Are Leg cramps a symptom of FND or something else?

Over the last 2 months I’ve started to suffer cramps in calves both legs during the night and on waking. It came on acutely and I am getting more regularly now and is Very painful. Thought it was the hot weather and dehydration so increased my fluid intake but still experiencing them. I’ve tried other self help measures too as researched online. If not relateable to FND then thinking it could be something else more sinister? Claudication, clot ? My FBC over last 2 years has always come back as abnormal , over range for Haemaglobin & Haematocrit but never investigated further. My GP has asked to see me from recent results 2 weeks ago but appt not until August. I have had magnesium , CK, lipids & thyroid (on levothyroxine) checked too and all within range.

Would be interesting to hear of anyone else that suffers cramps and get some info ahead of seeing GP.

TIA

[Artyellow]

Yes, I get horrendous leg cramps. If I wake up in the night, I only have to move my legs slightly and they cramp or seize up really painfully. They stay stiff and painful all day so it is difficult to walk. I also have bad rls and limb movement which can sometimes keep me awake all night.

[JAAMY in reply to Artyellow]

Hi, I have cramps literally everywhere, even in most ridiculous places. Gladly loads of them are bearable. My GP said it is very likely is a part of FND for me, but the couldn’t tell me for sure not did they investigate it much farther apart from routine blood test. Supplements of potassium, zinc, vitamin B complex or magnesium oil were beneficial in my case but the hardest was to find the balance point and not to overdo or overtire my muscles, often rest is important. Know your limits and don’t push. Hope you will find something that works for you. Take care.

[Jenradmo in reply to JAAMY]

oh my God, I’ve had the symptoms before but recently worse

no one has heard of it and no one has experienced it. The doctor just flogs me off and we’re saying it’s just fight or flight and they’ve never heard of it before. I have seen a pattern with it. And it seems to be when I’m stressed, tired emotional anxious or malnourished. However, six weeks ago I started new medication which is technically an antidepressant and an antipsychotic because I have ADHD and I’m undiagnosed. I am on the waiting list and they can’t prescribe me anything until I’m diagnosed for actual ADHD. So they put me on Mitazapine pain and I am on the lowest dose possible. The doctor told me that it could be symptoms of too much serotonin go through my body , and then I looked into it and the tablet that I’m on is not even for serotonin. It is not an SSRI

Even the doctors these days don’t know what they’re talking about. I am sick to death of being flogged off and I have been reading so many of these forums of people in exactly the same position that don’t know what it is. I’m worried that it’s something sinister, and I’ve been really convincing myself that I’ve got a brain tumour or a epilepsy coming.

And I am a single mum that’s been diagnosed with ADHD hypermobility and fibromyalgia and the symptoms seem to be getting worse. I am terrified. Something terrible is gonna happen to me every single person that I read on these forums still don’t have an answer. does anybody know what’s going on with me I’ve had twitching in my calf muscles at the same time in the last few days. It’s definitely getting worse and just like everybody else I can feel it coming on

[JAAMY in reply to Jenradmo]

Hi, I am really sorry for your struggles. I wish there was definite answer. I know the feeling of like you are falling apart bit by bit and no one is taking you serious or just ignoring you, as there is nothing significant showing on test results. It took over 4 long years of fight with doctors to finally being diagnosed. The point is you are very stressed and that most likely makes your symptoms worse or cause relapse. Try your best to get your stress level under control. I know easy to say but it is worth an effort. You need to push through and not let them tell you there is nothing wrong, be a pain and demand whole body check up, scans, extensive blood checks. Whatever you can get. It is slow process but at least help you to find a reason or exclude all, helps you to find your peace. About serotonin maybe doc meant your body produces more, not from medication. Don’t be afraid to question them make them angry or annoyed with you. You know your body and you know something is not right. Did you see a neurologist yet? Hope all will fall in place for you and you will find cure and peace.

[Jenradmo in reply to JAAMY]

no I mentioned to him that I was on new medication which is an antipsychotic and an antidepressant for my ADHD because they can’t give me ADHD medication until I’m actually diagnosed.

