[ramondo4]

Are your leg cramps a Parkinson problem, I have continual pain in my left ankle , never had it before

my sinemet tablets.

[honeycombe3]

Joanne,

This is one of the longest-lasting & most distressing aspects of PD. I have experienced it on & off for the 12 yrs since I was dxd. In my case it is often associated RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) which I have so badly on occasion that I have pitched myself out of bed! The RLS is thought to be connected to agonists (I take Requip 8mg CR in the morning) but is also an effect of several other meds. This is a prime example of the cure sometimes being worse than the PD: you take meds to control one symptom but end up with a whole array of side effects. My glass is still half full - just.

[Pelley]

Swelling is also associated with agonists. I cut way down on Requip and my swelling has disappeared (for now) I sleep in a chair most nights mostly because of negotiating stairs in the AM.

[Doodeet]

This may sound weird but I have foot and leg cramps and a couple of swigs of tonic water (quinine) stops them in 5-10 minutes.

[Astra7 in reply to Doodeet]

That's not weird. Really helps.

[Shakinginnc in reply to Doodeet]

I take a big dose of yellow mustard and within a few minutes I can go back to bed with no leg cramps the rest of the night. It works every time!

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to Shakinginnc]

That is amazing. How do you take the mustard - just by itself or on something?

[Shakinginnc in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

I take all by itself but then again I like the taste of it. Just make sure to drink some water after.

[Joanne_Joyce]

Thank you every one for for your comments and advice. I still sleep in a chair but I elevate my legs with lots of pillows and cushions. The swelling has reduced. I don't have any cramps either so that seems to be working. Oh yes, a recliner would be wonderful. I hope I can get one eventually.

[Hidden in reply to Joanne_Joyce]

Use that money to get a hospital bed instead of a recliner. I did and it's terrific!

[Joanne_Joyce in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your suggestion. I have since bought an orthopedic mattress and I drink a tea made with magnesium in powder form at night. No more leg cramps.

[Idofotos]

I take one cabodopa levodopa and a Magnesium 400 mg right before bed really helps me