Cramping Toes: Has anyone out there... - Cure Parkinson's

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Cramping Toes

stavis profile image
38 Replies

Has anyone out there experienced toes cramping & curling under? It seems to happen more in the A.M. when I get out of bed. Any suggestions?

Thank You!

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stavis profile image
stavis
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38 Replies
Jupeter profile image
Jupeter

Yes, I do, but more in the evening when sitting in front of the TV. I try to press them against something flat to straighten them out.

GrammyC profile image
GrammyC in reply toJupeter

I do the same thing! Eating a banana every day helps with this. It must have something to do with the potassium.

Koko profile image
Koko in reply toJupeter

You have my dog!!!! I llove my Westie. HE takes such good care of me. HIs name is Winston.

Jupeter profile image
Jupeter in reply toKoko

Hi, Koko, she may look like a Westie but Muffin is a Tibetan Terrier. And I love her to bits. She takes care of both of us - when my wife fell over (her meds for Nocturnal Epilepsy affect her balance) she wouldn't leave her side and she knows when my wife has a fit.

I was never a dog lover but I now appreciate what they can bring to the home. Muffin is 2 yo and has lit up our lives.

christinemc profile image
christinemc

Mine do if I am tired or walk too far. I carry a folding stick now

Koko profile image
Koko

YES and boy is it painful! IT usually happens if I forget my meds. What a reminder. My husband massages my foot until the meds kick in.

I do and it makes my exercising difficult.

lmacquinn profile image
lmacquinn

I've had Parkinson's for 5 years. My toes have been curled most of that time. My doc has me taking stalevo every 3 hours around the clock. I haven't found anything yet that helps. Had a message once that helped for a short time. I've heard some people have done botox.

I'm afraid it's just of this disease that we have to deal with.

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply tolmacquinn

I used oil of magnesia spray on And works well for a while but the body gets used to it.I alternate with BioFreeze.

MagicMax profile image
MagicMax

Try the supplement: Chelated Magnesium 250 mg in the morning, and 250 mg in the evening. It is inexpensive and takes away 80% of the cramping. I use 300 mg of Gabapentin to handle the rest of the pain.

Lindaonmeds profile image
Lindaonmeds in reply toMagicMax

I take 300 mg Gabapentin (Neurontin) 3 x day...It is the only thing that has given me any relief; however, the cramps feel like the muscles are being ripped off the bones..it happens almost every night and when I am riding in a car..sometimes just sitting and it starts..it has been one of my biggest problems w/PD

honeycombe3 profile image
honeycombe3

YES on my PD left side. Disipal was brilliant for me in this respect but after 3 yrs it affected my memory like demntia so I stopped taking it. Nothing else has touched it & at present my whole left side is getting worse. PD nurse is planning to introduce Amantadine if it continues. I take Tramadol for pain. I've found aromatherapy oils in a footspa a cheap treatment, physio, execises in water, deep tissue massage & acupuncture all help.

Court profile image
Court

Yes, I suffer from cramps in my toes and also in my leg on my tremor side. I usually try to walk these out but they can be painful, especially in my leg. Expect this is another thing that goes with the territory. The list seems endless.

PatV profile image
PatV

Yes on my PD side toes stick straight out necessitating a larger shoe size. on the right (unaffected so far ) side, they have started clutching the floor like a prehensile monkey. I sing to the tune of 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall:

All 10 toes on the floor

All 10 toes

If one of those toes should happen to curl

All of Pat will be on the floor!

in reply toPatV

Good song :)

FrankBerson profile image
FrankBerson

About 3 years into my PD my toes started to cramp. I find thatt wearing sandls or clogs relieves the presurre, Stavelo also helps.

Frank

PatV profile image
PatV in reply toFrankBerson

I'm looking into the sandals. Just got off Stalevo. It hurt my ab.

rattlered profile image
rattlered

yes, my toes cramp but they curl upwards toward the ceiling. this is qute panfull. I've found rubbing the calves of the legs will relieve much of it.

