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Leg cramps

MightyMouse1963 profile image
15 Replies

I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for the past 6 years but have had the symptoms for around twice that long. I've been suffering leg cramps at night for the past month or so. Because of sensitivities to most medications, paracetamol and ibuprofen included, i am reluctant to take. I saw my GP last week because, quite frankly, I'm finding it difficult to carry on the way I am. She advised Amitryptaline which helps with sleep, nerve pain and anxieties and said she would prescribe. She said with regard to cramps it isn't fibro related, and due to the way it reacts with other medications she wouldn't recommend Quinine. Just collected my prescription. QUININE! No sign of the Amitryptaline. She obviously didn't listen to herself, let alone me! Where do I go from here? I really can't cope now with tge constant fatigue, pain and fog.

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MightyMouse1963
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15 Replies
Dinkie profile image
Dinkie

leg cramps can be down to low vit D or magnesium. Have you had a blood test recently? I have found magnesium spray helpful for leg cramps and a good soak in Epsom salts before settling down for the night. Fibro throws different symptoms at us, sometimes several at the same time so it can be difficult to know what is fibro and what isn’t.

Hope you find some relief soon.

MightyMouse1963 profile image
MightyMouse1963 in reply toDinkie

Thanks Dinkie. Yes, no deficiencies in bloods apart from B12, just had my top up. ESR levels raised, but that is me and my Sjogrens. TSH under control due to meds. Needless to say I'm not going to take the Quinine! I'm already on Hydroxychloroquine!! I think she has confused herself and prescribed Quinine when she meant to prescribe Amitryptaline.

JoanneJA profile image
JoanneJA in reply toMightyMouse1963

hello here to tell you that Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause leg cramps. This information comes from my mother who has a PHD in pharmacy. So not random info

JoanneJA profile image
JoanneJA in reply toJoanneJA

Definitely recommend getting a good supplement of that I had this happen to me last year I kept getting cramps and this feeling like needles in my legs. Magnesium and Vitamin B12 really helped me

MightyMouse1963 profile image
MightyMouse1963 in reply toJoanneJA

Hi Joanne, yes, B12 deficient and had my jab last week. I get them every 10 weeks. Due to a change in GP I was 2 weeks late!

Dizzytwo profile image
Dizzytwo

Hi there, I think you need to ring your surgery and explain the mix up with your prescription so the GP can correct it.

The doctor was obviously saying one thing and thinking another when they wrote the prescription. I'm sure we all have done the same at sometime. I do. I think one thing and then do another lol .

Doctors are only human too. Give them a call this morning and see if they can fix you a new prescription today.

Momo

Josie-Anne profile image
Josie-Anne

Hi Mightymouse1963,

I used to be In amitriptyline for restless legs but had to come off them due to having to take another tablet from the neurologist but my doctor prescribed me quinine when my legs got really bad so don’t see the problem unless your in something else that it will affect. Tonic water has quinine in so I used to drink that, but I would ring up the receptionist and ask them to speak to your doctor on your behalf stating she told you no quinine yet she gave you a prescription for it and yes to amitriptyline but prescription for that so could they sort it for you and they usually do and tell you to ring back later on in the day and they got through what’s been said and if there’s a prescription for you to pick up, good luck 🤗

MightyMouse1963 profile image
MightyMouse1963 in reply toJosie-Anne

Thank you.

AHOB profile image
AHOB

I am 76 years old and have suffered from only recently diagnosed fibromyalgia for over 45 years. I find moving my body helps and have used YouTube a lot. Gentle Yin yoga helped and I particularly like Taro Iwamoto Mindfulness/Feldenkrais exercises, which help with movement and retraining the brain/mind to interpret the pain differently. Leg cramps can come from tight hips, feet and ankles. Mediation (I have used Brainwaves and Headspace) is also a must for fatigue and I pace myself throughout the day with regular sessions, even just putting a timer immer on for 10-15 minutes, lying down, closing my eyes and concentrating on breathing. The Amitriptyline simply subdued and slowed me down so the best self help for me has been variously sourced YouTube exercises often practised in the morning and as a before bedtime routine..

Southport-beach profile image
Southport-beach

I used to suffer from frequent bad leg cramps. I now take a daily magnesium supplement and very rarely get cramp anymore. I suggested it to a friend and it has worked for him as well.

florence5 profile image
florence5

It sounds like you aren't taking other medications at the moment, so perhaps you could try the Quinine if the leg cramps are your main issue and see if it helps. Otherwise I would call the GP to say you thought she was prescribing Amitriptylene and not Quinine. No harm in checking.

MightyMouse1963 profile image
MightyMouse1963 in reply toflorence5

I've got numerous other conditions I'm taking meds for, Hydroxychloroquine, Propranolol, Nifedapine, Atorvastatin, Carbimazole, to name a few. I'm allergic to Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.

fibo profile image
fibo

Just go back to Surgery and tell them you have the wrong drug, you will have to leave to live with Fibromyalgia it does take a lot of years, I found that once you give in and stop fighting it, it does seem to improve, pacings the word, but it's working out what pacing means, take care..

AHOB profile image
AHOB

I'm sending you some links to YouTube videos, which may help with leg cramps and general exercises to keep you mobile. I use them to help with my fibromyalgia. The Living Pain Free Myofascial Release (MFR) Ball Kit is useful and can be purchased and used in bed if the pain wakes you at night.

10 minute Fascial Fix Exercises for Calf Pain & Chronic Compartment Syndrome

youtu.be/-cz0kNoHukk?si=x2t...

Stretching exercises for beginners - 10 minutes of exercises from head- from German Liebscher-Bracht with exercises dubbed in English, helping with general mobility.

youtu.be/6ExVsOrqRLc?si=lPs...

I do hope one or both of these help even if they are not a complete cure for recurring pain. Start off slowly and see how you progress with each exercise of 2 minutes duration

1 hour ago

MightyMouse1963 profile image
MightyMouse1963 in reply toAHOB

Thank you.

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