They said it may slow down my thoughts and help me get to sleep and switch off. When I told the doctor about my twitching, he was concerned and said to keep an eye on my tongue as the main side-effect can be seizures.

However, he then went on to talk about how the serotonin in my body from the medication could be going around my body and causing these problems but the medication I’m on is not serotonin based. It’s not an SSRI.

So he gave me that advice it’s settled me a little bit but then I discovered it’s not SSRI and not serotonin based so obviously he didn’t do his research in the information you gave me was wrong.

[JAAMY in reply to Jenradmo]

oh ok. I got it. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5....

The above link states :

Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant and is used primarily for the treatment of a major depressive disorder. Mirtazapine is in a group of tetracyclic antidepressants (TeCA). Mirtazapine inhibits the central presynaptic alpha-2-adrenergic receptors, which causes an increased release of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Muscle pain is on the side effect list but not twitching. Stress definitely make all worse. You might have more conditions overlapping. They usually give new medicine few months to see if it suits you and all the side effects are worst at the beginning. He cannot tell you definite answer yet if medicine causing all that or making it worse or not that’s why he tells you to keep eye one it which I know it is frustrating. If it gets really worse just go and see some other doctor. You sometimes is worth to get second opinion. I don’t think you will find answer in the forum. You can only get some ideas really what could it be and get some tests. Those symptoms could be a part of anything really. Sorry I am not of help.

[MONIREN]

Muscle cramps are painful, I find extending my toes up as high as possible helps ease the cramp. Also because of restless legs, I wriggle my toes to the beat of a song in my head, it helps me, plus aids me in getting needed rest during wakeful hours at night. True doctors don't seem to understand FND. I had one neurologist say it was because of depression, I went off my antidepressants. No way do I recommend that, but I didn't want to be defined by depression. That was 4yrs ago. I'm now getting physiotherapy to help with one symptom at a time. That might not be possible for some. You need to find something that gets your mind in a happy place, playing calm music helps calm yourself. I've never been able to meditate, but music helps. Take care. Moni

[Jenradmo in reply to MONIREN]

thank you so much. I’m not depressed and I told the doctor that but they said it’s not just a antidepressant. It will slow my thoughts down and help me get to sleep. The problem is I know people like that on it and it helps and sleep, but because I’ve got ADHD, it’s still taking me three hours to switch off. I am not depressed but I do suffer with anxiety. I struggle to wake up in the morning and get going in a struggle to settle in the evening and switch off so I tried it for these reasons. However, since I started I’ve been getting the symptoms but I don’t know if it’s medication related or other things

[MONIREN in reply to Jenradmo]

It is difficult, I have various health problems, on 24 meds a day, so to isolate what causes the cramps is difficult. I do know my FND is progressive but I don't fit into the ' normal ' criteria for FND, just all other tests don't show anything. I was diagnosed 5yrs ago after chasing diagnosis for years. Its hard when you don't get seen as a person, just a disorder. Finding my new normal is difficult, as the goalposts are beyond my control. I've had to focus on what I can control and hang on . I do hope you find someone who will listen and help you. Take care. Moni

[BookwormRN]

Hi! I too get leg cramps. I try to maintain a balance between activity and rest - as you know this can be hard to figure out. I always take magnesium at night (even though my magnesium levels are fine) and do have a prescription for baclofen if needed, but rarely use it. There are different kinds of magnesium supplements. Research them and decide which would be the one best for you. I believe I take magnesium citrate. My physician recommended that I take them regularly and this seems to help me. Hope you find a solution to yours - so painful and makes sleeping difficult, which in turn makes all other symptoms worse.

[KM29]

Have you have Covid or the vaccines by any chance? Huge numbers of us are getting this type of thing among every other variety of muscle and nerve condition. Calf cramps could be a lack of magnesium, but if they usually seem to happen in one calf more than both.

[Tora1]

I had leg spasms at night, from my hip to my foot, very uncomfortable and would keep me awake. I went on Endep for a while and it really fixed it. My Fnd flares up in winter and hot humid weather. Hope your doing better now!