Larry_H profile image
Larry_H

I have curling toes on both feet. My toes are in constant movement inside my shoes. My massage therapist makes comments about how my toes are bent downwards. I just cannot help it. I do get cramps in calves and toes from time to time. Massage therapy is wonderful for your muscles.. (Added note)

stavis profile image
stavis in reply toLarry_H

Thank You all for your suggestions on my culing toes, it's truly nice to know I am not alone in this battle with P.D. This site has been so helpful , I 'm glad I foound it.

Thanks Again!

daveyno9 profile image
daveyno9

my toes cramp when i put my shes on

daveyno9 profile image
daveyno9

shoes as well

srarndt profile image
srarndt in reply todaveyno9

LOL!

BILLYRAY profile image
BILLYRAY

thanks and i thought it was just me....

srarndt profile image
srarndt

I used to walk my dog 2 miles a day before this issue reared it's ugly head. For a long while I would find temporart relief by walking backwards for a while. Then that stopped helping. MY doctor recommended that i see a podiatrist to have a "release" - code name for surgery wherein they cut the tendons - but before I went that route I found relief via my DBS. The night after my first surgery for it, (when they implanted the electrodes) was the first night in years when I did not have to get out of bed in the middle of the night to try to walk the cramps off. No problems in the 18 months since!!!

Anyone else out there with a similar cure or a contrary experience?

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)

Pete-1 profile image
Pete-1 in reply tosrarndt

I "speak" sometimes to a lady in a chatroom who used to have trouble with gait freezing. Not just for up to 30 seconds like I do but for hours and hours. This has been well treated with a DBS operation.

srarndt profile image
srarndt

Suggestion: You'll find LOTS of replies if you put the word "Toes" in the search window.

Estelle profile image
Estelle

My big toes turn up & my dr said to never let anyone operate on them as it is coming from my brain not my toes.

srarndt profile image
srarndt in reply toEstelle

Great advice!

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)

Lomtootie profile image
Lomtootie

I tremor on the left but the curling occurs on the right side not only in the toes but the ankle. I have a very high pain threshold...but this is extremely painful. I take 200 mg Carbodopa Levidopa 5 times a day, Mirapex 3 times a day and 1 mg Azilect 1 time a day. Now I am taking an Apokyn injection first thing when I awake. Apokyn is my "hurry up" med. I have relief in 9 minutes. BUT, there has to be something else....any suggestions?

Pete-1 profile image
Pete-1 in reply toLomtootie

I wonder if a DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) op. might help?

srarndt profile image
srarndt

Excellent question - probably should ask a good movement disorder specialist, as well as a medtronics representative.

Steve (Bisbee, AZ)

I have to massage the pad of my foot. I've taught my husband how to do this. It may cause some pain, but has said that when he presses on the knots( trigger points) he can actually see my toes uncurl

Holbertsavich profile image
Holbertsavich

My toes on my affected side curl under while the big toe on that side flexes upward. It usually happens in the morning and when my meds haven't kicked in. Wearing my Orthaheel sandals helps as my weight is shifted to my arch. This helps till meds start working. I hate others experience the same but appreciate everyone sharing.

etheline profile image
etheline in reply toHolbertsavich

hi my fellow PwP suffering with curling up bigtoe ,

what is orthaheel sandals and where can I purchase a pair.

Beemacs profile image
Beemacs

I had both feet cramping this morning but it lasted only a minute. When I get them the only thing that has helped is riding my stationary bike and they leave in just a few minutes. Good luck! I know they can be very painful!

Wjohn profile image
Wjohn

Hi. I knew a person who suffered with this and drank a glass of soda water prior to going to bed and it solved his issue. Don't know if it works for all but may be worth a try. :-)

Bouffere85 profile image
Bouffere85

I have been diagnosed with PD 5 years ago, and for the past 2 years my left big toe stands up straight from time to time, it's painful , it makes a hole in many shoes!!! My other toes curl down cramped with pain also and it also does but less on my right foot.

Amandine did not work for me plus it gave me terrible side affects....Botox I refused it...

Would love to hear about socks recommendations, shoes, foot exercises, home remedies but NO surgery

Thank you

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