Liver cirrhosis and leg cramps

[nettl1]

Seems like when I take my water pills I get bad leg cramps mostly at night. Anyone know what I can do besides stopping the water pills? I’m losing so much sleep and waking my bed partner also. I’m so tired of this that I’m thinking of stopping the pills even though I might fill back up with fluid. Thank you.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Nett

A lot of people struggle with that and I don't think there is a common answer. It is largely driven by electrolyte balance and that is disrupted by water pills. You will see various reports. Typically there is some imbalance in sodium/potassium/magnesium and it is hard to balance those. If you can get a nutritionist or a doc to work with you on blood tests you may be able to figure out how you might be able to balance those. You want to be careful just self medicating. Potassium overload, for example, can give you a heart attack.

Wayne

[nettl1 in reply to nash2]

I did blood work and electrolytes were good. So just bought vitamins like you listed and I hope they work. Thank you

[nash2 Partner in reply to nettl1]

Just be sure to stay in touch with your doctor. We can't give you medical advice and our experience may not be the same as yours.

[savannahjane in reply to nash2]

I have a medical marijuana card, I don’t smoke anything but I do get straight THC lotion, and it’s been the only thing that stops my severe leg cramps. It’s a miracle, I feel the leg cramp coming on and I rub that Lotion into the muscle and in about a minute everything’s gone

[nettl1 in reply to savannahjane]

I wish I could get a card. Florida’s not there yet.

[nash2 Partner in reply to savannahjane]

I know people who swear by it. I'd try a magnesium supplement first as that is helpful to many too. THC research is coming but a lot of unknowns still.

[savannahjane in reply to nash2]

The nice thing about the Lotion/topicals is it doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier so no THC in your system

[nettl1 in reply to nash2]

I’ve been taking magnesium. Hasn’t helped.

[nash2 Partner in reply to nettl1]

That is the thing that drives us all crazy. So many different responses so there is very little advice that is really effective for everyone. It shows how different we are and how this disease has so many ways to bedevil us.

[utep99]

Tonic water works every time for leg cramps. Even if lemon or lime flavored. Tonic Water has quinine and therefore is highly effective against cramping. Many who deal with this issue use it 6oz a night will remove cramping.

[nettl1 in reply to utep99]

Thank you I haven’t tried that.

[gillianTS]

Hi nettl1

I do not have liver issues it is my husband who has. But I take magnesium supplements every night before bed because of leg cramps and this has worked I take 300, started a month ago, I have spoken to my own specialist and she was happy with this, I would suggest you speak to your specialist about trying this as I am not sure if you are able to try this.

[nettl1 in reply to gillianTS]

I have an appointment coming up. Will definitely talk with him. Thanks

[nettl1 in reply to gillianTS]

I’ve been on magnesium for several months. Doesn’t help. Know trying zero Gatorade mixed with water. Helps some buy not completely. I’m so sick of this. I can feel when I’m gonna have cramps. My legs start tingling.

[gillianTS in reply to nettl1]

Hi you can take quite a bit of magnesium and different types too, some people cannot tolerate higher levels of magnesium but it might be worth trying, if you end up having to visit the bathroom with soft stools then you need to reduce your dose.

[TLC777]

There is a bottled water w added electrolytes you can drink - it may help. 🙏🏻

[nettl1 in reply to TLC777]

Thank you. I’ve tried that too.

[monarchwhisperer]

Combined with Potassium; that seems to help with cramps. I would talk to your physician about that. Also try eating a banana a day or so.

[nettl1 in reply to monarchwhisperer]

I’ve been taking magnesium, potassium, calcium, and women’s multi vitamin. Helps some. But not completely.

[sleeksheep]

I get neuropathy from a foot I broke 40 years ago and tried Benfotiamine 150 mg but this didnt really stop it , I then tried R-Alpha Lipoic Acid 300mg x 3 times a day and it has given me total relief. It works by expanding the blood vessels in the damaged area there by providing a lot more oxygen to the muscle / tendons that are cramping.

I have since reduced my R-ALA to 200mg x 3 times a day as it does seem to have a good residual effect if kept up after the initial loading period.

[nettl1 in reply to sleeksheep]

Thank you. I have an appointment this month with my Digestive Disease doctor and will discuss what I can do.

[Couch1]

I've had similar problems. I significantly reduced the intake of sodium in my diet, thus requiring less diuretics/meds. I take a magnesium supplement at night called Calm to help me sleep and replenish any loss of sodium/potassium.

[nettl1 in reply to Couch1]

Thank you

[Allisonshane]

Hi nettl1

Are drinking a lot of water ?

[iowan1]

Yes I also suffer from cramping not only in my legs but also my arms. I did some research and found a Dr and his research on it. He states, Leg cramps are very common in patients with cirrhosis. They are frequently due to decreased amounts of minerals in the body, such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. If you have leg cramps, we would prefer that you take these kinds of mineral supplements and avoid taking medications like quinine. Quinine can cause a further drop in your platelet count and place you at higher risk of bleeding. So I found a dietary supplement that has calcium, magnesium and zinc, so far so good.